This is a Superb 1800's hand-carved boxwood rendering of a muscular blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar netsuke, an excellent example of this popular Japanese character, who is crouching and lifting a heavy Stone. He is wearing only a fundoshi. Outstanding detail, clever use of the materials, and patination; His left eye and teeth are inlaid with a natural material. Very nice uneven himotoshi. Signed Gyokkei in a red stained rectangular inlaid natural material reserve...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting Three Monkeys that are squatting on top of Daikoku's Hammer. Very fine detail and harmonius form characterizes this superb miniature carving. Signed Koryu on an irregular red tablet inlaid of the barrel-like mallet. It measures 1.15 inches (2.9cm) wide, 1.94 inches (4.9cm) long, and 1.20 inches (3.1cm) tall...

Height: 3.8 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 5.1 cm (2.1 in)
Depth: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)

Antler bone netsuke of sea life; carved from the base of an antler; good condition

Japanese five section lacquer inro in the hiramaki-e technique. The low relief gilt lacquer adds depth throughout the landscape composition of pine forest, distant ocean, mountainous terrain, and the famous Uji bridge. The black ground lacquer also shows the use of nashiji gold flecks creating mist and cloud formation. The interior of the compartments are covered with the nashiji gold flecks, resembling a pear skin effect...

Height: 8 cm (3.1 in)
Width: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)

Japanese porcelain Hirado netsuke; in the form of a monkey Sambuca dancer; articulated head and tongue; good condition

Japanese Meiji period three-case boxwood inro carved on the front with two oni or animal creatures peering out from the trunk of a tree. The back holds a bearded man holding a sword or knife. All three have inlaid eyes. A wood ojime bead and a netsuke in the form of a smiling tiger is attached to the string. A two-character “Nissho” signature within a circular cartouche is embedded on the bottom. 19th century...

Japanese boxwood ojime bead carving of a skull, finely detailed with realistic cranial fissures, missing teeth, pierced eye sockets and nasal cavity, with tiny handmade chisel marks visible under the jaw. The ojime is a cord fastening bead, used to secure an inro container to the wearer's obi or sash.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" x 1" x 1"

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

A rare Japanese Hirado porcelain Netsuke with a movable tongue. The unglazed porcelain of the Hotti has a laughing face with a tongue that moves in and out of his mouth. He is carrying a guord and walking stick. Netsuke are miniature sculptures that were invented in 17th-century Japan to serve a practical function (the two Japanese characters ne + tsuke mean “root” and “to attach”)...

Height: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Width: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 1.8 cm (0.8 in)

Fine Japanese ebony seal netsuke of a Shishi; intricate workmanship throughout; seal characters carved to base; excellent condition

Height: 4.2 cm (1.7 in)
Width: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 3.6 cm (1.4 in)

Rare Japanese netsuke of Okame laughing and hiding an Oni under a basket; natural material; a quality piece by the artist, Gyokusai; signed on the base

An antique Japanese lacquer Inro with images of persimmons on a gold flecked background. The Inro has five compartments, a boxwood netsuke carved in the shape of a persimmon and a metal ojime incised with floral and geometric designs. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). Exceptional.

Date: early Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3.75" X 2.5" wide

An antique four case Japanese Inro with lacquer and gold flecked images of pine trees with a bone netsuke of a monkey holding a persimmon and an agate ojime.

Date: early Meiji Period: Circa 1880's

Dimensions: 4" long X 2.5" wide

Japanese Wood Compass Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" diameter round, 3/8" deep, front part has glass front, needle is moving, holes on both side for cord go through, back is rounded solid wood with double circles. Ojime is the small object with very interesting and humorous design go through the cord between Netsuke and Inro.

Japanese Wood and Staghorn Ojime, 19th C. Meiji period, 3/4" wide in the center widest part, 3/4" high, front and back is Staghorn, center is wood, round bead shape with deep carved lines, 2 holes on both side where cord go through between Netsuke and Inro.

Japanese Lacquered Ceramic No Mask Okame Netsuke, Ca. 1900, Meiji period, 1 5/8" high, 1 1/4" wide, 3/4" deep, smiling slender eyes with dimples on both fat cheeks, beautiful face with red small tiny lips. Nicely aged with old patina, no damages.

A Boxwood Mask Netsuke. As two masks of Okame and Daruma. Japan 19thC. Height: 3.5 cm. Condition: excellent

Finely carving of a charming Pigeon resting on its characteristic true-to-form bird feet, just as shown in the book 'NETSUKE 100 Miniature Masterpieces from Japan', by Noriko Tsuchiya, that displays netsuke pieces from the The British Museum in London. Fine cohesive composition partly stained to enhance its form. Eyes inlaid with dark horn. The signature of MITSUHIRO 光廣 is intricately carved under the pigeon feet, as shown in the book's picture.