AN EXCELLENT IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN BY YOSHINAGA
Ivory netsukeJapan, Kyotolate 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A fine netsuke of the immortal with a gama (toad). Gama sennin is seated in a half-reclined pose, his belly is fat like Hotei’s, and he is laughing with joy. The counterposed expression in respect to the toad is brilliantly executed, and both eyes are inlaid with ‘horn buttons’, typical for the artist. He is looking at his gama placed in one of his hands, which is small and soft and has one over-exaggeratedly trailing leg, reminiscent of a three-legged toad although it has four legs. The other hand is hidden in his flowing garments and visible underneath, as well as his two feet with characteristically pointed toes. His garments are beautifully and heavily decorated with clouds and other elements, the particularly detailed characteristic leaf-girdle hangs around his shoulders. Good himotoshi on the reverse and between the legs. Signed in a rectangular reserve YOSHINAGA. This netsuke carver is one of the best-known from Kyoto and was already recorded in the Soken Kisho.HEIGHT 3.7 CM, WIDTH 5 CMCondition: Excellent condition with a fine patina; One age crack through the head and two minute age cracks on the bottomProvenance: German private collectionAuction comparison: A very similar netsuke from Yoshinaga, however with a larger variation of the toad, was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art Including Two Masterpieces by Kitaoji Rosanjin (1183-1959), London, 7 November 2013, lot 13.Another netsuke by Yoshinaga, with the same style of toad, however of lesser quality was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, London, 11 November 2010, lot 135.