Very Unusual Antique Mother Of Pearl Netsuke "Hyotan" - late 18th or early 19th Century

Very Unusual Antique Mother Of Pearl Netsuke "Hyotan" - late 18th or early 19th Century

This amazing Mother of Pearl & metal netsuke was crafted in the 18th or early 19th century. It shows the shape of a Hyotan double gourd and has a central metal ring with an eyelet that functions as the Himotoshi. This superb and highly unusual Mother of Pearl and metal netsuke depicts a classical Japanese good luck symbol, the double gourd Hyotan. The "Hyotan" or double gourd is one of the most ancient garden plants in Japan. Its fruit was used as food and for tools and drinking receptacles. Part of the summer scenery in Japan was the making of shelves for the growing of gourds, the leaves of which give much welcome refreshing shade. After removing the seeds and drying them, gourds were used as flasks or containers for water, alcohol, medicine and seeds. They were especially used as seed containers over the years, and it was often said that seeds kept in such containers always bloomed successfully. They thus signified happiness or success to people. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan.

DATE: 18th or early 19th century.

MATERIAL: Mother of pearl & metal.

MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUE: Very fine hand carving. The eyelet at the metal ring functions as the Himotoshi.

CONDITION: Good ORIGINAL as found condition with tiny notches and age hairlines. NO RESTORATION!

SIZE: Length is 2.6 inches.

Item ID: A4259

$850 USD

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