Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (239)

Finely carving of a charming Pigeon resting on its characteristic true-to-form bird feet, just as shown in the book 'NETSUKE 100 Miniature Masterpieces from Japan', by Noriko Tsuchiya, that displays netsuke pieces from the The British Museum in London. Fine cohesive composition partly stained to enhance its form. Eyes inlaid with dark horn. The signature of MITSUHIRO 光廣 is intricately carved under the pigeon feet, as shown in the book's picture.

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 Peony flower (a symbol of beauty in China) and branch on each side. It has a very smooth and lustrous surface. It comes with a light brown and black agate stopper with spoon. The black color in jade is described by most sources as ‘very deep green, but, because of the high iron content, it appears black’…as these pieces of jade are very black, you tend not to see through most of the stone” This bottle appears to be very black through the naked eye. When you place a light source on its mouth, the reflection of the light does not pass through, as it is supposed to. However, when you shine a light on the sides of the bottle, its color then appears very deep dark green, with some charcoal gray wide patches and a small area of minute black intrusions. In this case, the jade appears in layers of dark green and dark-gray, almost black. The craftsman very cleverly used the darker gray/black tone of the stone’s skin to carve the Peony flowers and branches, and left the dark green layer as ground. A similar bottle was sold at auction at Skinner on 19 September 2015 for $3,567. Another Black Jade bottle with similar characteristics was sold at Christies on 13 September 2007 for $10,625 . This outstanding bottle is in remarkable preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.36 inches (6.0cm) - not including stopper Width: 2.0 inches (5.0cm) Thickness: 1.72 inches (4.3cm) Weight: 4.2 ounces

Antique Persian Bijar Heriz Serapi Hand Knotted Rug, Made in the area of Gholtugh Bijar, Kurdistan, in Iran (Old Persia) at around 1920, from 100% wool and vegetable dyes in the geometric pattern and colors common of the Heriz region. It is called a Serapi rug, because this is the name given to the better quality Seriz rugs. It measures 203cm X 115cm (81" X 46"). Shipping, via FEDEX ground is included in the price. (This rug has been professionally cleaned, and kept in a smoke-free environment)

This is a wonderfully preserved Japanese Edo Period (Late 18th / Early 19th centuries) Tosa School Monogatari-e (painted subjects depicting scenes from the life at the Imperial Court in Kyoto) Six-panel. Gold-leaf Folding Silk Screen Painting. It shows twelve scenes from chapters of the novel 'The Tale of Genji', set in two sections per screen. It measures 110 inches wide and 48 inches tall. The inside panels are 18 inches and the two outer panels are 19 inches wide. Based on the age of the painting, it could be attributed to Tosa Mitsusada (1738-1806) or Tosa Mitsuzane (1780-1852), Tosa School Master artists. The panels come in a black painted wood frame that is intricately decorated with metal hardware (strips and right angles) to protect the paint. The back of the panels have the seamless rhomboid geometric patterns on antique blue background characteristic of antique Japanese silk screens. The panel frames are also in excellent condition; all the painting on them still appears intact. The screen was hand-painted with vivid colors on silk covered with a Gold-leaf base with gold flecks. Gold Leaf is a thin and delicate foil of nearly pure gold only a few micrometers thick that were commonly used in paintings and other decorations during the Edo/Meiji Periods. The paintings are surrounded by a brocade border. There is gilded Japanese paper lining in the openings between panels. The scene paintings are in excellent condition. There are some minor scratches on a couple of the panels, as well as some small water marks. The left-most panel has some paint restoration on the background surrounding the painted scenes. Similar silk-screen paintings are sold for more than $10,000 If you live in the Miami Metropolitan area, you may pick up the screen locally

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting Three Monkeys that are squatting on top of Daikoku's Hammer. Very fine detail and harmonius form characterizes this superb miniature carving. Signed Koryu on an irregular red tablet inlaid of the barrel-like mallet. It measures 1.15 inches (2.9cm) wide, 1.94 inches (4.9cm) long, and 1.20 inches (3.1cm) tall. It is in outstanding preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos. Note: A reference to Koryu and his signature may be found on page 668 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures'

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.

