#C3991 

Mammoth Ivory Fisherman, Carnelian Cord Necklace

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

 $260

                                                  SALE    $195

This carved netsuke of a fisherman has the two holes in the back where he would have been hung as a counterweight for a tobacco or medicinal herb pouch.  The colorful brown and burgundy etching on his robe just adds to the beauty of the piece and is picked up by the carved carnelian piece on the top.  There are butterflies etched on his robe which have great symbolism.  He is signed on the bottom of his foot by the artist that carved him. 

A fisherman is one of the four basic occupations (the others being the woodcutter, peasant and the scholar.)

The fish is symbolic of abundance, prosperity, wealth and persistence. It is also believed to represent an advantage in business.

The Chinese symbol of the butterfly represents love, specifically young love.  The butterfly symbolizes an undying bond between lovers, joy and married happiness,  It is an emblem of summer and symbolizes long life and immortality.

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.