19th century tall walrus tusk netsuke of standing Gama sennin (Chinese sage) with his usual companion - magic frog - climbing onto his head. Beautifully stylized carving with oversized hands, great face and beautiful flow of the robe. Old age lines, excellent patina, overall in great condition. Signed KOSHIN on the back - the artist is listed in NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 676. Height 4 1/8 inches (103 mm).

19th century marine netsuke in a form of a woven mat with a bunch of grapes with vines and leaves, and a snail exploring them. The piece is probably carved by a member of Asakusa school with characteristic detailing and staining. The netsuke is hollowed inside, so can be classified as ryusa type. Excellent carving, characteristic beautiful sheen to the surface, wonderful wear and patina. Length 1 1/2 inches.

Very unusual 19th century netsuke representing a bird in flight. It may be a swallow, but I am not sure. Wonderful spirited carving capturing the essence of the creature with its swiftness, beautiful face, eyes are double inlaid with horn, excellent depiction of different feathers. Great wear and patina, old age lines. Length 2 1/4 inches.

Height: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Width: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 1.8 cm (0.8 in)

Fine Japanese ebony seal netsuke of a Shishi; intricate workmanship throughout; seal characters carved to base; excellent condition

18th century netsuke of sennin (Chinese sage) standing with one foot raised, clad in tiger skin skirt and holding in his hands tassels that support a large woven straw hat on his back. Strong early piece with superb smiling face, beautiful flow to the lines of his skirt. Wonderful wear to the surface from more than 200 years of handling, beautiful yellow patina turning light honey color on the back from wear against the silk of kimono, old age lines...

19th century netsuke carved as a fox sitting on a base with 4-character seal bottom and scenes with lobsters and shells on the sides. This particular fox represents Inari - the benevolent and well disposed creature, being the messenger of the God of rice and harvest, as opposed to the other foxes, which in Japan are generally believed to be evil creatures. Enlargement 1 shows the seal flipped left to right presenting what the imprint of the seal will look like...

19th century wooden netsuke of a straw bundle containing eggplants for sale, two of them visible as the bundle is open on one side. Rarely depicted in netsuke, clever design, very nice patina. Length 2 9/16 inches.

19th century metal and wood kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke. Patinated bronze top with inlaid and carved design of a Saizo dancer playing tsuzumi (a hand drum) by a pine sapling and with the moon partially obscured by cloud in the background. Saizo dancers are usually attending Manzai dancers during New Year celebrations. Wonderful quality inlays and detailing - see the ropes of the drum and a sword sticking out of his clothes, copper inlays and gilding. Beautiful patina on both metal and wood...

19th century netsuke in manju (rice cake) form carved in raised relief with a huge sake jar and a shojo leaning on its elbows as it reads a book, the back with a sunken relief carving of a ladle and a sake cup. Shojo are mythical creatures living near the sea, and are particularly fond of sake. Excellent face and lines of the robe, finely incised textile patterns and dripping glaze lines on the jar...

19th century netsuke of a dog seated on a base, one of its front paws raised, and the bottom of the base carved as a stylized seal with 4 characters. Superbly carved, excellent depiction of its face, limbs and bumpy spine, perfectly executed keyfret design around the base, beautiful staining typical for the artist, wonderful wear and patina...

19th century netsuke in pillow manju (rice cake) shape depicting the upper part of a Nio (one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings) statue towering over a fence, vajra (Buddhist thunderbolt) clenched in his fist and his scarf billowing above him. The back is decorated with a children’s toy figure on a small spatula and leaves in flight among drifts of fog. Wonderful ferocious face, eyes are inlaid with black horn, hollowed inside, warm patina, pleasant wear...

19th century netsuke of seated Kanzan with a wide grin on his face as he holds an open scroll in his hands. Kanzan (Hanshan in Chinese meaning "Cold Mountain”) is believed to have been an eccentric Zen poet from the Tang Dynasty (618–907) who lived on the Tiantang Mountain in Zhejiang Province. According to a legend, Kanzan and his friend Jittoku, who was a kitchen worker at the nearby Guoqing Temple, talked nonsensical language, which some took as a sign of them being enlightened...

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke with bronze top depicting kneeling Okame covering her mouth with her hand as she modestly giggles at the very suggestive shape of a huge nose of a tengu mask lying in front of her. Excellent metalwork with gold, silver and copper inlays, beautiful amber colored patina on the bowl. Signed YUKIHIRO on the top - the artist is listed on p. 94 of KAGAMIBUTA MIRRORS OF JAPANESE LIFE AND LEGEND by Dieuwke Eijer...