Antique Persian Persian Qom [Ghom, Qum] Tree of life- Hand Knotted Rug, Made in the city of Qom, in Iran (Old Persia) at around 1920, from 100% wool and vegetable dyes in the tree-of-life motive. Rugs woven in Qom in the last 100 years are among the best quality in the market today. They are also among the most expensive and highly collectable.. The Tree of life representation is a classical tradition in carpets since ancient times, because it represents he direct path from earth to heaven. It distinguishes itself from other carpet patterns in that it s based on one of the oldest and mos universal of the religious and mythological symbols in human history. . It measures 190cm X 125cm (76" X 50"). Shipping, within the Continental United States, via FEDEX ground is included in the price. (This rug has been professionally cleaned, and kept in a smoke-free environment)

Antique Persian Bijar Heriz Serapi Hand Knotted Rug, Made in the area of Gholtugh Bijar, Kurdistan, in Iran (Old Persia) at around 1920, from 100% wool and vegetable dyes in the geometric pattern and colors common of the Heriz region. It is called a Serapi rug, because this is the name given to the better quality Seriz rugs. It measures 203cm X 115cm (81" X 46"). Shipping, within the Continental United States, via FEDEX ground is included in the price. (This rug has been professionally cleaned, and kept in a smoke-free environment)

Flattened Circular flask form, with slightly flared neck, with stylized chi-longs crawling up on the sides, having an oval raised footing with a high indentation underneath. Wide, slightly concave mouth. Its symmetrical formal shape tells us that it was probably made to represent an antique flask. Its style resembles that of some porcelain and enameled snuff bottles made during the 18th century. Well-hollowed. It comes with a green jade dome-shaped stopper. A very similar styled bottle can be seen in plate 6, #2, of ‘Snuff Bottles from China’, by Helen White. The author describes the color of the bottle as “dark green mottled with light green and black patches”. The black color in jade is described by most sources as ‘very deep green, but, because of the high iron content, it appears black’…as these pieces of jade are very black, you tend not to see through most of the stone” This bottle appears to be very black through the naked eye. When you place a light source on its mouth, the reflection of the light does not pass through, as it is supposed to. However, when you shine a light on the sides of the bottle, its color then appears very deep dark green, with some charcoal gray wide patches and a small area of minute black intrusions. The craftsman very cleverly used the darker gray-and black tone of the stone’s skin to carve the mouth and the footing of the bottle, as well as the chi-longs. This gives the bottle an impressive and interesting look. This outstanding bottle is in remarkable preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.80 inches (7.1cm) - not including stopper Width: 2.48 inches (6.3cm) Thickness: 1.28 inches (3.2cm) Weight: 3.6 ounces

This is Mutton-Fat White Jade Snuf Bottle of flattened, upright rectangular form with rounded, sloping shoulders, rounded neck, with a raised elongated oval footing. Undecorated, but, perfectly polished, and sporting a wonderful symmetry all around, and an even, near-flawless bright tone all throughout. Well-hollowed. It comes with a green jadeite flattened stopper. Its style is common of snuff bottles produced during the early 19th century. This outstanding bottle is in remarkable preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.36 inches (6.0cm) - not including stopper Width: 1.58 inches (4.0cm) Thickness: 0.72 inches (1.8cm) Weight: 2.4 ounces

Antique Persian Lilihan Hand Knotted Rug, Made in the village of Lilihan, district of Kamareh, in Iran (Old Persia) at around 1920, from 100% wool and vegetable dyes in the traditional colors and geometric flowery design, common of the region. It measures 194cm X 123cm (77" X 49"). Shipping within the Continental United States, via FEDEX ground is included in the price. (This rug has been professionally cleaned, and kept in a smoke-free environment)

1800's, finely hand-carved Japanese mix-materials netsuke depicting an Entertainer or Dancer, who is standing on one leg, in the middle of a theatrical performance. He is wearing an Usobuki mask and a dancer's robe. Excellent detail and patination; he grimaces as he attempts to lift the large stone. Signed Hozan on his Obi, near the ribbon that ties it on his back. Netsuke measures 1.04 inches (2.6cm) wide, and 1.56 inches (4.0cm) tall. It is in outstanding preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

