This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a large Seated Hotei with a wide Smile, by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province, carved sometime during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of the region...

19th Century, finely hand-carved Wood Netsuke depicting a Karako, squatting and trying to lift the heavy Hotei's bag, signed KISEKI...

The immortal is powerfully carved in wood, probably cherry. Gama Sennin holds his stick in his hand and his toad on his shoulder. He is unusually tall. The sculpture is powerful, the folds of the dress are elegant and the expression is serene. Although Gama-Sennin is attested male there are rare examples of its female representation. The softness of the features make me think that this would be a woman...

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.

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.6 in)

Fine example of the work of Gyokkei; a stone lifter, masseur or a man attempting to lift his distended scrotum?; a tumour is also present on the back of his head; the poor fellow also has a wall-eye; signed on an inlaid tablet; good condition

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...

Delicately crafted Japanese carved ebony netsuke of Dutchman in hat leaning over and grabbing engorged testicles, from early 20th century period. Size; Dimensions of netsuke are 1 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches. Condition Report; Good condition with no imperfections. Purchased from Kyoto Art Club, 1962. Provenance: The Humphrey collection Houston, Texas.

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.

Antique Japanese boxwood netsuke carving of a deer, laying very flat to the ground with his antlers tucked against his back.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 2.25" L x 1.25" W x .5" H

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...

This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a Lotus Seed Pod, made as a Karakuri or 'trick' Netsuke in that the seeds rattle and peep out of the seed holes. Netsuke was carved by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province sometime during the Early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of a netsuke (Photo #6) made by Seiyodo Gansui (1809-1848)...

Height: 3.6 cm (1.6 in)
Width: 3.1 cm ( 1.3 in)
Depth: 2.9 cm (1.1 in)

Fine Japanese wooden netsuke of a crouched boy holding a ripe persimmon; signed to the base; good condition

Boxwood netsuke with three opposing Noh theater masks, including Okame, Usofuchi and an Oni. Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.7 x 2.4 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke depicting Chokaro clinging to the pumpkin from which the head of a horse emerges. The subject represents the miniature horse of Chōkarō 張果老. It refers to the legend of Chōkarō Sennin, an immortal being who owns a horse that he can summon as if by magic from a pumpkin if necessary. In Japanese there is a saying “hyōtan kara koma”, “horse appearing from a pumpkin”...

A Japanese wood netsuke depicting a group of mushrooms with a caterpillar on the dome of the highest. Himotoshi is under the base. Edo period 19th century Sizes: 3,5 x 3,8 x 3,7 cm. Condition report: Good condition

A set of a tobacco container carved in the form of either two sages or eccentric spirits. The container is carved in the form where the figure is sitting inside a jar while the other is has the distinct eccentric smile seen in images in sages. The piece contains a signature which reads Nissho Age:20th century Size: The container: Height: 3.5" Diameter: 2.1" The figure: Length: 1.75" Width: 1.5" Height: 8"

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...

Late 18th C. Early 19th C. Japanese Iwami Kurogaki Netsuke: Gama Sennin with Toad This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a Gama Sennin with a Toad on top of his shoulders, by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province carved sometime during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of the region...