Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Netsuke and Related (43)

This carved antler netsuke of a young boy holding a puppy is a late 19th century product. It is 2" high, 1 1/8" wide and a little less than 1" thick. The contrast of the smiling boy and the less than happy puppy provides a great over all impression for the piece. It is not signed. It is in great condition.

This late Meiji white molded ceramic netsuke is 1 5/8” long, 1” high and 1 ¼” wide. It depicts a reclining Shi Shi (lion) with its mouth wide open and a loose ball inside. Aside from some tiny black spots due to the firing, it is in very good condition.

This interesting Japanese carved ivory netsuke is a late 19th or early 20th century product. It depicts a female figure (perhaps Okame, also known as Uzume or Otafuku, goddess of mirth) carrying a long armed monkey on her back. A younger monkey is sitting in front of her with both arms raised to grasp the hands of the older monkey. It is 2 ¾” high, ¾” wide and ½” thick. The artist signature “Meigyoku” is on the bottom. It is in great condition.

This early 20th century carved ivory netsuke is 3” high, 1 ¼” wide and 1” thick from the top. It depicts a standing westerner carrying a child on his back with his right arm; his left hand is holding a peach. The artist signature “Okatu” is on the bottom of his robe. It is in great condition.

This very nicely carved 19th century lacquered wood netsuke in a clam form is 1 1/8” high, 1 ¾” from the widest part and 1 ½” in depth. It depicts two elders playing “go” in a building and the third person standing on a bridge outside the house. A tall pine tree is along side of the building. There are two hermit crabs and some sea weed painted on the top of shell. Aside from a few tiny scratches, it is in great condition.

This 19th century carved wood netsuke of an Otafuku (traditional female theater character) is 2 ¼” long, 1 ¾” wide and 1” thick. It was made by a well known wood netsuke carver Shuzan; his signature is on the back. Shuzan was the pupil of master netsuke carver Shugetsu. It is in excellent condition.

This early 20th century carved coral netsuke of an Oni (devil) mask is 1 ½” long, 1” wide and ½” thick. It depicts a very nicely carved and impressive Daikijin. One horn has been repaired. Aside from that, it is in great condition.

This early 19th century painted pressed horn netsuke is 2” high, 1 1/5” wide and ¾” thick. It depicts a big headed smiling man. He is wearing a kimono and sandals and is carrying a mask of Otafuku on his back. It is in excellent condition.

The early 20th century celluloid netsuke is 2 1/8” in diameter and 5/8” thick. This kind of netsuke is called “Kagamibuta.” It is shaped like a Manju (round doughnut) but with a metal disc serving as a lid to a shallow bowl. The pressed silver alloy disc has a dragon design. It is in excellent condition.

The mid 19th century carved nut (tagua) netsuke is 1 ¾” long, 1 ¼” wide and 1 3/8” thick. It depicts a Shi Shi mask and an old man emerging from a cloth bag. There is an artist’s signature on the side. Aside from a few hair line cracks, it is in excellent condition.

This very well carved late 19th century wood netsuke of a coiled snake is 2 ½” long, 1 ½” wide and 1” high. It is in excellent condition.

The late 19th century carved wood netsuke of a mask (Daikoku) is 1 7/8” long, 1 ½” wide and 1” thick. It is in excellent condition.

This late 19th or early 20th century carved ivory netsuke is 2 ¼” long, 1 5/8” wide and half an inch thick. It depicts a fish which has an inlaid eye wrapped in a bamboo leaf. The workmanship is realistic and superb. The signature “Hokutai” is on the bottom. It is in excellent condition.

This 19th century carved ivory netsuke of a lotus pod is 1 ¾” high, 1 5/8” wide and 1 ¼” thick. There are six holes on the bottom of the pod and six small movable seeds are inside. Aside of some hairline cracks, it is in excellent condition.

This very well carved 20th century Japanese netsuke is 1 1/8 inches high, 1 ¼ inches wide and 3 quarters of an inch thick. It depicts a worried monkey carefully pulling a splinter from his leg. The impression on his face is just great. It is signed but not readable and is in excellent condition.

This early 20th century Japanese netsuke is 2 inches high, 1 inch wide and 1 inch thick. It depicts a smiling old man. He is holding a long handled bucket in his left hand; a large woven basket is in his right hand. It is signed “Gyokusho” and is in great condition.

This very well carved early 20th century Japanese netsuke is 1 ¼ inches high, 1 ¾ inches wide and 1 1/8 inches thick. It depicts a demon sitting in a straw sandal. It is signed “Masatsugu” and is in great condition.

This early 20th century Japanese netsuke is 1 ½ inches high, 1 ½ inches wide and 3 quarters of an inch thick. It depicts a mythical beast with a human face. The creature has the body of a horse; however, it is covered with horns and flames raise from its legs. It is signed “Masayaki”. It is in great condition.