carving; seated old man with book in lap, has a top knot and long beard, which he holds in his left hand. His right hand rests on the floor, with fungus-like object at his side. His robe has chrysanthemum pattern. Signed, pierced as for netsuke. ht. = 3.5 cm. note: "signature" may be dealer's mark.
Donor:
Gladys "Gay" Womack and Robert Womack
Collection place:
Japan
Verbatim coll. place:
Japan [Handwritten on card: att.]
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Hair (material) and Ivory (material)
Inscription:
signature" may be dealer's mark.
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Netsukes
Function:
2.2 Personal Adornments and Accoutrements and 5.7 Objects made for sale, souvenirs, models, and reproductions
Context of use:
probably a cabinet piece As in China, the fungus is symbolic of longevity.