A large ivory two-part manjû of Benkei. Around 1860 - image-1 A large ivory two-part manjû of Benkei. Around 1860 - image-2 A large ivory two-part manjû of Benkei. Around 1860 - image-3

Lot 510 D ‡ α

A large ivory two-part manjû of Benkei. Around 1860

Auction 1226 - overview Cologne
21.06.2023, 10:30 - Asian Art
Estimate: 2.000 € - 2.500 €
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A large ivory two-part manjû of Benkei. Around 1860

Carved in shishiaibori with Benkei standing holding a staff and a fan, a box on his back, in front of him two joyfully jumping boys, on the reverse a pine, a basket and rake. Signed Kikugawa Ryûkoku saku.
Diameter 6 cm

The design of this netsuke refers to the Ataka barrier with a famous pine where - as told in the Heike Monogarari - the famous episode of Kanjinchô took place thus becoming the subject of a play „Benkei to kodomo (Ataka no matsu)”. Here Benkei asks the local pine needle gathering boys for an alternative route to bypass the border station of Ataka and in turn presents them with fans.

Provenance

From a North Rhine-Westphalian estate