Japanese Ivory Netsuke (meiji Period): Old Woman Weaving

This exceptional netsuke from the Meiji period (1868-1912) is a miniature work of art, carved with remarkable precision in ivory. It depicts an elderly woman seated, absorbed in the act of spinning on a loom. The details are meticulous: the figure's concentrated expression, the textured folds of her checkered garment, and the mechanical elements of the loom are all clearly visible. Areas patinated in a darker yellow-brown accentuate the carved lines, lending depth and realism to this scene of everyday life. Typical of its function, the reverse side features the two holes (himotōshi) essential for threading the cord. It is a captivating collector's item, a testament to the elegance of late 19th-century Japanese craftsmanship.