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- object to a coveted collectors item of great artistic merit and elegant sophistication, netsuke also became a status symbol for their owners, who competed with each other to acquire a collection more elegant than that of their peers. It was because of their individuality, originality and uniqueness that netsuke quickly became highly collectible and a coveted art form, netsuke, like jewellery, also became a sign of social status, as the craftsmanship and the quality of materials used varied among the classes.
By the mid-18th century, netsuke carvers no longer considered their occupation an insignificant pastime or hobby, but as a relevant art form, By the mid-18th century, netsuke carvers no longer considered their occupation an insignificant pastime or hobby, but as a relevant art form. They began to sign their works, became professional carvers and teachers, and eventually formed different regional schools with distinctive styles. They needed proper tools, carving skills, excellent eyesight and a vivid imagination to cater to the great demand, as by this time almost all males in Japan had need of wearing a netsuke.
Their designs became increasingly complicated and sophisticated as they developed new carving techniques, experimented with all sorts of materials and dreamed up as many conceivable subjects as possible.
Carvers' reputations were established by the style, skill and cleverness of their work. They seemed to have had more freedom in terms of using parody, satire and parables than artists of other mediums during the Edo period. They seem to have been unfettered by tradition or censorship of subject matter, like painters and print artists. A good number of netsuke bear the master carver's signature, especially during the late Edo period. However, because schools (and the pupils) of a master carver often used the master's signature indiscriminately, the netsuke might not necessarily have been made by the master himself. Even if there is a genuine maker's name inscribed, very little seems to be known about their lives. Although fine old netsuke were only a miniature art form, their painstaking creation was labour intensive, taking a considerable length
netsuke in the form of grotesque head
� netsuke en forme de tete grotesque
� signed Mitsuyuki, 19th century � wood, ivory � Edith Low-Beer Collection, AGGV 1990.038.001
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