Ivory netsuke depicting a standing child wearing the Shishi mask during the Shishimai matsuri festival. This netsuke captures a moment of joy and celebration during the celebration of matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival where the Shishi lion dance is performed. This netsuke is signed Masayuki 正之 on the back under the himotoshi. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 2.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory netsuke representing six pumpkin-shaped flasks, with a cord that holds the first three, while the other three are still in a natural state, before being worked and dug to be transformed into real bottles for sake. Below the central button, the writing “Fuki chomei” (Blessed long life) has a deep symbolic meaning...

A Japanese large boxwood netsuke depicting Shoki capturing a frightened Oni. The figure of Shoki, the legendary demon hunter, is represented with mastery, with the sword in his right hand and the honorable task of holding back the frightened oni with the other hand. The frightened oni struggling in Shoki's grip adds movement and tension to the scene. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Size: 8 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Japanese ivory netsuke depicting the Buddha's Hand or Fingered cedar among the leaves, a scented ornamental citrus fruit, a very important symbol in Buddhism, in the shape of a hand, originating from China and Japan where it is grown for religious purposes. The surface of the netsuke precisely reproduces the natural texture of the fruit, which is not smooth but characterized by roughness and pores. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 5.2×2.3×2.5 cm. Stat...

Japanese ivory netsuke depicting a South Sea fisherman with long, curly hair, leaning on a giant perforated sphere and busy moving it with an expression of effort on his face. His arms in the pushing position and his bare torso suggest the intensity of his effort as he tries to move the enormous sphere. The himotoshi of this Japanese ivory netsuke depicting a fisherman is natural as the holes are created naturally. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 3 x 2...

Height: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Width: 5.8 cm (2.3 in)
Depth: 3.6 cm (1.4 in)

Excellent Japanese carved netsuke of Daikokuten pouring Fukurokuju sake; fine carving throughout showing superb detailing; natural material; a piece by the hard-to-find artist, Masayuki; good condition

Height: 6.1 cm (2.4 in)
Width: 5 cm (2 in)
Depth: 3.6 cm (1.4 in)

Fine Japanese carved okimono of a horse being led by a clothed monkey; another monkey has draped himself over the horse’s back; natural material; excellent staining and scrimshaw work with remnants of old polychrome that was added in some areas; excellent patina; signed by a rare artist, Nobuchika

Height: 3.4 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Depth: 1.9 cm (0.8 in)

Quality Japanese carved netsuke of a dog resting on a bag; natural material; excellent patina; well- placed himatoshi; good condition

Height: 3.9 cm (1.5 in)
Width: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.4 in)

Quality Japanese netsuke of a seated monkey eating a peach and grasping another in his feet; natural material; excellent hair work and stained scrimmed clothing; signed on a polished reserve, Masanao; good condition

Height: 3.4 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3.9 cm (1.5 in)
Depth: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)

Fine Japanese carved netsuke of a father and child, the child holding a dragon fly; excellent carving throughout; natural material; the stained scrim-work particularly detailed; the extraordinary base work includes an oval panel with the signature, Gyokusai; good condition

Lacquered wood netsuke depicting the Kyōgen theater mask of a monkey (saru), very recurring in traditional Japanese theater. The mask is characterized by the typical physiognomy of the monkey, with large fixed eyes and an open mouth, of a lacquered red colour. The netsuke is signed Deme Saman 出目左滿. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4 x 2.9 x 2.2cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory netsuke depicting a snail crawling on a bamboo shoot. The snail is carefully rendered highlighting its curvature of the shell. The underside is enhanced with spherical horn details and an excellent patina. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 3cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory manju netsuke depicting Chok'aro, a character from Japanese tradition, trying to catch a miniature horse that is running away from its gourd. This netsuke shows Chok'aro in a dynamic pose, his eyes intent on catching the fleeing horse...

A large size netsuke depicting Rakan made of boxwood depicted seated in a meditation position, with legs crossed and back straight. His hands firmly hold the hossu, a liturgical object, a symbol of his role as a monk. This netsuke is signed Ryukei 隆桂 on an ivory dowel, as is the tuft of hair. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 4cm. State of conservation: Very good

Ivory manju netsuke depicting a giant cricket with long antennae next to an aubergine. Signed Mitsuo 光雄 under the base near the himotoshi holes. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 2cm. State of conservation: Very good

Detail of a large open lotus flower ivory netsuke with inside two symbolic objects of great importance for the Buddhist religion, the mokugyo, a wooden drum used in Buddhist rituals to mark the rhythm during the recitation of the sutras, and the onusa , liturgical object used by Japanese Buddhist monks during ceremonies. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 5 x 2.5 x 1.9cm. State of conservation: Very good

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

Ivory manju netsuke depicting Raijin 雷神, also known as Raiden, Japanese god of lightning and thunder, with a menacing and powerful appearance. Raiden is in a dynamic pose, robes billowing and fluttering. The back of the netsuke manju is adorned with a closed umbrella and an anchor. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.7cm. State of conservation: Very good