The Property of a Gentleman
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) | Phoenix and Lobster (Taiho, ebi) | Edo period, 19th century
Lot Closed
December 19, 01:57 PM GMT
Estimate
7,000 - 9,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
The Property of a Gentleman
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
Phoenix and Lobster (Taiho, ebi)
Edo period, 19th century
woodblock print, from the series Pictures of Birds and Beasts (Kinju zue), signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga (Pictured by Ichiyusai Kuiyoshi), censor's seal kiwame (approved), published by Joshuya Kinzo (Shofukudo), carver's mark Choko Suzuki Ei (block carver: Suzuki Ei), circa 1837
Vertical oban: 36.7 x 24.9 cm., 14½ x 9¾ in.
There appear to be three known states of this design, each varying in the colouration and shading of the lobster. The four other known prints from the series variously depict animals and mythical creatures: Chinese Lion (Shishi), Horse (Uma), Tiger and Dragon (Ryuko), and Ho-o bird and Kirin.
For a different impression of the same print in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 2008,3037.02401, go to: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_2008-3037-02401