Rather unusual complete 19th century burlwood set consisting of tobakoire (tobacco box, or inro with just one compartment), ojime and netsuke. Netsuke is very cleverly made out of one piece naturally representing a turtle with its head sticking out of the carapace. The material of the whole set is natural burl with superb play of wood colors and textures wonderfully resembling swirling clouds. Beautiful play of shades of wood colors from light brown to black. Red lacquer on the inside of tobakoi ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of 3 Chinese boys climbing about a willow tree, with one of them on the back of a water buffalo, playing a flute, as well as the one sitting on a tree. The topic is an unusual tratement of bokudo - a theme of a perfect peace of mind, and one of the stages of a journey towards Buddhahood. Wonderful carving capturing tranquil mode of the scene, beautiful patina turning deeper yellow on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono, compressed dust in crevices, o ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of a biwa fruit with branches and leaves, and a tiny bronze ant on the branch. Superb quiet carving with beautiful patina, great rendition of branch texture and veining on the leaves, crisply made insect. Clever design, himotoshi (cord opening) formed by a branch. Signed GODO on the fruit - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 459, number 361), and a similar model without an ant is illustrated as part of Hindson collection. Length 1 7/8 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of Koshi (Confucius) standing with his hands folded in his sleeves, and a mythical beast kirin in dog-like stance at his back. According to Chinese legend, kirin only appears when there is a wise sage living in the land. Rare subject, excellent carving with great faces and detailing, old age lines, superb wear and patina consistent with age. Signed TOMOCHIKA on the bottom - the artist is Tomochika the First listed on p. 1148 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO REA ...click for details
18th century ivory netsuke of a kneeling Fukosuke - a dwarf storyteller with in the middle of a story, with his hands on his knees. Strong early carving with horn inlaid eyes, wonderful face and beautifully incised textile patterns. Old age lines, beautiful honey colored patina. Height 1 3/8 inches.
19th century staghorn netsuke of a bird toy styled as an ancient Chinese bronze vessel. Superb clever piece with characteristic understated beauty. Excellent quality carving - see the scrolls on the head and differently patterned registers along its neck. Beautiful warm patina attesting to the age of the piece, usual blemishes in the material characteristic for staghorn and giving life to the surface. A square reserve on the back bears the signature KOKU for Ozaki Kokusai in seal form. This supe ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of Aodarakyo - a beggar who walked along and continuously repeated Buddhistic invocations (kyo). He is wearing cloth on his head and plays on a pair of 2 small bells with a stick. Wonderful carving with excellent detailing - see his wide grin, patches on his knees, woven sandals and a tobacco pouch suspended by kagamibuta netsuke. Superb quality lacquering and polychrome decoration worn on purpose to indicate the sorrow state of his clothes. Excellent and unusual netsu ...click for details
18th century ivory netsuke of Sennin Tobosaku outdoing himself this time - he is not carrying, but hauling with a rope two enormous Peaches of Immortality which he stole from Seiobo, the Chinese Queen of the Fairies. Peaches of Immortality ripen on a tree in her garden only once it 3 thousand years. Excellent carving, great smiling face, superb depiction of fruits, branches and leaves. Beautiful wear and patina, old age lines, deep himotoshi, great feel of age to the piece. Length 1 7/8 inches.
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Early 19th century ivory netsuke of a man in Chinese robe sitting on a stool practicing static exercise with his stretched arms. Very rare subject - his shaved head with a long pigtail indicates that he is Manchu rather than Han Chinese. Superbly carved, eyes inlaid with black horn, wonderful wear consistent with age, fantastic yellowing turning deep honey color on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono. Wonderful depiction of his robe and textile patterns. Himotoshi goes through ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of seated Benten playing a biwa (Japanese lute) using an ivory plectrum. Benten - the Goddess of learning, speech and music - is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and the netsuke can be interpreted as a wish for artistic achievements. Nicely carved, great smiling face, black ink highlights, pleasant wear and patina. Signed GYOKUBUN on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 423 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Hei ...click for details
