Project Description
Dark Wood Netsuke of a Falcon
Perched on a rock, the eyes inlaid in dark material ringed with metal. The cuts of the feathers, though worn, are very pleasing
Unsigned. Circa 1800
Height 5.2cm
Although I previously described this as a hawk, I suspect it is in fact a falcon. As in Europe, falconry in Japan was a strictly aristocratic sport. However, this appears to be a wild bird. In Japanese superstition, a dream is considered lucky in which one sees together Mount Fuji, an aubergine and a falcon. This may be an allusion to that.
MR4496
