A mid 19th century Japanese netsuke from Edo period. Signed Tomochika on the base. In carved elephant ivory portraying a chemist grinding curative herbs in a mortar, 34,8x28,6x20 mm. 13,81 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w. Similar pieces published on Schwartz Karl M.:"Netsuke Subjects Addendum: A Supplementary Study on Netsuke Themes with Reference to Their Interpretation and Symbolism", Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, vol II, pág. 47, nº 141.