Netsuke
ca. 1700-1799 (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 hard-wearing. 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 a mermaid and child.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and stained wood |
| Brief description | Netsuke of a mermaid and child, carved and stained wood, Japan, 1700-1799 |
| Physical description | Netsuke of a mermaid and child of katabori ('shape carving') form, with the mermaid clinging tightly to the child across her breast in carved and stained wood. A pair of holes for attaching the cord (himotôshi) is found on the underside. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | Mermaid and child
1700-1800
Stained wood
Given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Schwaiger
Museum no. FE.94-1996(2016) |
| Credit line | Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Schwaiger |
| Subjects 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 hard-wearing. 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 a mermaid and child. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.94-1996 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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