Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (239)

Very Rare Pattern, Amygdaloidal Basalt Snuff Bottle of Flattened Circular shape, supported on an oval footrim, the gently slopping shoulders rising to a cylindrical neck; the mottled mostly brown stone ground suffused by gray-green-tan, orange epidote and calcite irregular but attractive intrusions. Well-hollowed. It was probably made during the Qing Dynasty, 1760-1850. This bottle comes with a green jadeite stopper with black collar. Note: Amygdaloidal Basalt is also referred as volcanic puddingstone. According to Bob C. Stevens in the Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, New York and Tokyo, 1980, p. 159, it 'is a conglomerate made of cinders, ash, broken fragments (braccias) and epidote (a blue-green mineral), all intermixed with lava. A similar shaped bottle is illustrated in Stevens, op.cit., fig 617. PROVENANCE: Bonhams, 2019 This outstanding bottle is in remarkable preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.20 inches (5.6cm) - not including stopper Width: 1.44 inches (3.6cm) Thickness: 0.68 inches (1.7cm) Weight: 1.6 ounces

Pair of Twin Circular Screens made from Translucent Jade, with applied Black Jade, White Jade, Nephrite Jade, Agate, Carnelian, Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Coral and more, carved into multiple compositions of flowering plants on rock formations with hovering butterflies. The carved circular Jade Disks rest on carved wood stands. Each carved jade disk measures 12 inches.

Excellently preserved original condition.

1800's, excellently hand-carved Japanese mix-materials netsuke depicting Okame performing the Japanese custom of Mamemaki (bean scattering) during Setsubun (the day before the beginning of Spring) to cleanse away all the evil (demons) of the former year, and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. In the scene depicted by the netsuke, Okame is covering her face while grinning when she sees the Oni's (demons) trying to hide from the beans that she is throwing and that are landing on top of them. Wonderfully detailed version of the Oni behind her who is using his right hand to cover his head. Signed Tomochika on the bottom of the box where Okame is sitting. Netsuke measures 1.08 inches (2.7cm) wide, and 1.16 inches (3.0cm) tall. It is in outstanding preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos. This netsuke was made prior to 1900, during the early 19th century, in other words, sometime between 1800 and 1849. Note: A reference to carver Tomochika, and his signature may be found on pages 1148 and 1152 of George Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists and how to Read their Signatures

This is a superbly carved, late 19th Century, wood netsuke depicting a seated cross-legged man, his chin rested on his folded arms, with an anxious look on his face, as he receives the Moxa treatment. The man has a tobacco pouch with coral inlays, a pipe holder, and a kagamibuta coral inlaid netsuke resting on his folded legs. Curiously, the man also sports a black and red coral dot inlays on his left and right shoulders, respectively. A nice and unique touch by the carver. Netsuke is signed Sozan, a So School carver, follower of Joso, on the rug where the man is seated. The artist has used a wonderful mix of wood, and other natural materials and colors to create a very realistic representation of a character and objects that were popular during the time and place represented by this piece. Outstanding preserved condition. Netsuke measures 1.10 square inches (2.8 sq cm) wide on the bottom, and 1.38 inches (3.5cm) tall. NOTE: A reference of Sozan and his signature may may be found in page 1043 of George Lazarnick's book: 'Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures", 1982 edition.

This is a superbly carved 19th Century Japanese Netsuke, depicting a seated Young Gama Sennin, wearing mugwort leave clothes, happily playing with a large toad that he is holding with a rope. He has by his side a rice straw basket filled with mugwort leaves. Wonderful expression, excellent form and detail, all throughout. Signed Gyokuyosai, the teacher of Osaki Kokusai. The holding of animals with a rope by young boys is a particular characteristic of Gyokuyosai carvings. Netsuke measures 1.34 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.24 inches (3.1cm) tall. NOTE: A reference to Gyokuyosai and his signature is found on pages 432-33 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists and How to Read their Signatures'.

