Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (1188)

19th century Japanese bronze for an altar of a Buddha seated in lotus position with his hands in anjali mudra - a gesture of greeting, prayer and adoration - in front of him. Very nicely cast, beautiful patina, good devotional object. Height 2.72 inches.

19th century lacquered netsuke of an actor in a role of Kiyohime beginning her transformation into a demon, a bell striker in her hand. Kiyohime was a daughter of an innkeeper whose advances on a monk were not reciprocated, so her love turned into wrath, and she trapped him under a temple bell, turned into a demonic dragon and melted the bell killing the monk...

19th century netsuke of four monkeys trying to contain three huge fogs that they caught and put in a tied bundle of lotus leaves. Very unusual (possibly unique) subject, beautifully carved, excellent faces of both types of creatures, eyes of the frogs are inlaid with light brown horn, wonderful hairwork, great patina. Signed cursively on the bottom - it appears to read ROSEI, but I am not entirely sure. Length 1.59 inches.

19th century lacquered wood netsuke of standing Jurojin (one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, that of longevity and wisdom) with a length of cloth in his hands supporting two scrolls. The netsuke is essentially a wish for long life and learning. Excellently carved, superb detailing, extraordinary quality lacquering. Wonderful face with a slight smile, finely done cloud patterns on his robe. Beautiful patina, in superb condition. Height 2 inches.

19th century lacquer netsuke of a female butterfly dancer with a fan in her hand, and wearing wings behind her back. Unusual subject, beautiful face, excellent flow of her flying sleeves, extraordinary lacquer work depicting various textile patterns, in perfect condition. Height 1.53 inches.

19th century marine netsuke of Shoki the Demon Queller with a drawn sword, and two oni by his feet - one cowering under a woven straw hat, and the other terrified one thrown on its back. Excellent carving of Shoki’s ferocious face with a touch of madness, his spastically clenched hand and dynamic lines of his robe, Expert dark staining, very beautiful wear and patina. Height 1.6 inches.

19th century Japanese wooden nyoi - a Buddhist scepter - with scrolling finial. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Dense sakura (cherry) wood with beautiful texture, simple elegant carving, wonderful patina to the surface from being handled, old ink spots in places, very pleasant to hold...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of red skinned demon with large bat type ears. 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 1.26 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask, appears to be of Nogaku type. 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 1.1 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask, probably that of Kentoku. 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 1.13 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a bat with large ears and characteristic snout. 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 1.05 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Shishiguchi - a lion mask used in scene 2 of the play Shakkyo. 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 1.23 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned green skinned demon. 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 1.15 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Beshimi. 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 1.01 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya, its mouth wide open. 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 1.33 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of Emi-men. Uncommon image, excellent face with a wide smile, 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 horned green skinned demon. 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.

18th century netsuke of a recumbent cow and a calf who licks the face of its mother. Strong early carving excellently captured mood of the scene, superbly carved to the last detail, their hooves bent beneath their bodies, the cow wearing a halter with a length of rope lying across her back, eyes are inlaid with dark horn. Beautiful wear consistent with age, yellowing on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono and picked up oil from the body of the owner...