A SUPERB AND UNUSUAL STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF A FOREIGNER Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 69. Exhibited: Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October 1999 – 9 January 2000. A stag antler carving depicting a hooded man completely enveloped in his robe, with only the face and hands in the back visible. The face is certainly that of a foreigner, the curly beard very much resembling a Dutchman’s facial hair in netsuke art. The man is smiling with wide-opened eyes, the pupils inlaid in dark horn. The folds of the robe are superbly carved, tassels hang from the man’s belt, as well as a double gourd, perhaps the man is a foreigner disguised as a monk, the gourd being a religious symbol and holding the elixir of life. The naturally hollow section of the antler in the bottom is used as the himotoshi, which leads all the way to the other cord hole in the backside, above the beautifully carved, gnarled hands. HEIGHT 9.8 cm Condition: Excellent condition, age crack through the back. Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.