Netsuke, toggle of ivory

Add to album

This netsuke made of ivory is carved into a ball of comic masks. 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 netsuke is composed of 13 small masks used in Kyogen plays, the comic interlude to the serious No plays of classical Japanese theatre. The round shape makes an ideal netsuke. The himetoshi, holes for passing the cord through are both in the base.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-104-647-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1946.195
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Ivory
  Netsuke
  
• Dimensions: 1.25" x 1.50" x 1.50"
  
• What: Netsuke
  
• Subject: Netsuke / ivory
  
• Who: No theatre
  
• Where: Japan
  
• Event:
• Description: Netsuke of carved ivory, a cluster of thirteen No masks: Japan, 19th century
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: