Netsuke
1800-1850 (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 rabbit.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood with inlaid eyes |
| Brief description | Netsuke of a rabbit in carved and stained wood, signed Masakazu, Japan, 1800-1850 |
| Physical description | Netsuke of a rabbit in katabori ('shape carving') form, with its left forepaw raised and its head looking up towards the left, in carved and stained wood with inlaid eyes. The means of attaching the cord is provided by natural openings in the design of the rabbit on the underside. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Signed 'Masakazu' with a kaô (The incised signature is on the underside of the netsuke.)
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. Salting collection no. 3191 |
| 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 rabbit. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.955-1910 |
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| Record created | April 28, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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