Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (239)

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.

This is a 19th century, excellently hand-carved Netsuke depicting a very surprised Rat Catcher, who is standing on one foot, while holding the tale of a rat that is crawling on his back. Another rat is crawling on the floor , near his foot. Outstanding detail and expression, as well as a two-tone patina. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.10 inches (2.8cm) wide, and 2.78 inches (7.1cm) tall.

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.

This is a 19th century excellently hand-carved netsuke depicting a Kyogen and Noh Mask Group of Nine. Among the ancient Japanese Theater represented on this mask are: Hannya, Buaku, Okame, Okina, Otafuku, Oji, Osofuki, Noborihige, and Tenjin. Signed Koichi in an oval rectangular reserve, right next to the himotoshi. It measures 1.65 inches (4.2cm) in diameter, and 1.08 inches (2.8cm) thick. It is in excellent preserved condition.

This is a finely hand carved, Mid-19th Century, Mixed Materials Netsuke depicting an Entertainer who is kneeling while in the middle of a theatrical performance. He is wearing an Okame mask with red-painted lips. He is also sporting a pouch that is being held around his waist by a manju netsuke. Excellent details on both the actors expression's and clothing. Wonderful, rich patina. Signed Issen on the bottom of the piece. This excellent miniature sculpture measures 0.88 inches (2.3cm) wide, and 1.86 inches (4.8cm) tall. NOTE: The reference to the carvers signature, Issen, is found on page 520 of George Lazarnick's "Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures", 1982 edition.

Finely carved Japanese, 19th century, netsuke depicting Daikoku, one of the seven Gods of Fortune, the god of wealth, shown as an entertainer, playing the flute, while a karako appears right beside him while performing an acrobatic act. Signed Tomochika. Excellent details, form and expressions on this piece, with a wonderful patina. Netsuke measures 0.98 inches (2.5cm) wide, 0.70 inches (1.8cm) deep, and 1.55 inches (3.9cm) tall. It is in excellent condition, as shown in the posted photos.

This is 19th century, hand-0carved netsuke depicting two Karakos with typical costume who are holding a large Daruma Doll. Netsuke measures 1.24 inches (3.1cm) wide, and 2.12 inches (5.4cm) tall. Netsuke is in excellent condition, as may seen in the posted photos.

19th Century, Finely Hand-Carved Wood Tonkotsu with excellent and colorfull inlays/incrustations depicting a Sea Life Landscape with fish, clamshells, shrimp, crab, snail, jellyfish and algae. Beautiful representation of a marine scenery. The netsuke matches the theme with a depiction of an open clamshell with a village scene made up of a house with balcony and rooftop, as well as people standing or sitting about. The clamshell seems to have been made with hanoki wood, covered in Gesso (plaster) and paint that has come off with tiime and use. The cilindrical shaped wooden ojime is decorated with contiguous carved arches. The tonkotsu is signed with golden lacquer on one of its sides. The tonkotsu measures 3.38 inches (8.6cm) wide, 1.92 inches (4.9cm) deep, and 2.56 inches (6.5cm) tall. The netsuke measures 1.56 inches (4.0cm) wide, and 1.23 inches (3.1cm) tall. Signed. The Ojime measures 0.64 inches (1.7cm) wide, and 0.35 inches (0,9cm) thick. All components are in excellent condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

This is a Superb 1800's hand-carved boxwood rendering of a muscular blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar netsuke, an excellent example of this popular Japanese character, who is crouching and lifting a heavy Stone. He is wearing only a fundoshi. Outstanding detail, clever use of the materials, and patination; His left eye and teeth are inlaid with a natural material. Very nice uneven himotoshi. Signed Gyokkei in a red stained rectangular inlaid natural material reserve. It measures 1.20 inches (3.0cm) wide, and 1.41 inches (3.6cm) tall. It is in outstanding preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos. Note: A reference to Gyukkei and his signature may be found on page 417-8 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures THIS NETSUKE WAS HAND-CARVED DURING THE 1800's, in other words, sometime between 1800 and 1899.

This is a 19th Century, flattened rectangular with rounded shoulders form snuff bottle, rounded short neck, and flat oval footing. It is made from Puddingstone. The stone has a creamy creamy suffused background, with blots of gray and black. It comes with a grayish russet stopper with spoon. This elegantly looking piece is in excellent preserved condition. a similar form sand material snuff bottles is illustrated in 'The Collector's Book of Snuff Bottles", by Bob C. Stevens, Item 666 page 113. Photo #8: A similar bottle that was part of the Ruth and Carl Barron Collection was sold at Christies for $3,000 on 15 Sep 2015 Bottle Measurements Height: 2.09 inches (5.3cm) - not including stopper Width: 1.51 inches (3.8cm) Thickness: 0.78 inches (1.9cm) Weight: 1.4 ounces

