Lot 58
Far East, Japan, Meiji period or later, ca. mid 19th century to early 20th century CE. An unusual netsuke, carved either from the tip of an African ivory tusk or from marine ivory, with creamy off-white hues, depicting a spirited rabbit or hare sitting in profile with an inlaid light amber glass eye and long perky ears. The hare is associated with legends about the moon that tell of it keeping the moon disk clean. He is known as the moon hare, and is in effect a Japanese "Man in the Moon." He is said to have lived for a long time and turned white as he grew to an advanced age. The artisan displayed wonderful skill and artistry setting this adorable creature at the base of the tusk in such a way that the uncarved tusk serves as an imaginative setting, perhaps representing a crescent moon. The piece also has a signature, although with later pieces signatures are sometimes used for an entire workshop. Size: 1" W x 2.5" H (2.5 cm x 6.4 cm)
The traditional kimono had no pockets. While women could tuck away small personal items in their sleeves, men suspended their treasured possessions (tobacco pouches, pipes, purses or writing implements and the like) called sagemono on a silk cord, hanging from their obi (sash). In order to stop the cord from slipping through the obi, a small toggle called a netsuke was attached.
Provenance: Ex-Paul and Louise Bernheimer, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA; All ivory items in the collection pre-date 1900 and were acquired long before the 1970 ban on ivory trade.
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#111882
- Condition: Intact and excellent. Tip of tusk shows some unevenness from old wear and abrasions.
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