Antique Japanese Netsuke of a Finely Carved Baby Horse (foal). 1860s - 1880s

Antique Japanese Netsuke of a Finely Carved Baby Horse (foal). 1860s - 1880s

There is a signature carved on the underside in red ink, likely indicating the artist or school of carving. The expressive eyes, slight asymmetry in the pose, and lifelike anatomical details suggest a skilled artisan’s hand. Likely dates to the Edo or Meiji period, as it exhibits the classical elegance and naturalism characteristic of earlier netsuke.

Size 4 cm L x 2.5 cm W x 2 cm H 

weight 17 gr.

As the kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets, the Japanese men suspended small items they needed to take with them, such as tobacco pouches, purses, pipes and writing implements on a silk cord from their sash, and stop the cord slipping, it was fed through a toggle - a netsuke.

Originally the toggle was made from found objects such as roots or shells, which were selected for their aesthetic appeal, but over time the toggle itself developed as an art form. Many fine carvers devoted themselves to netsuke, but the demand was so great, that their manufacture was taken up by other craft persons such as lacquerers, metal artists and potters.

While ivory is the most commonly used material, netsuke were also made from wood, bone, lacquer, metal and other materials.

The custom of wearing netsuke flourished in Japan for more than three centuries - from around 1600 to the mid 19th century, but the golden age of the netsuke is considered to be from 1800 to 1850.