For October and in keeping with Halloween, for our spotlight we have a highly unusual antler netsuke, with multiple forms and interpretations, founded on the form of a mokugyo (temple bell). Within that same aspect (signature side) a different interpretation would be that of a bat with its wings folded above its head and yet a further interpretation is gained by rotating through180 degrees when one immediately recognises a monkey face.
Flipping to the reverse aspect, one sees the broad toothy-smile of a monkey skull permeated with the veins of a leaf, akin to the veins of a decaying lotus leaf. Rotating through 180 degrees returns to a mokugyo form and the alternative interpretation of a bat with wings folded above its head.
It is quite an incredible zoomorphic netsuke made by someone quite special indeed.
The work is signed with the brand of the genius artist Kokusai (Koku). Gyokumin, a brilliant netsuke-shi, was an admirer of Kokusai (perhaps a direct follower) and signed the Koku brand in the manner found on our multi-faceted netsuke. Moreover, most of Gyokumin's output was based on zoomorphic-mokugyo. In light of this, we feel confident in attributing the netsuke to Gyokumin.
4.5cm High
