A LARGE AND SUPERB LACQUERED AND CARVED HINOKI WOOD NETSUKE OF A NIO HEAD, ATTRIBUTED TO NAITO KOSEKI

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A LARGE AND SUPERB LACQUERED AND CARVED HINOKI WOOD NETSUKE OF A NIO HEAD, ATTRIBUTED TO NAITO KOSEKI Attributed to Naito Koseki (1871-1948), unsigned Japan, Kyoto, c. 1900-1930 Masterfully carved in the form of a head of a Nio, or Guardian King, the face with a wrathful expression, bulging eyes highlighted in gilt, and mouth ajar, the bulges and veins of the face expertly carved, and covered in red and black lacquer to accentuate the three-dimensionality. Large himotoshi through the neck and underside. HEIGHT 8.5 cm, WIDTH 4.9 cm Koseki was a resident of Kyoto and a celebrated sculptor who studied under Tanaka Mondo (1857-1917). He was not a regular carver, however, he created netsuke at the request of Oscar Charles Raphael (1874-1941), Walter L. Behrens (1861-1913), and other Western collectors, two of which are now housed in the British Museum. His great skill acquired from the study of ancient sculpture fascinated collectors, and his works made for export helped introduce Japanese carving abroad. His most celebrated work is an Amida Buddha created to celebrate the refurbishment of the Amida Hall at Enryakuji in Kyoto. Museum comparison: Compare a closely related hinoki wood netsuke of a Nio head, signed Koseki to, 9.5 cm tall, in the British Museum, museum number 1945,1017.530.

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