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
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.
Christie's sale catalog THE FRANCOIS STORNO COLLECTION OF NETSUKE, that took place in London on May 16, 2007. Soft covers, 161 lots illustrated and described, introduction by Francois Storno, prices realized included. Excellent reference book, in excellent condition.
Christie’ s sale catalog THE I.A. AND CECILE MANN VICTOR COLLECTION OF NETSUKE that took place in New York on April 20, 1989. Hard covers, 201 lots illustrated (some color, some black and white), prices realized included, in excellent condition.
Book CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE: MINIATURE SCULPTURE FROM THE UKRAINE by the carver Alexander Derkachenko, Kiev, 2002. Text in English and Russian, 57 netsuke illustrated in color, paperback, 59 pages. Includes Foreword by contemporary carver Guy Shaw, Message by contemporary carver Jim Kelso, brief history of netsuke and an article by Alexander Derkachenko. Nice reference book, size 8.25x10.75 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.
