An amusing netsuke of Fukusuke. Standing holding a fan, his head and ears are massively out of proportion to his small body, making for a humorous composition. The body is inlaid with ivory dots and the himotoshi ringed with black-stained ivory.
Kokeisai Sansho was a celebrated carver of the Meiji period. Producing both figures and masks, he worked in a distinctive and recognisable style leaving behind a large body of work, both signed and unsigned.
When one looks at the figures produced by Sansho, there is a distinct group typically rendered with Sansho’s trademark expressive faces and comparatively simplified bodies, as we see in the example I offer. For a similar subject and style, see MCI page 700, a Fukusuke holding an Okame mask, signed Sansho.
Circa 1900
Unsigned, attributed to Kokeisai Sansho, Osaka (1871–1926)
5.1cm tall
2.4cm wide
2.2cm deep
Old accession number inked to the base A 3680-476
Similar examples in this style:
Bonhams London, 12th November 2015 – Fine Japanese Art – lot 27.
Christie’s London, 12th May 2010 - Japanese Art and Design – lot 219.
(MCI) The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives of the British Museum page 700 and published in the Behrens Catalogue, number 3781.
If you are interested in purchasing this netsuke you can contact me via the details below.
Phone or Whatsapp: +447534 423 803
Email: robert@willford-ja.co.uk
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