Netsuke Snake Wrapped Turtle

[diggummup]

Carved netsuke piece I think. Don't know much about it yet. Dismissed it at first but it passed the hot pin test. A little dusty still too. Measures 1 3/4" l x 1 1/4" w x 3/4" h

 

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[ARC]

Interesting...

Not Elephant Ivory IMO.

But could even be "mammoth ivory" or tusk of something other.

Strange composition.

Cool though.

 

[diggummup]

I believe it is Tagua nut, unfortunately.

 

[Kray Gelder]

Hey Diggummup, nice find! I thought the carving looked a bit slap dash. I found this image of a Netsuke. Compare the artistry.

 

[jason4kstate]

Very interesting. I go to Japan often and I find this surprising. The turtle is a revered animal in Japan. They also do not have a whole lot of snakes that would constrict like this. The snake could be a habu.

 

[diggummup]

Hey Diggummup, nice find! I thought the carving looked a bit slap dash. I found this image of a Netsuke. Compare the artistry.View attachment 1583144

I hear ya. It's still a Netsuke, just low quality. That one is 200 years old and probably worth $5 grand. Mine is probably 20 years old and worth $5 bucks, lol.

 

[diggummup]

Very interesting. I go to Japan often and I find this surprising. The turtle is a revered animal in Japan. They also do not have a whole lot of snakes that would constrict like this. The snake could be a habu.

The black turtle of the north, Xuanwu or Xuandi. A Chinese constellation among other things.

 

[tamrock]

It's definitely a one off. Not sure of the material? ... Indonesian maybe??

 

[tamrock]

The black turtle of the north, Xuanwu or Xuandi. A Chinese constellation among other things.

Huh, Must be the turtles version of mien kampf

 

[diggummup]

It's definitely a one off. Not sure of the material? ... Indonesian maybe??

Tagua nut, South American maybe.