19th century boxwood netsuke of a boy playing with a puppy holding a length of rope, with the other end of it in the mouth of the puppy. Very good carving, great face, nice hairwork on the puppy and detailing of the clothes, wonderful wear and patina. Himotoshi (cord opening) goes through the back down to the bottom of the netsuke. Signed NAOKAZU on the bottom - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 821...

19th century netsuke carved as a group of 12 animals of the Oriental zodiac: dragon, horse, tiger, rat, rooster, dog, monkey, snake, goat, pig, buffalo and rabbit. Clever design, excellent carving to the last detail, deep undercutting, beautiful wear and patina. Eye of the rabbit is inlaid with salmon pink coral, all the rest are inlaid with dark horn. Very beautiful wear, honey colored patina...

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with four arhat - the original disciples of the Buddha identifiable by their halos - in different attitudes. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUICHI on the side - the artist is listed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 3/8 inches.

A fine and expressive carved stag horn netsuke of Shoki, The Demon Queller. Early 19th century.

Shoki is the Japanese styling of the Chinese spirit Chung Kui who protects households from malevolent demons. In this example the gifted carver shows Shoki studying closely, an off stage, mischievous oni whilst carefully hiding his Chinese sword close to his body.

Approximately 4.8cm high...

Old (1900's) Japanese Wood Carved Manju with Phoenix by Minko

It is 1.65 inches (4.2 cm) long and wide. It is 16.8 gram.

It has hairline crack and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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Late 19th century netsuke of resting Hotei leaning on his bag of gifts and holding a fan in his hands. Hotei was a historical Chinese monk allegedly living in Wuyue kingdom in the 10th century and known for his jolly nature and love of children, he is considered to be an incarnation of Buddha Maitreya - the Buddha of the Future. Excellent strong carving, great face, beautiful depiction of the folds of his robe, wonderful wear and 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

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...

This is a set of woman's tobacco case and pipe case which are made of deer skin and has fine katazome ( stencil-dyeing ) komon pattern. The motif is pine needle. It has beautiful clasp of green bean motif which shows prominent craftsmanship in this age. The set also has a pipe, but it seems that it is not an original one as it is shorter than the case. 19th century. In good condition except for some patina. Tobacco case: 12cm x 6.7cm Pipe case: 2.7cm x 20cm

Height: 3.3 cm (1.3 cm)
Width: 3.3 cm (1.3 in)
Depth: 1.9 cm (0.7 in)

Japanese wooden netsuke of a seated nobleman holding his fan; excellent workmanship, patina and form; signed Masayuki; good condition

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.

Finely crafted Japanese carved wood netsuke figure; of a dragon head, late 19th century period. Size; Length of carving is 2 1/4 inches. Condition Report; Good condition, no imperfections.

19th century black coral netsuke of an old pine log with inlaid bronze spider spinning its web on one end and a dragonfly caught in another web on the other side of the log. The material is polished branch of umimatsu - in Japanese it literally means SEA PINE, and describes species of black coral with dense texture, concentric growth rings, and amber colored inclusions in the black material...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing an unusual theatrical mask of KO-BESHIMI used for roles of some harmless demons or gods who exert their powers for good. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina. 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 1.13 inches.

19th century netsuke carved out of burl wood, its natural shape resembling reishi fungus (Fungus of Immortality, and with low relief carving of a snail on its top. Very clever piece, excellent carving of the mollusk and its shell. Signed on the stem ISHIKOKU (alternative reading is Sekitani). Himotoshi is formed by a natural branch on the bottom. Head of the fungus length 1.95 inches.

19th century netsuke carved in a shape of a bamboo section. Very simple elegant design in Japanese taste with clean lines, himotoshi is formed by central peg that has a hole in its back part through which a cord goes. Beautifully carved natural features of the plant, excellent patina. Signed RYUSHO on the back - the artist is listed on p. 901 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century lacquered wood netsuke of standing Jurojin (one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, that of longevity and wisdom) with a length of cloth in his hands supporting two scrolls. The netsuke is essentially a wish for long life and learning. Excellently carved, superb detailing, extraordinary quality lacquering. Wonderful face with a slight smile, finely done cloud patterns on his robe. Beautiful patina, in superb condition. Height 2 inches.

19th century netsuke of a baying stag with its head turned back, its upper front teeth bared. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, excellent hairwork, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body and his antlers, eyes inlaid in black horn, beautiful patina. Himotoshi is formed by its feet. Wonderful sculpture. Height 1 3/4 inches.

