- 51
School of Iwasa Matabei, titled Haru no tempura (Spring intimate pillow), Edo Period, late 17th century, Japanese Erotic handscroll (shunga emakimono)
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Painting
ink, colour, gofun (pulverized oyster shell) gold on paper
twelve various scenes including: Heian period noble woman and a mounted warrior, a courtesan and a warrior with an assistant (kamuro) joining, a young couple behind the screen and two assistants peeking, two noble women and a nun, mounted on brocade
Fitted with a wood box inscribed with the title, attribution and the collector’s name, in a black maki-e lacquered box decorated with chrysanthemum and scales mon (family emblem) among scrolling foliage in gold lacquer on a black ground (roiro-nuri)
twelve various scenes including: Heian period noble woman and a mounted warrior, a courtesan and a warrior with an assistant (kamuro) joining, a young couple behind the screen and two assistants peeking, two noble women and a nun, mounted on brocade
Fitted with a wood box inscribed with the title, attribution and the collector’s name, in a black maki-e lacquered box decorated with chrysanthemum and scales mon (family emblem) among scrolling foliage in gold lacquer on a black ground (roiro-nuri)
Provenance
Collection Ferdinand M. Bertholet.
Literature
Japanese Erotic Fantasies: Sexual Imagery of the Edo Period, Amsterdam, 2005, pp. 68-69.
Condition
There is some warping to the paper and minor stains throughout. There is some wear and loss to the ink and colour.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Translated literally, the Japanese word shunga means paintings of spring, a euphemism of erotic paintings and other art forms. Most shunga are a type of woodblock print. Although rare, there are erotic painted handscrolls which predate woodblock prints.
The vibrant twelve scenes are painted by the school of Iwasa Matabei school. The founder Iwasa Matabei (1578-1650) was an important Tosa genre painter in Kyoto, who studied under Tosa Mitsunori and possibly Kano Shoei.
Only two illustrated. To view other works in this lot, go to sothebys.com