Netsuke - chestnut and a plump mushroom. Japan Edo 19th.

19th century staghorn Asakusa School netsuke carved as an old square coin on a coiled ribbon, which was traditionally used to hold coins together. Clever design, netsuke is essentially a wish for wealth, great quality carving. There are some natural lines in the material, but no cracks or repairs. Beautifully stained, superb mellow patina. Wonderful subtle piece in Japanese taste. Length 1 1/2 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a millstone dresser working on a millstone. Excellent carving with wonderful lifelike pensive face, beautiful wear and patina. Signed KISUI on the bottom - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 624. Height 1 7/16 inches.

19th century staghorn netsuke of a salamander on a length of half rotten trunk with some leaves on the inside and bark on the outside. Unusual subject, excellent quality carving - see its face with horn inlaid eyes, smooth skin and well defined paws. Porous center of the carving as is the nature of staghorn, beautiful wear and patina, signed HEISHIN on the bottom. Length 2 inches.

Early 19th century netsuke of a boy holding onto a bamboo branch next to a large ball. Netsuke illustrates one of the paragons of filial virtue, that of Moso - a young scholar who went into the woods in the middle of the winter to look for bamboo shoots, a favorite dish of his ailing and dying mother. Bamboo does not grow in the snow but the Gods were moved by his filial piety and allowed bamboo shoots to suddenly spring from the ground. The large ball probably represents a snowball...

19th century netsuke depicting sitting Ashinaga (long legs) wearing European jacket and tiger skin pants. In Japanese legends he is often accompanied by Tenaga (long arms) whom he puts on his back and goes fishing. Very nice work, pleasant wear and patina turning honey color on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono. Height 1 1/2 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke with Shibayama inlay depicting Daikoku’s mallet surrounded by 9 tama (Precious Gems). The bowl is dark rosewood, the top is boxwood with carved loop on the back for the cord, materials used for inlay are black horn, silver, jadeite, pink coral and 3 different kinds of mother of pearl. The inlay is in perfect shape, no losses or repairs. Plain back, two parts fit nicely, beautiful mellow patina...

19th century wooden netsuke of a seated puppy. Wonderful piece with excellently captured facial expression and chunkiness of a young pup. Eyes are inlaid with bronze, rich dark hardwood, beautiful wear and patina. Tiny loss to 2 toes on its right hind foot, couple of nicks here and there. Height 1 5/16 inches.

19th century netsuke of a standing Chinese female Immortal holding a fan in one hand and a branch of the Fungus of Immortality in the other. Very nicely carved, great face, elaborate hair arrangement, polychrome decoration with expected wear, beautiful patina. Height 2 9/16 inches.

Early 19th century netsuke carved as a group of three horses frolicking in a bamboo grove. Wonderfully captured mood of the scene, clever compact design, excellent level of detail, great faces with horn inlaid eyes, beautiful patina. Signed MORINOBU on the bottom - the artist is listed and this very netsuke is illustrated on p. 800 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Comes with label in French, Height 1 1/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a group of three eggplants: the larger one is ripe, its skin ruptured to show the flesh of the vegetable, and one of the smaller vegetables is hollowed and lacquered on the inside to be used as a sake cup. Cleverly designed, superb detailed carving - see the texture of the vegetable in the ruptured area, very pleasant wear consistent with age. Dark dense wood - ebony or kurogaki (black persimmon), extraorinary sheen to the surface...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a monkey seated with its head down and turned to its left, supporting a hude bamboo shoot on its shoulder. Excellent carving with clean lines, great thoughtful expression on its face. Large and deep himotoshi (cord opening) in accordance with the habit of the time. Overall beautiful mellow patina from wear. Very clever and charming piece. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Early 19th century Kyoto school netsuke of a seated shishi (Buddhist lion) hugging a large ball. Strong early piece, wonderful ferocious face, powerful oversized paws with beautifully defined claws, eyes are inlaid with brown horn, loose ball in its mouth. Excellent hairwork (see its mane and bushy tail), old age lines, deep differently sized himotoshi, beautiful wear and patina consistent with age, pleasantly fat, great sculpture. Height 1 5/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke carved as a theatrical mask of Okame with characteristic chubby cheeks. Great facial expression with a slight smile, excellent finish, beautiful wear and patina. Signed IKKO on the back bar - this remarkable artist is discussed on p. 512 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century netsuke of a chubby seated puppy with one front paw on an abalone shell. Wonderful depiction of its fat body, playful face, great hairwork, eyes are inlaid with dark horn. Old age lines, himotoshi is formed by its left hind leg, beautiful patina turning honey color on the back where netsuke was touching silk of the kimono. Signed KYOGYOKU (alternative reading id Gyotama) on the bottom. Height 1 inch.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke in manju (rice cake) shape decorated on the front with a low relief carving of a bird (possibly a woodpecker) on a tree branch. Beautifully carved, eye inlaid with black horn. Two parts fit snugly, beautiful warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Signed EISAI on the back - for information on this rare Asakusa artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 361. Diameter 1 1/2 inches.

18th century netsuke of a reclining shishi with its head turned to the right, its mouth wide open as it bites its rear paw (probably tries to take out something stuck between its pads). Unusual posture, very strong early piece, eyes inlaid with dark horn, a loose ball in its mouth, superb oversized powerful paws, excellent hairwork (see its bushy tail and mane), beautiful slightly convex (not flat) bottom...

19th netsuke of two Tatebina - a male and female doll figures displayed during Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), which starts on the 3rd day of the 3rd month. Of standing, flattened form with intentionally simplified doll faces and superbly incised floral patterns on the robes, nice wear and patina. Signed HOICHI on the back - for information on this excellent carver from Hojitsu school see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 476...