Japanese Trophy Netsuke and Hunting Amulet
A Japanese Trophy Netsuke and Hunting Amulet
Made from the upper jaw and front teeth of a fox, applied red and black lacquer
18th Century
Size: 2.5cm high, 5.5cm deep, 4cm wide – 1 ins high, 2¼ ins deep, 1½ ins wide
See Finch & Co catalogue no. 16, item no. 17, for another trophy netsuke made from the jaw of a wolf
cf: Barker & Smith ‘Netsuke’ from the British Museum collection no. 404
Made from the upper jaw and front teeth of a fox, applied red and black lacquer
18th Century
Size: 2.5cm high, 5.5cm deep, 4cm wide – 1 ins high, 2¼ ins deep, 1½ ins wide
See Finch & Co catalogue no. 16, item no. 17, for another trophy netsuke made from the jaw of a wolf
cf: Barker & Smith ‘Netsuke’ from the British Museum collection no. 404
In traditional cultures practically all objects of personal adornment made from substances produced by nature are believed to possess power and serve an amuletic function. Their purpose is apotropaic: to work on behalf of the owner by helping them cope with natural forces that affect their life in a positive or negative manner.
Trophy netsukes such as this were thought by the Japanese hunter to render him immune to threats from the environment, the chance of accident and from predatory animals.
Trophy netsukes such as this were thought by the Japanese hunter to render him immune to threats from the environment, the chance of accident and from predatory animals.
Japanese Trophy Netsuke and Hunting Amulet
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