19th century netsuke of widely smiling Okame enveloped in her robe and holding a large wooden spoon in her hands, with a removable round bottom revealing the shunga part of the netsuke. Excellent carving, especially the face with its wide smile, wonderful flow of her robe. The dots on her forehead are inlaid with brown horn. Great pattern to the flow of her robe, expert staining, beautiful patina. Wonderful sculpture - all that a good netsuke should be...

Early 19th century decent size staghorn netsuke of a man wearing a robe decorated with design of numerous scarecrows and gently inclining his head towards his son that he carries on his back. Perfectly captured moment, excellent strong early carving, superb facial expression, wonderful depiction of scarecrows on his robe...

19th century wooden netsuke in manju (rice cake) shape carved on the front in low relief with a woman holding in her mouth an object that looks like a hammer striker for a musical instrument, a cloth wrapped top of a biwa (Japanese lute) in her hand and a scaly body of a dragon on her right. The woman is Benten - the Goddess of learning, speech and music - and one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and the netsuke can be interpreted as a wish for scholarly achievements...

19th century netsuke carved as a cluster of 9 theatrical masks, most probably all from the same play. Excellent carving, great faces, beautiful staining. Hollowed inside in the manner of ryusa netsuke, wonderful wear and patina.. Length 1 11/16 inches.

Late 18th - early 19th century staghorn netsuke of Shoki (Demon Queller) with a sword in one hand, the other one raised to hold his head with a terrified oni crouching on top of it, a sword scabbard on his back. Very strong early carving, wonderful intensely staring expression as he looks up towards his hat. Beautiful mellow patina, large deep himotoshi typical for the period, usual staghorn porous areas in the material. His feet are and old and well done replacement, well balanced, stands on it...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a man carrying a cloth bundle on its back with a boy’s head sticking out of it, while a huge dragonfly landed on the father’s sleeve. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black starts showing, and then the wood. The fronts of his feet have been reattached, repair is done very well, the figure stands on its own. Excellent faces, beautifully worn, really nice feel of age to the piece. Height 2 3/16 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with metal plate depicting Okame leaning on a large screen as she grabs the belt of an escaping oni who is carrying a large mushroom in its hand. The netsuke is of shunga type with mushroom bearing not so subtle sexual connotation. Superb quality work with multi-metal inlays and gilding, wonderful faces, great detailing of robe pattern and pine saplings and rising sun on the screen, oni’s left foot is an old loss. Fixed in a bowl with one stab...

18th century netsuke of sennin (or rakan) Handaka Sonja wearing an old robe with leaf cape and skirt, with a gnarled staff in one hand and supporting a bowl with dragon emerging from it. The rakkan is Arhat Panthaka - one of the most capable disciples of Buddha, who subjugated the Dragon King, and is usually portrayed with a dragon. Strong early carving with excellent face, eyes are inlaid with black horn, netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section. Large differently sized deep hi...

19th century small ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with a pierced design of blooming irises. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, in great condition. Height 5/16 inches.

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 netsuke of a seated peasant woman having a snack as she takes a break from carrying a huge bag on her back. Nicely carved, wonderful face, beautifully carved and etched textile patterns. Old smoothed loss to the front of her right foot (does not take away from the sculptural quality of the piece), beautiful patina consistent with age. Signed RYOMIN on the bottom - the artist is Ono Ryomin III listed on p. 885 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazar...

18th century netsuke of a standing Mongolian archer, a bow in his hands and a quiver with arrows behind his back. Very strong early sculpture, boldly carved, wonderful smiling face, excellent depiction of his military coat. Perfectly balanced - stands on its own on flat surface, netsuke of typical 18th century triangular section. Extraordinary rich patina, deep differently sized himotoshi. Superb netsuke. Height 3 3/4 inches (95 mm).

19th century marine netsuke carved as inu-bariko - a papier-mâché box in a shape of a simplified dog. Unusual version of the object - the face is that of a human. Opens to reveal a carved bar inside the upper part that serves as himotoshi. Great smiling face, black ink highlights, gold lacquering to the top of the lower part, pleasant wear and patina. Signed GYOKUBUN on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 423 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. L...

Height: 4.2 cm (1.7 in)
Width: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 3.6 cm (1.4 in)

Rare Japanese netsuke of Okame laughing and hiding an Oni under a basket; natural material; a quality piece by the artist, Gyokusai; signed on the base

19th century wooden netsuke of a hunter with a flintlock rifle trapped by an enormous scrotum of a badger. Uncommon topic in netsuke, excellent crisp carving, superb faces - distressed one of the hunter and cold smiling one of the badger, wonderful hairwork, great detailing of the hands of the hunter and veins on the scrotum, beautiful patina. Signed JURAKU on the foot of the hunter - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 477, number 962). Length 1 1/2 inches.