This is a 19th century, Molded and Enameled Snuff Bottle, of flattened ovoid form, with shoulders slopping to a waisted neck and everted mouth rim, tapering toward a slightly concave oval foot, molded with a dragon that is enveloping the entire piece. It has been carved and colored to look like cinnabar lacquer. It comes with a green jadeite flattened stopper. This interesting snuff bottle is in excellent preserved condition Bottle Measurements Height: 2.58 inches (6.6cm) Width: 1.45 inches (3.7cm) Thickness: 0.93 inches (2.4cm) Weight: 1.4 ounces

This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Wood Netsuke depicting Ikkaku Sennin (the Single Horn Sage) carrying on his back the beautiful Lady Sendaramo. According to Legend, Ikkaku is an inmortal who could no resist the sight of women on the earth, and he was punished by the loss of his power. He fell in love and married the beautiful Lady Sendaramo, with whom the Sennin is often depicted, carrying her home on his back. Wonderful carving with very fine details. Unsigned. It measures 0.87 inches (2.2cm) wide, and 2.30 inches (5.8cm) tall. It is in excellent condition, as shown in the posted photos.

This is a 19th century made bottle of a thick Bulbous rectangular form with rounded edges, thick straight neck, wide lips and mouth, and recessed oval footing. The well-hollowed bottle has been made in imitation of Realgar, with its mottled shades of red and orange in erratic nebulous forms. Its form was commonly used in the 19th century, and its illustrated in the 'Collector's Bood of Snuff Bottles', item #165, page 65. It comes with a blue aventurine stopper with metal collar. It is in excellent preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.30 inches (5.8cm) - Not including stopper Width: 1.80 inches (4.6cm) Thickness: 1.38 inches (3.5cm) Weight: 3.4 ounces A similar material bottle was sold at Christie's, as part of the Ruth and Carl Barron Collection, sale #5, on 14 March 2017, for $1,750 hammer price, without premium. Photo #8.

This is finely carved Japanese netsuke depicting a Herb Boy standing right next to his OX. Both figures rest upon a platform where the himotoshi is found. Very nice form and mellow patina. Signed Meizan. Netsuke measures 11.28 inches (3.3cm), and 1.08 inches (2.8cm) tall. Note: A reference to the carver Meizan and his signature may be found on page 754 of George Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists and How to Read their Signatures.

This is a finely carved 19th century boxwood netsuke depicting a sleepy Momotaro, a name that means Elder son of the Peach, who is seated as he emerges from the kernel of a giant Peach that rests on top of a tree branch. Awesome detail on this well-rendered miniature sculpture. Age patination has given this piece a well defined dark coloring; more pronounced on the bottom of the netsuke. It sports a natural chimney himotoshi that begins on the bottom of the peach and continues through the space between peach's exocarp, or outer skin, and the back of the boy. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.56 inches (4.0cm) wide, and 1.06 inches (2.7cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

This a Kioto School Netsuke, carved in Late 18th century, that depicts a seated and laughing Hotei. His robe falling open to reveal a large belly. The robe with incised leave branches. Hotei's hand and feet unsually large. Large, faithful time-period chimney himotoshi. Wonderful two-tone patina. Netsuke measures 1.55 inches (3.9cm) wide, and 1.45 inches (3.7cm) tall. It has some age hairlines, common to netsuke this old, but, it is solid, and otherwise, in excellent condition.

This is a finely carved Japanese netsuke depicting Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, the God of Wealth and Longevity, holding a turtle on his left hand and a staff on his right hand. A turtle, in Japanese culture, symbolizes longevity and happiness. Behind Fukurokuju there is a Karako holding a Buddhist Cintamani or wish-fulfilling Jewel. Signed Masatoshi on the bottom of the netsuke. It measures 1.02 inches (2.6cm) wide, and 1.86 inches (4.7cm) tall. Note: A reference to the carver Masatoshi, and his signature may be found on page 734 of George Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists and how to Read their signatures.

Moss Agate (also called a form of Dendritic Chalcedony) Snuff Botle of flattened rectangular shape, supported on a raised oval elongated footrim, the gently slopping shoulders rising to a cylindrical neck, with concave and wide mouth; the stone showing cluster of mineral (iron or Manganese ixide) of green and brown colors on a grayish ground on one side, and muddle ferns and tree branches mostly in green, dark green and some brown patches, on the other side.

Very well hollowed; so much so, that the artisan who worked the inside of the bottle must have spent countless hours carving the inside to obtain such thin walls, making the bottle lighter than other bottles of similar size. The bottle comes with a white jade with some green inclusions.

The outstanding bottle is in remarkable preserved condition.

A similar shaped bottle was sold at auction by IGabel, on 28 April 2020, for $3,125.00. See photo #8

Bottle Measurements

Height: 2.62 inches (6.6cm) - not including stopper

Width: 2.17 inches (5.5cm)

Thickness: 1.05 inches (2.6cm)

Weight: 2.4 ounces