Lot 315
Japan, Meiji Period, 1868 to 1912 CE. This is a beautiful dark boxwood netsuke with heavily detailed, realistic carving on all sides of a monkey grappling with an octopus. The realism of the piece speaks to the 19th century Japanese interest in naturalism. The design of this netsuke references a Japanese legend. The daughter of Ryujin, the Dragon King of the Sea, became ill and the king's physician, an octopus, prescribed a monkey's liver to heal her. The King sent a jellyfish to capture the monkey, but the monkey easily defeated it, smashing it so that all of its bones dissolved (hence, the current boneless state of jellyfish!). The octopus then came after the monkey himself. In this netsuke's version of the story, the monkey seems in danger of being captured and losing his liver! This story is a relatively common theme in netsuke lore, with a similar example held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Size: 2.2" L x 1.45" W (5.6 cm x 3.7 cm).
The netsuke is an example of the art of everyday objects. They are small sculptures designed to be worn so that objects could be suspended from the traditional sash (obi) that wraps around the kimono. They were used to carry purses, smoking accoutrement, and inro, "seal baskets", which held seals and medicines. The netsuke, made with two holes through it, was used as a toggle to stop the cord on which those items were suspended.
Provenance: Ex-Paul & Louise Bernheimer collection, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, CA.
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#111951
- Condition: Minor, stable crack on the back; otherwise only light wear.
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