This is a finely carved 19th century Japanese netsuke depicting a charming dog holding its paws atop a awabi shell while playing with it. Very nice hair work. Eyes inlaid with stag horn. Netsuke measures 1.50 inches (3.8cm) wide, and 1.10 inches (2.8cm) tall. Unsigned.

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting Shojo crouched in a typical posture, with his hand resting on his knee, while sleeping from the effects of too much sake, the kimono is finely carved with geometric motifs as well as the long hair on the back. Similar examples of the Nagoya carvers are illustrated in Meinertzhagen, MCI, p.844, Davey, MTH, p.189, no.570 and Lazarnick, NIA, p. .1063. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 3,3 x 2,7 x 2,6 cm. Condition report: Good condition

19th century wooden netsuke of a theatrical mask, traces of painted mustache identifies the character as Chujo. Made in saishiki technique - the wood is covered with gesso, which in turn is painted in bright colors. A lot of wear to the surface, but still has good presence. Height 1 9/16 inches.

19th century netsuke depicting Ashinaga seated next to a basket, his absurdly long legs raising higher than his head, wearing a skirt, a short 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, wonderful smiling face, buttons are inlaid with horn, pleasant wear and patina. Height 1 3/8 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke with Shibayama inlay depicting 3 utensils for tea ceremony: haboki (feather brush for ashes), sumitori (charcoal basket) and hibashi (fire tongues). Clever design, beautiful detailed inlay work - see the texture of silver tongues). The bowl is ebony, the top is boxwood, materials used for inlay are mother of pearl, silver, gold, walnut skin and 2 types of dark wood. Plain back, old silk cord, two parts fit nicely, beautiful mellow patina...

Height: 4.4 cm (1.8 in)
Width: 4.4 cm (1.8 in)
Depth: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)

Japanese carved netsuke of two near-blind peasants, one with a head tumour; guiding their way with a lantern, they struggle, each grasping the ties of a sandal; natural material; age cracks; signed Jugyoku

Japanese Wood and Staghorn Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" wide in the center widest part, 3/4" high, front and back is Staghorn, center is wood, round bead shape with deep carved lines, 2 holes on both side where cord go through between Netsuke and Inro.

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with 8 cloth dolls of Zen Patriarch Daruma. This representation of Daruma refers to him stretching after 9 years of continuous meditation, when his legs withered from not moving all those years. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, beautiful floret surrounds to the holes, superb patina. Signed SHOZAN on the side - the artist is listed on p...

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of abalone shell. Good design, natural imperfections in staghorn, stained pale red, overall in very good condition. Length 13/16 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as Zen Buddhism patriarch Daruma enveloped in his monastic robe. Excellent face with expression of extreme concentration, superb warm patina, very pleasing shape. Height 11/16 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift a stone, or possibly his hugely distended scrotum. He has the typical bump on his head. He squints as he attempts to lift the large object. He is wearing only a fundoshi. His right eye is inlaid with light colored horn. Excellent detail and patination. Netsuke measures 1.38 inches (3.5cm) wide, and 1.22 inches (3.1cm) tall...

19th century small ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with a pierced design of a butterly by a blooming peony. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, in great condition. Height 3/8 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a thoughtful expression. Excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.14 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of BUAKU used for demonic roles such as Kaminari, Emma-O or any nameless demon or scary devil. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.05 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of obihasami type carved with a couple of bamboo stals. The hooks at the top and bottom of the piece go around the edges of obi - a sash holding a kimono. Simple clever piece typical of Asakusa school, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Length 4.14 inches.

Height: 3 cm (1.2 in)
Width: 3.4 cm (1.3 in)
Depth: 2.2 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese wooden netsuke of a seated mask maker; shows a critical expression observing his work; excellent workmanship and form; signed Ryuraku, good condition

Unusual 19th century netsuke in bean shape carved on the inside with a scene of a shishi family (2 adults and a cub) frolicking among flowering peony bushes. Rare use of anabori (cavern) carving technique, perfect sculpting with deep undercutting. Beautiful faces and flower petals, great patina. Signed NAGAMITSU SAKU (made by Nagamitsu) in oval reserve on the bottom - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 813...

19th century netsuke carved as a group of four seals - two of simpler shapes, one in a shape of a natural lotus flower stem (the stem serving as himotoshi), and one with shishi finial. Elegant design in Japanese taste, bottoms are carved with raised and sunken characters in seall script and stained to resemble real seals - one of them could be a signature of the carver. Possibly made for a silk merchant - the seals resemble actual chops used for stamping silks...