Finely carved Japanese Netsuke Depicting a Kappa laying on top of a Shell. According to Karl Schwartz, in his book 'Netsuke Subjects', Kappa is a Goblin who lived in rivers, having a body resembling a frog with a carapace like a turtle. Its head is similar to that of a Monkey with a cavity on top which must always be filled with water. It is mischievous and is often in love with young girls. This wonderful miniature sculpture was carved by Kozan, a little known artist, dating back to Early 19th century. This piece bears his Kozan signature on the bottom of the shell, near the himotoshi. Netsuke measures two inches (5.1cm) wide, 1.66 inches (4.2cm) deep, and 0.96 inches (2.4cm) tall. It is in excellent condition

This is a very fine, flattened, rounded square form Snuff Bottle with a straight round neck, rounded sloping shoulders, resting on a raised oval footing. Made of Black Jade. The bottle is well hollowed, decorated with slight high relief carving of a butterfly hovering over a flower bush. The reversed side shows a snail slightly above a fish that is coming out of the water. The sides display Fu Lion masks with mock ring handles. It has a very smooth and lustrous surface. It comes with a light brown and black agate stopper with spoon. A similar bottle was sold at auction at Bonhams, Hong Kong, on 27 May 2012, for $19,311. Another Black Jade bottle with similar characteristics was also sold at Bonahams, Hong Kong, on 25 May 2011, for $10,054. See photos #9, and #10. Bottle Measurements Height: 1.68 inches (4.2cm), not including the stopper Width: 0.94 inches (2.4cm) Thickness: 0.41 inches (1.0cm) Weight: 1.8 ounces

This is an excellently hand-carved netsuke depicting a Japanese Legend Hero wrestling, and about to strike a fierce Shishi. He holds a long ribbon tie that loops over the tail of the dog and wraps around his arms ending in a loop at his waist. The man has a determined expression and his fits are clenched. The Shishi has fine detail to its paws ,its fierce face and fluffy tail. Signed Nagasada on the sole of the Hero’s right shoe, a carver who worked in the late 18th / Early 19th century, according to George Lazarnick in his book: ‘Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures’, page 818 Netsuke measures 1.44 inches (3.6cm) wide, and 1.58 inches (4.0cm) tall. This exquisite miniature sculpture is in outstanding condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

This is a rare, seldom seen, Snuff Bottle made from Shagreen (Stingray Skin), of a flattened rectangular form, with a flat footing, and a rounded neck. It shows the natural bumps of the stingray skin which have been shortened, and now have a back background with hundreds of gray dots. It is very light in weight. It comes with a coral over a yellow calchedony band stopper. This rare and curious bottle is in excellent preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.25 inches (5.7cm) - not including stopper Width: 1.55 inches (4.0cm) Thickness: 0.60 inches (1.5cm) Weight: 0.8 ounces

An Early Celadon and Russet Snuff Bottle, 1730 - 1780

This is a well-hollowed, Flattened, Circular form, nephrite Snuff Bottle of even Celadon color with wavy russet veins that seem to just appear from the left to form shrub-like forms that serve as its natural decoration; flare neck, wide flat mouth, and an oval rectangular raised footing.

Following a form widely used in the 18th century, in China, it sports a symmetrical circular form that emphasizes its flared neck and raised footing. It comes with an early form metal stopper with white jade dome formed stone. Most likely made during the Early Qianlong Period (1730-1780).

Excellently preserved original condition.

Bottle Measurements

Height: 2.08 inches (5.3cm), including stopper

Width: 1.80 inches (4.5cm)

Thickness: 0.70 inches (1.8cm)

Weight: 2.6 ounces

For similar examples refer to item 283, 296, and 436 , 'The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles, by Bob C. Stevens

Edo Period, finely hand-carved boxwood netsuke depicting a Wolf, or Mountain Dog, Yamainu, with his paw raised and placed on top of a Minogame (Turtle). Excellent detail and ferocious expression have been carved on this popular netsuke subject by Tomomasa. Double inlaid eyes. Wonderfully preserved for more than 150 years. Rich patina. It measures 0.92 inches (2.3cm) wide, 1.64 inches (4.2cm) long, and 1.41 inhes (3.6cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos. Note: A reference to Tomomasa and his signature may be found on page 1156 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures'

This is an Early 19th Century, excellently hand-carved Japanese Netsuke depicting Tengu, the legendary winged creature that has both human and bird-like characteristics. He appears in its typical form emerging from an egg with its wings spread over it. Very creative used of the natural material colors in the design of the clouds. Very rich patina. Signed Toyomasa in the format he used when he used the go Shonshoan. Netsuke measures 1.15 inches (2.9cm) wide, 1.84 inches (4.7cm)long, and 1.41 inches (3.6cm( tall. NOTE: A reference to the carver and his signature may be found in pages 1190 through 1194 of Lazarnick's Netsuke and Inro Artists and How to Read their Signatures.

