Netsuke
1775-1825 (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 an ox.
From the 18th century onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed with the carver’s name. This example is signed ‘Tossai’. The style of this piece is similar to the work of Tomotada who was one of three great netsuke carvers active in Kyoto during the late 18th century. Tomotada specialised in animal subjects, especially tigers and oxen, each netsuke was realistically carved and with a sculptural quality, as reflected within Tossai's netsuke in the Tomotada style.
From the 18th century onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed with the carver’s name. This example is signed ‘Tossai’. The style of this piece is similar to the work of Tomotada who was one of three great netsuke carvers active in Kyoto during the late 18th century. Tomotada specialised in animal subjects, especially tigers and oxen, each netsuke was realistically carved and with a sculptural quality, as reflected within Tossai's netsuke in the Tomotada style.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood |
| Brief description | Netsuke, wood carved with an ox, signed Tossai, Japan, late 18th to early 19th century. |
| Physical description | This carved wood netsuke is in the form of a reclining harnessed ox. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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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. |
| 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 an ox. From the 18th century onwards, netsuke were increasingly signed with the carver’s name. This example is signed ‘Tossai’. The style of this piece is similar to the work of Tomotada who was one of three great netsuke carvers active in Kyoto during the late 18th century. Tomotada specialised in animal subjects, especially tigers and oxen, each netsuke was realistically carved and with a sculptural quality, as reflected within Tossai's netsuke in the Tomotada style. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.956-1910 |
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| Record created | April 28, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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