Japanese Carved Okimono Polychrome Birds by Tenzan (天山), Meiji Period

Antique Japanese Carved Okimono Polychrome Decorated Figure Group seated on a wood stand, signed by Gyokko, depicting a seated artisan carving and decorating a figure of a happy Bud...

Antique Japanese Carved Okimono Mixed Material Figure "Happy Buddha on Stand", Meiji Period This item is 2" wide x1.5" deep x 5" high in dimension, the wood stand measures 3" W x 2...

Antique Japanese Carved Okimono Polychrome Decorated Figure Group Mother & Son, Meiji Period This item is 2" wide x1 5/8" deep x 6" high in dimension, from the late 19th century, a...

Netsuke Japanese Hand-Carved Polychrome Figure depicts a man holding a large hammer, Signed by Matsuyoshi 松吉 on the bottom from the Meiji period. A truly hand-carved ivory figure with fine craftsmanship in a detailed carving This item is 1.5" wide x1" deep x 1.5" high in dimension, from the 19th century. This item is in excellent condition with no damages. Shipping Note: USA only, no International shipping The Essence of Netsuke: Like all art objects of great worth, netsuke distills the essence of a specific time and place. Worn as part of a traditional Japanese man’s ensemble from the 17th century onwards, the netsuke’s purpose was hyper-specific, and its functional simplicity lent artists unlimited freedom to constantly redefine what it could be. Formally, netsukes have few requirements: they must be small, they must have holes through which to pass a single cord, and they must have no protuberances that could damage one’s kimono. Everything else is left to the carver’s imagination. As such netsuke differs in style, subject, and material as widely as the personalities of their makers, and they are consequently supremely collectible. Netsuke emerged as a practical solution to dressing in 17th-century Japan. ‘Men’s kimonos didn’t have sewn-up sleeves — they were completely open, front and back, and that meant that the sleeves couldn’t be used as a pocket, as they could in women’s kimonos,’ Goodall explains. To carry things such as tobacco, medicine, or other necessities, men hung stylish inro and other vessels from cords looped under and behind the wide sashes that held their kimonos in place. At the other end of those cords, men fastened small, ornamental objects as counterweights; those objects evolved into netsuke. The netsuke’s origins are still ‘theoretical’, Goodall says. ‘It’s thought that, with increasing imports from China in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the toggles that were used on Chinese...

Netsuke Japanese Hand-Carved Polychrome Decorated Figure "Sumo", depicting a strongman holding a big rope and pulling something, signed on the bottom from the Meiji period. This it...

Netsuke Japanese Hand-Carved Polychrome Figure Group #2 by Yoshikawa "The Happy Buddha and a Kid" #H1, Signed on the bottom from the Meiji period. A truly hand-carved ivory figure wi...

A Japanese Meiji Period late 19th, early 20th century carved boxwood turtle okimono

A fine Japanese cloisonne hinged box with pheasant and autumn foliage, by Inaba Nanaho and the Inaba Cloisonne Company, Meiji period, circa 1900, ...

The charming figure, carved from a single piece of wood is exceptionally carved showing the male figure with humorous expression holding two Rabbits one by the ears and the second under his arm. A third Rabbit stands at the feet of the male looking up, each rabbit with a different expression. The male figure is wearing traditional Japanese attire with his hair tied back stood upon a naturalistic base. The figure dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Notes The Rabbit is one of the 12 animals to feature in the Japanese Zodiac signs which follows the Chinese astrological system along with the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Such division is connected with the Jupiter cycle around the Sun, which lasts about 12 years. As 2023 is the year of the Rabbit...

A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...

A large Japanese lacquer box with elaborate Maki-e design from Meiji period, (mid-late 19th century). The generous size of the box was reser...

Japanese Meiji period silver box with shibuichi plaque dating circa 1900. The box of rectangular form with a silver polished case stamped Jungin (J...