Netsuke erótico en marfil de mamut, figura femenina acurrucada con sello rojo, shunga oculto, finales de Shōwa

A netsuke-scale female figure in mammoth ivory, curled inward so that its erotic subject is hidden in plain form and revealed only in the hand. With a red seal-like inscription at the rear, it belongs to the lineage of concealed, shunga-adjacent objects made for discreet ownership and sophisticated humor.

The Piece

This netsuke-scale carving belongs to the Japanese tradition of private, tactile art objects rather than public display sculpture. Anatomically honest yet not pornographic in intent, it sits in the line of shunga-adjacent concealed works made for discreet ownership, contemplation and humor. The curled posture compresses the body into a self-contained sculptural volume, a classic netsuke strategy that allows erotic subject matter to remain hidden until the piece is handled and turned.

The crouched pose emphasizes intimacy and introspection rather than performance, echoing the Edo shunga view of sexuality as a natural human condition rather than spectacle. The erotic emphasis is placed discreetly, visible only from certain angles, in keeping with ura, the hidden side, a recurring Japanese aesthetic principle; the object rewards curiosity, touch and slow viewing.

Mammoth ivory, prized for its fine grain and its ethical acceptability in the modern period, carries an even, warm polish that indicates hand-finishing rather than mechanical buffing. Hair texture, body curvature and anatomical transitions are rendered with confidence, suggesting an artisan familiar with netsuke-scale ergonomics, and the compact dimensions and smooth transitions confirm a piece meant to be handled, not merely viewed.

Erotic netsuke and ivory miniatures survived because they were private objects: unlike prints, which faced censorship and destruction, small carvings circulated quietly among collectors, artists and connoisseurs. In the Showa period a revival of Edo aesthetics in artisan circles renewed production of such works, often in modern materials such as mammoth ivory, and this carving fits within that revival, carrying Edo visual intelligence into modern craftsmanship. It suits advanced collections of erotic netsuke and miniature sculpture, shunga-inspired folk art, ivory carving and Japanese objects of concealed or hidden meaning.

Details

• Object: Netsuke-scale erotic figurative carving; concealed shunga-adjacent ivory sculpture
• Era: Likely late Showa period (circa 1960s–1980s), drawing on Edo-period shunga and erotic netsuke visual language
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Keratinized mammoth ivory (ke-naga mammoth tusk)
• Measurements: Approx. 26 mm (H) × 30 mm (W) × 39 mm (D)
• Marks: Red seal-like inscription at the rear

Condition

• Excellent overall condition with smooth polish and even patina.
• No visible cracks or losses; the carving remains crisp and structurally intact.

Authenticity & Care

The red seal-like inscription at the rear marks it as a signed or workshop-associated piece; the late Showa dating is a stylistic attribution (circa 1960s–1980s). Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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