A marine ivory netsuke of a hatching tengu, Circa 1850

Tengu no tamago

Circa 1850

Height: 3.5 cm

A marine ivory netsuke depicting a tengu no tomago hatching. Only just starting to break free from its shell, the creature’s beak and face are all that is visible. The surface of the shell is smooth, lightly stained and highly polished to accentuate the beautiful grain of the marine ivory.

The tengu are mythological creatures of ancient japanese tradition identify both as kami (gods) and as yokai (demons). They are usually represented as bird man with a long prominent nose or, as in the case, with a beak.

CITES certificate for ivory artwork.