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A JAPANESE CARVED IVORY NETSUKE of a seated boy playing with a rabbit, together with a miniature noh mask; signed, 3.5cm and 2.5cm.

A JAPANESE CARVED IVORY NETSUKE of a rat seated on a group of nuts, together with a netsuke of a seated lion, 4cm and 4.5cm high.

A JAPANESE CARVED IVORY NETSUKE, depicting buddha with children, signed to base, 6cm high.

A JAPANESE CARVED IVORY NETSUKE, of a noh actor with a child by his side, 4.5cm high.

A JAPANESE CARVED IVORY NETSUKE, carved as four figures in a circle holding brushes, with red seal inset to base, 5cm wide.

A FINE JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD CARVED IVORY OKIMONO LARGE NETSUKE - OF LUCKY GODS - one piece and carved depicting the lucky gods of good fortune - the underside with an inset red seal signature tablet - with a himotoshi to the base, 7cm each way.

A JAPANESE WOVEN CLOTH PURSE, with embossed silver dragon mount and large ivory manju netsuke toggle with embossed silver inset, 13.5cm wide.

A JAPANESE WOVEN CLOTH PURSE, with embossed silver dragon mount and large ivory manju netsuke toggle with embossed silver inset, 14.5cm wide.

A 19TH CENTURY JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD PORCELAIN NETSUKE OF A BOY - the netsuke modeled as a boy riding a double gourd - with string inserts in two plug holes with bone or ivory bangles 8cm

AN 18TH CENTURY CARVED IVORY SASHI NETSUKE of a sage holding a frog aloft, 9cm long.

A SMALL JAPANESE WOOD CARVING / NETSUKE of a pumpkin with two mice, one reticulated mouse emerging from inside the pumpkin, signed, 5cm.

A Japanese carved hardwood netsuke of a figure holding a staff, signed, height 6.5cm

A Victorian cut glass inkwell, of rectangular section, the lid later surmounted with a Japanese netsuke carved as a seated man with a gourd and bowl, ink detailed, two character signature, 14cm high.

Wood carved netsuke of a bird, with bead eyes, signed to base, length 4.7cm

A small ivory Netsuke; and an ivory figure of an acrobat

A Japanese ivory netsuke of a man reading a book, a small okimono of Guanyin and monkeys, a Manju netsuke of masks and an early 20th century netsuke of a bearded man

A Japanese Edo period ivory netsuke of Hotei and a Meiji period ivory netsuke of Daikoku and Ebisu, largest 6.5 cms high.

A collection of seven netsukes to include Meiji period netsuke

Seven Japanese netsuke and carvings

A Japanese laquer Meiji period inroTwo sections underneath the cover, cannot be separated, some edgeware and minor scuffs to the inro, the ojime in good condition, the manju netsuke with minor hair cracks

A Japanese Edo period carved ivory netsuke formed as a sage; together with three other netsuke one formed as a dog, a small okimono formed as a street trader

A Japanese Meiji period sectional ivory okimono carved as a farm worker, a smaller example, a figural netsuke, a further carving and a Cantonese ivory puzzle ball on stand (one tray)Puzzle ball with damages

A 19th century small Cantonese ivory card case, five Japanese netsuke of a similar date and a carved soap stone seal (one tray)

A Buddha netsuke

ICHIMUKEN NANKA: A RARE IVORY MANJU NETSUKE WITH HISTORICAL INSCRIPTIONSBy Ichimuken Nanka, signed Nanka toJapan, Izumi province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The two-part manju of flat circular form, finely engraved in delicate kebori with a large panel featuring a lengthy inscription of a list of brave vassals of the Toyotomi Clan: Hidenaga (Yamato province), Hidetsugu (Omi province), Oda Nobukatsu (Owari province), Hidenobu (Gifu province, Mino), Hashiba Hidesada (Iga province), Yuuki Hideyasu (Echizen province); and the Council of Five Elders (Go-tairou) -Tokugawa Ieyasu is missing from the list but the rest of four Elders are inscribed: Maeda Toshiie (Kanazawa, Kaga fief), Mori Terumoto (Aki province), Ukita Hideie (Bishu, Mimasaka provinces), Uesugi Kagekatsu (Echizen province).The reverse further with two panels, one oblong and one fan-shaped. The oblong reserve lists the Seven Spears of Shizugadake: Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), Katagiri Katsumoto(1556-1615), Fukushima Masanori (1561-1624), Kato Yoshiaki (1563-1631), Wakizaka Yasuharu (1554-1626), Hirano Nagayasu (1559-1628) and Kasuya Takenori (1562-1607). The fan-shaped reserve references the legendary hero Choryo (Zhang Liang in Chinese, c. 251 BC-186 BC).Central himotoshi to the back, the cord attachment inside. Signed to the lower left in the back NANKA to [carved by Nanka]. The artist was known for his delicately engraved designs featuring historical inscriptions.DIAMETER 3.6 cmCondition: Good condition with minor traces of wear and tiny smoothed abrasions along the borders. The discs do not perfectly fit together.Auction comparison:Compare a related manju netsuke by Nanka at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 151 (sold for 4,560 GBP.)Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0330).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

VADYM PYVOVAR: A WOOD NETSUKE OF TIGERBy Vadym Pyvovar, signed with the artist's markUkraine, 2021Charmingly carved as a tiger seated on its rear haunches, the front legs crossed in front, the face with an enigmatic, mischievous expression, reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat and marked by a sideways glance, the fur neatly incised, the tail elegantly curved, one leg with a rectangular reserve incised with the artist's initials.HEIGHT 4.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition.

