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...

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 wooden netsuke of a shishi seated on a base, its head turned to the right and slightly up. Netsuke is carved out of kurogaki (black persimmon) with beautiful switch from black to golden brown grain. Great face with silver inlaid eyes, wonderful depiction of its body bulk and shaggy mane, superb rich patina. Himotoshi is formed by its legs. Signed TOKO TO (carved by Toko) on the bottom - the artist is listed on p...

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...

Early 19th century netsuke depicting a Chinese elder holding a drum and a striker in his hands, and two karako (Chinese boys) clinging to his coat. Excellent carving with wonderful detailed faces (see the teeth of the elder), nice flow to the lines of their robes, great incised textile patterns. Superb patina with fine sheen, beautiful wear. Height 1 7/8 inches.

Height: 5.6 cm (2.2 in)
Width: 5 cm (2 in)

Japanese antler netsuke of Hotei resting on a barrel with rats, one rat is mobile; circa 1900

Height: 3.2 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Depth: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)

Early angular form netsuke of a monkey handler; carved from natural material; a monkey clings to the back of his handler; age lines; good condition

Width: 4 cm (2.6 in)
Height: 1.9 cm (0.6 in)

Japanese wooden manju netsuke of a phoenix, the backside carved into a woven chained effect; good condition

This 19th Century, finely hand-carved Iwami Ebony Netsuke that shares similar carving and material characteristics as the Tree Stump attibuted to Jikan Ganbun depicts a Toad that also provides a functionality of an Ashtray. This toad is also remarkably similar to the toad that the Gamma Sennin (item 98 of Bonhams Iwami Catalog* – photo # 6) is sitting on...

19th century Japanese tsuishu (cinnabar lacquer) netsuke, the front with a scene of a scholar reading a book by a low table under a pine tree with a view of a distant mountain. The back is carved with a scholar walking in a garden among trees and flowers. Both scenes have finely carved various brocade patterned backgrounds. Two parts fit snugly by joining and twisting them, metal fitting inside the front part with tied himotoshi cord. Superb crisp carving, in excellent condition...

18th Century, Japanese finely hand-carved boxwood Netsuke depicting one of the scenes from the Ten Oxen parables; The Return on Ox-back. The character on this parable is shown playing a flute while sitting on the back of an Ox. Chimney himotoshi that starts on the bottom of the irregular platform where the Ox stands, and continues through any of the spaces made by the legs of the animal. Rich patina, lustrous surface. Unsigned...

This is a finely hand-carved 19th century Japanese Netsuke depicting a Karako wearing his typical Chinese robe, who is carrying his little brother on his shoulders. Younger karako's hair puffs inlaid with darn horn. Rich patina. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 0.82 inches (2.1cm) wide, and 1.72 inches (4.4cm). Netsuke is in excellent condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

This early 20th century carved ivory netsuke is 3” high, 1 ¼” wide and 1” thick from the top. It depicts a standing westerner carrying a child on his back with his right arm; his left hand is holding a peach. The artist signature “Okatu” is on the bottom of his robe. It is in great condition.

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with wooden bowl and metal top depicting a not-so-repentant oni with a Buddhist gong on its chest and a striker in its hand as he follows a beautiful maiden who holds a branch of flowering wisteria in her hand. A subtle shunga piece alluding to a good intention and a worldly temptation ruining the attempt. Excellent quality work with copper, silver and gold inlays, in great condition...

Height: 3.4 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Depth: 1.9 cm (0.8 in)

Quality Japanese carved netsuke of a dog resting on a bag; natural material; excellent patina; well- placed himatoshi; good condition

Height: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Width: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)

This marine material netsuke of a shishi dog has a wonderful aged patina. Showing inlaid horn eyes and some tight age lines, this piece is in wonderful condition with no chips, cracks or restoration.

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 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...