245: A GOOD EDO PERIOD JAPANESE SCROLL DATED 1860

A clothed monkey with spectacles, date 1860 (安政七年/庚申), unidentified Japanese, signed with the honorific title hōgen 法眼, or the dharma eye, hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk. Against an undefined background, a monkey clothed in a red robe sits and using a pair of spectacles, closely examines a baby monkey that she holds in the palm of her hand together with a black lacquer inro case decorated with makie (sprinkled gold) flowers. The monkey’s appearance is naturalistically rendered, with light red pigments for the face, black brush lines for individual hair and whiskers, and grey ink wash for the fluffy coat. The spectacles were a popular product imported from Europe at that time. An inscription on the right side of the picture dates the work to 1860, the zodiac year of monkey.
Measures 62 x 17 inches.
Good condition noting the effects of age though not serious, minor toning, soiling and light stain. Sturdy and intact.
$400 - $600