Toen Morikawa Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Toen Morikawa Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 08, 2024
† A RARE ITTOBORI WOOD NETSUKE OF A SHISHI STATUE, ATTRIBUTED TO MORIKAWA TOEN
Est: €2,000 - €4,000
† A RARE ITTOBORI WOOD NETSUKE OF A SHISHI STATUE, ATTRIBUTED TO MORIKAWA TOEN Attributed to Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), unsigned Japan, Nara, second half of 19th century Finely carved as a shishi (Buddhist lion) looking backwards ferociously, detailed with expressive eyes, thick brows, and a bushy, curling mane and tail. The left paw is slightly raised, lending movement to the static composition (which is largely due to the ittobori (single cut) technique used); it appears as if the Buddhist lion statue is coming to life. The natural surface of the material is heightened with clever polishing. A small bridge connecting two paws forms the ‘natural’ himotoshi. LENGTH 5.7 cm Condition: Repair to the raised paw and to two claws of the left hind paw. Otherwise excellent condition with light wear. Provenance: Formerly with Sydney Moss Ltd., London. Literature comparison: Compare to a related wood netsuke of a galloping horse by the same artist, signed Toen and kakihan, illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 2, p. 1096. Compare to a related wood netsuke of a shishi statue by the same artist, signed with the kakihan of Toen, illustrated in Bushell, Raymond Netsuke (1975) Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 129, no. 209. Auction comparison: Compare a related bamboo sashi netsuke of a guardian lion by the same artist, signed Toen and kakihan, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 4 November 2022, Vienna, lot 125 (sold for EUR 4,160). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.
Galerie Zacke
Sep. 03, 2024
MORIKAWA TOEN: A LACQUERED WOOD NETSUKE
Est: €700 - €1,400
MORIKAWA TOEN: A LACQUERED WOOD NETSUKE By Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed with the artist’s kakihan Japan, Nara, second half of 19th century The bulky netsuke naturalistically carved in the form of a log. The top decorated in white lacquer with organic designs and the underside with two himotoshi. Signed near the himotoshi with the artist’s kakihan (monograph signature). LENGTH 5.3 cm Condition: Good condition with minor wear, small nicks along the edges, and flakes to the lacquer. With a wood tomobako box, inscribed and sealed by Tetsuro confirming the artist Toen.
Galerie Zacke
Apr. 28, 2023
MORIKAWA TOEN: AN EXCEPTIONAL PAINTED WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ACTOR IN THE ROLE OF THE FOX PRIEST HAKUSOZU
Est: €4,000 - €8,000
MORIKAWA TOEN: AN EXCEPTIONAL PAINTED WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ACTOR IN THE ROLE OF THE FOX PRIEST HAKUSOZU By Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed with the artist’s kakihan Japan, Nara, second half of 19th century Published: Okada, Barbara Teri & Neill, Mary Gardner (1980) Real and Imaginary Beings: The Netsuke Collection of Joseph and Edith Kurstin, p.110, no.116. Kurstin, Joseph & Ortega, Maria (1986) Masterworks of Netsuke and Other Japanese Miniature Art from American Collections, p.57, no.70. Kurstin, Joseph & Lorin, Gilles Feather (2006) The Peacock's Gentlemen's Jewelry of Old Japan, Delray Beach, Art Media Resources, p.23, no. 10. Yoshida, Yukari & Kurstin, Joseph, Questions & Answers (2007) International Netsuke Society Journal (INSJ) vol.27, no.1, p. 13, fig.4. Exhibited: Yale University Art Gallery, February 28-April 12, 1980 Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida, January 10-March 18, 2007 A masterpiece of ittobori (single cut) technique, the actor in the guise of a fox priest, playing the role of Hakusozu, wearing a mask, almost completely enveloped in an elaborate robe with headdress, leaning against a cane and holding prayer beads. The netsuke is treated with various polychrome pigments which are in perfect harmony with each other. Asymmetrical himotoshi to the back and signed with the artist’s kakihan. HEIGHT 8.9 cm Condition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear to exposed edges. Provenance: Ex-collection Joe Kurstin. Dr. M. Joseph ‘Joe’ Kurstin (1931-2021) was a prominent Miami ophthalmologist who arguably built one of the greatest netsuke collections of all time. He was known by netsuke and inro lovers worldwide and made many lifelong friends in this tight-knit community. He published several books and articles on the subject and generously lent his collection for exhibitions at the Yale University Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Epcot Center at Disney World, and The Tobacco and Salt Museum, Tokyo. Literature comparison: Compare to another netsuke depicting the same subject, by Morikawa Toen, however executed in a different style, in Bushell, Raymond (1993) An Introduction to Netsuke, p. 76, pl. 29. Museum comparison: A closely related netsuke depicting the same subject by Morikawa Toen, also signed with the artist’s kao, is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), accession number AC1998.249.159. Hakuzosu is the name of a popular kitsune character who shapeshifted into a priest in the Kyogen play Tsurigitsune. Morikawa Toen was known for his Nara ningyo (dolls) sculptures and as a noh actor. His work was admired by the Daimyo of Tosa, the magistrate of Nara, who awarded him with names from Japanese mythology. The Imperial household also became his patrons. He received many prizes throughout his career and was later commissioned by the newly founded Tokyo Imperial Museum to make copies of ancient works of art.