19th century Japanese silver and Satsuma obidome (sash ornament) with various blooming flowers with stems and leaves. 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 quality painting, numerous color and gold enamels, in excellent condition, metal fitting on the back for an obi cord. Back is stamped with a single character GIN (silver). Diameter 1.48 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as geta (a wooden sandal) with gold, red and black lacquer decoration of flowers and leaves. Very nice carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina. Length 11/16 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.

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.

19th century netsuke of a bronze fly on a boxwood pumpkin. Elegant clever design in Japanese taste, wonderfully rendered texture of the pumpkin skin, himotoshi (cord opening) is formed by the stem, great patina. Diameter 1.31 inches.

Height: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Width: 5.8 cm (2.3 in)
Depth: 3.6 cm (1.4 in)

Excellent Japanese carved netsuke of Daikokuten pouring Fukurokuju sake; fine carving throughout showing superb detailing; natural material; a piece by the hard-to-find artist, Masayuki; good condition

19th century long wooden netsuke of nyoi - a Buddhist scepter carved as a length of a reishi fungus with three fungus heads. Did not photograph well. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge, and reishi fungus represents the fabled Fungus of Immortality. Carved out of dense beautiful brown rosewood, elegant design in Japanese taste, great depiction of fungus texture, wonderful patina and excellent sheen to the surface from being handled...

19th century netsuke of carved as a cluster of 3 branches of natural fungus, seal with deer finial and double gourd with stopper and its lower end containing carved village scene. Excellent and elegant work with clever use of anabori (cavern) carving technique, wonderful mellow patina. Signed GYOKUHO on the back - the artist is very well known for that kind of work and is discussed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 1/2 inches.

19th century glass ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in ball shape with black body and numerous multicolored flower shaped inlays . Beautiful surface, very pleasant patina. Diameter 5/8 inches.

Height: 4.7 cm (1.9 in)
Width: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 4.4 cm (1.8 in)

Fine wooden netsuke of a man sitting with a turtle between his feet; he is busy tying up the animal; quality carving throughout; good condition

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.

19th century ebony mask netsuke of a man with a wrinkled face, probably representing the character O-Guchi. Well carved, beautiful patina with characteristic sheen. Height 1 5/8 inches.

Unusual 19th century Japanese bronze scroll weight in a shape of a crouching toad. Very nice work, wonderful rendition of its warty back, eyes are lacquered in gold and black giving it lifelike quality. Appropriately heavy as a scroll weight, beautiful patina. Length 2.67 inches.

19th century ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as a seated monkey performing “speak no evil” routine. Nice work, pleasant patina, no chips or repairs, dust on the surface. Height 3/4 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned green skinned demon. 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 1.15 inches.

Very unusual 19th century mixed metal and wood netsuke of a boy quietly playing a reed flute while leaning against a side of a resting buffalo, 2 baskets next to him. The subject is ushidoji (also called bokudo) symbolizing the perfect peace of mind, and is considered to be one of the stages on the way to the Buddhahood. Excellent quality metalwork of shakudo (buffalo), solid silver (boy) and copper (baskets), perfectly captured mood of the scene...

Superb 19th century netsuke of a multi-building palace / castle complex with trees, shrines and bridges with human figures, all on a minute scale...

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke of a sitting shishi (Buddhist lion), its tail up and its head turned to the left, mouth open in a wide grin. Represented beast is definitely male both because of its explicitely carved bottom and because its mouth is open emitting sound A (the first letter of Sanskrit alphabet), while the female shishi are depicted with closed mouth emitting sound N (the last letter). Wonderful expressive face, oversized powerful paws, superbly voluminous mane and bushy tail,...

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 Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a pensive face. 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 1.2 inches.

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a resting wild boar, its head raised. Skillfully carved out of chosen matsu (Korean pine wood) in characteristic Hida school ittobori (one cut) style with clever use of wood texture to represent the creature’s fur and add to the charm of the piece. For similar examples see Bushell’s NETSUKE FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR, p. 128. Excellent rendition of its alert posture, wonderful mellow patina. Length 1.96 inches.

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. Great compact netsuke carved with ...

19th century Japanese Asakusa school staghorn kiseruzutsu - tobacco pipe case - carved with a scholarly landscape with a temple among hills and rocks by a pine tree, and a village in the distance. Clever carving incorporating porous texture of its center as element of design, nicely chunky. Beautiful wear and patina, in great condition. Length 8 inches.

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. Wonderful ...

