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Collections

Kaigyokusai Masatsugu
Zodiac Animalsmid- to late 19th century

Not on view
Spherical carved ivory object with openwork relief carving of intertwined rats and a dragon, with inlaid red bead eyes, cream-toned surface
Ivory netsuke in spherical form, densely carved in high relief with intertwined rats and a dragon covering the entire surface; figures have inlaid amber eyes; warm cream tone with fine detailing throughout.
Ivory carved sphere with densely layered openwork relief depicting a dragon and multiple animals, including a rooster, rabbit, and boar, with small red-inlaid accents for eyes.
Artist or Maker
Kaigyokusai Masatsugu
Japan, 1813-1892
Title
Zodiac Animals
Place Made
Japan
Date Made
mid- to late 19th century
Medium
Ivory with sumi, inlays; ryūsa type
Dimensions
1 5/8 x 7/8 in. (4.1 x 2.2 cm)
Credit Line
Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection
Accession Number
AC1998.249.57
Classification
Costumes
Collecting Area
Japanese Art
Selected Bibliography
  • Madden, Odile. "Beyond Ivory: the Colorful World of Netsuke, Part 2." International Nestuke Society Journal 24, no.4 (2004): 24-35.
  • Atchley, Virginia G. "The Pavilion of Japanese Art in Los Angeles." Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal 8, no.4 (1988): 18-25.