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.
19th century ivory netsuke of Gama sennin standing with one foot raised while his constant companion - 3-legged toad - is climbing onto his shoulder. The sennin is given the belly and friendly happy face of Hotei - one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune. Superb strong carving, very pleasantly fat netsuke, well balanced - firmly stands by itself on flat surface. Excellent detailing - see the wrinkles on his forehead, the leaf cape, finely incised textile patterns and warty skin of the toad. Eyes of th ...click for details
Ivory netsuke of a female butterfly dancer beating a small drum on her chest, and wearing wings behind her back. Unusual subject, very well carved, great face, excellent depiction of her sleeves, wonderfully incised surface patterns, expert light staining. Signed SEIRYU on the back. Height 2 1/16 inches.
Ivory netsuke of a standing sumo wrestler wearing an apron and getting ready for a match. Excellent concentrated and tranquil face, great sense of volume to his limbs and body. Wonderful clean carving made out of beautiful even grained ivory, expert light staining. Signed YUKIMASA inside the apron - for a good discussion of the artist (born in 1914) see CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE by Miriam Kinsey, p. 233. Height 2 3/16 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of a washer woman pounding a textile on a roller with a mallet, while a boy is clinging to her from the back. Very good assured carving, great faces, nicely incised textile patterns, wonderful detailing - see the comb in her hair. Ivory surface is bearing wonderful mellow patina with very pleasant yellowing. Signed on the bottom MINZAN - the artist is listed in Neil Davey NETSUKE (p. 496, number 1595). Height 1 7/16 inches.
19th century ivory netsuke of a standing oni samurai with sword, an oni boy holding a bundle with fish, and a puppy trying to get a fish for himself. Netsuke is an obvious parody on a domestic scene with human participants. Wonderfully carved, great faces, dark brown staining, horns and fan in the hands of a grown-up creature are gold lacquered. Beautiful wear and patina, in great condition. Height 1 3/4 inches.
Early 19th century ivory netsuke depicting seated wolf with its mouth open and a paw on a turtle hiding in its carapace. Wonderful rendition of wolf bone structure, ferocious facial expression, horn inlaid eyes, beautifully worn hairwork. Wonderful sheen to the surface, old age lines, superb patina. Himotoshi (cord opening) is formed by natural opening in the sculpture. Typical early section to the ivory piece used for carving. Signed OKAKOTO in rectangular reserve (the first character is writte ...click for details
