In
Japan the elephant god of wisdom, Ganesha is known as Shoden or Shoten. Indeed,
in Buddhism it was a magnificent luminous white elephant, that came to the Buddha's
mother Maya as the auspicious symbol of the birth of the Guatama Buddha. This
Gyokuski ivory netsuke signifies the strength and wisdom of this noble creature.
The ivory is classically formed in its proportions. Natural stones and colored
glass orb beads embellish the finery: the gorgeous banding and elegant riding
blanket. The ears of this noble creature have dimension and there is an elegant
swish of the tail and an artful curve of the tusk. Signed on the bottom and with
distinct himotoshi holes on the back, this ivory is in excellent condition. (SD)
