Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a head of a dragon with a Precious Gem in its mouth. Boldly carved, strong features of the creature’s face, nice wear and patina. Length 3 inches.

18th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke of a shishi (Buddhist lion) crouching by rockery. Strong early carving, nicely captured playful attitude of the beast, unusual raised umbrella-like bushy tail. Large deep himotoshi, great patina with characteristic ebony sheen. Length 1 7/16 inches.

Height: 2.4 cm (1 in)
Width: 4.2 cm (1.6 in)

This antler horn nestuke, carved from the antler base, represents a clam shell resting on a decorated circular base. The underside has been carved to show a temple scene located near the sea. This piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or restoration.

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with the top carved in low relief with a seated boy wearing rich robe decorated with brocade pattern and intently looking at koi fish swimming in a large bowl in front of him. Wonderful depiction of robe lines, elegantly incised textile decoration. Wonderfully depicted drops of glaze on the bowl shoulder. Beautiful patina, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

19th century kagamibuta netsuke with iron lid inlaid with multimetal old torn fan and iron tetsubin (tea kettle) in a shape of a pig, its handle of twisted gold wire, and 2 drum strikers incised on the plate. Elegant design in Japanese taste, crisp work, beautiful patina on the lid and the bowl. Metal swinging loop on the back for hanging. Recently deaccessioned from the Framingham History Center, Massachusetts, where it has been part of the collection since 1923...

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 Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Shishiguchi - a lion mask used in scene 2 of the play Shakkyo. 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 1.23 inches.

This is a 19th century, finely hand carved Japanese Netsuke, round, one-part domed, in slightly sunken relief, depicting a bust portrait of Daruma with big hossu. Beautiful golden-yellow patina on the reverse. Signed Shinsai. Netsuke measures 1.65 inches (4.2cm) in diameter, and 0.56 inches (1.4cm) thick. It is in excellent condition, as sown in the posted photos.

19th century netsuke carved out of burl wood, its natural shape resembling a mushroom or a reishi fungus (Fungus of Immortality. Very clever natural piece with practically no carving, superb patina, very pleasant to hold. Length 2.57 inches.

19th century netsuke of a karako (Chinese boy) with a flower in his hand standing by a tall floor screen decorated with a dragon in flight among clouds. Very nice carving, beautiful light staining, pleasant wear and patina. Tiny old chip to rim on the top of the screen. Formerly in Mary Louise O’Brien collection (Sotheby’s NY, September 17, 1981, lot 153. Height 1 3/4 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of two old broken roof tiles. Strong piece in Japanese taste typical of Asakusa school, beautiful dark staining, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Length 1.8 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask, probably that of Kentoku. 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 1.13 inches.

Japanese ivory netsuke depicting the Buddha's Hand or Fingered cedar among the leaves, a scented ornamental citrus fruit, a very important symbol in Buddhism, in the shape of a hand, originating from China and Japan where it is grown for religious purposes. The surface of the netsuke precisely reproduces the natural texture of the fruit, which is not smooth but characterized by roughness and pores. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 5.2×2.3×2.5 cm. Stat...

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1910s) wooden netsuke of a bamboo shoot. Excellent realistic carving utilizing texture and natural growth lines of the material (ichii - Japanese yew wood) to represent the texture of the leaves. Wonderful sense of volume, very pleasant to hold. Cursively inscribed by himotoshi - may be a signature or a rendition of Japanese character TAKE (bamboo). Height 2.67 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a puppy reclining inside a winnowing basket. Wonderful depiction of its chunky body and mouth open in delight, eyes are double inlaid with light and dark horn, fur is incised and etched with ink, beautiful patina. Signed NOBUMASA on the bottom - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 835. Length 1 3/8 inches.

19th century small netsuke of theatrical mask of Okina (old man) used in Sambaso dance. Wonderful quality carving, great smiling face, expert staining, beautiful patina, in perfect condition. Signed RAKUTANI on the back - this rare artist is listed on p. 859 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 13/16 inches.

Late 19th century marine netsuke of a scholar holding a scroll. Nicely carved, decent face, good patina. Height 1.84 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.