Karasu-Tengu, 18th century
MediumIvory, pupils inlaid in horn
Height4,4 cm
About the workIn Japanese mythology, the Tengu is a hybrid of a human and a bird. The goblin-like creatures are considered both good and sometimes evil and were worshipped as lowly deities. 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 Werdelmann
Inventory numberP 2005-223
