Japan - Edo (Tokyo)

Japanese wooden netsuke finely carved, signed Hidechika 秀親, depicting an adult monkey tenderly holding its little one, who is bringing a fruit to its mouth. Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century. The composition is particularly successful: the two animals are united in a compact volume perfectly suited to the netsuke’s function, while retaining remarkable clarity from several angles. The young monkey concentrates on the fruit held between its hands, while the adult enfolds it in its arms in a protective gesture. The sculpture stands out for its flexible, naturalistic modelling, with beautiful work on the faces, fingers and toes. The fur areas are rendered by fine incisions, while the volumes of the back and limbs show a deep polish revealing the grain of the wood and an appealing brown-red to brown-black patina. The eyes are enhanced with inlays, adding much life to the expressions. On the reverse are two himotoshi, perfectly integrated into the composition, as well as the signature 秀親 – Hidechika, carved vertically in a recess. Hidechika is a netsuke-maker active in the 19th century, traditionally associated with the Edo school of Chikuyōsai Tomochika. Works signed Hidechika are preserved in major institutional collections, notably the Tokyo National Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The object shows a beautiful coherence between sculpture, patina, functional wear, himotoshi and signature. Very good overall condition, with only slight signs of use compatible with its age. Provenance: former Belgian private collection, purchased in Brussels in December 1984; then German private collection. The documentation from earlier times allows the piece to be traced over several decades, which is a particularly valuable feature for a netsuke of this quality. Dimensions: 3.7 × 3.3 × 2.7 cm Weight: 16.5 g Japan – Edo period – mid-19th century – signed Hidechika 秀親 video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rmz5ip6a2fb7nku9g8lru/AILz3zeXa-vs8GfC_Wmgj4s?rlkey=ml8jejeh0a52v4zffndkw8008&dl=0

Estimation:€2,000

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