Context (Field collection)
Coll: Somerville.J.
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue Card 2 for 1943.98: “Netsuke - ivory of nestling. Signature of Artis reads either Seisei or Masakiyô (Not Masanao as on Card 1). Seisei would be the preferred reading as corresponding to the On pronunciation of these characters. Netsuke, worn on the sash at the waist correspond to watch seals, and like them, have become collectors’ objects of great value. All the ivory netsuke in this collection are very valuable.’ Jm. Stargardt.”
Event Date
Author: Mark Elliott

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue Card 1 for 1943.98: "Ivory netsuké of a nestling with the signature of Masanao. A netsuké is a kind of toggle, to the cord at the end of which an INRO or TOBAKO-IRE can be attached to the wearer’s obi, or sash, some of the best artists in carving specialised in certain subjects and Masanao (prior to 1810) confined himself to fowls, while others made studies of other subjects and confined themselves to their chosen models.
d.d. Mrs. T.A.G. Strickland."


Event Date
Author: Mark Elliott

Description (Physical description)
Ivory netsuke of a nestling. Signature of artist reads either "Seisei" or "Masakiyo".
Event Date 1943
Author: maa

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue Card: "Ivory netsuke of a nestling. Signature of artist reads either "Seisei" or "Masakiyo". Seisei would be the preferred reading, as corresponding to the "On" pronunciation of these characters. A netsuke is a kind of toggle, attached to a cord and worn on the sash or "obi" at the waist. At the end of the cord, an "inro" or "tobako-ire" may be attached to the wearer's "obi". Netsuke correspond to watch seals and, like them, have become collector's items of great value. Some of the best artists in carving specialised in certain subjects. Masakiyo (prior to 1810) confined himself to fowls, whilst others made studies of other subjects and confined themselves to their chosen models".

Event Date 26/11/2020
Author: ashleigh griffin

Description (Physical description)
Netsuke. Ivory carving of a baby sparrow (fukura-suzume). Squat body with puffed breast, spread wings and short, upright tail; incised feet on the underside. The tail and wing plumage is incised, the body is plain and the eyes are inlaid. Signature of artist on the underside reads either "Seisei" or "Masakiyo".
Event Date 16/9/2021
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Context (Amendments / updates)
The source field preivously gave the donor as "Mrs E.F. Strickland." It is not clear where these initials came from. The Accession Register gives the source as "Mrs T.A.G. Strickland." Mrs Thomas Alfred Gerald Strickland was Gertrude Giovanna Nesta Strickland. The source field has been amended accordingly.
Event Date 6/9/2024
Author: Mark Elliott