Depicting a Taoist immortal with a little boy. Very well carved, signed at the back. Good wear and patina. H. 6,5 cm. 19th/early 20th century. From a Dutch private collection.

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

Large Japanese boxwood netsuke of a walking scholar carrying a scroll. With fine hand carved detail and charming expression.

Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th Century

Size: 1.75" x 1.5" x 4.25" H

Beautiful antique miniature netsuke cannon form firearm made of bronze with hardwood handle and silver fittings. Nice patina. Small ring on bottom. Measures 2" long. Age: 19th century.

Antique Japanese boxwood netsuke, wonderfully carved into an adorable pair of monkeys wearing vests. The larger monkey sits on his hands with his little feet crossed over each other, and a smaller monkey climbs on his head. 19th/early 20th century Size: 1.75" height, 1" width

Antique Japanese blackwood netsuke carving of a Hanna Noh theatre mask, with piercing gilt eyes and teeth, pointed ears and two short horns. The Hannya (般若) mask is a mask used in Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth. The backside of the netsuke has a calligraphy inscription / signature.

Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th Century

Size: 2" H x 1.5" W x 1.25" thick

Whimsical antique Japanese netsuke of two octopi in embrace, carved in beautiful cherry amber with lots of little details. The Japanese would wear small stacked containers called inro from their belts or sash. Inro boxes were held together by a long cord running down its sides that looped at the top, held together by a netsuke bead and an ojime bead. The cord would run through the two holes featured on this netsuke. 19th century Size: 1.5" tall x 1.5" wide

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)...

A woven antique Japanese men's wallet decorated with geometric design created with brocaded silk ribbon. Inside, hand stitched with Sashiko stitches on silk. The shakudo clasp is tomo-e shaped and inlaid with copper and silver. Silvered metal (brass?) netsuke in the shape of a tongue cut sparrow attached with three colored metal chain. Circa, early 1900s (Taisho period). Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 3 1/8"

A Japanese pipe case (kizeruzutsu) decorated on a deep red lacquer and lacquered *agiro ground with Chinese bell flowers (kikyo) on one side and a waterlily on the other side. It is attached to a stylish leather pouch with a clasp of mixed metal beans. Some damages on lacquer. Late Edo/Meiji period. *Ajiro is a woven wickerwork made out of strips of bamboo skin, cypress bark or Japanese reed.

An exceptional antique Japanese bowwood carved netsuke - the Yama Inu - a dog resting his paw on his masters scull. Protecting him in even past the point of death. Superstition related to the okuri(yama) inu are extremely old, and are found in all parts of Japan.
The meaning of the dog also speaks about patience, reliability, and obedience. It focuses on protection, guardianship, and service. The dog spirit animal is a noble animal...

Rectangular rounded netsuke manju, made of ivory and depicting the mighty Shoki with horn eyes. Shoki is a Japanese mythological figure, also known as the demon hunter, who symbolizes protection from evil forces. Adding a touch of sophistication to the manju the sword, with which he fights demons, in mother of pearl and the details of Shoki's robes in tortoiseshell. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.7 x 4.5 x 1.5cm. State of conservation: Very good

A scarce and nicely formed bronze netsuke. The sculptural group depicts festival musicians playing a Taiko drum and Shinobue flute - the drum player with mask pulled back. Nicely detailed, down to the fingers and expressions of the musicians. The himotoshi is formed by the extended arm of one figure supporting the figure atop the Taiko. Edo period, 19th century. Good condition with rich, natural patina. Height, 1 5/8 inches

An elongated netsuke of bamboo carved at the root to represent the heads of a Reishi (Ling Zhi or bracket mushroom). It is 23 cm (9 inches) long and in excellent condition. Contrary to the ordinary Netsuke which are attached to long cords passed through the sash, the Sashi Netsuke has a very short cord and the netsuke itself is thrust between the sash and the Kimono. Their shape is thus long and flat...

Eijer, Dieuwke, Kagamibuta, Mirrors of Japanese Life and Legend, The Baur Collection / Heinz Kaempfer Fund (Geneva / Leiden), 1994. 95 pages, numerous b/w and color illustrations. Extensive description of the history, materials, techniques of kagamibuta, its subject matter and kagamibuta makers, richly illustrated with excellent photos of pieces from the Baur Collection and from private collections...

DESCRIPTION: “The Inro Handbook, Studies of Netsuke, Inro and Lacquer” was written for collectors who have discovered the delights of the miniature Japanese art forms. This authoritative and enlightening book offers a wealth of valuable information and is written by one of the foremost collectors and scholars in the field, Raymond Bushell...

A Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting Hotei 布袋, one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck, seated with his fan in his hands and a child embracing him. Hotei's face is plump, smiling, and conveys a sense of peace and tranquility. He is commonly referred to as the protector of children. Behind Hotei, there is a child, depicted with great sweetness, who embraces him. The carving lines are sharp and precise, creating an effect of three-dimensionality and depth...

This charming Japanese netsuke has the face of Noh theatre character surrounded with intricate basket weave pattern. It is signed under the chin dimensions 2.5 x 2 x 1 inch