Good size 18th century netsuke of a standing sennin (Chinese sage) in a long robe and a leaf cape, carrying on his shoulder a Chinese boy who plays a short trumpet. The netsuke is probably a joke on the subject of bokudo, which is typically depicted as a boy seated on the back of a buffalo and playing a flute - a theme of a perfect peace of mind, and one of the stages of a journey towards Buddhahood....

Rather unusual decent size 19th century staghorn netsuke of a horse appearing from a dried gourd that has a rope tied around its waist. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Cleverly and elegantly carved piece with great face, mane and front legs...

19th century netsuke of Hotei wading through a swirling water as he carries a boy in a woven straw high rain hat on his back. The subject is a wonderful mitate (humorous reference) to Ikkaku Sennin crossing a stream with the Lady of Benares. Nicely carved, wonderful smiling faces, beautifully rendered robe lines and incised textile patterns, wear consistent with age, great patina. Signed TOMOYUKI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p...

19th century Japanese Asakusa school staghorn kiseruzutsu - tobacco pipe holder - carved in a shape of a stem of Fungus of Immortality with five fungus heads. Could serve as nyoi, or Ruyi scepter - traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Elegant carving, excellent rendition of fungus head textures, superb staining typical for the Asakusa School pieces. Very clever design, excellent wear and patina on the surface. Length 7 1/2 inches.

Netsuke - chestnut and a plump mushroom. Japan Edo 19th.

19th century netsuke of carved as a group of eels, elongated nuts and chestnuts, three of which contain deeply carved village scenes. Excellent carving with deep undercutting, eyes inlaid with brown horn, wonderful mellow patina. Signed GYOKUHO on the back of the eel that forms natural himotoshi - 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. Length 1 9/16 inches.

Late 18th - early 19th century netsuke of seated Gama Sennin with his constant companion - 3-legged frog - on his head, and another standing sennin wearing a leaf skirt and leaning on the back of Gama’s toad. Unusual subject, excellent quality carving with great faces and beautifully carved leaf patterns, warm yellow patina. Excellent warm patina, old age lines, great feel of age to the piece. Height 2 3/16 inches.

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.

Early 19th century nice size netsuke of a sennin (Chinese sage) wearing a leaf cape, leaning on his staff with tied large double gourd resting on his shoulder. Most probably netsuke represents Chokwaro sennin who could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Strong early piece with exceptional carving of his intense face, wonderful detailing of his hair and leaf cape. Eyes inlaid in dark horn, netsuke of typical early triangular section...

19th century netsuke of Benkei as yamabushi (a wandering priest) emerging out of a huge horagai (a war trumpet made out of a shell) and blowing into a smaller one, and holding a shakujo (Buddhist priest rattle) in his hand. The tokin (scull cap) on his head is the sign of the yamabushi, and horagai - (a trumpet shell - Charonia Tritonis) were often fitted with a mouthpiece on the thin end, and used as war trumpets...

Height: 8.6 cm (3.6 in)
Width: 2.8 cm (1.1 in)

Old wooden netsuke of a Sennin with a toad on his shoulder; excellent patina with deep himatoshi; good condition

Height: 7.3 cm (2.9 in)
Width: 4.4 cm (1.7 in)

18th century Japanese netsuke of a grazing horse; natural material; fine old patina; good condition

This is a finely carved Japanese Netsuke, made during the 1st Half of the 19th Century, depicting a Blind Oni reading a calligraphy long scroll with a girl. Well carved piece with character and some handling wear. Signed on the bottom Shoryu, a carver who worked during the 1st half of the 19th century, in Japan, according to George Lazarnick in his book 'Netsuke and Inro Artists and How to Read Their Signatures'. Netsuke measures 1.57 inches (4.0cm) wide, and 1.06 inches (2.7cm) tall.

This is a finely carved 19th century Japanese netsuke depicting a charming dog holding its paws atop a awabi shell while playing with it. Very nice hair work. Eyes inlaid with stag horn. Netsuke measures 1.50 inches (3.8cm) wide, and 1.10 inches (2.8cm) tall. Unsigned.

This is a finely carved 19th Century Japanese Netsuke, depicting a traveling Gama Sennin, dressed in his traditional mugwort cape, with a walking stick in his hand, who has taken a break by resting on a porous rock. His traveling companion, the faithful three-legged toad, is trying to climb to his lap. Happy expression on the Sennin’s face. Very nice hairwork; very fine detail on the cape and surrounding areas. Unsigned...

1800's, finely hand-carved Japanese mix-materials netsuke depicting an Entertainer or Dancer, who is standing on one leg, in the middle of a theatrical performance. He is wearing an Usobuki mask and a dancer's robe. Excellent detail and patination; he grimaces as he attempts to lift the large stone. Signed Hozan on his Obi, near the ribbon that ties it on his back. Netsuke measures 1.04 inches (2.6cm) wide, and 1.56 inches (4.0cm) tall...

This interesting Japanese carved ivory netsuke is a late 19th or early 20th century product. It depicts a female figure (perhaps Okame, also known as Uzume or Otafuku, goddess of mirth) carrying a long armed monkey on her back. A younger monkey is sitting in front of her with both arms raised to grasp the hands of the older monkey. It is 2 ¾” high, ¾” wide and ½” thick. The artist signature “Meigyoku” is on the bottom. It is in great condition.

This early 20th century carved coral netsuke of an Oni (devil) mask is 1 ½” long, 1” wide and ½” thick. It depicts a very nicely carved and impressive Daikijin. One horn has been repaired. Aside from that, it is in great condition.