| Antique
Ivory Japanese Netsuke
Shishimai
Playing Suzu Bell
Signed:
Masayama, go Shozan, c. 1830-1865 mid-19th C
Listed
in: Netsuke by A. Brockhaus Leipzig, 1905
Netsuke by F.M.Jonas, Kobe, 1928
Netuske, Miniature Art of Japan, by Y.Okada, Tokyo, 1951
The Netsuke Handbook
of Ueda Riekichi, Tokyo, 1951
H
1.75 in.(4.5cm), W 2 in.(5cm), D 2 in.(5cm)
Condition: excellent!
There
are several well known netsukeshis by the name of Shozan. The calligraphic “grass
writing” script of the signature on this piece identifies the artist as the one
also known as Masayama, a recognized carver of the mid 19th Century.
| 
Private
Collection |
A
large and heavy, highly graphic netsuke depicting a shishimai dancer with lion
costume and suzu bells, performing a dance originating in ancient rituals conducted
to ward off evil spirits. Carved from fine grained ivory, cream to light gold
with age patina. Highly graphic, deeply engraved and darkened over time in the
recessions; the eyes, hair lines and embroideries inked with sumi.
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