Netsuke made from a natural lacquered calabash.
Curved around itself, it has a main bulb at the bottom and a second smaller bulb below the opening. It is narrowed in the middle, where the silk cord is attached. Wooden stopper with red wax and coral ojime.
The artist dried and emptied the calabash – hence the small hole – before covering it with lacquer to stabilize and protect it.

Japan – Meiji (1868-1912), 19th century
Netsuke: height 1.2 in / 3.8 cm – width 1.6 in / 4.5 cm – depth: 2.7 in / 7 cm