Width: 5.5cms
Height: 3cms
Date: Circa 1880
£POA - What does POA mean?
Product Code: KPNE13
Simply put, POA stands for “Price on Application”.
With some of our pieces, we prefer not to openly publish our asking price. We absolutely welcome visitors to the website to contact us to enquire about the cost of such pieces.
We just prefer to have a conversation to allow us to explain the pricing as well as to talk in more detail about the piece in question.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a super expensive piece but it may just be that there is something unique or special that we would like to be able to tell you about in more detail.
Contact us to find out more.
A great example of the popular subject of an emaciated wolf with his paw resting on a human skull. The wolf sits on his haunches and his verterbrae and ribs are clearly visible. He bares his teeth as if protecting the skull from scavengers.
Condition is very good. Contact us for further information.
Starving Wolf
The starving wolf or Okami is a popular netsuke subject often depicted as a thin wolf with ribs showing eating an animal often a rabbit or tortoise, a human skull or sometimes it’s own paw.
In Japanese Shinto religion the Okami (wolf) is believed to be a guardian messenger to the kami spirits, specifically the mountain god Yama-no-kami. Though often feared in Western countries in Japan the wolf is generally regarded as a protector and guardian of those who live in at high altitudes, many mountainous villages are named after the wolf, such as Okamiiwa (wolf rock) and Okamitaira (wolf Plateau).
In Japanese folklore the okuriokami or escort wolf is a popular guardian spirit with may shrines dedicated to it, it’s believed that it would follow lone travellers through the woods at night ensuring their safety until they reached their destination.
It’s believed these wolves would howl to warn of impending disasters it’s said they were heard before the great earthquake of 1923. They are also believed to howl in mourning at the home of travellers who met their death while away.
The Japanese species of wolf the Okami spirit is based on is sadly believed to be extinct, despite being long revered in Japan, opening to worldwide trade during the Meiji period brought rabies and canine distemper leading to persecution and the eventual extinction of the species by the early 20th century. There are documented cases of sightings of creatures that could be Japanese wolves in the 20th and 21st century but these are singular while the Japanese wolf was known to living in small packs. Perhaps small populations do survive but they face huge difficulties due to destruction of the forest habitats they once lived in.
Netsuke
A netsuke is essentially a toggle, used to prevent an object (usually an inro) from slipping through the obi (kimono belt). A cord is passed through the himotoshi (two small holes on the netsuke or a natural hole formed by a leg or arm of the piece) the other end tied to a container containing money, herbs or tobacco. The cord is then passed through the obi with the netsuke resting above it and the container below.
Netsuke have evolved from being utilitarian objects to miniature sculptures of great beauty and craftsmanship. Subjects they depict wide ranging and are an important record of Japanese life and folklore.
We completely understand that purchasing art and antiques online is a relatively new concept to many people, so our team will be very happy to provide additional information and support along the way.
We are members of BADA, LAPADA and CINOA, working closely with these associations and we are very proud of our reputation as one of the most established, valued and trusted dealers of Japanese and Chinese Art and Antiques in the industry.
Our galleries in Islington are open Monday through to Saturday (from 1030 to 1630) by appointment only. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
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