Netsuke, ivory, kirin, 19th century, Japan
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
The netsuke is a toggle. Japanese men used netsuke to suspend various pouches and containers from their sashes by a silk cord. Kirin , as depicted within this netsuke, have a dragon's head, a deer's body, horse's hooves and a single horn on their foreheads.
Primarily illustrated by the Kano school of painters kirin already had well established characteristics developed from Chinese Confucian classics. Kirin supposedly arrived on earth during the reign of a virtuous monarch and were an auspicious creature of good fortune. This crouching kirin has a sculptural quality due to its detailed tail, luxuriant coat, delicate undercutting and lively features.
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 5.56 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Carved ivory
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O492924
- Museum object number
- 408-1904
- 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.