M0004169EA: Carved wooden spectacles on a book / M0004169EB: Netsuke of new born child by Shounsai (back)

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Wood, spectacles on the outside of an opened book.

Previous title, replaced May 2020: Ivory new born child in the state of flexion.

A reproduction of two photographs. The top photograph is of a wooden carving of spectacles, sitting on the outside of an opened book, with loops which are attached round the ears are depicted. The bottom picture is a netsuke made of ivory of a new born child in the state of flexion with the umbilical cord going down its down and the placenta attached. The uterine surface of the placenta rests on the child's head. It is signed Shounsai. This photograph is showing the back. Netsuke are ornaments worn with a Kimono. The Netsuke is tied a silk bag hidden behind the sash for belongings. They were especially popular during the Tokugawa period (1603–1868) and are seen by many as fine works of miniature art. This Netsuke is from Doctor Hermann Gunther's collection of Netsuke.

5 February 1935

2 photographs glass plate negative; 12 x 16 cm

Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2021.

Please consult the digitised version as this item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.