307 A RARE STAG ANTLER MASK NETSUKE OF OKAME Unsigned, stag antler mask netsuke Japan, late 19th century The Shinto goddess depicted with slightly absurd facial proportions and smiling. This rather large mask is carved from a thick section of stag antler, which is a rare material for mask netsuke. Two hollow sections below her chin have been cleverly plugged. Himotoshi on the reverse. HEIGHT 4.7 CM Condition: Good condition, natural flaws in the material, one larger age crack through one of the eyes Provenance: Peter E. Müller Japanese Mask Collection, no. 230 Estimate EUR 600,Starting price EUR 300,-
308 A WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF OTO BY GYOKKO By Gyokko, wood mask netsuke Japan, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) This very expressive mask depicts Oto, a mask used for female characters in Kyogen, a form of traditional Japanese comic theatre. She is depicted with plump cheeks and smiling, reminding one of the Shinto goddess Okame, who is often associated with eroticism. Signed GYOKKO on the bridge on the reverse which forms the himotoshi. HEIGHT 3.8 CM Condition: Good condition, very minor surface scratches Provenance: Peter E. Müller Japanese Mask Collection, no. 102 Estimate EUR 600,Starting price EUR 300,-
309 A TSUISHU LACQUER MASK NETSUKE OF OKAME Unsigned, wood mask netsuke with tsuishu lacquer Japan, late 19th century The mask netsuke depicting the Shinto goddess Okame and covered in red tsuishu lacquer (Japanese version of Chinese cinnabar lacquer), the reverse with a bridge and singular himotoshi on an attractive asanoha ground. HEIGHT 4.3 CM Condition: Good condition with minor wear to lacquer Provenance: Peter E. Müller Japanese Mask Collection, no. 114 Estimate EUR 600,Starting price EUR 300,-
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