Netsuke, Dutchman, ca. 1810
ArtistHidemasa I,
active ca. 1810-1840
Ivory
Height5,4 cm
Status
not on displayDutch merchants came to Japan at the beginning of the 17th century. Their physique and clothing made them appear strange and unusual to the Japanese population. This netsuke depicts a Dutchman with a telescope and a child sitting on his shoulder. The motif refers to the Christian depiction of Saint Christopher, who, according to legend, carried the Christ child across a river.
As small figures, called Netsuke, they were used as counterweights to attach containers for medicine, tobacco or money to the belt of the kimono, known as the "obi". Predominantly made of ivory and boxwood, the objects were first created in the seventeenth century and evolved into status symbols.
AccessionGift of Bruno Werdelmann 2004
Provenance[...]; bis 25.10.2004 Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Bruno Werdelmann (1920 – 2010), Ratingen; 25.10.2004 erworben durch Schenkung von Bruno WerdelmannInventory numberP 2005-22
Contact
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