This is a superbly Hand-carved EDO Period Boxwood Netsuke depicting a Mother, holding a trumpet in her right hand, and carrying a child on her back. The artist, on this netsuke, seems to have wanted to be unique by having the woman adopt a pose and portray a character that is normally associated with a male foreigner, such as her holding of a trumpet, which is uncharacteristic of a common Japanese woman . It is an outstanding piece representative of Tametaka, whose work, according to George Lazarnick, is "striking for its originality of design, strong character and individual treatment; full of spirit and power". Tametaka, according to George Lazarnick in his book 'Netsuke and Inro Artists and How to Read their Signatures, is the earliest known netsuke carver of Nagoya, the only one mentioned in the Soken Kisho. Founder of the Nagoya School, and of the uki-bori, or relief carving technique associated with that school '. This is the only depiction of a common Japanese woman (as compared to a female Japanese legend character) made by Tametaka, according to Fuld's Netsuke and Ojime Index. Signed Minamoto Tametaka, thought to be the same as Tametaka I, in an inlaid natural material tablet, as mentioned and illustrated by George Lazarnick, in his signature book, page 1077. This is the only inlaid work known to have been done by Tametaka, according to George Lazarnick. This awesome miniature sculpture measures 1.28 inches (3.2cm) wide, and three inches tall (7.6cm), and its in excellent preserved condition (for a 200 year-old netsuke), as shown in the attached photos. NOTE: Most Tametaka netsuke have sold for $12,000 or more by major auction houses, such as Christies and Bonhams. The netsuke shown in photo #9 were sold for $27,034, $11,950, $57,687, and $19,358, respectively. This netsuke has an estimated value of $15,000 to $18,000, according to Neil Davey. (This estimate was done at the International Netsuke Society Convention at Baltimore, MD, on 06 September 2015)

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 Kyoto School Netsuke of a Dog. Seated, facing backwards, as if responding to a call. Its thin tail raising over its back forming a look. Finely detailed hair work. Its large eyes inlaid in dark horn. Measures 1.50 inches (3.8cm) long, and one-inch (2.5cm) high.

The solid form with peg himotôshi carved in sunken relief with a Karako holding a fan on his left hand and carrying on his right hand a tree branch divided into four sections that hold objects that depict the four working classes of Japan: Farmer, Merchant, Craftsman, and Samurai, as well as inlaid tortoise shell and coral beads. One of the hanging objets, the tablet with the inscription that reads: ‘Dai Fuku Cho” – Great Fortune Accounting Book-, depicts the Merchant class. Signed Kogyokusai, one of the pupils of Moritoshi Kosai, the founder of the Moritoshi School of Manju Carvers. It is of interest to note that all the manju netsuke carved by Moritoshi Kosai and his pupils were inlaid in mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell, or coral beads, just like this one. Information about the Moritoshi School of Carvers is found on page 801 or Lazarnick’s “Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures”.

19th Century, excellently hand-carved in rare Persimmon Wood Netsuke depicting a realistic version of a Cicada that is laying upon a half Walnut shell. This netsuke is carved in intricate detail; faithful in form and image to the subject in nature that it represents. It is attributed to the Iwami School, because it presents all the characteristics of netsuke made by carvers of the region in Japan (See partial illustration - photo #10 - of the book 'Iwami Netsuke from the R. S. Huthart Collection, Rukosho Book Series, Japan): made of Kaki (persimmon) or ebony wood, depicts a natural object in nature, faithfully portraits its subjects, and resembles others models made by the Iwami carvers. Very Large, unusual himotoshi, that has been skillfully embedded into the design. Netsuke measures 1.15 inches (5.4cm) wide, 1.54 inches (3.9cm) long, and 1.05 inches (2.7cm) tall. It is excellent condition as may be seen in the posted photos.

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating oa a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. Signed Tomoyuki, a disciple of Tomochika, in an irregular oval reserve, on the bottom of the netsuke. Netsuke measures 0.92 inches (2.3cm) wide, 1.40 inches (3.5cm) long, and 1.27 inches (3.2cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photos. Note: A reference to Tomoyuki and his signature may be found on page 1167 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures'