Netsuke, toggle of ivory

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This netsuke is made of ivory carved into the shape of a clam shell with a palace inside. 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 rear view of a netsuke shows the clam partially open to reveal a group of small buildings representing the palace of Riujin, the dragon king of the sea. The himetoshi, holes for passing the cord through are both in the base.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-118-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1946.363
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Ivory
  Netsuke
  
• Dimensions: 1.88" W
  
• What: Netsuke
  
• Subject: Netsuke / ivory
  
• Who:
• Where: Japan
  
• Event:
• Description: Netsuke of carved ivory, the Clam's Dream: Japan, 19th century
  
• References:
• Translations:
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