Japan Wood A katabori netsuke depicting a man smoking a pipe. - 3.8 cm
18
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 500 - € 700
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Japanese wood netsuke in katabori style, depicting a seated man smoking a kiseru, dating to the late Edo period (19th century); dimensions 3.8 × 3 × 2.2 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Elegant Japanese carved wood netsuke, depicting a man seated, smoking a kiseru, probably made at the end of the Edo period in the 19th century.
The composition, particularly compact, is characteristic of katabori: the figure is entirely designed in the round, with the legs folded under the body, while the arms, the garment, and the long pipe integrate harmoniously into a reduced volume. Despite its dimensions of only 3.8 cm, the sculpture shows remarkable richness of detail.
The face is one of the piece’s strong points: the strongly modeled features, the mouth occupied by the pipe, and the slightly familiar expression give the character a particularly vibrant presence. The folds of the garment and the small incised motifs that ornament it further enhance the decorative quality of the whole.
The reverse reveals the netsuke’s functional design, with the himotoshi intended for the cord passage. Nearby appears a vertical inscription whose reading seems likely to correspond to 火用心 (hi-yōjin), an expression that could be translated as “prudence with fire” or “attention to fire.” This reading remains cautious, but would form a particularly relevant iconographic motif with the figure shown smoking.
The wood is dense, finely worked, and presents a beautiful honey-brown to dark-brown patina. Its appearance is consistent with tsuge-type wood, traditionally used in Japan for netsuke, although no definitive botanical identification can be stated based on the photographs alone.
The sculpture was conceived to be viewed from all angles: the underside and the back are also worked, and the openings of the himotoshi are integrated into the composition without upsetting its balance.
A small piece of character, typical of Japanese netsuke art, combining function, daily life observation, and subtle narrative in an exceptionally small format.
Dimensions: 3.8 × 3 × 2.2 cm
Weight: 8.7 g
Japan, late Edo period, 19th century.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xzy6wyg1wcmw6rs4jm03e/ALQrcGJvsR3QnElLLKo4qZk?rlkey=a8cs24ruovs8c8s2hyhvydyl5&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 TranslateElegant Japanese carved wood netsuke, depicting a man seated, smoking a kiseru, probably made at the end of the Edo period in the 19th century.
The composition, particularly compact, is characteristic of katabori: the figure is entirely designed in the round, with the legs folded under the body, while the arms, the garment, and the long pipe integrate harmoniously into a reduced volume. Despite its dimensions of only 3.8 cm, the sculpture shows remarkable richness of detail.
The face is one of the piece’s strong points: the strongly modeled features, the mouth occupied by the pipe, and the slightly familiar expression give the character a particularly vibrant presence. The folds of the garment and the small incised motifs that ornament it further enhance the decorative quality of the whole.
The reverse reveals the netsuke’s functional design, with the himotoshi intended for the cord passage. Nearby appears a vertical inscription whose reading seems likely to correspond to 火用心 (hi-yōjin), an expression that could be translated as “prudence with fire” or “attention to fire.” This reading remains cautious, but would form a particularly relevant iconographic motif with the figure shown smoking.
The wood is dense, finely worked, and presents a beautiful honey-brown to dark-brown patina. Its appearance is consistent with tsuge-type wood, traditionally used in Japan for netsuke, although no definitive botanical identification can be stated based on the photographs alone.
The sculpture was conceived to be viewed from all angles: the underside and the back are also worked, and the openings of the himotoshi are integrated into the composition without upsetting its balance.
A small piece of character, typical of Japanese netsuke art, combining function, daily life observation, and subtle narrative in an exceptionally small format.
Dimensions: 3.8 × 3 × 2.2 cm
Weight: 8.7 g
Japan, late Edo period, 19th century.
video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xzy6wyg1wcmw6rs4jm03e/ALQrcGJvsR3QnElLLKo4qZk?rlkey=a8cs24ruovs8c8s2hyhvydyl5&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
Century/timeframe
Fin de l’époque Edo, XIXe siècle
Name of object
A katabori netsuke depicting a man smoking a pipe.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2021
Material
Wood
Country acquired from
Europe
Condition
Good overall condition, showing age-related wear, small marks, light scratches and rubbing
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
3.8 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Width
3 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
Depth
2.2 cm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
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.
