Japanese Ivory Netsuke - CK.0189 Origin: Japan Circa: 19
th
Century AD Dimensions:1.375" (3.5cm) high x 1" (2.5cm) wide x .75" (1.9cm) depth Collection: Asian Art Medium: Ivory
Netsuke sculptures are designed to attach the
tops of sagemono (containers) – which
contained personal items – to the obi (sashes)
used to tie the kimono or kosode. They are
therefore essentially utilitarian objects, but
since the 17th century craftsmen and artists
have taken great pleasure in carving ever
more complex and detailed themes onto
netsuke so that they are now recognised as
one of Japan's most notable indigenous art
forms. There are various different forms – over
and above the thousands of designs – of which
the in-the-round carving of kataborinetsuke
(lit. “sculpture netsuke) is the best-known. All
forms of ivory and bone are used.
- (CK.0189)