18th century netsuke of a standing Dutchman with his mouth open, clutching a long-tailed rooster to his chest with one hand, wearing a hat, long coat, gaiters and shoes. Rare subject - Englebert Kaempfer (doctor with the Dutch East India Company who traveled to Edo in 1691-92) singing for Shogun Tsunayoshi at the annual reception of the foreigners in Edo...

18th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke of a shishi (Buddhist lion) crouching by rockery. Strong early carving, nicely captured playful attitude of the beast, unusual raised umbrella-like bushy tail. Large deep himotoshi, great patina with characteristic ebony sheen. Length 1 7/16 inches.

Rather unusual 18th century stag antler netsuke carved as young Yoshitsune holding naginata (a machete on a wooden shaft) as he performs a high jump over the hand of warrior monk Benkei on the Gojo Bridge. For an account of the historical encounter of Yoshitsune and Benkei at the Gojo bridge in Kyoto see H. Joly LEGEND IN JAPANESE ART, p. 82. Unusual treatment of the subject, supremely clever use of the natural shape of available carving material...

18th century good size wooden netsuke of a monstrously tall South Seas islander wearing a leaf skirt and holding a fish in one hand, with a man in Chinese robe hardly reaching a knee level of the giant and raising his hand in amazement. Unusual subject, very strong early carving with obvious and expected wear, wonderful face with wide open mouth, superb patina with beautiful warm sheen, deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time. Perfectly balanced - stands on its own...

This is finely carved 18th Century Japanese netsuke depicting Jittoku Sennin. He is a Chinese Shih Teh who appears as a boyish figure that is marked with the wrinkles of old age. He is often depicted holding a broom, such as in this case. Incredible large chimney himotoshi, common of netsuke made during the Edo period of Japan. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.64 inches (4.2cm) wide, and 2.01 inches (5.1cm) tall...

18th century netsuke of the magic horse appearing from a dried gourd. According to a Japanese legend the gourd belonged to Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) who could summon the magic horse out of it to be transported wherever he wanted. Elegantly carved piece with great face and mane. Beautiful wear and patina. Length 1 9/16 inches.

18th century netsuke of a lying dog with the front part of its body resting on a squished cloth ball. Superb early piece, powerful carving, wonderful face with large horn inlaid eyes, great depiction of its bone and muscle structure, excellent hairwork. Beautiful warm patina turning yellow, old age lines, no breaks, losses or repairs. Excellent sculpture. Length 1 3/4 inches.

18th century netsuke of a reclining monkey, its front paws and upper body resting on a large chestnut. Very strong early piece, great thoughtful face, excellent incised and etched hair, wonderful detailing of its fingers and toes. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, warm yellow patina (darker on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono), large and deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time. Length 1 15/16 inches.

18th century netsuke of a seated skinny dog wearing a collar with bell and resting one front paw on a cloth ball. Strong early piece, beautifully carved - great face with horn inlaid eyes, wonderful rendition of its spine and ribs, superbly carved paws, netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, beautiful wear and patina (some irregularities on the surface on the darker colored part of its back), old age lines...

18th century painted wood netsuke of a sennin (Chinese sage) wearing a tattered robe and holding a bamboo stick in his hand and a double gourd on his shoulder. Netsuke represents Chokwaro sennin - a Chinese sage who could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Made in saishiki technique - the wood is covered with gesso, which in turn is painted in bright colors...

18th century netsuke of sennin (Chinese sage) standing with one foot raised, clad in tiger skin skirt and holding in his hands tassels that support a large woven straw hat on his back. Strong early piece with superb smiling face, beautiful flow to the lines of his skirt. Wonderful wear to the surface from more than 200 years of handling, beautiful yellow patina turning light honey color on the back from wear against the silk of kimono, old age lines...

18th century netsuke of seated Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune, usually associated with longevity) leaning on one hand. Wonderful early carving of characteristic triangular section, smiling benevolent face, great fat earrings, beautifully etched textile patterns, some black and red highlights. Expert light staining, superb patina. Height 1 1/8 inches.

Antique Japanese okimono carving of a little skeleton on top of a larger skull. Made of boxwood with a beautiful patina. Intricately carved to show every bone of the small skeleton and the teeth of the skull. The artist's humor is displayed in both style and subject matter.

Age: Edo Period (17th century)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" high

Cast bronze vase. Very elegant unusual shape. Decorated with a dragon in high relief. Probably Japanese rather chinese and very old Edo period, 18th century or before. The metal has an excellent patina of a beautiful brown color. Below a mark with Chinese characters. 205mm x 185mm. Slightly dented, barely visible. Original patina, not cleaned.

Cast Bronze Candlestick. Edo Japan Lost wax cast bronze candlestick. Beautiful cast iron and scraper finish. Decoration of Buddhist lions in relief. The candle receptacle is made of 4 hammered bronze lotus petals, these petals, thin enough, have a flexibility allowing the candles to be held perfectly. The two removable handles have the shape of Buddhist lions. Excellent bronze patina. Japanese work from the beginning of the Edo period, difficult to date with accuracy, 18th century or before...

A pair of exceptional and extremely rare dramatic antique 17th century Japanese bronze lanterns from a prominent Tokugawa temple courtyard. Each lantern is made of 10 individual cast bronze sections. Heavenly creatures and symbology are abundant and include: fu-dogs, apsaras (Heavenly People & Celestial Beings).
Apsaras a symbol of beauty, good fortune, fertility, heaven. A feminine shape-shifting spirits of the waters and clouds. They were created to pleasure heroes and the gods...

A Japanese sword "menuki" of 3 sparrows that was converted into an obidome during the Taisho period. The bronze color of the metal gives a naturalistic brown coloration to the birds--their beaks, eyes and feet are highlighted in gold. The fitted back is in 9 karat gold. Age: Menuki 18th century.

A pair of lacquered iron abumi (Japanese stirrups) decorated in fine gold and nashiji (pear skin) lacquer on a roiro urushi, black lacquer ground. Each carries a Tokugawa aoi crest (three hollyhock leaves in a circle) within scrolling leaf background, the bottom constructed with wood pieces within an iron frame which made it lighter, thus gave a better control. Edo period (17th/18th century).  9" high, 5 1/4" wide.