A Japanese unusual stag antler netsuke depicting the head of a swan in finely carved and engraved deer horn, himotoshi under the neck. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 2,4 x 6,3 x 1,8 cm. Condition report: Good condition

Antique Japanese chawan (tea bowl) made in the Iga Ueno - Shigaraki area. Beautifully sculpted and decorated with natural glazes which have melted to wonderful green and brown crackled drips. Perfect example of "wabi-cha", the style of Japanese tea ceremony that emphasizes simplicity. Shigaraki is known as one of the 6 great pottery regions of Japan. With a signed tomobako.

Dimensions: 2 1/2" high x 4 5/8" wide

Late Meiji wooden netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya. Cleverly carved out os soft evergreen wood in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, colors and gold lacquer highlights, beautiful patina. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke, the top being Chinese carving adopted as netsuke, with deeply undercarved scene of 2 scholars among trees and pavilions. Beautiful wear and patina, overall in very good condition, dark rosewood bowl, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a Buddhist monk (recognizable by its shaved head) fast asleep, lower half of its body inside a huge Buddhist gong. The subject is a metaphor for a failure to reach enlightenment - instead of seeking and understanding the profound power of the gong’s message, the monk uses it as a sleeping pad. Rare, possibly unique treatment of the subject - usually the gong is small and is used as a pillow by a monk...

Unusually large 19th century netsuke of a Nio lying on a straw sandal. Nio - one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings - is holding a vajra in his right hand, and a scarf is laid out around him. Strong bold carving, pleasantly heavy - might have been meant for a sumo wrestler to wear. Beautiful staining and patina. Signed GOTO SEIMIN TO (carved by Goto Seimin) on an oval reserve on the bottom. Formerly in du Pont collection - see Christie’s sale, New York, 1 November 1996, lot 23...

19th century Japanese bronze netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Buaku used for demonic roles such as Kaminari, Emma-O or any nameless demon or scary devil. Very nice casting, wonderful patina, overall in excellent condition. Signed SEKIZAN (alternative reading is Ishiyama) in oval reserve on the back. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Somewhat unusual late 19th century Japanese katsubera (shoehorn) with the handle section carved as 3 wise monkeys in their habitual "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude: Mizaru covering his eyes, Kikazaru covering his ears, and Iwazaru covering his mouth. Wonderful work (see the rendition of their fur), clever functional design, beautiful patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUSHO on the front - the artist appears to be the netsuke carver listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p...

18th century netsuke of a lying dog with the front part of its body resting on a squished cloth ball. Superb early piece, powerful carving, wonderful face with large horn inlaid eyes, great depiction of its bone and muscle structure, excellent hairwork. Beautiful warm patina turning yellow, old age lines, no breaks, losses or repairs. Excellent sculpture. Length 1 3/4 inches.

KURAWANKA SAKE FLASK

Japanese Hasami ware kurawanka*-type white porcelain tokkuri (sake flask), mid-late Edo period, mid 18th – early 19th century, approx. H 19.7 x D 10.5cm (7.75 x 4.13in). Characteristically calm and refined white texture with such pale blue-gray reflection...

19th century Japanese netsuke of Chokwaro sennin reading an open scroll as he rides his magic horse coming out of the double gourd. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted.. Beautiful carving, great faces, nicely rendered mane of the animal. Expert light staining, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant finish to the surface. Signed NAOMITSU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p...

Unusual 19th century netsuke of a floor screen with pierced decoration of a dragon in flight among clouds over cresting waves. Appears to be a reference to the Chinese legend of a artist painting a dragon so realistically, that it came alive and flew to heaven. Carved on both sides, the scaled body of the dragon showing through breaks in the clouds, beautiful light staining, pleasant wear and patina. Himotoshi goes through the back down to the bottom of the screen...

Late 18th to early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a turtle hiding in its carapace. Excellent detailing - see the incised patterns of the carapace, its legs with scaly pattern leathery skin and horn inlaid eyes. Large deep differently sized himotoshi typical for the period, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant to the touch. Signed SHOYU on the left side of his lower back - this rare early carver is listed on p. 982 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick...

Very unusual 19th century multi-metal netsuke in a form of a locking box opening to reveal a portable sundial in one half and a compass in the other, both working. The compass has 12 sections around it, each section is inscribed with a name of a different zodiac animal. The body is bronze, the outside it is delicately chased with scrolling foliage on the front, with constellation points and stars and a swinging loop on the back for hanging...

A fine deep grey Saji river stone in the form of a miniature mountain landscape with high peaks and deep ravins; looking from the front and back sides there is a long passage in between the peaks, completely natural! The stone has a perfectly fitted rosewood base, daiza. Suiseki are highly appreciated for their aesthetic or decorative value in Japan but also by collectors in the western world...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Locking bar secures 3 drawers behind it and the center design is the family crest of the family who commissioned this chest to be made...

18th century netsuke of a sennin Chochu enveloped in his robe and holding his most important attribute - a hossu (fly whisk) - across his shoulders. Very rare subject, wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful flowing lines of the robe, superb sense of volume. Old age lines, beautiful wear to the surface from more than 200 years of handling, superb patina turning honey color on the back from wear against the silk of kimono, of characteristic 18th century triangular section, deep himotosh...

19th century netsuke of a reclining deer with its head turned back, hooves bent beneath its body. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, excellent hairwork, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body, excellent head with finely carved antlers, eyes are inlaid with dark horn, beautiful patina. Old replacement to its right ear. Signed RANICHI in oval reserve on the bottom - this excellent carver is discussed in detail on p. 860 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by Geo...