† A WOOD NETSUKE OF A WOLF WITH A SEVERED HEAD

拍品描述

† A WOOD NETSUKE OF A WOLF WITH A SEVERED HEAD Unsigned Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Boldly carved as a voracious, emaciated wolf, or yama-inu (mountain dog), its head lowered as it salivates over a severed head. The artist strikes a delicate balance between dramatic effect, humor, and anatomical precision, the yama-inu being depicted not in a realistic manner but rather in an exaggerated, dramatical parody, while the bones and musculature are carved with remarkable naturalism. The fur and other details are neatly incised and darkly stained for effect and the eyes are inlaid in pale translucent horn. Natural himotoshi. HEIGHT 4.2 cm The subject alludes to the practice of leaving bodies of executed criminals on the ground for animals to eat. Raymond Bushell offers the opinion that severed heads were not actually left for animals, but rather that the image symbolized the fear of the traveler dying far from home without family to bury him properly. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a wolf with a severed head, by Shigekazu, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 May 2024, Vienna, lot 125 (sold for EUR 3,380). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

图片