Catalog (288)

19th Century, nicely hand-carved Ebony Netsuke depicting Ama, the Diving and Fisher Girl, standing with a basket on her back, accepting the advances of the amorous Octopus that is enveloping her legs with its tentacles and placing one of them in her private parts. The netsuke is unsigned. It measures 0.75 inches (1.9cm) wide, and 2.68 inches (6.8cm) tall. It is in excellent conditon, as may be seen in the posted photos.

19th Century, Boxwood Netsuke finely hand-carved and engraved boxwood netsuke depicting a squatting Karako (Chinese Boy), wearing the customary Chinese garb, hiding an Okame mask behind his back. He is doing the Bekkanko gesture, which tells us that he is playing a game with his friends where the objective is for other people to guess what he is hiding. Nice compact form; great expression and form details; nice mellow patina. Netsuke measures 1.27 inches (3.2cm) wide, and 1.51 inches (3.8cm) tall. It is in excellent condition, as you may be able to see in the posted photos.

19th Century Japanese Netsuke depicting a Shishi on a Stand. Wonderful detail, rich patina. Unsigned. It measures 0.54 inches (1.4cm), and 1.40 inches (3.6cm).

This is a 19th century Japanese Netsuke depicting a standing Shoki, the demon-queller, with his drawn sword on his right arm; a stern expression on his face. Some of the porous characteristic of this material is observed on the bottom of the netsuke. Nice, uneven himotoshi shows signs of use. Unsigned. It measures 1.08 inches (2.8cm) wide, and 2.02 inches (5.1cm) tall.

This is a finely made Blue and White Porcelain Snuff Bottle, of tubular form with straight neck and rolled rim, resting on an unglazed footing, with a patterned band around the shoulder and neck. It depicts three figures with a donkey. It has a six-character Yongzheng mark on the base in undergrlaze blue. It comes with a rosette ceramic stopper. This excellent looking bottle is in remarkable preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.86 inches (7.3cm) - not including stopper Diameter: 1.34 inches (3.4cm) Weight: 2.0 ounces

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.

This is charming Netsuke, hand-carved during the 19th century in Japan, that depicts a Seated Man, who is beating on a Drum, while stroking his long beard with his left hand. Use and handling has given this piece a nice mwllow patina and a smooth and lustrous surface. It feels very nice to the touch. It is signed in what appears as Hiragana script, but, we are not able to interpret its meaning. It is in excellent preserved condition. It measures 1.25 inches (3.2cm) wide, 1.62 inches (4.1cm) long, and 1.20 inches (3.0cm) tall.

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 a rather rare subject Netsuke made during the 19th century, in Japan, that depicts a rat that is gnawing at a large radish, on top of a straw rice scoop. The rat and radish are made from Sentokudo, a bronze alloy, that has acquired a dark patina with the passage of time. The ring at the bottom of the rice scoop serves as himotoshi. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.46 inches (3.7cm) wide, 1.68 inches (4.2cm) long, and 0.25 inches (6mm) thick. It is in excellent preserved condition.

19th Century Japanese Boxwood Netsuke: Acrobat over a Mitsu-Tomoe Disk Signed (Ono) Ryomin This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting an Acrobat executing an aerial squatting maneuver over a Mitsu-Tomoe Disk. The Mitsu-Tomoe is also commonly known as a Solar Disk, although it is actually the symbol of the Buddhist Shinto Trinity (the earth, the heavens, and humankind), which represents the play of forces in the Cosmos. Outstanding form, detail and expression on this miniature sculpture with double inlaid eyes. Signed (Ono) Ryomin in an oval reserve on the bottom of the disk, over one of the rotating swirls. Netsuke measures 1.20 inches (3.0cm) in diameter, and 1.82 inches (4.6cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition. Note: A reference to Ono Ryomin and his signature may be found on page 884 of Lazarnick's 'Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures'

19th Century (Tall) Japanese Boxwood Netsuke: Mythical Animal This is a rather rare representation of a Soken Kisho inspired Mythical Animal, that was carved by an anonymous artisan during the 19th century in Japan. It has a Dragon shaped body with delineated scales, a sprouting unicorn, and a long curled and wavy tail. It is made of light wood, possibly cypress wood, and is covered with a reddish-brown lacquer. On its right side it is inscribed with archaic characters. The tail of the mythical animal serves as natural himotoshi. A similar model of the mythical animal that this carving represents may be found on page 89 of George Lazarnick's book: Netsuke and Inro Artists, and How to Read their Signatures. Because of its size, 9cm (3.54 inches), it is considered a Tall netsuke. Most Japanese netsuke measure between 1.5 to 2 inches. It is in great preserved condition.

This is another example of a Mythical Animal or Demon. It has the body of a dragon with deep delineated scales and large claws instead of hands, a demon face with goat-styled horns, and lion-style hair. Its tail that wraps around its feet. It is signed. It measures 0.97 inches (2.4cm) wide, and 1.97 inches (5.0cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition.

This is a finely hand-carved 19th century netsuke depicting a Horse outfitted with an elegant saddle that appears standing on a base that functions as a Seal. The seal shows traces of ink. An opening in the middle of the seal serves as chimney himotoshi. It has a rich patina and shows a luster and smooth surface. Netsuke measures 0,42 inches (1.1cm) wide, 1.34 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.15 inches (2.9cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition.

This is a finely carved Netsuke of a Group of Seals. The seals are arranged next to a tiered box. The knobs of the seals are carved as a Shishi, a reishi group, and a rock. One of the seals has a loose ring. One seals has been placed on top of the tiered box. All seals are engraved with red-stained characters. Netsuke measures 1.35 X 1.23 inches (3.4cm X 3.1cm), and 0.62 inches (1.6cm) tall. Unsigned. Netsuke is in excellent preserved contdition.

This is a 19th century finely hand-carved Hidemasa-styled Netsuke depicting a seated Hotei, carrying a large bag of fortune over his shoulders while holding a fan with his right hand. Two Karakos are with the God of Happiness, one is seated over the edge of his robes, while the other is on top of the bag right next to the deity's head. The garments of Hotei and Karakos are decorated with spiraling scrolls in the style of Hidemasa. Unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.62 inches (4.1cm) wide, and 1.35 inches (3.4cm) tall. Netsuke is in excellent preserved condition.

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 a 19th Century, Dear Horn Antler Ryusa Manu Netsuke carved in a stylized blossom with five petals carrying a crest from a chapter of the Tale of Genji, sorrounded by waves, The other side is carved with an open-work blossom, within a five-point star, surrounded by waves. Typical work by the Asakusa School. Excellent detail on a one-piece, round, slightly domed manju, on a material that is very difficult to carve. unsigned. Netsuke measures 1.60 inches (4.0cm) in diameter, and 0.66 inches (1.7cm) thick. It is in excellent condition, as may be seen in the posted photos.

This is a 19th century, finely hand carved Japanese Netsuke, round, one-part domed, in slightly sunken relief, depicting a bust portrait of Daruma with big hossu. Beautiful golden-yellow patina on the reverse. Signed Shinsai. Netsuke measures 1.65 inches (4.2cm) in diameter, and 0.56 inches (1.4cm) thick. It is in excellent condition, as sown in the posted photos.