Galerie Zacke
Dec. 16, 2022
MORIKAWA TOEN (1820-1894) A Painted Wood Netsuke of a Priest Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
MORIKAWA TOEN (1820-1894) A Painted Wood Netsuke of a Priest Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century Carved in the ittōbori (single cut) technique as a blind priest dressed in monastic robes and clutching Buddhist beads and a short staff, painted in polychrome piments and gilt, signed with the artist's kaō 3 1/2in (8.9cm) high
Bonhams
Nov. 04, 2022
MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE BAMBOO SASHI NETSUKE OF A GUARDIAN LION
Est: €1,500 - €3,000
MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE BAMBOO SASHI NETSUKE OF A GUARDIAN LION By Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed Morikawa Toen森川杜園 and kakihan Japan, Nara, second half of 19th century Published: Lazarnick, George (1976) The Signature Book of Netsuke, p. 384 Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. II, p. 1096 J. Hawley, article on Gyokkin in the INSJ, 25/2 (2005), illustrated on p. 20, no. 20 Atchley, Virginia / Davey, Neil (2006) The Virginia Atchley Collection of Japanese Miniature Arts, p. 88, no. N106. Exhibited: International Netsuke Collectors’ Society Convention, Honolulu, 1977 Finely carved from a section of bamboo (metake) as a Buddhist Lion raised on a double lotus pedestal, the base with neatly carved flowerheads, the guardian seated on its haunches in a distinctly powerful posture, a large ring handle in its mouth. The design is faithfully copied from an incense burner in the Shoso-in repository in Nara. The natural surface of the material is heightened with clever polishing and staining to replicate the bronze surface. The neatly polished reverse with two himotoshi and the inscription Shosoin hoko heigoro no shishi baku [Copy of handled incense burner of shishi in the Shosoin treasure house] and signed MORIKAWA TOEN with kakihan. HEIGHT 10.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: Ex-collection Virginia Atchley, CA. Morikawa Toen’s netsuke are rare. Along with his contemporary Kano Tessai (1845-1925), Morikawa Toen (1820-1894) was one of the few artists allowed inside the Shoso-in repository to produce artworks decreed by the Imperial household. Morikawa Toen was known for his Nara ningyo (dolls) sculptures and as a noh actor. His work was admired by the Daimyo of Tosa, the magistrate of Nara, who awarded him with names from Japanese mythology. The Imperial household also became his patrons. He received many prizes throughout his career and was later commissioned by the newly founded Tokyo Imperial Museum to make copies of ancient works of art The Shoso-in is the treasure house of the Toda-ji temple in Nara, Japan. From the very beginning, the Shoso-in has been sealed by the Imperial family. One was permitted to enter only with explicit permission from the Imperial family. Ninety-five percent of the fine arts and crafts in the Shoso-in were produced in Japan around the 8th century, with the remainder imported from the Tang Dynasty, Central Asia, India, Iran, etc. during the same period. Although these collections are not open to the public, selections are shown at Nara National Museum once a year in autumn.
Galerie Zacke
Nov. 04, 2022
MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF RANRYO-O BUGAKU MASK
Est: €800 - €1,500
MORIKAWA TOEN: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF RANRYO-O BUGAKU MASK By Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed Ranryo-o Toen 杜園 Japan, Nara, second half of 19th century The bugaku mask carved in the ittobori (single cut) technique, portrayed in a typical manner with suspended jaw, prominent nose, large eyes, the long bushy beard curling around to the other side, and surmounted by an elaborate dragon headdress with fierce expression. Himotoshi through the central bar in the back and inscribed “Ranryo-o” 蘭陵王 and signed TOEN. HEIGHT 6 cm Condition: Excellent condition, minor surface wear. Provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson. Morikawa Toen was known for his Nara ningyo (dolls) sculptures and as a noh actor. His work was admired by the Daimyo of Tosa, the magistrate of Nara, who awarded him with names from Japanese mythology. The Imperial household also became his patrons. He received many prizes throughout his career and was later commissioned by the newly founded Tokyo Imperial Museum to make copies of ancient works of art. One of the four most handsome men in Chinese history, Prince Ranryo (in Chinese, Lanling) wore a fearsome mask to hide his face when he led his troops into battle. The dance created by his followers in honor of their brave commander was later introduced to Japan and is thought to have become part of the classical bugaku repertoire by the second half of the eighth century.
Galerie Zacke
Mar. 16, 2021
A CARVED WOOD SCULPTURE OF A DEER MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), ATTRIBU
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
A CARVED WOOD SCULPTURE OF A DEER MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), ATTRIBUTED TO MORIKAWA TOEN (1820-1894) 15 ¾ in. (40 cm.) long
Christie's
Sep. 16, 2003
A Bamboo Sashi Netsuke
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
A Bamboo Sashi Netsuke Edo period (19th century), signed Morikawa Toen (1820-1894) saku The sashi netsuke carved as a temple guardian dog seated on a pedestal carved in low relief with floral design stained dark reddish-brown, the reverse with inscription Daibutsu furumon komainu Morikawa Toen saku Okamasu Nori kei kore o konomu and another illegible inscription 6in. 15.3cm.) high
Christie's