WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF KARURA
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th century
Boldly carved as the mask of Karura (Garuda), the powerful avian deity is characterized by a sharply curved beak with pierced nostrils, large staring eyes, strongly arched feather-like brows, and two pointed ears projecting from either side of the head. The reverse pierced with himotoshi through the central bar and signed DEME saku [made by Deme]. The well-toned wood bearing a fine, dark patina.
The name Karura refers to the sacred bird Garuda that eats poisonous snakes and appears in ancient myths in India and Southeast Asia. For people in the southern regions, who were always exposed to the risks of poisonous snakes, etc., Garuda was a benefactor for their lives and thus it may be natural that it was deified. Garuda was adopted in Buddhism as one of the Buddhist Eight Deva Guardians. Its upward-swinging curved beak and keen eyes well represent the nature of these fearless birds that fly in southern harsh climates and defeat poisonous snakes.
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
- Material (listing wording)
- WOOD
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- HEIGHT 5.4 cm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 206787914
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
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.