A Japanese ivory netsuke depicting six pumpkin-shaped flasks, with a cord serving as a grip on the first three, while the other three are still in their natural state, before being worked and hollowed out to become actual sake bottles.

The pumpkin-shaped flasks are sculpted with exceptional skill and precision. Every detail has been meticulously modeled, making the flasks incredibly lifelike. An intriguing and realistic aspect of this netsuke is the cord that passes through the first three flasks, allowing them to be held as sake containers.

Under the central pumpkin, the inscription “Fuki chomei” (Blessed Long Life) adds profound symbolic meaning. This inscription may have been intended by the artist as a reference to the pumpkin itself, which in Japanese culture is often regarded as a symbol of longevity and prosperity.

This ivory netsuke depicting a group of pumpkin-shaped sake bottles is attributed to Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875). An identical netsuke was presented by Bonhams on September 12, 2012, in New York.

Origin: Japan

Period: Edo 19th century

Dimensions: 2.9 x 4.3 x 5.5 cm.

Condition: Very good

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