**Originally Listed At $350**

East Asia, Japan, Edo to Meiji era, ca. 19th century CE. An unusual elephant ivory netsuke carving of a highly realistic but dead and dried fish (himono) with amazing scale texture and a wrinkled body and deep eye sockets - as if left out to dry in the sun! The right side is pierced for suspension, these holes known as himotoshi, are the correct size for the period - one slightly larger than the other to hide a cord knot. Netsukes were used as toggles to stop the cord on which inro were suspended from the traditional sash (obi) that wraps around the kimono. Size: 3.25" L x 0.75" W (8.3 cm x 1.9 cm)

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece was made prior to 1972.

Provenance: private Louisville, Colorado, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#181006

Intact and excellent! Some yellowing patina.