Modelled as a seated dog with gently raised head and alert expression, the hollow body forming a functioning whistle, the mouth opening serving as the sound aperture. Decorated in characteristic Hirado underglaze cobalt-blue patches over a milky white glaze, with natural kiln blush around the mid-section. Two himotoshi to the reverse.
Hirado ware is celebrated for its refined porcelain body and restrained blue-and-white aesthetic, particularly in small sculptural objects such as netsuke produced in the late Edo and Meiji periods.
Condition: Good antique condition consistent with age and use. Surface wear and kiln effects as expected; no chips or cracks observed.
