Netsuke in the form of a mushroom with insects
Dateearly 20th century
PeriodTaishō (1912–1926) or Shōwa period (1926–1989)
CultureJapanese
MediumCarved ivory with shell inlay and enamels
ClassificationDecorative Arts
ProvenanceAcquired from Greg Pang of The Silk Wind, Honolulu, HI when he was closing his shop around 2008 or so.
Credit LineGift of Timothy Y.C. Choy, in memory of Nancy Ellis, 2014
Object numberSN11385.8
<italics>Netsuke</italics> are miniature sculptures typically carved from wood, horn, or ivory that function as toggles, allowing accessories such as <italics>inrō</italics> (small containers for seals or medicines) and tobacco pouches to be suspended from the <italics>obi</italics>, the sash worn over a kimono, by a cord. This <italics>netsuke</italics> takes the form of a mushroom crawling with bejeweled insects.
On View
Not on view
1662–1722
First half of 20th century
1662-1722
1662-1722