Rare Japanese Edo Period Ivory Netsuke - Ama " Lady of the Sea "

19th century

Sold by Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

Description

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this lovely Edo period (1615-1868) c 1800, Japanese Ivory Netsuke depicting an "Ama" lady of the sea , she is modelled smiling with her long wet hair freely flowing down her back, wearing nothing but a loincloth skirt being held up by her left hand, in her right hand she holds her billhook, the Himotoshi has been formed to the rear, a rare subject with a beautiful colour , a great addition to your Japanese work of art or Netsuke collection.

Notes:

Ama in Japanese means "woman of the sea" - These women specialised in freediving some 30 feet down into cold water wearing nothing more than a loincloth, utilising special techniques to hold their breath for up to 2 minutes at a time, they would work for up to 4 hours a day in order to gather abalone, seaweed and other shellfish, the most profitable pursuit however was diving for pearls, traditionally for Ama, finding a Pearl inside an oyster was akin to receiving a large bonus while they went about their ancestral practice of collecting shellfish.

Condition report:

In lovely well handled condition throughout, with a lovely mellow colour.

Approximate size:

Height: 2.1" 5.5 cm

Width: 1" 2.6 cm

Depth: 0.6" 1.7 cm

Free worldwide delivery and a certificate of authenticity are included within the price of this item, Buyers outside the EU are fully responsible for the costs of any export licences that may be required.

Physical Dimensions

Height

5cm (1.97")

Width

2cm (0.79")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art has dated this piece to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA543410

Dealers Notes

Available during usual business hours 7 days a week by prior appointment only.

Available out of hours for general enquiries : sales@stagsheadantiques.com or steve@steveslyjapaneseart.com

Tel 07774-635918

Description

fig 1. RARE JAPANESE EDO PERIOD IVORY NETSUKE - AMA — fig 1. Rare Japanese Edo Period Ivory Netsuke - Ama " Lady of the Sea "

Notes:

Ama in Japanese means "woman of the sea" - These women specialised in freediving some 30 feet down into cold water wearing nothing more than a loincloth, utilising special techniques to hold their breath for up to 2 minutes at a time, they would work for up to 4 hours a day in order to gather abalone, seaweed and other shellfish, the most profitable pursuit however was diving for pearls, traditionally for Ama, finding a Pearl inside an oyster was akin to receiving a large bonus while they went about their ancestral practice of collecting shellfish.

fig 2. RARE JAPANESE EDO PERIOD IVORY NETSUKE - AMA — fig 2. Rare Japanese Edo Period Ivory Netsuke - Ama " Lady of the Sea "

Condition report:

In lovely well handled condition throughout, with a lovely mellow colour.

Approximate size:

Height: 2.1" 5.5 cm

Width: 1" 2.6 cm

Depth: 0.6" 1.7 cm

Free worldwide delivery and a certificate of authenticity are included within the price of this item, Buyers outside the EU are fully responsible for the costs of any export licences that may be required.