Dutchman holding dog

Information

Title	Dutchman holding dog
Date	c. 1875-1925

Height

9,8 cm

Object number	SH2025-LP-203
Credit Line	Collection Japan Museum SieboldHuis, donated by Mrs. E.Y. de Koster and Mrs. G. Zellentin, 2025

Description

This Dutchman is carrying a dog under his arm. His face has been given less exaggerated definition than is common with netsuke of this type. The style of his clothing, consisting of a long coat with puffer pants and boots underneath, is also recognisable from Japanese paintings depicting the Dutch trade post in Nagasaki from this period.

For further information on the representation of foreigners in carvings, see our collection story: Hollanders in Japanse snijkunst.

The eyes of both the Dutchman and his dog are inlaid in amber.

This a ‘fake’ netsuke; a relatively modern reproduction, made for the Western market and never used as netsuke, although it is supposed to look authentic. That it is a ‘fake’, is indicated by the lack of wear, the lack of discolouration in the ivory, and the carving style.