This item has been SOLD. A charming, signed ivory netsuke of four small boys playing around a water jar. The water jar helps date this piece to some degree, since during the Meiji period and earlier, water jars, which collected rain from a rain chain, were the major source of water to fight fires. The highly flammable nature of earlier Japanese homes made water storage a necessity and these jars were found outside the doorway of most commoners homes. The color and dark striations help establish age as well as does the muted wear from rubbing against a garment for a long period. A well carved piece for use, and an an attractive subject. 1" in height. Circa 1910
Asian Antiques Asian Decorative Arts
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