SUKEYUKI: A MASTERFUL WOOD OKIMONO OF A SNAKE AND SKULL By Sukeyuki, signed Sukeyuki zo Japan, Hida province, Takayama, 19th century A morbidly fascinating composition of a large snake coiling around a skull. The snake with precisely carved scales and a naturalistically carved body varying in thickness is coiling around the anatomically precise skull. The skull has been evidently lying around for some time as a few teeth are missing and the back of the cranium is opened, the snake slithers through this hole, penetrating theeye socket and resting its head on top, the eyes double-inlaid in mother-of-pearl and dark horn, and the tongue extended. The surface of the skull is masterfully stippled to resemble the heterogenous structure of the cranium. Signed within a rectangular reserve SUKEYUKI zo [made by Sukeyuki]. HEIGHT 12 cm, LENGTH 12.5 cm Condition: Two old restorations to the snake’s body. Otherwise excellent condition. Provenance: British collection. Auction comparison: Compare to a similar okimono by Sukeyuki, sold by Christie’s, Art of Japan, 8 December 2016, London, lot 20 (sold for 11,875 GBP). Compare the manner of the snake to a netsuke by Sukeyuki’s master Matsuda Sukenaga, sold by Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 9 November 2017, London, lot 5 (sold for 13,750 GBP).