An ivory netsuke depicting a shishi crouching on a drum. The shishi rests one paw on a mokugyo, the traditional wooden drum used in Buddhist ceremonies. A hossu is concealed beneath the large drum. Signed Issei on the base. Period: Meiji late 19th century Dimensions: 1.9 x 4.4 cm. Condition: Excellent.

A finely engraved and carved ivory netsuke depicting a horse in a twisting motion with its tail fluttering on its back under the holes of the himotoshi. Period: Meiji, late 19th century. Dimensions: 3.9 x 4.1 x 2 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition.

Ivory manjû netsuke featuring a Noh masks group. Among the eleven masks, there are Okame, Hannya, Shôjo, Hyottoko, Oni, and Obeshimi. The multiple masks, delicately carved and the significant spacing between them, revealing the interior of the netsuke...

Ivory netsuke with the Noh mask of Okame and a masu rice box. Okame, also known as Suzume, is the divinity of cheerfulness and good humour. Masu are traditional square measuring containers made of cypress wood, used for measuring foodstuffs such as rice, or for drinking sake. Signed Mitsuyuki (光之). Japan – Meiji era (1869-1912) Height: 0.7 in / 1.7 cm – width: 1.1 in / 2.8 cm – depth: 1.2 in / 3 cm

Ivory Netsuke of Okame Noh mask, signed Hikari (光) on the back. Okame, also known as Otakufu, is a popular figure in Japanese folklore. She is often depicted as a cheerful, jovial woman with a round, smiling face, plump cheeks and small, squinty eyes. Okame is considered a symbol of good fortune and happiness...

Ivory netsuke of a dog, right front paw resting on a shell. Black eyes in horn. Japan–Late Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era(1868-1912),19thcentury Width:1.2 in(3.5cm)–depth:0.8 in(2.5cm)–height:1.2 in(3cm)

Small sculpture depicting six fruits, an eggplant, a pomegranate, two kakis, a peach and a yuzu. A small snail is represented climbing the leaves on the top of the object. The eggplant, while being a symbol of death, is also an auspicious one by its homonymy with the verb accomplish or realize, both being said “nasu”. The pomegranate is a symbol of fertility in eastern Asia, and the kaki a fruit for festivities related to luck for the upcoming year, being a winter fruit...

Ivory netsuke of a guardian lion, komainu in Japanese or shishi in Chinese, with golden eyes. Resting on its front paws, its head is turned backwards on a four-lobed base. The komainu is inspired by the Chinese guardian lion shishi, which dates back to the Tang dynasty (581-618). Supposed to ward off evil, it appears on both sides of doors and portals in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples

An ivory netsuke depicting a snail, with horn details. This work captures the moment the snail emerges from its shell. Period: Meiji late 19th century. Dimensions: 2.2 x 3.9 x 3.2 cm. Condition: Excellent. There are natural ivory streaks, typical of the material.

An ivory netsuke depicting a closed shell with a crab, whose legs are carved with great precision, highlighting the joints and the small details of the claws. Inside the shell, a turtle is carved in a crouched position, with its head, legs and tail protruding from its shell. Period: Edo 19th century. Dimensions: 2.2 x 4 x 3.6 cm. Condition: Excellent.

Ivory netsuke of a man wearing a wakizashi (short sword) on his left side and an inrô with his netsuke on his right side. His hairstyle is a chonmage and he is wearing a kimono with the lucky kanji kichi (吉) on the back.

In the feudal system that prevailed until the Edo period, the buke (武家) class corresponded to the warrior nobility. The man shown here belongs to this class and has the privilege of wearing the wakizashi, a highly regulated item...

Ivory netsuke depicting a puppy, with horned eyes, lying on a lotus flower. The petals are delicately engraved to show the natural veins of the flower, creating a delicate effect. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 5.2 x 3.5 x 1.5 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition.

An ivory netsuke depicting a physalis alkekengi with a red coral fruit. The delicately open petals reveal the red coral berry at the center, creating an elegant contrast of colors. Period: Edo-Meiji 19th century Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.6 x 2.2 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition. There are threads typical of the material.

Ivory netsuke depicting a large open lotus flower with a frog and a crab looking at each other. The patina is light on the front and more yellowish underneath. Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 2.4 x 4.5 x 3.9 cm. Conservation status: Excellent condition

Ivory netsuke of a group of three compactly intertwined monkeys, the smallest holding a longevity peach against him. Their eyes are inlaid horn. Their coats are carefully incised and their fingers are finely sculpted. Natural himotoshi through one of the legs.
Signature on the right flank of the largest monkey, in an unidentified rectangular reserve.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Width: 0.8 in (2.5 cm) - Depth: 1.6 (4 cm) - Height: 1.6 in (4.5 cm)

Ivory sculpture okimono of a kingfisher on its base, with a fish in its beak. Its eyes are in hard stone.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Width: 1.6 in (4 cm) - depth: 2.8 in (7.2 cm) - height: 1.6 in (4.3 cm)

Ivory netsuke of a craftsman making a bucket.

Signature below, the first unidentified character : ?光.

Japan – Late Edo period (1603-1868) ou Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century – ?光
Width: 1.2 in (3.8 cm) – depth: 1.2 in (3.7 cm) – height: 1.2 in (3.8 cm)

Ivory netsuke of a craftsman with a fan. Near the holes reserved for the rope (himotoshi), maple leaves.

Signed below, the first character unidentified: ?夫 .

Japan – Late Edo period (1603-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century – ?夫
Width: 1.9 in (5 cm) – depth: 1.6 in (4.5 cm) – hauteur : 1.6 in (4.2 cm)