Ivory statue, in the form of a woman standing before a mortar with pestle in her hand and a child standing opposite her, signed, Japanese, 1800-1929

This tiny ivory netsuke is in the form of a woman standing before a mortar. A pestle is in her hand and a child stands opposite. She could be grinding food or mixing a pharmacological preparation. The netsuke was made in Japan.

Netsuke are carved toggle-like ornaments, usually made from either wood or ivory. They hang objects such as medicine boxes or tobacco pouches from the sash of a kimono – a traditional form of Japanese dress. This figure is signed underneath with Japanese characters. These indicate the individual craftsman.