Netsuke of a pile of copper coins, carved ivory, Japanese, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
Netsuke of a pile of copper coins in carved ivory with auspicious emblems. The netsuke is a toggle. In this example, there are a pair of holes ( himotoshi ) on the bottom of the sandal.
Although netsuke were made in a variety of forms, the most widely appreciated is the katabori (shape carving). During the Edo period (1615-1868) copper coins were the lowest value of currency and were strung together, through their square holes, in amounts of either a hundred or a thousand. Due to the depictions of auspicious emblems such as Diakoku (the god of wealth) caring the treasure sack of Hotei (god of prosperity), and a depiction of a horse carrying large bales of rice, this netsuke would have be suitable for a prosperous merchant.
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
- Dimensions
- Height 3.2 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O492515
- Museum object number
- A.71-1920
- 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.