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

Date:
5 February 1935
Reference:
WT/D/1/20/1/34/15
Part of:
Wellcome Trust Corporate Archive
  • Archives and manuscripts
  • Online

Available online

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

In copyright

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Credit

M0004169EA: Carved wooden spectacles on a book / M0004169EB: Netsuke of new born child by Shounsai (back). In copyright. Source: Wellcome Collection.

About this work

Also known as

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.

Description

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.

Publication/Creation

5 February 1935

Physical description

2 photographs glass plate negative; 12 x 16 cm

Notes

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.

Terms of use

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

Where to find it

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