Far East, Japan, Edo to Meiji periods, ca. mid to late 19th century CE. An impressive netsuke finely carved from beautiful boxwood, depicting a nue, a Japanese chimera if you will, with a maker's mark or signature incised behind the front, left leg. In this example, the nue is turning its head to look at a baby nue playing on its haunches, perhaps chasing the orb that it holds. A hybrid of several animals, the beast is part monkey, part tanuki (raccoon dog), part tiger, and part snake. A rare and delightful example! Size: 1.25" L x 1.375" H (3.2 cm x 3.5 cm).
The traditional kimono had no pockets. While women could tuck away small personal items in their sleeves, men suspended their treasured possessions (tobacco pouches, pipes, purses or writing implements and the like) called sagemono on a silk cord, hanging from their obi (sash).
In order to stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle called a netsuke was attached.
Provenance: Ex-Paul & Louise Bernheimer collection, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA.
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