Meiji Bone Dragonfly or Flower Netsuke A fine Japanese bone netsuke in a tapered cylindrical style, measuring approximately 3 X 1 ins. , dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The carver has simply inscribed what looks like a dragonfly or a flower on the surface. This is a simple, functional piece that shows the true utilitarian design of the netsuke before it became a showpiece.
 

Beans on Chestnut Ivory Meiji Netsuke An unusual antique Japanese netsuke carved of marine or fossil ivory, measuring approximately 2 1/2 ins., dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The netsuke-shi shows us two beans on top of a chestnut, Perhaps this was meant to be worn as a symbol of good harvest or during a festival. It is in fine and original condition.
 

19th c. JPN Amber Netsuke of Fukurokuju A Japanese netsuke or ojime carved form natural amber, with inclusions and internal fractures, in the shape of Fukurokuju, measuirng 2 ins. high, dating to the Meiji period (1868-1912). The piece is unsigned, It has a wonderful patina of age and translucency consistent with the material.
 

Bone Chrys. Manju/Ryusa Netsuke <p><b>A fine Japanese bone netsuke in a manjnu or ryusa style, measuring approximately 1 3/4 x 1/14 , dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> The netsuke has been expertly drilled and carved in a chrysanthemum form. It is not signed. This netsuke is in fine and original condition.
 

Meiji IN Ojime of Carp Swimming A Japanese ojime carved of wood (ivory nut) in cylindrical shape with surface carving of swimming carp, dating to the late Edo - early Meiji period, measuring 1 1/4 X 1/2ins., unsigned.
 

Meiji Stone Netsuke of Tiger Face A Japanese carved stone netsuke of a tiger’s face, measuring 1 1/4 ins. across, dating to the Meiji period (1868-1912).
 

Jpn Netsuke of Man Carrying Rice Bale <p><b>A Japanese netsuke of a pot-bellied man with a bemused expression carrying an exceptionally large rice bale, carved of fossilized ivory, measuring 2 1/4 ins., dating to the Meiji period (1868-1912).</b> The uneven himotoshi and patina are consistent with the age. A delightful netsuke with its subject and construction using a contrast in size between the bale and the man.
 

Meiji Mandarin Duck Ivory Netsuke <p><b> A superb Japanese netsuke, made of elephant ivory in a sashi style of an <i>oshidori</i>, or mandarin duck, dating to the Meiji period (1868-1912). </b> It is in excellent and original condition with one, old, sealed age crack. This netsuke has the rounded shape and unevenly sized himotoshi typical of Meiji pieces that were made to be worn, not just for display. The wonderful patina of age shows that this netsuke was indeed worn by one or more owners. The nestuke is signed by the artist: HISAMITSU. Davey lists a carver named Hisamitsu, but gives no pictures for comparison, so I don’t know if this is the same one.
 

Meiji wood Boy with Rat and Bag Netsuke <p><b>A fine Japanese wooden ivory nut netsuke of a boy with a rat and a bag, measuring approximately 1 1/2 ins. in diameter, dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> The carving is crisp and shows essebtially no wear. This netsuke is in fine and original condition.
 

Wood Lacquered Netsuke of Man A fine Japanese lacquered wood netsuke, dating to the Meiji period (1863-1912). The carving is oval in shape and measures 1 1/2 ins. tall. indicating that this may have been carved from a fruit pit. It is in fine and original condition.
 

Erotic Japanese Wooden Netsuke <p><b>An unusual and graphic Japanese wooden netsuke made in the shape of a penis, incised and carved with a raised dragon in gold accents, measuring 5 1/2 in. in length.</b> This life-like netsuke has through and through himotoshi in the base. Most likely a 20th century item, but not new.
 

Gold Lacquer Four-case New Years Inro <p><b> An exceptional Japanese gold lacquer over wood, four-case inro, decorated with both flat and raised gold, silver, brown and red lacquer, dating to the late Edo - early Meiji periods. </b> The front of the inro has a lobster, pine tree and fruits. The reverse shows a flowering plant in a pot. <p>The design shows this was intended for use during the New Year’s celebration. The lobster is intended to bring long life, because its name in Chinese ideograph means "aged of the sea." The fruit is probably dried persimmon or bitter orange, both used at New Year’s. The pine branch represents the <i>kado-matsu</i>, a decoration traditionally placed outside the Japanese home only at the New Year as a hope for vigor and longlife. the flowering plant is most likely apricot, which blooms bravely in the season in spite of snow on the ground. <p>The interior of the inro and the risers are completed in sprinkled, nashiki lacquer. The inro is closed with an orange lacquer over wood ojime and a lacquer over wood netsuke of a seated man preparing food. Both items are of the same period as the inro. There is some loss to the gold lacquer along the edges and to the gold leave on the designs. The pieces are unsigned.
 

Meiji Era Bone Rat Ojime A Japanese ojime, of bone, in cylindrical shape, with a relief carving of a rat, measuring 1 1/4 ins., dating to the mid 19th century.<b> The ojime is in fine and original condition.
 

Meiji Era Ivory Nut Ox Netsuke A fine Japanese wood or ivory nut netsuke of a bull or ox, measuring approximately 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 ins., dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912).</b> The netsuke-shi has expertly defined the bull with a minimum number of cuts. The unequal himotoshi and shell inlaid eyes are characteristic of the period. It is unsigned. This netsuke is in fine and original condition.
 

Modern Carver Hiroaki Dragon Manju Netsuke A superb Japanese fossil ivory manju netsuke of a coiled dragon, measuring approximately 1 1/2 ins. in diameter, dating to the secodn half of the 20th century.</b> It is signed by the modern master, HIROAKI, who has inlaid the eyes with horn or shell. This netsuke is in excellent and original condition and shows the hand of an experienced carver.