Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Netsuke and Related (566)

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting the head of himono (gutted dried fish). Initially food taken along on a journey, dried fish came to symbolize good luck and health. Beautiful realistic carving (appears to be a head of salmon), wonderful sharp detailing, clever use of one eye as himotoshi. Superb patina on wood, in excellent condition, very pleasant to hold. Length 2.35 inches (60 mm).

Early 19th century suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke with round silvered bronze body, cloisonne outside and a swinging loop for hanging. Excellent early work in terms of Japanese cloisonne, functional netsuke shape, design of flowers among scrolling vines, matte finish, beautiful wear and patina, original pitting typical for the period, some filled areas along the rim as can be seen on photos. Diameter 1 1 5/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a water buffalo resting peacefully with its head raised and its legs gracefully tucked beneath. Superbly modeled capturing the essence of the creature, fantastic depiction of its bulk, great patina, in excellent condition. Signed ICHIBOKU TO (carved by Ichiboku) on the bottom - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 470, number 748). Length 1 5/8 inches.

Late 19th century boxwood netsuke of Daikoku standing on 3 rice bales, a mallet in one hand, a bag slung over his shoulder. Daikoku is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, that of Wealth, rice bales being the representation of it. Nice piece, wonderful smiling face, good detailing, pleasant patina. The part of the bag protruding from his left hand is reattached. Height 1 9/16 inches.

19th century buffalo horn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of a ginkgo leaf with stem. Elegant design in Japanese taste, clever use of light and dark colored horn, nice patina. Length 11/16 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of a decaying skull. Wonderful carving, beautiful patina on the surface, in excellent condition. Length 5/8 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as a head of an octopus with thoroughly useless scarf tied around its forehead (usually those scarves are used by workmen to keep the sweat out of their eyes). Great humorous design, wonderful face, natural imperfections in staghorn, compressed dust on the surface, in great condition, signed HAKUSHO on the back. Height 11/16 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of a man’s face, his mouth open in an incredibly wide yawn. Good design, nice patina on the surface, natural imperfections in staghorn, in excellent condition. Height 11/16 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in drum shape body made out of dark hardwood and staghorn, and a functioning compass on top. Very pleasant patina, in excellent condition. Diameter 5/8 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of a pomegranate with leaves, part of its skin removed and revealing seeds inside. Good design, beautiful patina, in excellent condition. Height 11/16 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) mask. Good design, nice wear, in great condition, signed HAKUSHO on the back. Diameter 9/16 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as Zen Buddhism patriarch Daruma enveloped in his monastic robe. Excellent face with expression of extreme concentration, superb warm patina, very pleasing shape. Height 11/16 inches. Wooden stand used for photography is not included.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of a hut with thatched roof, signed HAKUSHO on the back. Good design, very nice wear, overall in great condition. Height 9/16 inches.

19th century lacquer ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) of ball shape carved with 5 hexagonal reserves, 3 with different wave patterns and 2 with geometric ones. Wonderful work, beautiful design, metal liner to the central hole. Height 5/8 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a blind masseuse working on a client. The masseur has a typical bump on his head, as is usual with portrayal of blind in netsuke. Wonderful carving with great faces, muscles of the client and excellent depiction of textile lines, rich warm patina. Signed NOBUFUSA on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 834 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 1/8 inches.

19th century boxwood 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 leathery skin texture, excellent wear and patina. Length 1 11/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke depicting a playful puppy about to climb onto a back of its sibling. Wonderful sculpture, great rendition of their chubby bodies giving volume to the piece, excellent faces with horn inlaid eyes, delicately incised whiskers. Beautifully stained, superb wear and patina. Height 1 7/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke of a reclining deer with its head turned back, hooves bent beneath its body. Perfectly captured moment, wonderful sense of volume, excellent texture of its coat, beautiful patina. Length 1 3/4 inches.