Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (1210)

Pair of early 19th century Goto School menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a bundle of rice stalks with other plant leaves and berries. Different design for each piece, very good casting and detailing, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Length 1.6 inches.

18th century Jakushi school of Nagasaki Japanese sword set of fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) and kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with iron body and multimetal decoration of scholarly landscape with figures, rocks, trees, huts, boats, bay and distant mountains...

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting richly dressed demon over a samurai with his hand on a sword. The subject is Omori Hikoshichi who lived in the 14th century and served Ashikaga no Takauji. One night during a shadow-casting full moon Omori met a beautiful young woman in opulent robes who asked to be carried across a stream...

19th century Edo period Goto school Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting ra bird on a flowering branch. Superb quality crisp work, multiple inlays of copper, silver, shakudo and gold, is excellent condition. Finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Extraordinary piece of Japanese metalwork. Length 1.4 inches.

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal relief inlays depicting a Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus). Wonderfully made piece with crisp metalwork, gilding and silver inlaid eyes, some wear. Length 1.29 inches.

Single 19th century menuki (Japanese sword fitting) depicting tanegashima - a matchlock gun - and a powder horn. Rather unusual subject, great design and detailing (see finely incised scrolls on the butt of the gun), gilding, overall in great condition. Length 1.59 inches.

19th century netsuke of an oni holding an octopus on its shoulder. Wonderful, probably unique subject, great carving, both characters bear a surprised expression, excellent patina. Height 1.6 inches

19th century netsuke of a man with a horn on his head, bent under the weight of a richly dressed woman on his back. The subject of the netsuke is Ikkaku Sennin (single horn Sage), a supernatural being born of a doe. According to a Japanese legend, he grew angry with the Rain Dragons and sealed them away in a cave, causing a drought. Beautiful Indian princess Sendarama was sent to tempt him and when he yielded to her, he lost his magical powers, and the rain returned...

18th century stag antler netsuke of Kan no Koso with a long sword in one hand and a severed head of the slain dragon in the other. Kan no Koso is the Japanese name for Liu Bang, the founder and first emperor (Gaozu) of the Han Dynasty. Very strong early carving, great depiction of of his severe face, graceful flow to the lines of his robe, superb wear and patina...

19th century wooden netsuke of Shoki the Demon Queller getting foot massage from an oni. Rather unusual subject, very nicely carved out of dense sakura wood with beautiful color and patina. Wonderful faces, eyes are inlaid with metal, in great condition. Length 1.36 inches.

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of yamabushi - wandering warrior priest recognizable by tokin (skull cap) on his head - sitting inside a huge shell made into a trumpet, and blowing into yet another trumpet shell. Usually for this subject the person in the shell is considered to be Benkei. Horagai - (trumpet shell - Charonia Tritonis) were often fitted with a mouthpiece on the thin end, and used as war trumpets...

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a resting wild boar, its feet tucked beneath it, head raised. Netsuke is skillfully carved by the master of the Hida school in characteristic ittobori (one cut) style with clever use of wood texture to represent the creature’s fur and add to charm of the piece. For similar examples see Bushell’s NETSUKE FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR, p. 128. Excellent rendition of facial expression, wonderful mellow patina...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke in a shape of a hexagonal ema plaque with low relief carving of a horse galloping among flowers. In some early Shinto traditions of Japan, horses were seen as carrying messages from the kami (spirits or gods), and were usually used to transmit requests during droughts or famines. Ema (literally “picture-horse’) are small wooden plaques with painted images, they are commonly sold in Shinto shrines, and on which worshippers write prayers or wishes...

19th century netsuke of Hotei wading through a swirling water as he carries a boy in a woven straw high rain hat on his back. The subject is a wonderful mitate (humorous reference) to Ikkaku Sennin crossing a stream with the Lady of Benares. Nicely carved, wonderful smiling faces, beautifully rendered robe lines and incised textile patterns, wear consistent with age, great patina. Signed TOMOYUKI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p...

18th century netsuke of a kneeling boy wearing checkered jacket and a theatrical mask of a demon with his hands by his ears intent on listening. Strong early piece with wonderful wear and fantastic honey colored patina on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono. Great vicious mask, wonderful textile pattern (worn in the middle of the back). Old loss to the tips of his fingers on the right hand...

19th century lacquered boxwood netsuke of a horagai - a trumpet shell (Charonia Tritonis). These shells in Japan were often fitted with a mouthpiece on the thin end, and used as war trumpets. Beautifully carved netsuke in Japanese taste, muted lacquer colors with some wear exposing the wood underneath, tiny chipped areas along the ridge of the shell, excellent feel of age to the piece. Length 2.42 inches.

Unusually sculptural 19th century good size netsuke of 2 shishi fighting over a hollow pierced ball. Extraordinary carving with superb detailing and volume - see their faces, powerful paws and muscular limbs, tufts of hair and long bushy tails. Expert staining, beautiful patina, very pleasant to the touch. Equally exceptional when viewed from the back...

19th century netsuke of a kneeling boy holding a theatrical mask of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) above a paper pinwheel on a stick. Extraordinary portrait quality face with a slight smile, superb carved textile patterns on his robe, clever use of ink to highlight his hair. Beautifully carved knot on his back, wonderful patina and wear. Signed on the bottom SHORAKU - the artist is Ono Shoraku, discussed on p...