19th Century, very fine hand-carved netsuke depiction of a Naturalistic Human Skull (See photo #11 for comparison with actual Human Skull), with seven natural material teeth in the upper jaw, and fine parietal lines covering the cranium. Attributed to Tomochika, because of its close likeness to a spectacular netsuke of the same subject auctioned by Lempertz Auction House (photo #9), that rivals the skulls made by Sukenao (Photo #10)...

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.

Wooden netsuke, a dog carrying a collar and small bell, baring her teeth, protecting her puppy.
Signed Tomokazu ( 友一 ).

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Height : 1.3 inches (3,3 cm) - Length : 2 inches (5 cm) -Width : 1.2 inches (3 cm)

19th century boxwood netsuke of a theatrical mask of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) leaning against a small drum. Clever design, nice carving, nicely incised wood grain on the body of the drum, nails on the drum are inlaid with ivory or bone. Nice wear and patina, pleasant warm staining. Signed KYOKUSEN on the back - the artist is listed in NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 686. Length 1 1/4 inches.

A container for gun powder used by samurai. It is in shape of hyotan, but made of wood and painted with urushi. The netsuke in the shape of mokugyo (temple block) with delicate carving. 19th century. In good condition. H:14cm Diameter:8cm

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a form of a skull. Very nice work, pleasant patina, light staining, in great condition. Height 1/2 inches.

Late 19th century small netsuke of an Okame mask with beautifully carved and etched features, wonderful smile. Very nice wear and warm patina, spots on her forehead are inlaid with dark horn, black and red ink highlights. Signed KOGETSU on the back bar - the artist is listed on p. 636 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 13/16 inches.

Early 19th century netsuke in manju shape carved with a map of Japanese islands, all prefectures’ names are engraved in minute calligraphy. Very nice work in the manner of Nanka, old age lines, beautiful patina, 2 parts fit nicely. Diameter 1 3/4 inches.

Mid- 19th century netsuke depicting Kokusempu Riki (Li Kui in Chinese) - one of the Suikoden heroes - holding a huge axe. Loosely based on historical events, the Chinese book called Shui-Hu-Chuan (Suikoden in Japanese, The Water Margin in English) it tells the story of a group of 108 rebels living at the edge of Liangshan Marsh who helped to protect the poor and oppressed. Kokusempu Riki (Li Kui in Chinese) was a priest, who was expelled from the Hakuryojin Temple...

19th century small black and red Japanese lacquer 4-compartment inro with two different carved scenes of two scholars in discussion under rocks (one with waterfall cascading off it) with bamboo gracefully growing on their surfaces. Top and bottom are carved differently with peony branches with leaves and buds. Elegant dignified design, very clever and striking use of red lacquer for figures, bamboo and and some peony details. Old silk cord, in excellent condition, no cracks or losses...

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke of a standing shishi (Buddhist lion), its mouth open in a snarl, the back arch and tail raised. Perfectly captured essence of the beast, fantastic depiction of its fur with different curls on different parts of its body, great patina with characteristic ebony sheen. Signed in 2 reserves on its behind - the most probable reading is SOSHIN. Extraordinary rendition of a beast. Length 1.28 inches.

19th century Japanese iron mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting God of Abundance Daikoku resting by a bale of rice, his hammer in his hands. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Very nice design, wonderful face with wide smile, superb crisp detailing, gold inlays. Length 1 7/16 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Usofuki with characteristically pursed lips. 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 1.06 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni. 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 1.11 inches.

Very unusual 19th century square manju netsuke made out of a slab of aventurine glass with silver fitting on the back in a shape of a samurai family crest with paulownia flowers and leaves, swinging silver loop for hanging. Superbly beautiful and rare material, absolutely stunningly sparkling in direct sunlight, does not photograph well. Three tiny chips along the edges on the front and a couple on the back, do not take away from the piece. Beautiful patina, very pleasant to hold...

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...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a green skinned demon. Excellent intense face, 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 1.12 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of a decaying skull. Wonderful carving, beautiful patina on the surface, in excellent condition. Length 5/8 inches.

19th century mixed material netsuke in kagamibuta (mirror lid) form. The top is bronze with medium relief fierce dragon twisted around the Precious Gem. Wonderful quality metalwork - see its face, claws and crisply incised differentiated scales. Warm patina, beautiful fat bowl, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 2 1/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke by Nagamachi Shuzan of an actor in a role of Kiyohime turning into a demon. Kiyohime was a daughter of an innkeeper whose advances on a monk were not reciprocated, so her love turned into wrath, and she trapped him under a temple bell, turned into a dragon and melted the bell killing the monk. She is holding a bell striker in her hand and has a very unusual feature for the carver - the mask is inlaid, probably a unique model by the artist...

