Rather unusual Japanese porcelain obidome / netsuke in a shape of a mask of a female theatrical character Waka-Onna. 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. Very clever design, excellent modeling and enameling - see her crisp features and delicate toning of the face. Bar on the back for an obi or netsuke cord, in perfect condition. Signed KOSUZU on the back...

Wooden netsuke of thoughtful ape (looks like orangutan) by contemporary New Zealand netsuke carver Doug Marsden (b. 1958). Superb quality carving to the last detail, extraordinary face with horn inlaid pupils, perfectly carved hands and feet with well defined joints and nails, beautifully textured coat, great staining. Height 2 inches.

Height: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Length: 5.4 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 4.2 cm (1.7 in)

Quality carved netsuke of a man crouching, grinding grain with a stone wheel; signed on a red lacquer tablet; good condition

Vintage Japanese glass obidome (sash ornament) with domed top containing delicate multicolored flower with stem and leaves on lattice background. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Beautiful design, excellent quality glasswork, very pleasant to hold. Metal fixture with two loops on the back for an obi cord. Diameter 1 1/16 inches.

Wood netsuke of three peanuts. A naturalistic grouping, dark stained. An ivory plug may bear a highly stylised signature.

Provenance : Arlette Katchen, Paris.

Japan, 20th century

Width : 1.6 in. (4.3 cm)

Vintage Japanese glass obidome (sash ornament) with high relief abstract geometric design. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Beautiful design, wonderful quality glasswork, very pleasant finish. Metal fixture with two loops on the back for an obi cord. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Netsuke carved by Ryoshu (born in 1912) - one of the best Japanese netsuke carvers of the 20th century. Netsuke represents a doll of Daruma (founder of Zen Buddhism) enveloped in monastic robe, and his eyes can pop in and out. Perfectly captured facial expression, facial hair and mandarin duck decoration on his robe beautifully incised and etched with ink. It appears that the artist etched a different design on every piece of this model of his - see the other Darumas by Ryoshu on my site...

Width: 4.8 cm (1.9 in) Height: 2.9 cm (1.2 in) Depth: 2.4 cm (0.9 in) Japanese carved netsuke of people in a treehouse; natural material; two samurai being served food; signed Ryumin on the base; good condition

Length: 3.7 cm (1.5 in)
Height: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 2.4 cm (1 in)

Japanese carved netsuke of a dog chewing on a sandal; natural material; inlaid horn eyes; some age lines present; good condition

Japanese obidome (sash ornament) with polished moss agate stone, its natural pattern perfectly resembling a single tree with well defined branches. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Amazing natural picture, excellent finish and patina. Metal fitting on the back with two loops for an obi cord. Height 1 4/4 inches.

Height: 4.8 cm (1.9 in)
Width: 4.3 cm (1.7 in)
Depth: 2.5 cm (1 in)

Japanese netsuke of a crying child in a seated position with a spilled bowl; natural material; signed on the base; good condition

Length: 4.4 cm (1.7 in)
Height: 3.3 cm (1.4 in)
Depth: 2.5 cm (1 in)

Japanese netsuke of a young boy in the crawling position, his hands clasped; natural material; signed under the arm; good condition

1940's Japanese Shibayama Wood Carved Shishi Netsuke Signed

It is 1.05 inches (2.6 cm) tall by 1.3 inches (3.5 cm) wide. It is 9.9 gram.

It has surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...

Book NETSUKE: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY BASED ON THE M. T. HINDSON COLLECTION by Neal Davey, Faber & Faber, London, 1974. Hardcover, dust jacket, 564 pages, 12”x8.25”. Absolutely essential reference book with thorough descriptions and black and white photos of 1322 netsuke with some 300 actual signatures. Most valuable part is an index of 3425 known netsuke artists with their names in Japanese characters, type of work, time period and preferred medium...

Sotheby’s sale catalog FINE NETSUKE INRO AND LACQUER FROM THE ESTATE OF MADELYN HICKMOTT that took place in New York on February 8, 1989. Soft covers, 400 lots illustrated (some color, some black and white). Excellent reference book.

Lot of 9 Sotheby’s catalogs from 1978 to 1983 relating to netsuke. Very good reference material, all in decent vintage condition, black and white photos, most of catalogs with prices realized.

Hardcover book “THE BAUR COLLECTION: NETSUKE” by Marie-Therese Coullery and Martin Newstead in perfect condition. This book is number 716 out of limited numbered edition of 1500. One of the world's most important collections of netsuke is richly illustrated in this definitive volume. Arranged by subject with general subject description followed by exact description and photo of each netsuke...

Netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Hyottoko - a perplexed peasant - carved by Ryoshu (born in 1912) - one of the best Japanese netsuke carvers of the 20th century (see p. 886 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick). Wonderful expressive face, black and red ink highlights, beautiful finish to the surface. Signed RYOSHU on the back. Height 1 inch.