Catalog: Antiques (1215)

Late 18th to early 19th century netsuke of a boy seated on a huge bag and holding a double gourd in his hands. Strong early carving with very good detailing - see the flying sleeve, different textile patterns on an old patched bag and euphoric expression on the boy’s face. Old age lines, beautiful wear and patina turning deep yellow. Signed YOSHINAGA in oval reserve on the bottom - for information on this brilliant artist see p...

18th century netsuke of a cat resting on a large abalone shell. It is uncommon to see cats in netsuke. Finely carved, great expression on its face, beautiful flow to the bumps on abalone, superb wear to the surface, warm yellow patina (darker on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono). Differently sized himotoshi typical for 18th century netsuke, with larger one being able to accommodate a knot. Old age lines, overall in great condition. Excellent early piece...

19th century boxwood netsuke of a puppy reclining inside a winnowing basket. Wonderful depiction of its chunky body and mouth open in delight, eyes are double inlaid with light and dark horn, fur is incised and etched with ink, beautiful patina. Signed NOBUMASA on the bottom - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 835. Length 1 3/8 inches.

19th century netsuke of Edo omiyage (gifts from Tokyo) including a straw bundle with clam shells, a pouch inscribed Kaminari Okoshi and containing sweetened puffed rice cookies from Asakusa, a necklace of so-called donguri (acorn) sweets, a toy whistle, a small shallow box, the back of the netsuke with a round box inscribed Omori Karashizuke Yamamoto (mustard marinated pickles from Yamamoto of Omori)...

19th century netsuke in kagamibuta (mirror lid) form. The top is solid silver with medium relief coiled dragon with fiercely open mouth and flames issuing from its body. Superb quality metalwork - see its face, claws and crisply incised differentiated scales, touches of differently colored enamels. Warm patina, beautiful bowl with stable old age line, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Very powerful piece. Diameter 1 13/16 inches.

19th century boxwood netsuke carved as a sitting man plucking the hair on his chin with a clam shell. The netsuke is shunga (erotic piece) with obvious erotic connotation of an open clam. Wonderful carving of his face with perfectly captured expression of slight pain. Beautiful flow to his robe, nicely incised textile patterns (different on kimono and vest), well made differently sized himotoshi. Superb quality material, wonderful patina with excellent sheen to the surface...

19th century boxwood netsuke of seated Gama sennin (Chinese sage) with his usual companion - three-legged magic frog - climbing onto his head. Beautiful carving with wonderful expressive face and beautiful flow of the robe with nice cloud patterns, differently sized himotoshi, very well carved leaf cape and skirt. Wonderful wear, excellent patina. Height 1 5/8 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century small Chinese ivory carving of a standing boy holding a branch with peaches on his shoulders. Nicely done, very pleasant patina, in great condition, fixed on well carved hardwood stand. Height of the figure 1 1/2 inches, height with stand 1 13/16 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in a modified hexagonal drum shape, its outside cast with a sinuous water dragon chasing a Precious Gem. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape. Nice old piece with very pleasant patina on metal. Maximum width 1 5/8 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Radha beautifully flexing her body, her arms wide spread, a betel nut in her right hand, cast in the State of Orissa. Radha is a Hindu goddess and a chief consort of the god Krishna and is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion and devotion. She is the avatar of Lakshmi and is also described as the chief of gopis (milkmaids), who are entranced by Krishna playing flute...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of dancing Krishna playing a flute, cast in the State of Orissa. This avatar of Vishnu playing flute for gopis is known as Krishna Venugopala (as always in this image, flute was cast separately, and is missing). Excellent casting and detailing (see his eyes inlaid with silver), wonderful face, beautiful patina, very pleasant feel of age to the sculpture. Height 5 7/8 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of dancing Krishna playing a flute, cast in the State of Orissa. This avatar of Vishnu playing flute for gopis is known as Krishna Venugopala (as always in this image, flute was cast separately, and is missing). Excellent casting and detailing (see the loose ends of his tied loincloth), wonderful face, beautiful patina, very pleasant feel of age to the sculpture. Height 5 1/4 inches.

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a rectangular throne with probhavali at his back, his vahana (vehicle) - a bandicoot rat - by his left foot, and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. This Ganesha has his trunk turned to the left, and it is strongly advisable for worshippers to keep left sided Ganesha statue at home. They are believed to be representing Ida Nadi (lunar energy) with its moonlike nature and feminine energy with a cooling effect...

18th century votive Indian bronze sculpture depicting the mother goddess Durga standing on the back of her vehicle - a roaring lion - and slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Durga is the most powerful female deity in the Hindu pantheon. She is grabbing the hair of the demon with one hand while holding in her back hands various weapons symbolic of the attributes of all the gods given to her to slay the demon...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on a rectangular throne, with his vahana (vehicle) - a bandicoot rat - in his lap, and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. There is a protective naga (cobra) above his head. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking such as marriage or new business. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is prayed to in some forms of Tantric worship...

18th century votive Indian bronze sculpture depicting the mother goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura, with her right foot resting on the back of her vehicle - a roaring lion. Durga is the most powerful female deity in the Hindu pantheon. She has a spear in one front hand, and is grabbing the hair of the demon with the other. In her back hands Durga holds various weapons symbolic of the attributes of all the gods given to her to slay the demon...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Ganesha sitting on an elevated base and holding his usual attributes in his 4 hands. There is a protective naga (cobra) wrapped around his waist. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and thus is invoked before any new undertaking such as marriage or new business. He bestows good luck on his worshippers, and is prayed to in some forms of Tantric worship...

18th century Indian bronze votive sculpture of Nandi - the vehicle of Shiva, or sometimes considered to be a form of Shiva himself. It rests wearing rich trappings in front of Shiva lingam. Very nice casting, wonderful feel of age produced by devotional wear and compressed sandalwood paste used during worship. Very good devotional object, pleasant to hold. Length 2 inches.