Japanese woven cane netsuke in the form of a clam shell with gold lacquer decoration
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
This Japanese netsuke, dating from the 18th-19th century Edo period, is crafted in the naturalistic shape of a bivalve clam shell. It is constructed from tightly woven cane, featuring a precise herringbone pattern that creates a warm, golden-brown texture.
The surface is decorated with delicate gold lacquer inlays depicting sprays of sea grasses, which accentuate the irregular outline and swelling form of the shell. Both the obverse and reverse are finished with this decorative gold foliage. The object is fitted with a silver loop himotoshi, characteristic of traditional Japanese toggle fasteners used to secure personal items to an obi sash. Measuring 4.9 cm in length, the piece demonstrates high-level craftsmanship in weaving and lacquer work.
It is an unsigned work that was once part of the notable W. L. Behrens collection.
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
- 4.9 cm
- Material
- Woven cane, gold lacquer, silver
Technical characteristics
- Suspension
- Silver loop himotoshi
Design
- Motif
- Clam shell, sea grasses
- Pattern
- Herringbone
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.