Netsuke
18th century (made)
| 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 Chinese man.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved and stained ivory |
| Brief description | Netsuke of a Chinese man, carved and stained ivory, Japan, 18th century |
| Physical description | Netsuke of a standing figure in katabori ('shape carving') form wearing a hat and holding his robe up with one hand, probably representing a Chinese man in carved and stained ivory. A pair of holes(himotôshi) for attaching the cord is found on the figure's back. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Chinese man
1700-1800
Ivory
Given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Schwaiger
Museum no. FE.103-1996(2016) |
| Credit line | Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Schwaiger |
| 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 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 Chinese man. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.103-1996 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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