Netsuke "Kanchū Ushibeni" by Sekine Kabu — Deer Antler & Ebony

A contemporary netsuke by Tokyo carver Sekine Kabu in deer antler with ebony, 3.2 cm across. One piece, sold directly from the artist's gallery in Nezu.

The title Kanchū Ushibeni — "midwinter ox-red" — refers to the Edo-period custom of buying red lip rouge on the Day of the Ox in the coldest part of the year, when its color was believed to be at its deepest. Sekine Kabu works the theme in deer antler, whose warm grain and translucency have made it a netsuke material since the 18th century, with an ebony inlay for the note of red-black. The piece is carved fully in the round with functioning himotoshi cord holes and sits in the palm the way a netsuke should. A red cushion hand-sewn by the artist is included.

Details

• Artist: Sekine Kabu (関根蕪), Tokyo · Contemporary, signed
• Materials: Deer antler, ebony · Size: 1.5 × 3.2 × 1.1 cm
• Includes artist-made red cushion · Single piece

Watch: the world of contemporary netsuke

Kyoto's Seishu Netsuke Art Museum on the living tradition Sekine Kabu works in. (A general introduction — not this specific piece.)

Please read before ordering

• One of a kind. We confirm the piece is still available with the gallery within one business day; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Materials are deer antler and ebony only — no ivory, whale or marine mammal material. Ships with gallery documentation.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.