Very unusual 19th century marine netsuke of obihasami type, the upper hook carved as leaves of a vine holding a long pod, and the lower hook as a snail starting to climb up the body of the netsuke. The hooks at the top and bottom of the piece go around the edges of obi - a sash holding a kimono. Extraordinary clever and subtle piece in Japanese taste, amazing rendition of the soft body of the mollusc. Excellent patina, the best netsuke of that type that I ever had. Length 4 inches.

A Boxwood Mask Netsuke. As two masks of Okame and Daruma. Japan 19thC. Height: 3.5 cm. Condition: excellent

Early 19th century netsuke of Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, also representing Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) holding a fan in his hand and standing on his large bag of gifts. Wonderful early carving, himotoshi arrangement typical for the period, beautiful patina turning deeper yellow on the back where netsuke was touching silk of kimono, old age lines. Height 1 1/4 inches.

Height: 3.7 cm (1.6 in)
Width: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Depth: 2.2 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese lacquered wooden netsuke of a seated boy; minor wear to the lacquer; good condition

Japanese Wooden Tonkotsu, Tobacco container, with Kiseruzutsu, Pipe Holder, and carved nut Ojime, before 1900, Tobacco box - 3 1/2", 3 1/4", 1 1/2" high, pipe holder - 8 3/4" long, 1" wide, Nut Ojime - 3/8" diameter, top of the round wooden Tobacco Container and pipe is attached to the rope, all in one piece. Pile holder is natural carved wood, natural dark brown bark shows on the back. Maker's mark on the pipe. The condition is good.

18th century boxwood netsuke of minogame (turtle with dragon head and bushy tail, usually associated with longevity) sitting on water lily leaf. Strong early carving, great detailing of the turtle, its carapace, tail and head. Length 2.1 inches.

Antique Japanese Boxwood Persimmon and Chestnut Netsuke, these edible objects arranged together are the charming symbols of the fall season. This bibelot has a softly rubbed and smoothed surface and it's himatoshi has unequally sized holes. Size 1.25"High x 1.25" Wide, Edo Period, circa pre 1850s.

This carved antler netsuke of a young boy holding a puppy is a late 19th century product. It is 2" high, 1 1/8" wide and a little less than 1" thick. The contrast of the smiling boy and the less than happy puppy provides a great over all impression for the piece. It is not signed. It is in great condition.

Early 19th century suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke with round silvered bronze body, cloisonne outside and a swinging loop for hanging. Excellent early work in terms of Japanese cloisonne, functional netsuke shape, design of flowers among scrolling vines, matte finish, beautiful wear and patina, original pitting typical for the period, some filled areas along the rim as can be seen on photos. Diameter 1 1 5/8 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting a playful puppy about to climb onto a back of its sibling. Wonderful sculpture, great rendition of their chubby bodies giving volume to the piece, excellent faces with horn inlaid eyes, delicately incised whiskers. Beautifully stained, superb wear and patina. Height 1 7/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a reclining deer with its head turned back, hooves bent beneath its body. Perfectly captured moment, wonderful sense of volume, excellent texture of its coat, beautiful patina. Length 1 3/4 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a turtle with its young perched on its back. Very good carving, beautiful rhythm to the plastrons of their carapaces, wonderful depiction of leathery skin texture, excellent wear and patina. Length 1 11/16 inches.

Early 19th century wooden netsuke carved as standing Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, also considered to be the incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) with his hand on his large belly. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black and then wood starts showing. Great quality carving - see his face with a crooked smile and finely textured stubble, fingers with well defined fingernails, flow of the robe folds...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a crouching puppy about to pounce. Strong early piece with unusual posture, excellently captured facial expression and chunkiness of a young pup, wonderful hairwork. Eyes are inlaid with black horn, old stable age line along its back, superb wear and patina. Excellent strong netsuke. Length 1 1/4 inches.

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a theatrical mask of an oni - a mischievous demon. Cleverly carved in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, wonderful depiction of its bushy eyebrows and toothy grin. Wonderful patina and beautiful sheen to the surface. Signed SUKEYOSHI on the back bar - the artist is listed on p. 1051 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, and was a student of Sukenaga. Height 1 9/16 inches.

19th century mixed material netsuke in kagamibuta (mirror lid) form. The top is bronze with medium relief fierce dragon twisted around the Precious Gem. Wonderful quality metalwork - see its face, claws and crisply incised differentiated scales. Warm patina, beautiful fat bowl, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 2 1/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of Sennin Tobosaku showing off the Peach of Immortality which he stole from a tree in the garden of Seiobo, the Chinese Queen of the Fairies, where it ripens only once it 3 thousand years. Excellent carving, great face, wonderful flow to the lines of his robe, small old loss to the peach...

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke in a form of a bowl of ogival section, decorated with an incised keyfret design along the rim. Exquisite subtle piece, one of the most elegant netsuke that I have had. Superb precise carving, warm brownish patina, brown lacquer on the inside, early himotoshi design. Natural darker porous areas of staghorn perfectly imitate scarred surface of an old ceramic bowl...