Boxwood netsuke depicting a Karashishi with his mouth wide open, accompanied by a perforated ball, protected with his front paws, a symbol indicating a male shishi, representative of the Yang principle and male energy. Signed Minkoku. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.5 x 2.7 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke depicting a large open lotus flower with a frog and a crab looking at each other. The patina is light on the front and more yellowish underneath. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.5 x 3.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Boxwood shunga netsuke with skillfully carved natural himotoshi depicting two mushrooms. A touch of genius is found in the depiction of the smallest mushroom, which is placed upside down above the larger one's head. From this small cavity emerges a delicate caterpillar carved from blond horn. Engraved signature Masatomo 正友. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm. State of conservation: Excellent condition - There are natural openings in the wood.

Ivory netsuke depicting four painter's seals, linked together, of which the most important has a karashishi as a handle, a symbolic figure representing protection and courage. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke with amber patina depicting a seated child playing with a turtle while a cat climbs onto his shoulder. Signed Komin 虎眠 within a rectangular reserve under the base. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 3 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Oval ivory netsuke manju depicting the profile of Daruma, also known as Bodhidharma, a spiritual figure of great importance in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 x 1.2 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke depicting a monk intent on decisively cutting an Oni horn using a large knife. The act itself suggests a struggle between good and evil. Shōkusai signature with engraving under the base. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.9 x 1.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Height: 5.8 cm (2.3 in) Width: 2.7 cm (1.1 in) Depth: 2 cm (0.7 in)
Quality Japanese carved netsuke of a young woman holding a garland of flowers over her head; finely detailed, natural material; textured and stained throughout; signed to the base; good condition

Ivory netsuke of a group of three compactly intertwined monkeys, the smallest holding a longevity peach against him. Their eyes are inlaid horn. Their coats are carefully incised and their fingers are finely sculpted. Natural himotoshi through one of the legs.
Signature on the right flank of the largest monkey, in an unidentified rectangular reserve.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Width: 0.8 in (2.5 cm) - Depth: 1.6 (4 cm) - Height: 1.6 in (4.5 cm)

An ivory okimono, carved from a single block, depicting a hunter accompanied by an onagadori rooster and a child with a net in his hand. Yukiharu 之晴 signature in relief seal under the base within a rectangular reserve in red lacquer. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 29 x 7.5 x 6 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory netsuke of a craftsman making a bucket.

Signature below, the first unidentified character : ?光.

Japan – Late Edo period (1603-1868) ou Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century – ?光
Width: 1.2 in (3.8 cm) – depth: 1.2 in (3.7 cm) – height: 1.2 in (3.8 cm)

Ivory netsuke of a craftsman with a fan. Near the holes reserved for the rope (himotoshi), maple leaves.

Signed below, the first character unidentified: ?夫 .

Japan – Late Edo period (1603-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century – ?夫
Width: 1.9 in (5 cm) – depth: 1.6 in (4.5 cm) – hauteur : 1.6 in (4.2 cm)

Boxwood netsuke of two chestnuts, one smaller on top of the larger.

Chestnuts, found all over Japan, are considered a symbol of victory and a good omen.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Width: 2 cm (5 cm) – depth: 0.8 in (2.8 cm) – height: 1.6 in (4 cm)

Ivory netsuke of a guardian lion, komainu in Japanese or shishi in Chinese, with golden eyes. Resting on its front paws, its head is turned backwards on a four-lobed base.
The komainu is inspired by the Chinese guardian lion shishi, which dates back to the Tang dynasty (581-618)...

Height: 4.8 cm (1.9 in)
Width: 2.8 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 2 cm (0.7 in)

Japanese carved netsuke of an Oni carrying Okame on his shoulders; fine details throughout; natural material; lacquer tablet on the base; good condition

Boxwood netsuke depicting a snake wrapping around a pumpkin. The snake is a symbol often associated with rebirth, transformation while the pumpkin is a symbol of fertility, abundance and prosperity in Japanese tradition. Signed Yoshimasa (吉正) under the pumpkin in “ukibori”. For similar netsuke see the Katchen collection, published N7, vol.2, p.31, no.K329. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century. Dimensions: 3 x 3.5 x 3.3 cm. State of conservation: Very good

19th century Japanese mixed metal obidome (sash ornament) in a form of an egret and a crow resting on a fisherman’s boat. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Excellent design, superb quality work, wonderful quality patinas and gilding, some wear as to be expected...

An ivory netsuke depicting Chinnan Sennin, an immortal hermit sage from Japanese mythology, with a serene smile as he controls the dragon Ryu. This representation is of important dimensions. Ivory, with its colour, shine and patina, enhances the engraving. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century. Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good