Netsuke thumbnail 1
Netsuke thumbnail 2
On display

Netsuke

ca. 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 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 sleeping cat.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved and stained ivory
Brief description
Netsuke of a sleeping cat in carved and stained ivory, Japan, 1800-1850
Physical description
Netsuke in katabori ('shape carving') form of a cat dozing on an oval disc, with its tail curled over the back part of its body in carved and stained ivory.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25mm
  • Width: 39mm
  • Depth: 29mm (Note: Measurements taken from the register, converted from inches.)
  • Weight: 27mg
  • Weight: 18mg
Content description
Cat
Style
Gallery label
(2016)
Sleeping cat
1800-50
Ivory
Fox Gift
Museum no. A.65-1915
Credit line
Fox Gift
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 sleeping cat.
Collection
Accession number
A.65-1915

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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