Far East, Japan, Meiji period to early 20th century CE. This is a boxwood netsuke in a very interesting shape; it looks like a narrow-necked bottle wrapped in a rope with an applied zoomorphic face on one side. The face looks like a fox, which could reference a kitsune, the Japanese word for fox. The fox is seen as a trickster figure in Japanese folklore. Size: 2" L x 1.9" W (5.1 cm x 4.8 cm).

The netsuke is an example of the art of everyday objects. They are small sculptures designed to be worn so that objects could be suspended from the traditional sash (obi) that wraps around the kimono. They were used to carry purses, smoking accoutrement, and inro, "seal baskets", which held seals and medicines. The netsuke, made with two holes through it, was used as a toggle to stop the cord on which those items were suspended.

Provenance: Ex-Paul & Louise Bernheimer collection, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA.

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#111914

Some wear and patina but intact with clear features.