Japanese Ivory Netsuke

A charming Japanese ivory netsuke in the form of a rhinoceros c1900. The traditional form of Japanese dress, the kimono, had no pockets. Women would tuck small personal items into their sleeves, but men suspended their tobacco pouches, pipes, purses, writing implements, and other items of daily use on a silk cord passed behind their obi (sash). These hanging objects are called sagemono. The netsuke was attached to the other end of the cord preventing the cord from slipping through the obi. A sliding bead (ojime) was strung on the cord between the netsuke and the sagemono to allow the opening and closing of the sagemono. Over time and changes in traditional dressing, netsuke developed into a form of fine art and exists as such today with true master-carvers from all over the world still creating these little masterpieces. $795