Catalog (1381)

19th century Japanese Satsuma ware one half of a belt buckle decorated with cranes among flowers and leaves. Metal back stamped with the mon (crest) of the Shimazu samurai clan - they were daimyō (great lords) of the Satsuma han, which spread over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga provinces. Excellent quality painting, in superb condition. Size 1.9 inches square.

Late 19th century Japanese ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a form of a natural fruit pit skillfully carved with 2 scenes of scholars engaged in discussions among bamboo and banana plants. Very good carving in deep relief with precise undercutting, nice mellow patina, overall in excellent condition. Height 0.57 inches.

Late Qing Dynasty (1890-1911) Chinese soapstone brush rest carved on the front with 2 scholars in discussion by a hut among trees. Very nice feature - the back shows the natural skin of the soapstone boulder from which the object was carved. Strong simple carving, excellent scholarly simplicity to the piece, very pleasant feel of age, wonderful item for a scholar’s desk. Length 3.14 inches, height 1.83 inches.

19th century Chinese scholar’s bronze seal, its top in a form of a sage riding on the back of a qilin. According to Chinese mythology qilin appears before the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler. The impression of the seal is shown on the first photo (image is flipped left to right to present the image as it will print on paper). Nicely cast and finished, beautiful patina, has good presence. Height 1.67 inches, base 1.27 x 1.16 inches.

Taisho (1920s) lacquered wood kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony) in a shape of a drum . Elegant object in Japanese taste, wonderful lacquer work, two parts fit perfectly, in great condition, a couple of scrathes on the top. Diameter 1.86 inches.

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1920s) Japanese Kutani porcelain obidome (sash ornament) with enamel decoration of various auspicious objects: coins, key, scroll, magical raincoat, Precious Gem and others. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Nice design, excellent quality painting with gold and other enamels, bar on the back for an obi cord. Marked on the back b...

Glass ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in a form of tombodama bead in barrel shape with semitransparent body and decoration of Santa Claus, Christmas tree and falling snow. Tombodama can be translated as “dragonfly ball” and the name is thought to come about because when the molten glass is applied to the core bead it resembles a dragonfly’s eye. Beautifully made, very pleasant patina. Diameter 0.72 inches.

Late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese wooden stand for a snuff bottle with round top and wide skirt above 3 short feet. Beautifully made out of dark dense rosewood, very nice patina, in excellent condition. Diameter of the recessed area on the top is 1 inch (24 mm), total diameter 1.76 inches, height 0.6 inches.

Nice small size late 19th / early 20th century Sino-Tibetan bronze vajra - the primary symbol and ritual implement in Tantric Buddhism. It symbolizes the essence of esoteric practices and the perfected state of reality. This vajra has 5 prongs on each end - one at the center, and four at the cardinal directions - symbolizing five cosmic Buddhas. The globe in the middle is considered to be the power center of the implement, on either side of the globe there are stylized lotus petals. The four pro...

Unusual late 19th century Japanese multimetal pendant in a shape of portable scales. The cover can be moved to the side to reveal gilded inside. Very good crisp work, in excellent condition. Length 1.42 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a thoughtful expression. Excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.14 inches.

Late Meiji (1890s to 1912) boxwood netsuke of a seated monkey wearing a haori (short jacket) and trying to get to the head of a turtle as it inspects its carapace. Very unusual feature - himotoshi (cord opening) is formed by a removable peach that is part of the jacket design (see Enlargement 2). The subject is a reverse take on the legend of a turtle who heard that monkeys' livers were effective medicine, so it invited a monkey to his place in order to kill it. The monkey climbed on the turtle'...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.07 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a one-horned oni. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.27 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni with a pensive face. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.2 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Namanari. The mask is mostly used in the play The Cursed Metal Head-Ring for the role of the wife who is crazed with jealosy beyond any possibility of redemption. Uncommon image, excellent ferocious face, long lower jaw resulting in wide open mouth, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of an oni. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.11 inches.

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in a shape of standing Okame wearing a long robe and sporting a compass in the front. Possibly had a face in the opening above the compass, but I am not entirely sure. Nicely made, good patina, compass is functional. Height 0.7 inches.