Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (155)

Netsuke of an abstract bird. Superb stylish carving wonderfully capturing the essence of the creature. Beautiful clean piece carved out of ivory and horn. Signed MHB on inlaid solid gold plaque - Michael Henry Birch (1926-2008) was one of the best 20th century netsuke carvers. Length 3.22 inches.

Tall boxwood netsuke of 8 quails feeding on millet. Perfectly captured mood of the scene, extraordinary carving to the last detail, eyes are double inlaid with horn and mother of pearl, beautiful finish, in superb condition. Signed AKIHIDE on the bottom - this brilliant contemporary artist (born 1934) belonged to the So School lineage. Height 4.1 inches (104 mm).

Limited edition large size original woodblock print NIGHT SCENE (RED) by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979) printed in 1977. The print and the sheet are perfectly rectangular - all distortions are from photographyNumerous stars glow over a canopy of a weathered tree, a dramatic image in soft shades of gold metallic leaf, reds and browns...

Wooden netsuke of thoughtful ape (looks like orangutan) by contemporary New Zealand netsuke carver Doug Marsden (b. 1958). Superb quality carving to the last detail, extraordinary face with horn inlaid pupils, perfectly carved hands and feet with well defined joints and nails, beautifully textured coat, great staining. Height 2 inches.

Wooden okimono of a grinning skull by contemporary carver Brad Blakely (American, b. 1951). The piece represents a Nevadan Lovelock Cave Giant’s Skull, c. 1,000 A.D. Superbly quality carving, exquisite execution of details and textures, beautiful staining. Mountain mahogany & 14K gold reserve with the initial of the carver. Length 2.17 inches.

Rare subject marine netsuke of a swimming tadpole. Superb stylish carving wonderfully capturing the essence of the creature. Beautiful clean piece, eyes are inlaid with solid gold. Signed MHB on inlaid silver plaque - Michael Henry Birch (1926-2008) was one of the best 20th century netsuke carvers. Length 2.34 inches.

Netsuke carved by Ryoshu (born in 1912) - one of the best Japanese netsuke carvers of the 20th century, listed on p. 886 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Netsuke represents a kappa hunched protectively over a cucumber. Kappa (translated from Japanese as “river child”) are mythical river goblins with the body of a tortoise, limbs of a frog, and the head of a monkey...

Original woodblock print ONE TREE (GOLD) by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979) printed in 1978. Excellent crisp print in great condition, superb design, metallic gold highlights to the background, listed as plate 390 in JOICHI HOSHI CATALOGUE OF ALL TREE WOODBLOCK PRINTS published by Kato Gallery in 1988. Black “tree” seal of the artist in lower right corner, titled, signed and dated by the artist in pencil (see detail). A bit of foxing along the margins (see Enlargement 6), the image is not affected...

Netsuke of standing Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of happiness, usually associated with longevity) holding a scepter with reishi fungus head, wearing a cape, a long robe and a spotted deer (the animal is a symbol of longevity) skirt. There is a nice detail for a netsuke lover - he is wearing an inro suspended by a manju netsuke. Excellent carving - see the detailing of his portrait quality face, incised fingernails, texture and spots of the deer skirt. Superb quality staining, beautiful patina...

Original woodblock print BLUE THICKET by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979), unlimited edition, printed in 1974. Excellent crisp print in perfect condition, silver metallic highlights, listed as plate 318 in JOICHI HOSHI CATALOGUE OF ALL TREE WOODBLOCK PRINTS published by Kato Gallery in 1988. Red “tree” seal of the artist in lower right corner, signed by the artist in pencil (see detail). Narrow strip of mounting paper along the upper edge on the back...

19th century netsuke of a sitting boy holding a turtle with one hand, and trying to break its shell with a stone that he holds in the other. Unusual subject, strong early carving, wonderful wear consistent with age, beautiful patina with yellowing on the back, where netsuke was touching silk of the kimono. Nice textile patterns, Height 1.41 inches.

Japanese bronze okimono (also can be used as scroll weight or a brush rest) of a seated monkey with an outstretched arm by the artist Suga Shoen II (1897-1979), who was recognized in 1974 as a holder of Intangible Cultural Property - the term refers exclusively to human skills possessed by individuals which are indispensable to produce Cultural Properties. Excellent sculptural rendition of the animal capturing its essence, beautiful light brown to lightest green patina...

Japanese bronze okimono (also can be used as scroll weight) of a resting ram by the metal artist Masahiko Katori (1899-1988), who was recognized in 1977 as a holder of Intangible Cultural Property - the term refers exclusively to human skills possessed by individuals which are indispensable to produce Cultural Properties...

Hardcover book “THE BAUR COLLECTION: NETSUKE” by Marie-Therese Coullery and Martin Newstead in perfect condition. This book is number 716 out of limited numbered edition of 1500. One of the world's most important collections of netsuke is richly illustrated in this definitive volume. Arranged by subject with general subject description followed by exact description and photo of each netsuke...

Netsuke of a standing sumo wrestler wearing an apron and getting ready for a match. Excellent concentrated and tranquil face, great sense of volume to his limbs and body. Signed NORIMITSU inside the apron. Excellent sculpture. Height 2 1/8 inches.

Netsuke of a Chokwaro sennin horse appearing out of a gourd. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted. Clever design, excellent carving with great detailing - see its face, mane and front legs with delicately carved hooves. Beautiful flawless material, excellent quality etching with black ink, wonderful patina...

Vintage Chinese scholar’s incense burner in a form of a wooden burl hollowed on the inside and placed on fitted dense dark wood carved stand. Can be used as a scholar’s stone or a brush rest as well. Superbly beautiful burl surface and shape perfectly resembling violently swirling clouds, excellent patina, can be displayed in various positions giving extra visual value to the piece. Cleverly cut openings in the skirt of the stand providing necessary draft for burning incense...

Netsuke of standing Jurojin (one of the 7 Gods of happiness, usually associated with longevity) holding a scroll and a fan in his hands, with a reclining spotted deer (symbol of longevity) by his feet. Excellent carving - see the detailing of his face, incised fingernails, coat and spots of the deer. Great quality staining, beautiful patina. Signed SHINZAN on the bottom - for a brief discussion of the artist see CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE by Miriam Kinsey, p. 237. Height 2 1/16 inches.