Japan, probably Kyoto Terracotta Wood netsuke depicting a monkey inspecting a flea. - 4.1 cm
18
days
13
hours
53
minutes
55
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 1,700 - € 2,000
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Japanese terracotta netsuke depicting a seated monkey examining a flea, Edo period, second half of the 18th century (ca. 1770–1800), height 4.1 cm, width 2.6 cm, depth 3.4 cm, unsigned, with an old brown patina and wear, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
Old Japanese wooden netsuke depicting a seated monkey intently examining a flea held in its raised paw.
The composition, compact and expressive, is built around the animal’s long arms that frame the body, while the legs are drawn forward. The face is powerfully modeled, with deep orbital cavities, a angular nose, and a particularly lively expression.
The fur is rendered by numerous fine incisions, still clearly visible in the protected areas. The eyes are directly carved into the wood and are not inlaid.
The reverse and underside feature broad himotoshi, deeply hollowed and fully integrated into the functional design of the netsuke.
The wood shows a beautiful old brown patina, darker in the hollows and lighter and polished on the reliefs, a consequence of long handling and use.
The theme of a monkey examining or catching a flea is well attested in netsuke sculpture of the 18th century. A very close subject is notably documented in the work of Masanao of Kyoto. The present piece, unsigned, is however not attributed to Masanao. Its compact modeling, the power of its volumes, and its overall treatment nonetheless allow cautiously proposing a link to Kyoto’s animalier tradition of the second half of the 18th century.
Japan, Edo period, second half of the 18th century, probably around 1770–1800.
Unsigned.
Height: 4.1 cm.
Good condition for its age, with old wear, small marks, light scratches and scuffing. No major structural damage or significant restoration apparent.
Provenance: old private Italian collection; acquired from Pierre-Eric Becker, Cannes, on December 2, 1999; later acquired on the Austrian art market.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jwcekh2a1t72fm4jint2g/AMENCt9V_moApV0IBXRzV70?rlkey=ami8frb6by0vbekbqokeiw5xi&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateOld Japanese wooden netsuke depicting a seated monkey intently examining a flea held in its raised paw.
The composition, compact and expressive, is built around the animal’s long arms that frame the body, while the legs are drawn forward. The face is powerfully modeled, with deep orbital cavities, a angular nose, and a particularly lively expression.
The fur is rendered by numerous fine incisions, still clearly visible in the protected areas. The eyes are directly carved into the wood and are not inlaid.
The reverse and underside feature broad himotoshi, deeply hollowed and fully integrated into the functional design of the netsuke.
The wood shows a beautiful old brown patina, darker in the hollows and lighter and polished on the reliefs, a consequence of long handling and use.
The theme of a monkey examining or catching a flea is well attested in netsuke sculpture of the 18th century. A very close subject is notably documented in the work of Masanao of Kyoto. The present piece, unsigned, is however not attributed to Masanao. Its compact modeling, the power of its volumes, and its overall treatment nonetheless allow cautiously proposing a link to Kyoto’s animalier tradition of the second half of the 18th century.
Japan, Edo period, second half of the 18th century, probably around 1770–1800.
Unsigned.
Height: 4.1 cm.
Good condition for its age, with old wear, small marks, light scratches and scuffing. No major structural damage or significant restoration apparent.
Provenance: old private Italian collection; acquired from Pierre-Eric Becker, Cannes, on December 2, 1999; later acquired on the Austrian art market.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jwcekh2a1t72fm4jint2g/AMENCt9V_moApV0IBXRzV70?rlkey=ami8frb6by0vbekbqokeiw5xi&dl=0
Seller's Story
MIMOSA SA — EXPERTISE, RESEARCH AND TRANSMISSION
For more than 26 years, I have been working as an art dealer specializing in ancient Asian arts. My work is not simply to offer objects: it is to observe them, to understand them, to study them and to document them before passing them to a new collector.
Each work presented by Mimosa SA undergoes thorough examination. Depending on its nature, this study may concern the iconography, the style, the proportions, the material, the execution techniques, surface traces, patina, the condition, restorations, provenance as well as relevant bibliographic, museum or archaeological comparisons. When justified, additional scientific analyses may also be undertaken.
Our approach rests on the experience of sight, gained from direct contact with the works for over two decades, but also on methodical and constantly renewed research. We always favor a cautious, coherent and argued attribution rather than a seductive but insufficiently substantiated assertion.
Transparency is at the heart of our approach. The wear, gaps, accidents, ancient restorations or more recent interventions are reported as precisely as possible. When an attribution carries uncertainty or remains a working hypothesis, it is clearly presented as such.
Present on Catawiki since 2016, we have chosen to maintain a regular selection of works there in order to meet international collectors who value authenticity, knowledge and quality of documentation.
Each acquisition is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued under our professional responsibility. For the most important works, this certificate takes the form of a genuine study dossier gathering the main technical, stylistic, iconographic, historical and bibliographic observations made during our research.
The same standard applies to shipping. Over the years, we have developed a packaging method adapted to old, fragile, heavy or complex-shaped objects. Each work is protected, immobilized and carefully packaged, according to its material and its particularities. The shipping costs correspond to the real needs for protection, handling, insurance and secure transport. Shipping is never regarded as a source of commercial profit.
Acquiring a work from Mimosa SA is to receive a selected, studied, described, documented and prepared object with the same care that we would wish for a work destined for our own collection.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Japan, probably Kyoto
Century/timeframe
seconde moitié du XVIIIe siècle, vers 1770–1800
Name of object
Wood netsuke depicting a monkey inspecting a flea.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2024
Material
Terracotta
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good overall condition, showing age-related wear, small marks, light scratches and rubbing
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Height
4.1 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Width
2.6 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
3.4 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
