Of the usual form comprising of two fitted bowls, the exterior decorated with a portrait of an old man wearing a garment embroidered with a phoenix. Several Sennin can be associated with magical birds, and among one of them is the Sennin Shoki (not to be confused with the Demon Dwell ...click for details
A simple, yet attractive kagamibuta comprising an ebony bowl and copper plate inlaid shakudo and partially gilt, depicting a branch of peach, the symbol of immortality.
A small ivory netsuke of a shishi holding a small loose ball in his mouth, and resting on a larger one. The himotoshi is formed by a larger and a small hole on the base. Excellent patina.
A lacquered netsuke fitted with a silver kanemono, depicting the Takaramono, the Twenty-one Precious Things carried in the Treasure Ship of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. The present example includes the mallet of Daikoku, the precious pearl (tama) and the fan (uchiwa). ...click for details
A finely carved and stained early 20th. Japanese Ivory Netsuke. It depicts a seated boy who is tied by a rope with his hands behind his back and with a rat on his knee. There is a signature to the base. He is 1 1/2 ins.(4 cms.) high.
19th century small ivory netsuke of a dancing man with one foot raised and a fan in one hand. His shaved head and long pigtail indicates that he is Manchu rather than Han Chinese. Beautiful delicate carving, excellent portrait quality face, great depiction of swirling clouds on his coat, buttons are inlaid with green staghorn, wonderful mellow patina. Very well balanced - stands on one foot on flat surface. Signed on the back KEIMIN - this wonderful carver is listed on p. 606 of NETSUKE & INR ...click for details
A very tall figure of the Portuguese Mendes Pinto standing, and holding a kirin on a short leash. The long traditional coat is signed on the back Yomeisai and inscribed Temmon hachinen shichigatsu ...click for details
The Sparrow Dancer (Suzume Odori) were popular dancers imitating the erratic movements of sparrows. The famous print-maker Hokusai included this subject in his manga series. This subject is sometimes also described as a “dancing porter” from the Tokaido road, acting in a silly manner and free fr ...click for details
A humorous depiction of the Demon Queller Shoki, trapped under a basket on which an Oni stands. This study is based on a famous carving by the carver’s master Tomokazu.