#C3226 

Hippo Tooth Ivory Boy, Blue Agate Cord Necklace

Approx 2 1/2" drop, 3/4" wide, on an adjustable leather cord.


$240

                                                 SALE    $120

This item cannot be shipped outside the US.

This beautifully carved netsuke of a boy on his knees has the two holes in the back where he would have been hung as a counterweight for a tobacco or medicinal herb pouch.  He is signed on the bottom of his foot by the artist that carved him.

The netsuke is a miniature carving, usually less than 2" high, created by Japanese and Chinese artists for over 300 years.  They portray every aspect of their life and culture.  These carvings were traditionally used to prevent the cord attached to a gentleman's medicine box tobacco pouch from slipping though the sash of his robe or kimono.  Today they are highly collectible works of art.


Traditionally, netsukes have been carved from mammoth and elephant ivory, ebony, fossil walrus tusk, mahogany, rosewood and hippopotamus tooth.  The netsukes, often signed by the artist, are getting harder to find s the detail in each piece takes patience and time and the younger Chinese are not so interested in pursuing this art form.