Netsuke; winnowing (?) basket or scoop, filled with seven turtles of varying sizes, some crawling over each other; signed on back; L 3.9 cm X W 3.9 cm
Donor:
Dorothy Campbell Tompkins
Collection place:
Japan
Culture or time period:
Japanese
Collector:
Dorothy Campbell Tompkins and John Barr Tompkins
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Ivory (material)
Inscription:
signed on back
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Netsukes
Function:
2.2 Personal Adornments and Accoutrements
Context of use:
A toggle or device attached to the end of a cord or rope to keep it from slipping; cord thrust under the sash of a kimono to support purse pouch, box, or basket (in absence of pockets). Note: per Symmes, turtle is a symbol of long life.