M0004165: Three ivory Netsuke

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Dr. Gunther's Collection of Ivory Netsuk's, Japanese.

Photograph of three carved ivory Netsuke. One is of a woman breastfeeding a child, one is of a pregnant woman carrying a tub of water on her head and one is a man with a large tumour on his face. Netsuke are ornaments worn with a Kimono. The Netsuke is tied a silk bag hidden behind the sash for belongings. They were especially popular during the Tokugawa period (1603–1868) and are seen by many as fine works of miniature art. These Netsuke are from Doctor Hermann Gunther's collection of Netsuke, one of which is held by the History of Science Museum (inventory numbers 33731).

1 February 1935

1 photograph glass plate negative; 16.5 x 21.5 cm

Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2021.

This item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.