Wolf with skull c. mid 19th century

Editor: This is "Wolf with Skull," a mid-19th century piece by Kōno Haruaki, made of bronze and ivory. It's… intense. The wolf looks very alert and self-satisfied atop that skull, and I wonder if there's a story behind the pairing. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Indeed. This piece, likely a netsuke, speaks volumes about the social and cultural position of animals in Japanese art and society. During this period, animals often served as allegories for human traits or commentary on social order. How does the wolf's depiction relate to common perceptions of the animal in 19th-century Japan, and what statement might the artist be making through the skull? Editor: Well, wolves can be seen as cunning and predatory. Is the skull there to remind the viewer of mortality, or perhaps to imply that the wolf is victorious? Curator: Precisely! The skull's inclusion likely carries multiple layers of meaning. It could reference Buddhist ideas about impermanence, but it could also be a political symbol. Think about it: Who holds power? Who preys on whom in society? The netsuke format also hints at this accessibility. Art isn’t confined to palaces. Editor: So it’s small enough to be carried around. The materials -- bronze and ivory -- do suggest that the owner would likely have some financial means. That changes how I see this piece. Curator: The deliberate choices made, the scale, the subject matter, and even the material, all position this artwork within specific power dynamics. And what it can reveal to its intended audience, even now. Editor: It's fascinating to think of art embedded in daily life like that, offering commentary and perspective. Thank you for that additional historical perspective.