AN IVORY NETSUKE OF AN ONI POLISHING A SOJOBO MASK

An unusual rendition of a classic model by the Edo/Tokyo artist Tomomasa. A slightly crouched oni wearing a tiger-skin loincloth, with a tobacco pouch and ashtray netsuke (with mother of pearl inlay) tied to his obi, is polishing the mask of the tengu-king Sojobo. The oni has a muscular body and legs, with bangles made from horn around his arms. He is malevolently snarling, with visible fangs for teeth, and minutely inlaid eyes. The tengu king’s facial expression is carved powerfully as well with a poignantly pointed nose and inlaid eyes. Himotoshi through the bridge on the back of the Sojobo mask and the signature on the loincloth TOMOMASA seki.

Category:
Netsuke
Subcategory:
-
Subject:
Mythological
Material:
Ivory
Age/Country:
19th Century
Artist:
Tomomasa
Provenance/Owner:
Galerie Zacke
Signed:
signed
Type:
Katabori
Height:
42mm mm
Width:
mm
Depth:
mm
ID number:

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