Netsuke of a shishi and ball
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 19th century
This object is a Japanese katabori (three-dimensional carved) netsuke made of carved ivory, dating to the early 19th century during the Edo period. The maker of the piece is unrecorded. It measures 3.81 cm in height.
The carving depicts a shishi (mythical lion) clambering over a large ball or sacred Buddhist jewel (tama). The shishi is rendered with its mouth wide open, baring teeth, and features an elaborate curly mane and a detailed coat patterned with circular spots. Its front paw rests across the smooth surface of the spherical ball, forming a compact, rounded composition designed without protruding sharp edges to function as a sash toggle.
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.
Historical context
In traditional Japanese dress, netsuke served as toggles worn by men to suspend pouches and containers from an obi sash using a cord. Shishi are mythical guardian beasts frequently placed at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples; pairs typically featured one with a closed mouth signifying peace and one with an open mouth to repel evil spirits. The ball beneath the paw represents the sacred tama jewel. Netsuke artists often drew stylistic inspiration for such figures from contemporary woodblock-printed book illustrations. This piece entered the museum collection in 1904 as a bequest from Edmond Dresden.
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Netsuke
- Museum object number
- 405-1904
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.