19th century wooden netsuke of a recumbent buffalo with its hooves bent beneath its body, wearing a halter with a length of rope lying across its back, eyes inlaid with dark horn. Fantastic quality work, wonderful rendition of animal’s fur. Beautiful wear consistent with age, superb deep red-brown patina, himotoshi formed by its legs. Signed in oval reserve on the bottom ITTAN followed by kakihan (carved monogram) of the artist. Kyoryusai Ittan was a superb carver of Nagoya school, and is liste ...click for details
18th century Kyoto ivory netsuke of reclining Okame with a cat climbing on top of her. Rather unusual topic, strong early carving with great faces and wonderful detailing. Deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time. Signed MASANAO in oval reserve on the bottom - the work must be by a student of Masanao of Kyoto. Beautiful wear and patina, old small chip to the big toe of her left foot, overall in great condition. Excellent serious netsuke. Length 2 1/16 inches.
18th century ivory netsuke of a reclining oni wearing a tiger skin skirt, its head resting on an elbow, and a thoughtful expression on its face. Rare subject, extraordinary strong carving, superb depiction of his muscular limbs, eyes are inlaid with metal. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, variously sized deep himotoshi consistent with age. Old age lines, superbly pleasant wear to the surface from more than 200 years of handling, beautiful patina. Excellent sculpture. Le ...click for details
19th century lacquered wood netsuke of a seated kappa about to enjoy a cucumber lying in front of it. Kappa (river-child) is a water imp with the body of a turtle, legs of a frog, and head of a monkey, and has a gourmet's fondness for cucumbers. The kappa derives supernatural powers from a cavity filled with sea water on the top of its head. To overcome its enormous strength, one must bow to the kappa, and always-polite creature will bow back, spilling the magic fluid from its cavity and los ...click for details
19th century boxwood netsuke with a rare subject of a Buddhist angel as portrayed in the Noh play Hagoromo (Feathery robe). Standing with one hand raised, superbly carved wings with beautiful differentiated feathers. Perfectly balanced, great face, wonderful flow to the lines of her robe, painted in bright colors, paint showing signs of wear. Signed SHUZAN for Nagamachi Shuzan on the back - this very distinct artist is listed on p. 1015 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATUR ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of a toad crouched with its feet tucked under its body. Extraordinary quality work - see its perfectly depicted warty skin and ivory inlaid elongated convex eyes. Beautiful wear and patina. Signed MASAKATSU on the bottom - this rare artist was the son of Suzuki Masanao, listed on p. 707 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. His work in ivory is extremely rare. Comes from Alan Liss collection (Sotheby's Chicago sale, Sep ...click for details
19th century boxwood sashi netsuke in the form of a long eggplant with its stem forming himotoshi. The leaves at the stem are very subtly rendered with one leaf gently folded back. Excellent carving down to the last detail - see the texture and veining of the leaves. Signed KAIGYOKUSAI with seal MASATSUGU by one of the greatest netsuke carvers Kaigyokusai (1813-1892), and has been published in INCS Journal (Vol. 4, No. 4, March 1977, p. 10) and in NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR ...click for details
19th century wooden netsuke of a peasant climbing onto a huge pumpkin. The subject is probably the opposite of the more common one: a peasant sawing a gourd - with gourds being used in Japan as sake containers, it stands for a resolution to abstain from drinking. Looks like this particular peasant is energetically protecting his right to drink. Clever compact shape, excellent face, great depiction of his limbs and a sickle tucked into the loincloth on his back. Extraordinary beautiful patina. Si ...click for details
19th century boxwood netsuke of an octopus wearing a short jacket standing on 4 tentacles on a conch shell while blowing into horagai - a trumpet made out of a large triton shell. Very funny and possibly unique subject, superb rendition of its somewhat surprised facial expression and suction cups on its limbs. Eyes are double inlaid with ivory and horn, natural closed vertical line in the wood on its front. Very pleasant wear and patina. Signed ISSAI on the back - for information see NETSUKE &am ...click for details
Sotheby’s sale catalog NETSUKE FROM THE COLLECTION OF RAYMOND AND FRANCES BUSHELL that took place in New York on March 21, 2000. Last of the 6 sales of the Bushell collection, soft covers, 306 lots illustrated, prices realized included. Excellent reference book.
