Edo
Period, 19th Century, nicely made Copper Netsuke in the form of a Double Gourd.
This is
one of the oldest and most basic forms of toggle that the Japanese people have
used.W. L. Hildburgh writes in his "Note on the Gourd as an Amulet in
Japan, Man, Vol XIX, London, 1919:
"Among
a multitute of forms assumed by the Japanese netsuke, that of the bottle-gourd
is unusually prominent. It is peculiarly adapted to serve for that of a
netsuke, because its cconstricted portion gives a place for the cord, while its
smoth and rounded surface permits the netsuke to pass easily under the girdle,
thus facilitating the putting on or putting off of the article for whose
attachment the gourd is serving as a toggle.
The himotoshi is formed by a loop-shaped ring attached to
the middle section of the gourd. The netsuke measures 0.94 inches (2.3cm) of
diameter in its widest portion, and 2.58 inches (6.3cm) tall. Unsigned. It is in
excellent condition as you may be able to see in the posted photos