Tag Archives: Netsuke

Kokusai

Kokusai the Genius – stag-antler carving in Japan, Sydney L. Moss: 12 Queen St, London W1, until 7th June 2016

A stag-antler obi-hasami netsuke of a tall standing, screaming monkey Kokusai Mid to late 19th century, circa 1860s - 1880s. Height: 11.2 cm. (4 7/16 in.) Ex collection: June Schuerch, Santa Barbara CA Copyright, Sydney L Moss Ltd

A stag-antler obi-hasami netsuke of a tall standing, screaming monkey
Kokusai
Mid to late 19th century, circa 1860s – 1880s.
Height: 11.2 cm. (4 7/16 in.)
Ex collection: June Schuerch, Santa Barbara CA
Copyright, Sydney L Moss Ltd

One can totally appreciate why Kokusai’s immense skill has captivated three generations of the Moss family and I assure you it really is a matter of seeing it to believe it.

Kokusai (1835-1894) is the central player in this exhibition which has been garnered from collectors in Japan, the United States and Europe (and yes that does include us in the UK). His creativity is remarkable with some pieces way ahead of their time, heralding art nouveau and the 20th century.  There are pipe cases, hair pins, combs, sceptres and, of course, netsuke to delight the eye in wonderment.

A stag-antler netsuke of saru ningyō, or sarubobo, a stuffed cloth monkey doll Kokusai Mid to late 19th century, circa 1860s - 1880s. 3.3 x 4.2 cm. (1 5/16 x 1 11/16 in.) Published: “In A Nutshell: Japanese Netsuke from European collections”, 2013, no. 184. Collection: Paul Moss, London Copyright, Sydney L Moss Ltd

A stag-antler netsuke of saru ningyō, or sarubobo, a stuffed cloth monkey doll
Kokusai
Mid to late 19th century, circa 1860s – 1880s.
3.3 x 4.2 cm. (1 5/16 x 1 11/16 in.)
Published: “In A Nutshell: Japanese Netsuke from European collections”, 2013, no. 184.
Collection: Paul Moss, London
Copyright, Sydney L Moss Ltd

The exhibition is accompanied by a three-volume catalogue, of which the middle volume of which is available now, and the other two will be completed by early July of this year.

An unusually large stag-antler pipecase of almost demilune curved form Kokusai Mid to late 19th century, circa 1860s - 1880s. Length: 21.6 cm. (8 ½ in.) Published: Moss, “Eccentrics in Netsuke”, 1982, no. 95. Ex collection: Richard Silverman, Los Angeles. Copyright, Sydney L Moss Ltd

An unusually large stag-antler pipecase of almost demilune curved form
Kokusai
Mid to late 19th century, circa 1860s – 1880s.
Length: 21.6 cm. (8 ½ in.)
Published: Moss, “Eccentrics in Netsuke”, 1982, no. 95.
Ex collection: Richard Silverman, Los Angeles.
Copyright, Sydney L Moss Ltd

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