AN EARLY WOOD NETSUKE OF MERMAID (NINGYO) BLACKENING HER TEETH (OHAGURO)

AN EARLY WOOD NETSUKE OF MERMAID (NINGYO) BLACKENING HER TEETH (OHAGURO)
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A rather unusual netsuke carved as mermaid with plump cheeks and bawdy open-mouthed smile appearing like the Shinto goddess Okame, boldly carved with her scaly body curled to one side as she paints her teeth with a small brush. Her cheerful face with narrowed eyes, a wide nose, plump cheeks, and full lips is very finely carved while the rest of the composition has an appealingly rustic appearance. Her braided hair is elegantly flowing along her back, the underside with her breasts and the very large himotoshi. The wood with a fine, smooth patina.
LENGTH 6.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, few tiny nicks.
Provenance:
Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt, sold at Bonhams, 8 November 2018, London, lot 31. A noted private collection, USA, acquired from the above.
Ohaguro
(lit. 'black teeth') is the name given in Japan to the custom of blackening one's teeth with a solution of iron filings and vinegar. It was especially popular between the Heian and Edo periods, from the 10th century until the late 19th century, but the opening of the country to Western customs during the Meiji period led to its gradual disappearance. It was a tradition practiced mainly by married women and some men, almost always members of the aristocracy and samurai. In addition to Japanese society's preference for black teeth, it was also considered beneficial to health, as it prevented tooth decay by acting as a dental sealant.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of Okame as a mermaid by Shugetsu, also from the Teddy Hahn collection, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 167 (
sold for 6,067 EUR
).
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