Netsuke in the Form of a Cluster of Shells

Netsuke in the Form of a Cluster of Shells is held by Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe. Museum description: The netsuke is carved in the shape of a cluster of intertwined shells ("kai-zukushi"). Various shells, including a clam ("hamaguri"), an abalone or sea ear ("awabi"), and a scallop ("hotategai"), were carved very compactly and flatly into the bone. Attachment can be made through the inside of the bone or through a hole on the reverse. Like all pieces sculpted fully in the round, this example belongs to the type of so-called "katabori-netsuke". A "netsuke" (pronounced: netske) is a toggle with two holes for cord threading. It was loosely fastened to the Japanese obi (= belt) as a counterpart to a so-called "inro" and was thus part of the traditional Japanese dress associated with the kimono. In the accompanying pouch, the inro, wealthy merchants, artists, and craftsmen carried their The museum record gives measurements height: 4.2 cm, width: 5.2 cm, depth: 2.85 cm. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.