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Cat Mask Netsuke

Price: $35.00
Animal: Cat & Mouse
Made In: England
Released November 2005

From Adam Binder on Netsukes:

"Many of you will know that I have always been interested in the 17th Century Japanese Netsukes (carvings in ivory which were used as fastenings on Japanese Kimono’s) and I have now developed a “Netsuke” style series, which is shortly due for release. This range will be a lot smaller (approximately 1-2 inches all round) and intricately detailed. The finishes will resemble anything from antique ivory and different types of wood to the red lacquer commonly associated with Japanese art.

I wanted to scale down and create a miniature series of highly detailed pieces which are in keeping with the original “Netsukes". Not only were they visually pleasing and practical, each carving told a story, sometimes obvious but other times left to the interpretation of the viewer.

All the pieces have eyes inlaid  with Swarvoski crystals, once again in keeping with the original “Netsukes” which were often adorned with Coral, Mother of Pearl or semi precious stones.  Some of my favourite Netsukes depicted human faces in the form of masks which portrayed characters in theatre. I wanted to put my own spin on these characters so have created animal not human faces with their own stories going on behind the masks.

The general release Masks will be open editions subject to sudden retirement."

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