An early 19th century Japanese netsuke from Edo period. Not signed. In carved elephant portraying a rat restingover a laced cord, 33,6x9,7x14,6 mm. 15,87 gr. Similar pieces on Schwartz Karl M.: "Netsuke Subjects Addendum: A Supplementary Study on Netsuke Themes with Reference to Their Interpretation and Symbolism", Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, 2001.Pág. 113, img. nº 312. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w