Project Description
Large Dark Wood Netsuke of Poultry
A cockerel is settled on the ground with a hen snuggled up against it, her head turned back and half buried in her plumage. The feathers of the cockerel are boldly and deeply incised in the wood and both birds have inlaid eyes, probably of horn. The wood is of a rich colour and is quite worn
At the time of the Hindson sale, Neil Davey expressed justified scepticism that this was by Okatomo. I agree, though there is talent in the execution. Tametaka comes to mind as another plausible attribution
Signed Okatomo. Circa 1800
Width 4.9cm
Literature:
Davey, Netsuke [HIndson collection], p. 75, no. 197
Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, 3/3 (1983), Adameck advertisement on p. 25
Provenance:
M.M. Hepworth and Mark T. Hindson collections, sold in the third sale at Sotheby’s London, March 19th 1968, lot 383, to Dr. Bamji
Sale, Sotheby’s London, August 1st 1973, lot 23
Ted Adameck, Honolulu
MR4260
