Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Lot 22Y

Two boxwood netsuke of a wildcat and a fawn
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, the first carved September 1988, the second carved April 1997

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

Sold for £2,040 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Japanese Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Two boxwood netsuke of a wildcat and a fawn

By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, the first carved September 1988, the second carved April 1997
The first of a seated wildcat, its head turned to the right and one forepaw resting on a captured bird, the eyes inlaid in horn and tortoiseshell, signed on a silver tablet JC, 4.4cm (1¾in) long; the second a fallow deer fawn lying on a bed of maple leaves, its head turned back to the left, forming a compact composition, the eyes inlaid in horn, signed on a silver tablet JC, 6cm (2 3/8in) long. (4).

Footnotes

Sold together with Jack Coutu's reference cards, the first (no.151) states: 'One of my best carvings yet. A good piece of boxwood has given it a beautiful colour. The design has worked out very well, even the eyes. The bird is a reed bunting and the wood has polished well and should take a good patina with time.'
The second card (no.269) states: 'I placed the fawn on a bed of leave[sic] to create extra interest. It turned out rather large once again but felt right. It may suit a sumo-wrestler but would look ridiculous on a small inro. It has some good points. Perhaps it needs a little wear and time to soften it.'

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A STONEWARE FIGURE OF AN ONI SUPPORTING A CLOUD Japan, Edo period,

A PAIR OF MIYAO BRONZE FIGURES Japan, By the Miyao workshop, Meiji period, late 19th century,

THREE BAMBOO FLOWER BASKETS Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, 20th century

OKAMOTO RYŌZAN FOR THE YASUDA COMPANY A Small Ceramic Vase and Cover Meiji era (1868-1912), circa 1900

A GROUP OF FOUR JAPANESE BRONZES Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century,

An Arita blue and white porcelain plate, Kanbun (1663–1673) or Enpô Era (1673 - 1681)

A rare Arita rectangular sander, circa 1680-1700

A SMALL LACQUER FAN-SHAPED KŌBAKO (INCENSE CONTAINER) Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century,

A BOXWOOD OKIMONO OF TWO MONKEYS HANGING FROM A BRANCH Japan, 20th century,

A RECTANGULAR MIXED-METAL INLAID BOX WITH TIGER MOTIF Japan, 20th century,

A POLYCHROME WOOD CARVING OF RANRYO-O, THE PRINCE OF LANLING Japan, 19th century

A BRONZE FIGURE OF A RECUMBENT LION Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century,

TWO ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINES) Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century,

A LARGE STONEWARE PLATTER Bizen Ware Showa (1926-1989) or Heisei (1989-2019) era, 20th/21st century

A NEGORO LACQUER CUP STAND AND A TEABOWL STAND Japan, Muromachi and Momoyama period,

ELEVEN KISERUZUTSU PIPE CASES Japan, 19th century,

EIGHT INRO Japan, 19th - 20th century,

A WOOD BOKUTO IN THE FORM OF A COILED DRAGON Japan, Meiji period, 19th/20th century,

A SMALL LACQUER BOX Meiji (1868-1912) or Taisho (1912-1926) era, early 20th century,

SEVEN DECORATIVE VESSELS AND ACCESSORIES China and Japan, mostly 19th century,

TWO CLOISONNE-ENAMELED RECTANGULAR BOXES Japan, late 19th century,

FOUR CERAMIC CUP STANDS AND A KOGO Japan, 19th/20th century