Netsuke
ca. 1875-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hardwearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of Hotei, god of prosperity.
This netsuke is probably an ingenious imitation of the large pottery models which were made in Bizen province during the 19th century. The ceramic nature of of the original is indicated by the seams along the sides and the brown stains and by the fact that the netsuke is hollow.
From the 1700s onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed with the artist's name. This example is signed Kohosai, who died ca. 1907.
This netsuke is probably an ingenious imitation of the large pottery models which were made in Bizen province during the 19th century. The ceramic nature of of the original is indicated by the seams along the sides and the brown stains and by the fact that the netsuke is hollow.
From the 1700s onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed with the artist's name. This example is signed Kohosai, who died ca. 1907.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
| Brief description | Netsuke, figure of Hotei (god of prosperity), carved ivory, signed Kohosai, Japan, late 19th century. |
| Physical description | This carved and stained ivory netsuke is in the form of Hotei, god of prosperity, with a jovial and lined face. He wears a loose robe and stands, holding a rigid fan in his right hand and the cords of his sack in his left hand; his bag is cleverly incorporated into the design and the opening can be seen in the lower front right. This is probably an ingenious imitation of the large pottery models which were made in Bizen province during the 19th century. The ceramic nature of of the original is indicated by the seams along the sides and the brown stains and by the fact that the netsuke is hollow. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Artist's signature at the back)
|
| Credit line | Dresden Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. Edmond Dresden, accessioned in 1904. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job. They needed to be compact with no sharp protruding edges, yet also strong and hardwearing. Above all, they had to have the means for attaching a cord. Netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated being the katabori (shape carving), a three-dimensional carving, such as this one in the form of Hotei, god of prosperity. This netsuke is probably an ingenious imitation of the large pottery models which were made in Bizen province during the 19th century. The ceramic nature of of the original is indicated by the seams along the sides and the brown stains and by the fact that the netsuke is hollow. From the 1700s onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed with the artist's name. This example is signed Kohosai, who died ca. 1907. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 498-1904 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | April 28, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
