A very fine early 20th century wooden inro complete with netsuke and ojime. This is a lovely three case wooden inro - the wood appears to be highly polished rosewood. It is decorated in a gold makie relief design of a goose flying over lake grasses on one side - just the grasses on the reverse.
This is a fine little three piece Japanese inro with a base lacquer color of orange/red. Over that red base, there is a relief design of a sliver and black carp leaping out of the water – it has two tiny pieces of gold makie on its right fin. The other sides has a design that appears to be the tail of a carp diving into the waves – notice the silver scales on the lower section where the fish enters the waves. The inro measures 2 ¼” long by 2 3/8’ wide by 5/8” thick at its thickest. It is in reas ...click for details
This is a fine and rare wooden four case inro with ojime and netsuke. The inro itself is a dark wood carved with an intricate design of tiny interlocking grid like carving. The wood was then covered with a transparent layer of lacquer to provide protection and shine.
On top of the wooden case, there is a fine design of a flower, leaves and ...click for details
This is a very intricately designed five case inro with a background of reddish brown lacquer. The lively scene is one of a group of Japanese men dressed in armor and hunting with dogs. Some of the hunters are using rifles – some are using long pikes – and some carry sticks which were probably used as beaters. The hunting scene surrounds all sides of the inro
In the realm of Hirado netsuke less than 20% are in colors other than the soft white glaze characteristic of Hirado. This netsuke is of a brown and tan tiger with his head growling to the side and resting on a stalk of white bamboo. There is a very rare book on Japanese Hirado netsuke and small okimono that is long out or print – unfortunately it is completely in Japanese so we do not know the author, publisher, or date of the book. The book contains photos of over 300 netsuke – primarily from t ...click for details
A late Meiji netsuke made of the finest Hirado porcelain. It depicts a Sennin or possibly Hotei with a puppy in Hirado blue climbing in his lap. The piece measures 1 1/2" high x 1 1/8" wide x 1 1/16" deep and is excellent condition. We date it to the later Meiji period, circa 1890-1910.
A Japanese Hirado porcelain netsuke of a shi shi with his paws on a ball - soft details. It is definitely believed to be Hirado because of the expected slight orange kiln burn on the edges of the unglazed base where the glaze ends. The netsuke measures 1 3/8" long by 7/8" thick by 1 1/2" high. Late Meiji period circa 1900-1915.
A rather rare Japanese Hirado porcelain netsuke molded in the shape of a puppy sitting on his back legs in a begging position. The unusual aspect is that is front paws move in and out. It is decorated in the traditional underglaze Hirado blue and brown spots. Measures 2 3/8" high x 1 1/2" deep x 1" wide. Dates from the late Meiji period, circa 1885-1910.Excelent condition.
A two piece bamboo body tonkotsu with applied decoration of five Japanese coins – three on one side (one of which is carved from ivory) and two on the other side. The piece measures 3 3/16" wide by 1 1/2" deep and is 2 5/16" high. The four non ivory coins appear to be made of lacquered wood. The tonkotsu is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks or restorations – there is even a faint lingering hint of tobacco aroma on the inside. We date this piece to the late Edo to earl ...click for details
A very nice and quite rare miniature three case inro. In their superb reference book titled: "INRO and Other Miniature Forms in Japanese Lacquer Art", Melvin and Betty Jahss, Tuttle, 1971, the authors have this to say about miniature inro - "While children did not regularly wear inro, it was the custom on some festive occasions to do so. We therefore find small-sized inro with suitable designs which were undoubtedly intended to be used by a child." In all our years of collec ...click for details
An attractive netsuke in the form of a blue and white double gourd miniature sake bottle. Decorated in underglaze blue and white with flowers and butterflies – Imari porcelain. Dates from the late Edo to early Meiji Period, circa 1825-1975. Purchased by the previous owner at the Amsterdam Auction House Aalderink in an auction of “The Buzaglo Collection of Fine Netsuke”, Lot # 338, Nov.29-Dec.21. 1985. The piece measures 2 1/4" high - the bottom is 1 3/8" diameter and the top is 1&quo ...click for details
A mid to late 18th century(Edo period) boxwood netsuke of a reclining horse.This netsuke has great wear that has rounded all the angles into a wonderful tactile feel and a glowing patina. The himotoshi show excellent signs of long usage. There are no cracks, no chips and no repair. Condition is outstanding. Measures 5.3 cm (2 1/8") by 4.3 cm (1 3/5") by 2 cm (3/4").
A very nice Japanese Tonkotsu (tobacco container) set consisting of a plain round wooden lidded tobacco box with a four character mark on the lid – a lacquer ojime with metal flowers on two sides - a Japanese pipe with turned metal fittings at the mouthpiece end and the tobacco bowl end – and an elongated boxwood pipe holder carved in the shape of man with his arms outstretched over his head (possibly depicting a South Seas islander because of the grass skirt. We date this set to the late Edo ...click for details
A late 18th to very early 19th century (Edo Period) mask netsuke made of molded ceramic and painted - the himotoshi formed be a molded bar at the back of the netsuke. The character is that of a "Masu" or "Masugami" - literally Girls Mask. It could also be categorized as a "Mambi" - which means "perfect eyebrows", conspicuous by their absence. The treatment of the eyes and the general patina of the piece clearly date this netsuke to the Edo period - we lean ...click for details
An extraordinary Edo Period Japanese tobacco box (tonkotsu) done in takamakie gold lacquer, mother of pearl, and lead – all on a wooden base that has been wrapped in a layer of cherry bark. The strong design of the iris and leaves is reminiscent of paintings of the Rimpa school artist Sôtatsu and his successors, and typifies the exuberant urban taste of the Genroku era (1688-1704). Bold designs were encouraged by the Rimpa school and artists such as Shibata Zeshin (1807-91). The superb design of ...click for details
