Vintage Tagua Nut Ivory Netsuke of Fukurokuju

This vintage Tagua nut ivory figure of Fukurokuju dates from the 1950s and is not a modern carving. Tagua nut ivory has a light fawn colour and a characteristic plug where the stalk enters - in the base in this piece. It is signed, I think, SEKIISHIBA.

Vegetable ivory or ivory nuts are primarily the nuts of the Tagua palm tree (Phytelephas macrocarpa) although other palms of the same subfamily also produce ivory nuts. Tagua trees grow mainly in moist locations in northern South America. The mature nut, which can reach the size of an apple, has a very white, exceedingly hard cellulose kernel, which is worked like ivory. The husk of the nut has a dark brown appearance and is frequently incorporated into the carving.

Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck, is an incarnation of the southern polestar. He is depicted as a happy old man with a long white beard and wearing Chinese dress. His most prominent feature is a high baldhead, the store of wisdom acquired during a long life.


Height: 42 mm