Awabi (abalone shell) with two small hamaguris (clams) clinging to it

Japanese Collection

Accession Nr.: 50.252.1
Type: bone objects; object for daily use; ivory carving; netsuke; accessory
Artist/Maker:
Date of production:
mid-19th century
Edo (Tokugawa) period or Meiji era
Place of production:
Signed: Masayoshi (正義)
Materials: ivory
Dimensions: height: 1.8 cm
width: 4.2 cm
depth: 4.2 cm
Japanese men kept their personal belongings in the belt of their kimono. These were fastened to the belt of the kimono: a suspension cord attached to the object ran under the textile sash with a counterweight knotted on the other end.