This is a excellently carved Japanese Netsuke depicting a group of 10 rats gathered on top of turtle. Outstanding symmetry and detailed piece; very life-like. Signed on an oval reserve, Akihisa, a carver that worked in the 19th century in Japan. Netsuke measures 1.65 inches (4.2cm) wide, and 0.96 inches (2.4cm) tall.

This is a 19th century Japanese Netsuke, in a somewhat rare depicting of Shoki, the "Demon Queller", a mythical being, the hero of a Chinese legend of the T'ang Dynasdy, who became the ghostly protector of the Emperor Meiko, who is carrying, actually dragging, a very large bag 'Full of Oni's". A stern and very serious expression on Shoki's face. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.95 inches (5.0) wide, 0.78 inches (2.0) deep, and 0.85 (2.2cm) tall. It is in excellent condition.

19th Century, finely Hand-Carved Netsuke depicting a Large Shishi that is playfully pushing a ball with its left paw stands on a platform right next to a kneeling Karako that appears to be offering a treat to the Lion Dog. Action Figure with powerful form and expression. Stained for effect. The platform is decorated with peonies. Chimey himotoshi that starts in the middle of the platform and continues with the spaces formed by the legs of the Shishi. Signed (Ryukosai) Jugyoku (1815 – 1877), on a rectangular reserve. Right next to it, an inscription incised on an oval reserve reads “82 years”. This fine miniature sculpture measures 1.48 inches (3.8cm) wide, 1.18 inches (3.0cm) deep, and 1.80 inches (4.6cm) tall. It shows some wear commensurate with its age, but, it is solid, as may be seen in the posted photos. Note: Information about Jugyoku, and his signature may be found on page 546 of Lazarnick's: Netsuke and Inro Artists and how to read their Signatures.

19th Century Chinese High Relief Carved Agate Snuff Bottle This is a very fine, 19th century, Flattened , Rectangular form with concaved foot and straight neck, well hollowed Agate snuff bottle. It has carved, in high relief, the image of Shoulao under a Peach Tree with a deer on one side, and a chrysanthemum plant on the reverse. It comes with a green jadeite stopper. The bottle is in excellent preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.32 inches (5.8cm) - Not including stopper Width: 1.47 inches (3.7cm) Thickness: 1.0 inches (2.5cm) Weight: 2.2 ounces A similar bottle was sold at auction at Skinner's (Boston) for $980 on 02 June 2011, See photo #6

This is an excellently and intricately carved boxwood netsuke depicting a Boat full of passengers (11 of them) dressed in various garb, carrying different articles and set in different poses. One of them, in the rear of the boat, seems to be either sunbathing or nurturing an ailment; another is wearing a large Amigasa Kasa hat; there is woman carrying a baby in her arms. It is full of great form and expressions. Unsigned. Netsuke has a rich patina. It measures 0.78 inches (2.0cm) wide, 2.25 inches (5.7cm) long, and 0.85 inches (2.2cm) tall. It is in outstanding preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

Early 19th century, finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a muscular Toad that has placed itself on top of a decaying Well Bucket. Excellent form and detail on this classical representation of the subject. Nails on bucket sides are inlaid in black horn. Chimney himotoshi that starts on the bottom of the bucket, and continues through its middle handle. The very rich patina that this carving has acquired through the ages has given it a dark color tone. Signed Masanao on the bottom of the bucket. Based on the way that the characters of the signature are written, it is most likely that the carver of this piece was Shinpuken Masanao. It measures 0.98 inches (2.5cm) wide, and 1.08 inches (2.7cm) long, and 1.30 inches (3.3cm) tall. It is in outstanding preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos. Note: A reference to Shinpuken Masanao and his signature may be found on page 723-4 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures'