Very fine and detailed antique Japanese carved netsuke dating to the Edo period, 19th century. While this type is often misidentified as a carved gourd, these are actually composed of two carved nuts joined together in imitation of a gourd. Skilled millefleur type carving of flowers and leaves, with silver fittings. Could function as a snuff or perfume bottle. Unsigned.
For similar, see:
-The MET Museum “Netsuke of Double-Gourd Shape” Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910.
-Asian Art Museum “Gourd carved with dragon and tiger” The Avery Brundage Collection.
-Sagemonoya Gallery “Shishi and family crest” figurative netsuke, Gourd made from two nuts with a finely carved Shishi and a family crest design.
Netsuke is approximately 2 1/8” (5.4cm) tall. Good overall condition with age cracks, dab of old hard glue on bottom. Silver stopper is kept in place with old string. Please zoom in and study all photos as they are part of the description.
