Skeleton Astride a Skull 1771 - 1835

This small ivory sculpture, "Skeleton Astride a Skull" by Rantei, is a striking example of netsuke, small Japanese toggles traditionally used to suspend objects from a sash. Dating from the late Edo period (1771-1835), the artwork depicts a grinning skeleton perched atop a human skull. The intricate detail and realistic carving of the bones, alongside the playful expression, highlights the Japanese fascination with death and the ephemeral nature of life, a common theme in netsuke art. The small scale of the sculpture further emphasizes the fragility of life and mortality.