Antique
Meiji Okimono Netsuke
Mother,
Child and Pup
Happy
Peasant Family
Signature: unsigned. Circa: 1868-1911
H 2.6 in.(6.5cm), W 1.25 in.(3cm), D 0.75 in.(2cm)
Condition: excellent. Carved
in the Meiji Restoration period, this exquisite okimono netsuke of natural himotoshi
reflects the westernization that took place at the time, when the demand for netsuke
was on the demise, and many netsuke carvers turned to carving okimono. The subject
matters echos an emphasis on peace and prosperity in peasant life. It portrays
a mother is taking a step forward, but gently turning back by a delightful little
pup, while emerging from her back is a small child tucked inside the kimono, with
a toy in hand he playfully leaning forward to her right, as she reaches back to
support his weight with her hand. The facial expressions of the mother and child
are radiating with loving tenderness. The compositions of these figures are complex,
with intricately carved through angles and rounded contours, meticulously scrimshawed
motifs in contrast to ample of white and gold tone in the natural material.
Deaccession
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