DEME UMAN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BEARDED MAN

拍品描述

DEME UMAN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BEARDED MAN By Deme Uman, signed Deme Uman Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a bearded old-man mask, possibly of Warai-jo type, the aged face rendered with deep wrinkles, pierced eyes, and a broad smiling mouth exposing neatly carved teeth. The flowing moustache and long beard are executed with finely incised strands, framing the expressive features and emphasizing the benevolent, joyful character. The forehead bears raised circular brow-whorl motifs, recalling Okina masks, though the lively expression and open grin suggest a more comic old-man type. The reverse with a central himotoshi bar and signed DEME UMAN. HEIGHT 4.5 cm Deme Uman was the grandson of Deme Juman, who is regarded as the originator of mask netsuke. He is regarded as the most celebrated of mask netsuke makers and worked almost invariably in wood.

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