This a rather rare subject Netsuke made during the 19th century, in Japan, that depicts a rat that is gnawing at a large radish, on top of a straw rice scoop. The rat and radish are made from Sentokudo, a bronze alloy, that has acquired a dark patina with the passage of time. The ring at the bottom of the rice scoop serves as himotoshi. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.46 inches (3.7cm) wide, 1.68 inches (4.2cm) long, and 0.25 inches (6mm) thick. It is in excellent preserved condition.

19th century marine netsuke depicting Ashinaga (long legs) wearing South Sea Islander’s sarong as he sits hugging his absurdly long legs. In Japanese legends he is often accompanied by Tenaga (long arms) whom he puts on his back and goes fishing. Very nice work, beautiful wear to staining, pleasant patina. Signed TOMOYUKI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 1167 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 3/4 inches.

19th century netsuke of kagamibuta (mirror lid”) type with Shibayama inlay depicting a small bird (probably a sparrow) in flight chasing a single cherry blossom petal. Very well made, the inlay is in perfect shape, no losses or repairs. Beautifully fitted metal frame around the inlay, dense rosewood bowl with beautiful mellow patina, metal peg for hanging on the back, old silk cord. Bowl length 1 7/8 inches, inlay length 1 1/8 inches.

19th century cypress wood small okimono representing standing Daruma (founder of Zen Buddhism) enveloped in his monastic robe dramatically billowing in the wind. The sculpture is skillfully carved out of Japanese cypress branch in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida Province with clever use of natural wood shape, structure and texture as elements of design. Excellently conveyed expression of extreme concentration on Daruma’s face, beautiful patina...

19th century netsuke in manju (rice cake) shape carved with an image of Fukurokuju (one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune) pulling a fox costume mask onto his head and holding a 9-tailed whip in his hand. Whip design continues on the back showing an attendant boy, one hand raised in amazement, the other holding a fan. Very unusual subject of a Lucky God as an actor, the whip is a clear reference to a mythical nine-tailed fox...

19th century Japanese carved wood obidome (sash ornament) in a shape of a theatrical mask of demon Hannya. Could have been used as netsuke as well. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, and is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions. Good design, nice detailing, eyes highlighted with gold lacquer. Height 1.8 inches.

Height: 2 cm (0.8 in)
Width: 3.8 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 3.2 cm (1.3 in)

Finely carved Japanese wooden netsuke of a snake coiled in an interesting way; good old patina; good condition

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with multimetal top and wooden bowl. The top is inlaid with an actor wearing a mask and holding an open fan in his hand seated next to an assembly of stacked shallow boxes. Superb quality work with silver and gold inlays, excellent depiction of different designs on his robe and boxes, in great condition. The box is made of shakudo (an alloy of copper and gold) with its characteristic black patina resembling lacquer)...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a man with a horn on his head, bent under the weight of a richly dressed woman on his back. The subject of the netsuke is Ikkaku Sennin (single horn Sage) carrying princess Sendarama on his back - according to Japanese legend, he grew angry with the Rain Dragons and sealed them away in a cave, causing a drought. Beautiful Indian princess was sent to tempt him and when he could not hold on to his chastity vow, he lost his magical powers, and the rain returned...

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.

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 boxwood netsuke of Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, usually associated with longevity) leaning on a long gnarled staff and accompanied by one of his familiars - a crane (symbol of longevity). Essentially, the netsuke is a wish for a long life. Wonderful carving, great smiling benevolent face, excellent patina. Height 2 inches.

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

Japanese Wood and Staghorn Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" wide in the center widest part, 3/4" high, front and back is Staghorn, center is wood, round bead shape with deep carved lines, 2 holes on both side where cord go through between Netsuke and Inro.

This is a finely carved Mid 19th Century Japanese Netsuke depicting two seated Karakos who are back to back to each other; one playing the Flute, and the other wearing a Shishimai mask. Wonderful rich patina. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.23 inches (3.1cm) and 1.25 inches (3.2cm). Netsuke is in excellent condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

19th century netsuke carved as a cluster of eight theatrical masks, those of Okina, Hannya, Hyottoko, Bishamon, Oni, Ikkaku Sennin, Okame and O-Tobide...