Private Collection
| Antique
Japanese Carved Netsuke Shakumi Noh
School Mask signature: Koshin,
Circa: early 1900s' H. 1.5 in.(3.5cm),
W. 1 in.(2.5cm), D. 0.6 in.(1.3cm) Condition:
excellent! An
elegant Noh mask ivory netsuke, carved with delicacy and perfect symmetry. Shakumi
is a classic archetype, a strong and mature female character that is no stranger
to the vicissitudes of human theatre. She is distinguished by the delicate wisps
of hair around her face. Her eyes are heavy and slightly weighted. Her lips are
a brilliant cherry red and offset with blackened teeth, a mark of beauty in Japan
since the Hein period (794 to 1185 CE). Himotoshi are carved in the back, as is
the formal artist signature of Koshin. Moist, dense, high-hand polished to an
elegant natural sheen. A marked beauty of simple grace. (SD)
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