Netsuke in the form of a peach stone, stained ivory, mother of pearl, tortoise-shell and horn, Momotaro, signed Shibayama
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca.1850-1900
The netsuke is a toggle. It takes its shape and name from a type of rounded sweet dumpling filled with bean paste. Manju netsuke are either solid or made in two halves, as in this case.
This netsuke is made from stained ivory imitating a peach stone. On the outside you can see a dog, a monkey and a pheasant. On the inside is a boy. These are all characters from the story of Momotaro, who was found inside a peach. This example is signed Shibayama. In the 19th century Shibayama netsuke were typically encrusted with ivory, pearl-shell, tortoiseshell and other materials, as on this example.
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
- Length 4.2 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Stained ivory, encrusted with mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell and horn, and gold lacquer
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- Japan
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O76510
- Museum object number
- W.197:1 to 3-1922
- 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.