Netsuke in the form of an octopus, carved ivory, Japan, ca. 1775-1850.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Ca. 1775 - 1850
The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sash by a silk cord. Netsuke had to be small and not too heavy, yet bulky enough to do the job.
The main inspiration for netsuke subjects was the natural world, most commonly animals, birds and sea creatures. Since fish and sea creatures traditionally played a large part in the Japanese diet, its frequency as a subject is understandable. Both wood and ivory were traditionally the most widely used materials for making netsuke. At the time this netsuke was carved, only ivory from the Indian elephant was used and was imported by Chinese and Dutch traders.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- 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
- Dimensions
- Height 3.8 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O228706
- Museum object number
- 397-1904
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.