19th century Japanese carved ivory netsuke of a resting heron
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th Century
This 19th-century Japanese netsuke is a finely carved ivory figure depicting a resting heron. The bird is rendered in a naturalistic pose with its head and long beak tucked against its body and its feet interlocked underneath.
The carving exhibits excellent craftsmanship, particularly in the rendering of the varied, intricate texture of the bird's plumage across its wings and body. The netsuke features inlaid eyes, which provide a realistic focal point to the subject. Measuring 1.75 inches in length, the piece is a compact example of traditional Japanese miniature carving. The material is natural ivory, showing age-appropriate characteristics such as an almost imperceptible hairline crack forming on the bottom.
The surface displays subtle, varied staining that highlights the sculpted details. This object is unsigned. The composition is self-contained and smooth, designed for its traditional function as a toggle for a sagemono, ensuring it remains an elegant and functional example of Japanese decorative art from the 19th century.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 1.75 inches
- Material
- ivory
Design
- Details
- inlaid eyes, interlocked feet
- Subject
- resting heron
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.