19th century boxwood netsuke of Thunder God Raiden standing on his drum that he tore open by beating it with a striker on the clouds. According to Japanese folklore by beating the drum Raiden creates thunder. The stretched leather part of the drum is lacquered in Negoro style: red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black starts showing. The bottom of the drum is carved as a seal, with a seal script reading HARUYOSHI (alternative reading is Shunko) in a reserve shaped like a mallet of Daikoku...

19th century boxwood netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of an oni (mischievous demon). Excellent quality carving, wonderful face with a hint of malice, beautiful stippling indicating hair of its eyebrows and chip, superb wear and patina. Height 1 3/4 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a sitting boy wearing a shishi mask that is too big for him and hitting a drum in front of him with a striker. These mask are usually used in shishimai dance, and the face of the boy can be seen inside the mask (see Enlargement 2, difficult to photograph). Nice dense shitan wood (Southeast Asian rosewood), beautifully carved, eyes of the mask are inlaid with copper. Superb wear and patina, large and deep himotoshi. Signed GYOKUSUI on the bottom - the artist is list...

19th century good size boxwood netsuke of a bamboo shoot with a hollow section in the lower half with anabori (cavern carving) of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove assembled around a Go board. There are 7 faces inside, impossible to photograph, but can be seen with a flashlight. Beautiful carving, superb patina, extremely pleasant feel of age. Signed YOSHIKIYO SAKU (made by Yoshikiyo) on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 1234 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by ...

19th century netsuke of poet Hitomaro wearing his official coat and ritual hat, leaning on a low table thoughtfully contemplating the world as if seeking inspiration for one of his poems. Kakinomoto no Hitomaro was a famous poet and aristocrat of the late Asuka Period (7th/8th centuries), and is considered one of the Thirty Six Poetry Immortals of Japan. Wonderful carving with great intense face, excellent staining, wear and patina. Signed RYOKOSAI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 893 ...

19th century stag antler mask netsuke representing BESHIMI. Excellent expressive face, beautiful staining. Height 1 1/2 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a bat with large ears and characteristic snout. 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 1.1 inches.

19th century netsuke in manju pillow shape carved on the front with a scholarly landscape of Mount Fuji partially obscured by clouds, a wide bay with a sail boat and pines, and a lower part depicting 3 nasubi (eggplants) of different sizes. Excellent design in Japanee taste, superb quality carving, wonderful mellow patina turning honey color, wear to the back. Signed GYOKUHOSAI followed by a seal (rather worn) on the back - the artist is well known for that kind of work and is discussed on p. 42...

Height: 3.4 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 4.2 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 3 cm (1.2 in)

Japanese wooden netsuke of Daruma; very minor wear; good condition

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi. 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 1.07 inches.

19th century ebony netsuke of a crouching rat with its young climbing on mother’s back. Wonderfully captured interaction, superb detailed carving, very beautiful patina, in excellent condition. Length 2.51 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a blind masseuse working on a client. The masseur has a typical bump on his head, as is usual with portrayal of blind in netsuke. Wonderful carving with great faces, muscles of the client and excellent depiction of textile lines, rich warm patina. Signed NOBUFUSA on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 834 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 1/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of two frogs frolicking on differently sized peony buds with stems. Wonderfull quality carving (see finely incised petals texture) carved, very beautiful warm patina. Signed GYOKUSEKI on the bottom - there is Gyokuseki listed on p. 428 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, but this is much better quality carving than his usual work, probably a different carver with the same name. Length 2 inches.

19th century Japanese Asakusa school staghorn kiseruzutsu - tobacco pipe case - carved with the Monkey King with a bamboo stick in his hand standing under a pine tree and looking at two monkey warriors also armed with poles. Clever carving incorporating outer texture of the antler and porous nature of its center as elements of design. Beautiful wear and patina, two holes on the sides appear to be original. Length 7 7/8 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.

Soft, light weight wood, dark and light brown mottled, netsuke representing a snake coiling through a rock. The snake in gilt yellow bronze. Signed at the bottom: Osai. Japan, Edo or Meiji period, mid 19th century.

L 2 x W 1 ½ x H 1 ½ inches.

Very good condition.

Perhaps persimmon.

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 of half of a mokugye - a Buddhist gong in a shape of a fish with its head touching its tail, and a curled lotus leaf with a stem resting on the gong. Unusual combination of Buddhist symbols, great carving of fins and scales, leaf texture, eyes of the fish are inlaid with black horn. Expertly stained, beautiful warm patina with wonderful wear. Excellent netsuke. Length 1 3/16 inches.