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Lot 10

Two stag-antler netsuke of a monkey and a fish
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, the first carved June 1993, the second carved August 1994

Fine Japanese Art
16 May 2019, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £1,402.50 inc. premium

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Two stag-antler netsuke of a monkey and a fish

By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, the first carved June 1993, the second carved August 1994
The first a monkey seated on its haunches, one arm extending out, with clenched fist for holding the inro cord, the eyes inlaid in horn, signed on an inlaid silver tablet JC; the second a coelacanth shown swimming, its mouth open and its tail thrashing in the water, one fin forming the himotoshi, the eyes inlaid in mother-of-pearl, signed on a silver tablet JC. The monkey: 8cm (3 1/8in) long; the fish: 8.4cm (3¼in) long. (4).

Footnotes

Published
Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, vol.15, no.4, p.39, no.38.

Sold together with Jack Coutu's reference cards, the first (no.228) stating: 'Like the last one, this is also an eccentric shape designed within the limitations of the material. I find I am more and more attracted to the abstract quality of the form rather than merely allowing the subject to dictate it. It does not always result in a compact netsuke but the result is more satisfactory to me! The cord can be passed through both hands if necessary so it can hang at different angles.'
The second (no.241) stating: 'This was a straightforward carving of the "ancient fish!" The deerhorn seemed a suitable material for the task and is a good material to work if you can avoid the problems of the soft core. It has a good "tactile" quality and I was quite pleased with the result. I thought I was using pearls for the eyes, but when polished the surface reveals M.O.P. [mother-of-pearl] instead! However they work quite nicely even if they are rather prominent. It helps the rather "old brutish character".'

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