Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke of a Wolf With a Human Skull. Edo Period, 19th century

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Fine Edo period netsuke of a seated wolf with his paw on a skull. Popular netsuke motif of the period depicting common practice at Kozukappara and other execution grounds near Edo (present day Tokyo) of leaving bodies of criminals outside to be devoured by wolves. Native Japanese wolves (yama-inu or ôkami) were traditionally respected as protectors of crops. Fantastic colour and patination. Natural himotoshi between the eye sockets of the skull. Good overall condition with small loss to one of the hind legs as per photographs. Dimensions: approx. ×4 cm Origin: Japan Date of production: Edo period, 19th century Material: wood, bone inlay

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Size: 2670px × 2670px
Photo credit: © Oriental Antiques UK - Asian Art Dealer and Appraiser / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: 19th, antique, century, edo, era, himotoshi, human, japanese, natural, netsuke, okami, period, skull, toggle, wolf, wooden, yamainu