Caption

Netsuke in the shape of Daikoku and Ebisu, Ryôji fl. ca. 1886–1900? sculptor; author unknown. Japanese, Meiji period 1868–1912. Carved miniature netsuke katabori depicting Daikoku and Ebisu from the Seven Gods of Good Fortune: Daikoku sits on a rat holding a hammer in his left hand with a bag on his back; Ebisu holds a fishing rod and rides a giant fish. Finely carved in a miniature rocky landscape with a bridge, showing detailed facial features, fish scales, bamboo leaves on openwork rocks, rat fur, and rat’s eyes set with microscopic black-dyed bone inlays. 4th quarter of the 19th century, Japan. Height 3.9 cm; width 4.0 cm., A small carved ivory-colored figurine depicts a scene with a few humanlike figures and an animal on an ornately textured base; the carving shows a standing figure holding a long pole and wearing patterned clothing, a second seated figure above holding a rounded object, and an animal with pointed ears nestled between them, all carved with detailed patterns, scales, and facial features. The base is carved with swirling wave-like forms and porous rock-like structures, and the piece sits on a reflective surface that mirrors its shapes. The visible colors are beige, tan, cream, brown, and touches of darker brown in the carved recesses, set against a plain gray background.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A24_080

License type

Rights managed

Available size

43.6Mb (412.9Kb) / 15.9in x 10.6in / 4778 x 3186 (300dpi)

Keywords

Netsuke shape Daikoku Ebisu Ryôji fl ca 1886–1900 sculptor author unknown Japanese Meiji period 1868–1912 Carved miniature netsuke katabori depicting Seven Gods Good Fortune Daikoku sits rat holding hammer left hand bag back Ebisu holds fishing rod rides giant fish Finely carved miniature rocky landscape bridge showing detailed facial features fish scales bamboo leaves openwork rocks rat fur rat’s eyes set microscopic black-dyed bone inlays 4th quarter 19th century Japan Height 3.9 cm width 4.0 cm small carved ivory-colored figurine depicts scene humanlike figures animal ornately textured base carving standing figure holding long pole wearing patterned clothing second seated figure holding rounded object pointed ears nestled them detailed patterns scales facial features base swirling wave- forms porous rock- structures piece sits reflective surface mirrors shapes visible colors beige tan cream brown touches darker brown carved recesses set plain gray background.