Here's a fabulous thing. This netsuke (根付) is carved ivory; it is an ornamental, yet functional object that attaches to a cord, which is passed under a sash; the bulk of the netsuke fixes the bag or box attached to the cord such that it is retained by the sash. Netsuke cover extremely diverse subject matter. I have some that are most risque, and some that are cute, and some that, like this one, are simply beautiful to look at. I've had this one for thirty years. The tigers have a personal association; my martial arts master was "Tiger" Lim Sang Woong, of the King Tiger dojang in New York, and the Tiger Lim dojangs in Florida. So I look at this and the adult tiger puts me in mind of him; I think of the cub as myself. It is very difficult to obtain any measure of authenticity over the net, so I don't look for them that way. When I lived in Florida, you could go to the dealer and examine the piece; with experience, only the very best fakes can fool you, and frankly, at that point, they're so beautiful anyway that I can't say I really mind. I didn't obtain any of the ones in my collection for investment; I bought them because they are fascinating things to behold and to handle. I only have a handful. So if a professional were to tell me that one or two were repros or outright confabulations... I don't think it'd concern me much. This one is about two inches long. The stand was bought to fit, but otherwise has nothing to do with the piece. EXIF:
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