Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (1210)

19th century kagamibuta netsuke with iron lid inlaid with multimetal old torn fan and iron tetsubin (tea kettle) in a shape of a pig, its handle of twisted gold wire, and 2 drum strikers incised on the plate. Elegant design in Japanese taste, crisp work, beautiful patina on the lid and the bowl. Metal swinging loop on the back for hanging. Recently deaccessioned from the Framingham History Center, Massachusetts, where it has been part of the collection since 1923...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a seated monkey lifting a huge chestnut in its hands. Nicely carved, good face with surprised expression, beautiful warm patina. Himotoshi (cord opening) is formed by its feet. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn / bone netsuke carved as 2 sprays of fungus growing on a tree stump. Superb elegant carving in Japanese taste, excellent rendition of fungus head textures. Very clever design, excellent wear and patina on the surface. Height 2 1/2 inches.

19th century netsuke depicting Ashinaga seated next to a basket, his absurdly long legs raising higher than his head, wearing a skirt, a short European jacket and tiger skin pants. In Japanese legends he is often accompanied by Tenaga (long arms) whom he puts on his back and goes fishing. Very nice work, wonderful smiling face, buttons are inlaid with horn, pleasant wear and patina. Height 1 3/8 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a blind masseur working on a client who appears to be a scholar wearing glasses and leering as he looks through a shunga (erotic book) edition. Wonderful carving with great faces, beautiful textile lines, rich warm patina. Signed HOMIN on the bottom - for information on this pupil of Meikeisai Hojitsu see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 487. Height 1 3/16 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke of a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi skillfully carved in characteristic ittobori (one cut) style typical for the Hida school. Pupils are inlaid in brass, golden paing highlights, excellent rendition of facial expression, wonderful mellow patina. Signed RYOSEI (alternative reading is Ryusho) on the back. Height 2 inches.

19th century netsuke carved out of kurumi (natural walnut shell) with a reserve on the front showing a face of a tengu hatching from an egg. Tengu are mythological: creatures half men, half birds, they are usually depicted as goblins and are considered to be first-class fighters. Nice carving, black and red highlights. Fantastic deep warm brown patina, signed NIKO by himotoshi - this rare artist who seems to have specialized in using walnuts is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p...

18th century netsuke of a sennin (Chinese sage) wearing a monk’s robe and a leaf cape and skirt, looking to his left and supporting a double gourd on his shoulders. Netsuke represents Chokwaro sennin who could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted...

18th century netsuke of a reclining monkey, its front paws and upper body resting on a large chestnut. Very strong early piece, great thoughtful face, excellent incised and etched hair, wonderful detailing of its fingers and toes. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, warm yellow patina (darker on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono), large and deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time. Length 1 15/16 inches.

19th century netsuke of a bamboo shoot containing a hollow section with anabori (cavern carving) of the Seven Sages of the bamboo grove looking at an open scroll. (see the detail on the first photo), The inside is almost impossible to photograph, but all the sages are there, need a flashlight even to see them. Very clever joke on the usual depiction of the sages being placed among bamboo stalks, not inside them...

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a man with a horn on his head, bent under the weight of a richly dressed woman on his back. The subject of the netsuke is Ikkaku Sennin (single horn Sage) carrying princess Sendarama on his back - according to Japanese legend, he grew angry with the Rain Dragons and sealed them away in a cave, causing a drought. Beautiful Indian princess was sent to tempt him and when he could not hold on to his chastity vow, he lost his magical powers, and the rain returned...

19th century wooden netsuke of a slightly inebriated dancer with a fan in his hand. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red (or golden brown) lacquer over black, so as it wears the black starts showing. Beautifully carved drunken facial expression, really nice feel of age to the piece, very pleasantly worn. Height 2 inches.

18th century netsuke of a dog with its front paws on a large ball, all on a flat base. Strong early piece, wonderful face, beautiful wear and patina, a lot of compressed dust in crevices, of characteristic 18th century triangular section, old age lines. Height 1 7/16 inches.

18th century netsuke of a reclining sarumawashi - traveling monkey showman - obliviously smiling in his sleep while his pet steals from a basket behind the back of its trainer. Unusually substantial and heavy, excellent carving capturing facial expressions of both characters. Classic design, differently sized deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time, netsuke of triangular section characteristic for the period, old age lines...

19th century boxwood netsuke of a baby boy crawling on his hands and knees, wearing a bib tied on his back. Excellent rendition of body and limbs showing baby fat, great face, hair knots are inlaid with dark horn. Very beautiful warm brown staining, pleasant patina, overall in excellent condition. Length 1 13/16 inches.

Early 19th century wooden netsuke of seated Hotei with karako (Chinese boy) standing next to him. Hotei is one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck and incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future, and is liked by children. Great smiling face, excellent depiction of the flow of their robes, nice patina, large and deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time...

19th century wooden netsuke depicting standing Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Luck, also considered to be the incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) with a peach in one hand, and the other hand resting on his voluminous belly. Nice quality carving - see his face with a slight smile and beautiful flow of his long robe. Wonderful wear and patina, very pleasant feel of age. Signed SHIGEKAZU on the back - the artist is listed on p...

19th century 2-toned ichii (yew wood) netsuke of Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune, who is considered to be an incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) carrying his bag on the back suspended by a stick across his shoulder. Very good quality carving - see facial expression with a wide smile and wonderful flow of his robe...