Netsuke depicting an ivory skull.

Anatomically correct, the skull has its orbits and nasal cavity pierced. There is no mandible. Very detailed, the roots of the teeth are visible on the upper jaw. Growth sutures are marked on the skull where the junction between the metopic and coronal sutures can be seen at the top.

Signature on the back of the skull in a red cartouche of Teruyuki (照之).

Japan, Teruyuki (照之) – Meiji era (1868-1912)

Height: 1.7 in / 4.3 cm – width: 1.5 in / 3.7 cm – depth: 2 in / 5 cm