Sale catalog SELECTED NETSUKE & INRO by Barry Davies Oriental Art, London, 1999. 132 pieces illustrated in color, softcover, 12.5x 8.5 inches, 72 pages. Was produced for 1999 Netsuke Convention in Chicago, includes index of artists. Very good reference book.
Sale catalog JAPANESE NETSUKE INRO AND LACQUER WARE Eskenazi, 1986. 80 items illustrated in color. Softcover, 11.75”x8.5”, 82 pages. Good reference book.
19th century netsuke carved out of kurumi (natural walnut shell) as a crouching Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, an incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) with a fan in his hand. Very clever crisp carving, well captured broad smile. Old stable line along the natural seam of the shell, fantastic deep warm brown patina, signed NIKO by himotoshi - the rare artist who seems to have specialized in carving of walnuts is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 503, number 1830). Rare ar ...click for details
Rather unusual good size 18th century Chinese pewter covered tea caddy of square section with indented corners, 4 short legs and cover. Did not photograph well - the colors are off, actual color is typical old pewter. Shoulders, sides, and tops of the cover and the body are inlaid with bronze or dark brass. Four raised panels on the sides are showing ancient bronze vessels with flowering branches, other scholar’s objects, standing crane, butterflies and bats in flight, top of the body is inlaid ...click for details
Late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese jadeite snuff saucer in a shape of a footed dish with concave inside surface. Wonderful translucent stone with play of green and white and a russet splotch, beautiful patina, overall in great condition, no chips or repairs, wonderful feel of age. Diameter 1 11/16 inches.
Late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese agate snuff saucer of classic shape with low foot. Very well carved out of beautiful material showing striated texture of the stone, wonderful patina, in great condition - no chips or repairs, very pleasant feel of age. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.
Tall 18th century wooden netsuke of a Dutchman wearing a short jacket with ruffled collar and short pants over stockings, holding a flute in one hand and a fan in the other. Excellent early carving, great detailing - see his head turned left and up, grotesquely large ears and horn inlaid buttons on the back of his stockings. His feet are replaced, wonderful wear and patina. Height 3 13/16 inches (97 mm).
19th century ivory netsuke of 3 water dragons intertwined on top of hexagonal base. Uncommon creature in netsuke, excellent rendition of their fluid bodies. Himotoshi (cord opening) is formed by natural opening in the carving. Beautiful wear and patina, signed SHOMIN on the side - the artist is listed on p. 970 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Length 1 1/4 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of an owl on an old log covered with ivy creepers and with two rotting areas providing hiding places for two owlets with moveable heads. Large round eyes of the mother are double inlaid with light and dark horn, those of owlets are inlaid with black horn. Superbly carved, extraordinary detailing - see the differentiated feathers, ivy leaves and log texture. Wonderful wear consistent with age. Signed HIDEKAZU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 295 of NETSUKE &a ...click for details
19th century ivory netsuke of a turtle with its young perched on its back. Very good carving, beautiful rhythm to the plastrons of their carapaces, wonderful depiction of skin texture, eyes are inlaid with black horn. Excellent wear and patina. Signed GENKO on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 402 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Length 1 3/4 inches.