A container for gun powder used by samurai. It is in shape of hyotan, but made of wood and painted with urushi. The netsuke in the shape of mokugyo (temple block) with delicate carving. 19th century. In good condition. H:14cm Diameter:8cm

Height: 7.1 cm (2.8 in)
Width: 2.2 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 1.6 cm (0.7 in)

Japanese wooden netsuke of Tobosaku holding a large peach; depicted in a stooped pose; interesting himatoshi position; good patina; good condition

Late Meiji period (1890s -1912) wooden okimono of cloth doll of Daruma (founder of Zen Buddhism) enveloped in his monastic robe. The subject represents Daruma coming back from deep trance in which he sat meditating without moving for 9 years. Skillfully carved out of chosen matsu (Korean pine wood) in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida school of netsuke carvers with clever use of wood grain as element of design. Excellently conveyed facial expression, beautiful patina. Height 2 1/16...

19th century netsuke made out of a natural piece of stag antler inlaid with a silver chrysanthemum flower. Wonderful design in Japanese taste with understated elegance, beautiful texture to the material, great patina, in excellent condition. Length 1 1/5 inches.

Length: 3.3 cm (1.4 in)
Height: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Depth: 2 cm (0.8 in)

Quality netsuke of a puppy chewing on an octopus tentacle; natural material; stained fur a little faded over time; some age lines; late 18th century; signed in an oval cartouche

Japanese Wood Compass Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" diameter round, 3/8" deep, front part has glass front, needle is moving, holes on both side for cord go through, back is rounded solid wood with double circles. Ojime is the small object with very interesting and humorous design go through the cord between Netsuke and Inro.

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.

Japanese Lacquered Ceramic No Mask Okame Netsuke, Ca. 1900, Meiji period, 1 5/8" high, 1 1/4" wide, 3/4" deep, smiling slender eyes with dimples on both fat cheeks, beautiful face with red small tiny lips. Nicely aged with old patina, no damages.

Japanese carved Wood No Mask Okame Netsuke, Ca. 1920, Meiji, 1 1/2" high, 1 1/4" wide, 5/8" deep, round dot natural wood grain dimples on both chubby cheeks and wrinkles on forehead and face, the condition is good, shows old patina.

Japanese lacquered on Ceramic No Mask Obishimi Netsuke, Ca. 1920, Meiji period, 1 3/8" high, 1 1/8" wide, 3/4" deep, reddish brown lacquer on Ceramic with painted gold bull's eye, deep wrinkles on forehead, raised fat cheeks, details are bold and deep. The condition is good.

Height: 7.5 cm (3 in)
Width: 1.7 cm (0.7 in)
Depth: 1.2 cm (0.5 in)

A fine example of a Japanese netsuke of a laughing Sennin; very well carved throughout; natural material; good condition

Japanese Netsuke, Dutchman carrying Ham, carved out of Stag Antler, Ca. 18th C to 19th C. Edo period, 2 3/8" high, 3/4" wide, Dutchman wearing cute round Hat and carrying Ham holding with Bone, the condition is good, I do not see any damages, two(2) holes in the lower backside for cord go through, bottom is hollow, shows old nice patina.

Japanese Stag Horn Monkey Netsuke, 18th C. Edo period, 2 3/4" high, 1" wide, 1 1/4" deep, Monkey is holding huge Mushroom. The condition is good, old patina is lustrous.

19th century wooden netsuke representing Daruma (founder of Zen Buddhism) enveloped in his monastic robe and holding a hossu (fly whisk). This image represents Daruma during his 9 years of continuous meditation. The netsuke is skillfully carved in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida Province. Perfectly captured facial expressions, wonderful wear, great feel of age to the piece. Signed SHOZAN on the back - the artist probably belonged to the Hida school and is listed in NETSUKE by Nei...

19th century Japanese good size angel skin coral obidome (sash ornament) in a shape of a natural coral branch. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, and is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions. Simple clever design, very beautiful fat natural coral branch with subtle light pink areas. Metal fixture with cutouts in cherry petal shapes and two loops on the back for an obi cord. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in classic bowl shape, its outside cast with a bat in flight by a clump of bamboo stalks with leaves. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape, hanged by a bronze ring. Nice old piece with pleasant patina on metal. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in classic bowl shape, its outside cast with a gnarled branch of a flowering prunus tree. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape, himotoshi (cord opening) formed by a raised part of the branch. Nice old piece with pleasant patina on metal. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

Early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in classic bowl shape, 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. Diameter 1 3/4 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in a modified hexagonal drum shape, its outside cast with a sinuous water dragon chasing a Precious Gem. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape. Nice old piece with very pleasant patina on metal. Maximum diameter 1 3/4 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke, the top being Chinese carving adopted as netsuke, with deeply undercarved scene of 4 scholars among trees and pavilions. Wonderful crisp carving, great wear and patina, overall in great condition, beautiful rosewood bowl with rich warm colors, freely rotating wooden peg on the back for hanging. Diameter 1 11/16 inches.

