made in Japan
This of netsuke made of lacquered and gilt wood is of a dancer wearing a lion mask. A netsuke is used to fasten an inro, a small lacquered container, which hung from the sash of a man's kimono. They became miniature art forms in their own right.
This side view of a netsuke of a dancer wearing a lion mask is of wood which has been lacquered with gilt decoration. These masks were often worn for dances at New Year. The rounded smooth shape would have made a good netsuke.
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