MATSUKI HOKEI: A FINE TSUISHU LACQUER NETSUKE OF A NOH ACTOR By Matsuki Hokei, signed Hokei Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) An extremely fine solid tsuishu (carved red lacquer) netsuke depicting a Noh actor wearing a Hannya mask and holding a cloak over him with his arms extended. The cloak is decorated with various patterns, including asanoha, billowing clouds, stylized swastikas and key-fret borders, showing off the diverse skill of Matsuki Hokei in carving tsuishu. The face of the Hannya mask is carved expressively. Characteristic ringed himotoshi through the reverse and the underside with the incised signature HOKEI 豊慶. HEIGHT 3.7 cm Condition: Minor discoloration and extremely minor wear to lacquer. Very good condition. Provenance: Sold at Christie’s, Japanese Art, 11 November 1991, London, lot 194. Acquired by Eskenazi and purchased by Jacques Carré. Matsuki Hokei was an appointed professor at the Tokyo Academy of Fine Arts. Auction comparison: Compare to a similar netsuke by Hokei sold by Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 18 March 2014, New York, lot 480. Also compare to a similar netsuke by Hokei sold by Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art from the Edward Wrangham Collection (online only), 9 July 2018, London, lot 38.