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netsuke
Object Type
netsuke
Museum number
F.676
Description
Netsuke. Boar and snake. Made of wood, with eyes inlaid in dark horn. Signed.
Producer name
Made by:
Sukenaga 亮長
Cultures/periods
Edo Period
Production date
Mid 19thC
Production place
Made in:
Hida (kuni)
Materials
wood
horn
(for eyes)
Technique
carved
inlaid
Dimensions
Width:
4.50 centimetres
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
In East Asia, the boar occupies the last position among the twelve animals of the calendrical cycle. The boar rushes headlong into attack and is therefore regarded as a symbol of courage that is occasionally reckless. The snake is exactly six animals apart from the boar in the twelve-year cycle and the two were therefore considered companions. Wearing a netsuke that featured paired calendrical animals was believed to combine the strengths of the animals and thereby bring good luck. (N. Tsuchiya, 2015)
Bibliographic references
Barker & Smith 1976 / Netsuke: The Miniature Sculpture of Japan
(206)
Tsuchiya 2014 / Netsuke: 100 Miniature Masterpieces from Japan
(pp.140-141)
Location
Not on display
Exhibition history
2013 - , BM Japanese Galleries, ‘Japan from Prehistory to the Present’.
Subjects
mammal
(boar)
reptile
(snake)
Acquisition name
Donated by:
Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks
Acquisition date
1897
Department
Asia
Registration number
F.676
Conservation
Treatment
: 21 Mar 2014