Late Meiji (1890s - 1910s) marine netsuke of a standing tanuki (badger) holding some huge unspecified part of its private parts in its paws. In Japanese folklore tanuki is a notorious trickster: he drums with his paws on his large belly (tanuki no hara tsuzumi), imitating the sounding of gongs in temples and inns, and leading tired travelers astray in the darkness. Nicely carved from a section of a walrus tusk, decent depiction of its coat, horn inlaid eyes, nice patina and beautiful sheen to th...

19th century netsuke of kagamibuta (mirror lid”) type with Shibayama inlay depicting a small bird (probably a sparrow) in flight chasing a single cherry blossom petal. Very well made, the inlay is in perfect shape, no losses or repairs. Beautifully fitted metal frame around the inlay, dense rosewood bowl with beautiful mellow patina, metal peg for hanging on the back, old silk cord. Bowl length 1 7/8 inches, inlay length 1 1/8 inches.

18th century painted wood netsuke of a sennin (Chinese sage) wearing a tattered robe and holding a bamboo stick in his hand and a double gourd on his shoulder. Netsuke represents Chokwaro sennin - a Chinese sage who could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Made in saishiki technique - the wood is covered with gesso, which in turn is painted in bright colors. Strong early piece with excellent carving of his wonderful smiling face, stands on its own on fl...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a seated puppy with its spotted coat, its head and front of the body slightly turned to the left. Excellent quality carving perfectly capturing the essence of the creature, wonderful incised fur with beautifully defined spots, eyes are inlaid with metal. Beautiful wear consistent with age, superb patina, himotoshi formed by its right paws. Length 1 7/16 inches.

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke of a bronze wasp resting on an old rotten log. Rather unusual elegant subject in Japanese taste, beautiful crisp metalwork, dark wood with characteristic ebony sheen from wear. Length 1 3/4 inches.

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

19th century wooden netsuke representing a fine model of a classic Japanese toy - a pottery monkey, the formalized creature seated with one hand on its stomach, the other one on its knee. Superbly clever design, excellent carving capturing the essence of the object, wonderful thoughtful face with traces of red lacquer. Dark dense kurogaki (black persimmon) wood, beautiful patina with fantastic sheen. Signed NAOTSUGU on the side - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 503, number 1815...

19th century wooden netsuke of two heads of reishi fungus with an inlaid slug crawling over the top of the lower fungus. Superb elegant naturalistic carving with excellent depiction of fungus texture as well as antennae and soft skin of the invertebrate. Dense black wood (appears to be ebony), beautiful color contrast between 2 materials, the himotoshi formed by the fungi stem, excellent patina. Signed HIDEHARU in a sunken rectangular reserve - this Nagoya artist is listed on p. 457 of NETSUKE &...

19th century netsuke of a puppy wearing a collar with bell, and playing with a bamboo twig with leaves. Superb carving to the last detail - see its double inlaid eyes and raised whiskers. Fantastic sense of its chubby body, clever use of a lighter colored ivory layer as a spot on the puppy’s coat, beautiful patina on excellent quality material. Signed with kakihan (carved monogram of the artist) by CHOKUSAI on the bottom - for information on this brilliant master see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND...

Late Meiji period (1890s -1912) painted wood netsuke of a fully armored samurai, its head wrapped in a scarf, a Japanese sword at his waist and a Chinese looking one in his right hand. Very skillfully carved in a refined version of ittobori (one cut) style. Made in saishiki technique - the wood is covered with gesso, which in turn is painted in bright colors. Great face, in excellent condition. Signed on the back by himotoshi, the signature seems to read MATSUNAGA (alternative reading is Shoei) ...

19th century boxwood netsuke by Nagamachi Shuzan of an actor in a role of Kiyohime turning into a demon. Kiyohime was a daughter of an innkeeper whose advances on a monk were not reciprocated, so her love turned into wrath, and she trapped him under a temple bell, turned into a dragon and melted the bell killing the monk. She is holding a bell striker in her hand and has a very unusual feature for the carver - the mask is inlaid, probably a unique model by the artist. Made in saishiki technique ...

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with a man trying to fish in a stream with a double gourd next to a pine and a woven fence. Ojime illustrates a Japanese proverb “Namazu hyotan kindama” (A gourd against a catfish) meaning useless effort similar to trying to catch a slippery fish with a gourd. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, beautiful floret surrounds to the holes, superb patina. Signed IKKO ...