Late 19th - early 20th century ivory netsuke of sitting Ebisu (God of fishing - one of 7 Gods of Happiness) with his hands on his knees, and staring intently in front of him. Superb carving to the last detail - see his great face, facial hair, hands and feet with incised fingernails. Inlaid with silver, horn and cinnabar, fantastic quality polychrome decoration, finish and patina, in perfect condition. Himotoshi are lined with horn. Signed YASUAKI on the bottom followed by inlaid cinnabar seal K ...click for details
19th ivory netsuke of Tatebina - a male doll figure displayed during Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), which starts on the 3rd day of the 3rd month. Of standing, flattened form with great face and superbly incised wisteria pattern on its robe. Excellent wear and patina turning intense honey color on the back where it was touching silk of kimono. Illustrated in International Netsuke Society Journal, spring 2008, p. 34. Height 1 5/8 inches.
19th century netsuke carved out of kurumi (natural walnut shell) with two panels depicting 4 and 3 Chinese scholars, respectively, around a low table, and heating up wine and food by the rocks under pine branches and moon among wispy clouds. Full moon and chrysanthemum design surrounding one himotoshi suggest a “moon viewing” party held in September. Fabulous clever crisp carving, well captured quiet mood of the scenes, precisely carved diaper ground. Fantastic deep warm brown patina, himotoshi ...click for details
19th century boxwood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi. Masks of this type were used in folk plays by the important figure with “negative” character. Excellent crisp detailing, beautiful warm patina from wear. Signed DEME UMAN on the bar on the back - the artist was one of the best mask carvers in the Deme family - see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, pp. 350-353. Height 1 1/2 inches.
19 century ivory netsuke of a boy making a snowman in a form of the Zen Buddhism patriarch Daruma, with his hand prints all over the snowman. Excellent carving, especially facial expressions - delighted of the boy, and intense concentration of Daruma, very nice patina. The hair knots of the boy and the eyes of Daruma are inlaid with dark horn, nicely etched pattern on textiles. Beautiful patina, old age lines. Signed MASAHIRO on the bottom. Masahiro Gyokkosai of Osaka school worked in mid-19th ...click for details
18th century ivory netsuke of a figure seated on rockery with a sprig of herb in his mouth. The person represented is the mythical sage Shinno (Shen Nung in Chinese) who discovered the use of medicinal herbs, was honored with the title of Emperor, and later became the God of Medicine. Rare subject, strong early carving of characteristic triangular section, beautiful wear and patina, old age lines. Old chip to one of the "numinous" bumps on his head, loss to a portion of rockery next t ...click for details
Rather unusual 19th century netsuke made out of a natural seashell (turban shell family) with silver lined himotoshi (cord opening). Very cleverly designed piece, beautiful shell with excellent patina. Length 2 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of an actor performing a Sambaso dance, wearing characteristic Okina mask, typical hat, and holding an open fan in his hand. Extraordinary carving with minute detailing - see the tassels hanging off his sleeves as well as detailing of the mask and textile patterns. Beautiful flow to the lines of his robe, excellent patina. Signed JUGYOKU on the back - for a lengthy discussion of this superb carver see p. 546 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURE ...click for details
Late 19th century wooden netsuke of a tiger seated on a huge bamboo stump and gnawing on a smaller bamboo stem. Superb detailed carving - see its face, limbs flow of its tail and perfect rendition of bamboo leaves. Very beautiful warm brown staining, pleasant patina, in perfect condition. Signed HARUMITSU on the bottom - for information on this Yamada carver see p. 449 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 11/16 inches.
Late 19th century boxwood netsuke of a nude woman soaping her face and holding between her legs a tub of water with a wash cloth in it. Unusual subject, very beautifully carved, superb face of portrait quality, delicate carving of her breasts, limbs and hair. Himotoshi is formed by her left hand. Signed SHOKIN on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 965 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Superb carving. Height 1 5/8 inches.
