ANCIENT ORBIT

Forum for collectors, artists, guilds (pen, musical instruments,
figurines, wood, metal, stone, including chess-related, etc).

(pronounced "netskeh" and literally meaning "root for fastening")

Netsuke were not subject to these laws because they were not
technically clothing; nor were they subject to restrictions placed on
art, where representations of religious matter were forbidden.

There are several types of netsuke including: manju, round or square
button like boxes; and kagamibuta, comprising a metal lid and a bowl;
and katabori.

As a result, no subject or material was off limits to Netsuke artisans:
flowers, animals, birds, the heores and villains from folklore, the
immortals and mythical animals of Japanese legend, the grotesque and
the amusing.

Carved from (mammoth) ivory, bone, wood, clay, lacquer, and precious
metals. Today there are many styles, and types, some by well known
designers and the range in price can be incredible: from a few $/=A3 to
=A3140,000 paid for a Netsuke horse carved by Tomotada.

related forum:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoollyMammoth
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NetsukeIvory/
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/rythmomachy/

MESSAGES LISTED FOR ALL THREE FORUMS
by.

http://chessearth.blogspot.com