Late 19th century ivory netsuke of seated Hotei holding a large coral branch in one hand and looking thoughtfully in front of him. Hotei is the incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future - and one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, the fat and happy God of abundance and good health. Superb carving to the last detail - see his great face, finely incised hair on his hands, face and belly, hands and feet with incised fingernails. Coral branch is made out of actual red coral. Textile pattern ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of nude woman and a boy next to a wooden tub washing themselves with wet towels. The netsuke is definitely of shunga type with woman’s private parts showing on the bottom. Excellent faces, superb depiction of her hair, expertly etched. Beautiful wear and patina on a very good quality material, compact shape. Signed TOMOCHIKA in irregular reserve on the bottom of the tub - for discussion of Tomochika the 1st see p. 1148 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR ...click for details
19th century wooden netsuke of a samurai kneeling as he holds a straw sandal in his hands and a sword under his arm. Strong early carving, superb dark brown/red staining, excellent wear and patina. Nice detail - he is wearing a tobacco pouch and cased pipe suspended by a kagamibuta netsuke. Formerly in the collection of Raymond Bushell. Height 1 3/8 inches.
19th century metal ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) of and Kanzan with an open scroll in his hands. According to a legend, Kanzan and his companion Jittoku lived in a kitchen of a Chinese Zen Buddhist monastery and talked nonsensical language, which some took as a sign of them being enlightened. Excellent detailing, great depiction of robe lines, gilding, wonderful wear and patina. The material appears to be silver (I am not sure, did not test it). Height 3/4 ...click for details
19th century Japanese metal ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) depicting a vase with 2 handles and a branch with flowering magnolia on the body. Excellent crisp work with silver inlays and gilding, overall in very good condition. Signed KAZUMASA on an inlaid silver plaque on the back. For information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 601. Height 3/4 inches.
19th century metal ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a form of a kneeling Fukosuke - a dwarf storyteller with a fan in his hands. Very good detailing, pleasant patina. Height 5/8 inches.
19th century red lacquer ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) of ball shape carved with 2 theatrical masks. Superb quality work - see their delicately incised facial hair, beautiful patina. Height 11/16 inches.
19th century metal ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a shape of clam shell. Very nice crisp work, the material appears to be silver (I am not sure, did not test it). Length 3/4 inches.
19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as a peony flower with its petals wide open. Did not photograph well. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, a lot of compressed dust in crevices. Height 9/16 inches.
19th century mother of pearl ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a shape of a double gourd. Elegant clever design, natural imperfections in the material, beautiful patina. Length 7/8 inches.
