A superb Japanese ivory netsuke of a Dutchman carrying a boar slung over his shoulder
Edo period, 18th century
H. 9.2 cm
The proudly standing Dutchman, wearing a European hat and lozenge wig, carries the legs of the boar on his shoulder, the fur of the limp animal neatly incised. The Dutchman’s coat is finely spotted and engraved with crashing wave design. The two himotoshi, one larger and one smaller, are placed at an angle at the back. The Dutchmen were not allowed to leave Deshima so hunting was out of the question. However, Dutchmen carrying their hunting spoils over their shoulders is a recurring theme with netsukes of Dutchmen. Maybe this representation refers to the meat-eating habit of the Dutchmen or it could derive from the image of Christ the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb over his shoulder, even though Christian imagery, when recognised, was strictly forbidden in Japan.
H. 9.2 cm
The proudly standing Dutchman, wearing a European hat and lozenge wig, carries the legs of the boar on his shoulder, the fur of the limp animal neatly incised. The Dutchman’s coat is finely spotted and engraved with crashing wave design. The two himotoshi, one larger and one smaller, are placed at an angle at the back. The Dutchmen were not allowed to leave Deshima so hunting was out of the question. However, Dutchmen carrying their hunting spoils over their shoulders is a recurring theme with netsukes of Dutchmen. Maybe this representation refers to the meat-eating habit of the Dutchmen or it could derive from the image of Christ the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb over his shoulder, even though Christian imagery, when recognised, was strictly forbidden in Japan.
Part of the Japan collection.
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Carved from a slender section of bone, most likely a walrus baculum, the Dutchman, with two asymmetrical himotoshi to the back, has an elongated body following the natural orientation of the material and is dressed in a Chinese robe with wave border.