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Dutchman carrying caught game

Information

Title Dutchman carrying caught game
Date c. 1800-1850
Height 9,8 cm
Object number SH2025-LP-204
iterature references Davey, Neil K. 1974. Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M T Hindson collection. London: FABER & FABER.
Credit Line Collection Japan Museum SieboldHuis, donated by Mrs. E.Y. de Koster and Mrs. G. Zellentin, 2025

Description

This chubby-faced Dutchman is clearly recognisable by his curly wig. He has caught game —possibly a young hog or deer —which he has slung across his shoulders and is holding by the feet. The pattern on his dress is supposed to represent a pair of cresting waves, which appears more often in netsuke depicting Dutchmen: compare for example SH2025-LP-205.

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

The two buttons on his dress are inlaid with soft coral.

Dutchmen with this motif are a repeating theme in netsuke. An example in an almost identical pose (also with a cresting wave on his dress) is illustrated in Davey (1974, p. 347, cat. 1046).