Japanese carved wooden NETSUKE. Beautifully carved wood figure of FUKUROKUJU resting against his money bag. Unsigned. 1 1/4" length, 1 3/8" width by 1 1/16" tall.

Japanese hanging tobacco pipe set consisting of a wooden pipe holder and a wood tobacco box in the form of the 2 mythical fishermen Ashinaga (Long Legs) and Tenaga (Long Arms). Tenaga's face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box which still has much of the original tobacco inside. Ashinaga, the elongated standing figure is the pipe holder which also serves as a scoop. In excellent condition except for the ojime (sliding ball) which is missing most of it's lacquer...

An unusual decorative wooden sword (tea room sword) carved of hardwood in the shape of a dried fish signed on the belly pierced and wrapped with a faded silk chord. An excellent example of the genre it is 13-1/2 inches (34 cm) long and in fine condition.
It is said that these wooden swords were produced from the mid to late Edo period, in lieu of swords for those not allowed to carry weapons (all but samurai)...

The inro decorated with a dragon and Characters. The Ojime made of colored ivory. The boxwood netsuke depicting Daikoku, protector of the merchants. Japan, 19th century. The inro 12x4x1,5 cm, age wear and chips to the lacquer. The netsuke 4x3,5x3,5 cm. with good wear and patina. From a Dutch private collection.

In the shape of an Oni mask with inlaid metal eyes and remains of polychromy. H. 9 cm. Excellent condition, age crack in the chin, very nice age wear and patina. Provenance: Collection of Hendrik Jan Karsten (1817-1908), a Dutch politician. There is a name label at the back of the netsuke. Very striking piece, comes with a museum quality stand.

Antique Japanese Boxwood Persimmon and Chestnut Netsuke, these edible objects arranged together are the charming symbols of the fall season. This bibelot has a softly rubbed and smoothed surface and it's himatoshi has unequally sized holes. Size 1.25"High x 1.25" Wide, Edo Period, circa pre 1850s.

Soft, light weight wood, dark and light brown mottled, netsuke representing a snake coiling through a rock. The snake in gilt yellow bronze. Signed at the bottom: Osai. Japan, Edo or Meiji period, mid 19th century.

L 2 x W 1 ½ x H 1 ½ inches.

Very good condition.

Perhaps persimmon.

A finely carved female mask netsuke, showing Otafuku or Okame. Unsigned. Provenance: a gentleman's collection, Geneva - Switzerland. Condition: fine. Dimension: 4.8 cm x 4.1 cm.

A carved female mask netsuke showing Okame. Unsigned. Back partially covered with black lacquer. Provenance: a gentleman's collection, Geneva - Switzerland. Condition: few tiny rim chips. Dimension: 4.1 cm x 3.6 cm.

A very well carved netsuke in the shape of a lion's head, wit moveable jaw and brass eyes. H. 3,5 cm. very good age wear and a nice glossy patina. Excellent condition.

This is a finely carved boxwood netsuke depicting the Skeleton of the Buddhist Priest Danka beating on a Mokugyo, or Buddhist Temple Drum. Very nice detail and wonderful symmetry all throughout, rich patina. It sports a chimney himotoshi that begins on the bottom of the mokugyo, and continues around the spine of the skeleton. This is an unsigned and larger version of this popular Japanese legend...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of Shogun Yoritomo (General Minamoto no Yoritomo 1147-99) sitting in his court; ready to begin audiences with his advisers and subjects. Netsuke measures 1.35 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.35 inches (3.4cm) tall...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift a stone, or possibly his hugely distended scrotum. He has the typical bump on his head. He squints as he attempts to lift the large object. He is wearing only a fundoshi. His right eye is inlaid with light colored horn. Excellent detail and patination. Netsuke measures 1.38 inches (3.5cm) wide, and 1.22 inches (3.1cm) tall...

19th Century, Japanese nicely hand-carved boxwood Netsuke depicting a character of a Japanese folk tale 'The story of the old man who made withered trees blossom': Hanasaca Jiisan. Here, Hanasaca is shown in one of the scenes of the folk tale where he is chopping down a tree to make a mortar. Hanasaca's dog who appeared to him in a dream is showing him the location of the tree...

This is a finely hand carved, 19th Century Kurokaki Wood Netsuke depicting Tenaga "Long Arms" being carried on the back of Ashinaga "Long Legs"...

19th Century, excellently hand-carved boxwood netsuke depicting a seated Tanuki, or Japanese Badger (raccoon dog) raising his right paw in order to beat his belly, or distended scrotum as it if were a drum. Outstanding hair work, a distinguishing characteristic of this netsuke master. Wonderful natural himotoshi that is formed by the bending tail of the Tanuki over its right hind leg...

This is an excellently and intricately carved boxwood netsuke depicting a Boat full of passengers (11 of them) dressed in various garb, carrying different articles and set in different poses. One of them, in the rear of the boat, seems to be either sunbathing or nurturing an ailment; another is wearing a large Amigasa Kasa hat; there is woman carrying a baby in her arms. It is full of great form and expressions. Unsigned. Netsuke has a rich patina...

19th Century, very fine hand-carved netsuke depiction of a Naturalistic Human Skull (See photo #11 for comparison with actual Human Skull), with seven natural material teeth in the upper jaw, and fine parietal lines covering the cranium. Attributed to Tomochika, because of its close likeness to a spectacular netsuke of the same subject auctioned by Lempertz Auction House (photo #9), that rivals the skulls made by Sukenao (Photo #10)...