19th century ivory netsuke of standing Shoki the Demon Queller with his fierce face turned up and holding his beard with one hand. Very well carved, great facial expression, eyes are inlaid with black horn. Beautiful wear and patina consistent with age. Signed KEISHU on the back. Height 1 5/8 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of an oni sitting in his tiger loincloth holding a drum in front of him and a striker in his hand. It is possible that netsuke represents the Thunder God Raiden. Great compact design, wonderful rendition of his muscular arms and legs, great detailing of his tiger loincloth and hair. Good patina, very pleasant yellowing to the surface. Height 1 5/16 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of a seated baby boy wearing just an apron and holding his toes by his hands. Extremely well carved, excellent level of detail - see the fingernails and fat of his body and limbs. Fantastic finish, beautiful patina consistent with age. Signed HO RYOMIN with kakihan (carved monogram of the artist) on the bottom - judging by the kakihan, the artist is Ono Ryomin II. This excellent artist is discussed on p. 884 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURE ...click for details
19th century ivory and metal kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke. Bronze top is decorated with a low relief scene of a puppeteer leading a dancing puppet with a spear on a Go board. Very good quality crisp metalwork, gilded highlights. Nice yellow patina on ivory bowl, beautiful structure of the material easily discernible on the photograph, silk cord. Diameter 1 3/4 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of seated Soshi leaning on a low table. Soshi was a Chinese philosopher who dreamt he was a butterfly, and could not in his dream decide whether he had become a butterfly, or whether it was the butterfly who had borrowed his form. Essentially the netsuke is a reminder of relativity of personal opinion. Soshi can be identified by the butterfly wing pattern of his robe. Amazing face of portrait quality, excellent detailing of his robe. Beautiful patina, very pleasant yel ...click for details
19 century ivory netsuke depicting a lohan in a huge bowl being washed by an oni with a sponge. A lohan - one of the original Buddha disciples - can be recognized by his long earlobes. Very good carving of faces and postures, pleasant wear and patina. Signed TOKOKU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 1106 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, and a very similar model is illustrated. Length 1 5/8 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke in manju (rice cake) form carved in sunken relief with a dancer carrying a banner and a fan in the Kashima-odori, a folk dance performed at the Kashima shrine. Excellent sharp carving, well captured dynamic pose, wonderful quality etched design of a diving cormorant on the banner. Two parts fit nicely, beautiful mellow patina, especially on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono. Signed HORYU with kakihan (carved monogram) of the artist on the back - th ...click for details
Rather unusual long 18th century ivory netsuke of a crawling Chinese elder with its hand against a foot of a crawling boy. Probably netsuke was supposed to be worn vertically and represent two street entertainers - acrobats. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, warm yellow patina (slightly darker on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono), old typical lines consistent with age. Characteristic early large sized himotoshi (cord opening) on the bottom to acco ...click for details
Late 18th - early 19th century ivory netsuke of yamabushi (wandering warrior priest) with a staff in one hand, rosary in the other and his sword behind him, with his knee resting on a kneeling samurai. The tokin (scull cap) on his head is the sign of the yamabushi. Strong early carving - see the yamabushi vicious facial expression and exaggerated muscles of his left leg. Eyes inlaid with brown horn (see Enlargement 4), some age lines as to be expected on old ivory piece, beautiful wear and yello ...click for details
So school late 19th to early 20th century wooden netsuke of theatrical mask of Ko-Omote. Superb clean carving on flawless boxwood. Beautiful expert staining, excellent patina. Signed SOSAI followed by kakihan (carved monogram) of the artist - this excellent carver is listed on p. 1035 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Superb netsuke in Japanese taste. Height 1 1/4 inches.