HIROKI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECLINING TANUKIBy Hiroki, signed HirokiJapan, Meiji Period (1868-1912)Charmingly carved as a reclining tanuki, its body tightly wound together forming a compact composition, and the fur very finely incised. Two asymmetrical Himotoshi through the underside, the signature within an oval reserve HIROKI.LENGTH 3.7 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear.Provenance: Purchased from Van Ham, Netsuke &Japanische Kunst, 8 June 2017, Cologne, lot 394 (attached to an inro).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0338).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

AN IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI WITH HIS TREASURE SACKJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Moss, Sydney L. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, pp. 152-153, no.31.The netsuke carved as seated Hotei on a rounded-cornered rectangular seal-type base. The deity is thoroughly relaxed, his features content and laughter-creased, while grasping the mouth of his treasure sack. The face and stomach with laughter wrinkles. A large himotoshi on the underside, exiting through the sack in the back.HEIGHT 4.2 cmCondition: Good condition, commensurate with age, light surface scratches, age cracks. The ivory of a fine honey-yellow patina.Provenance: Ex-collection June H. Schuerch (1930-2009).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0313). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A FINE IVORY AND METAL KAGAMIBUTA WITH A LILYJapan, circa 1850, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Sydney L. Moss (2010) they are all fire and every one doth shine. The Elly Nordskog Collection of Japanese Inro, Pipecases and Netsuke, London, pp. 98-99, no.19.Of rounded rectangular shape, fitted with a gilt plate depicting a lily, the flower-head in copper with shakudo stamens, the leaves as well in shakudo with gilt highlights. The back with a central himotoshi.LENGTH 4.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Elinor "Elly" Nordskog (1919-2013).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0311). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A RARE IVORY AND METAL KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE WITH BAKEMONOJapan, late 19th centuryThe metal plate set into a flattened ivory bowl, the front finely worked in gold, silver, and copper takazogan with fine katakiri-bori, depicting what appears to be an actor wearing a ferociously screaming theater mask, the three-clawed hands betraying the creature as a bakemono.DIAMETER 4.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. Provenance: Sydney L. Moss Ltd, no. 5222 (according to label to reverse).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0318). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

RYUMIN: A FINE IVORY MANJU NETSUKE OF A SAMBASO DANCERBy Ryumin, signed Ryumin with kakihan Japan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1860, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Sydney L. Moss (2010) they are all fire and every one doth shine. The Elly Nordskog Collection of Japanese Inro, Pipecases and Netsuke, London, pp. 376-377, no. 123.Of circular form, the two-part manju finely carved to one side in shishiaibori (sunken relief) with a sambaso dancer in a dynamic pose with all limbs spread out, his face with a joyful expression. The reverse carved with a long-haired female courtier seen from behind, the hair neatly incised. The back with central himotoshi and red-ink signature RYUMIN with kakihan.DIAMETER 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with a minor nibbling to the rim.Provenance: Ex-collection Elinor "Elly" Nordskog (1919-2013).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0308). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

AN OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF TEKKAI SENNINJapan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Amusingly carved as the Taoist immortal Tekkai leaning against his gnarly cane, his long beard suffusing with the staff, with long draping sleeves and a bag slung over his back. The sennin is looking upwards, pressing his lips forward and exhaling his soul. His expression is profoundly comical, marked by a large nose, the bulging eyes inlaid in dark horn. Fine, yellowish patina and large himotoshi through the back.HEIGHT 6.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor wear, some faint age cracks.Provenance: Austrian private collection.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0100).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF A MONKEY HOLDING A PEACHJapan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Very finely carved from the coronet of a branch of deer antler, the natural features brilliantly incorporated into the design. Depicted is a monkey casually leaning on a rocky base with a peach in his right hand. Large himotoshi through the base.HEIGHT 3.5 cmCondition: Very good condition, little wear and natural flaws to the material.Provenance: Ex-collection Richard R. Silverman purchased from Ito, Tokyo, in 2007. Richard R. Silverman (1932-2019) was a renowned Asian art collector with one of the largest private collections of netsuke outside of Japan. He lived in Tokyo between 1964 and 1979 and began to collect netsuke there in 1968. Since the 1970s, he wrote and lectured about netsuke and was an Asian art consultant for Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams. His gift of 226 ceramic netsuke to the Toledo Museum of Art constitutes perhaps the largest public collection of these miniature clay sculptures in the world. After moving to California, Silverman became a member of the Far Eastern Art Council at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1984. In 1993, he joined LACMA's Executive Board. He served on the board of directors for the International Society of Appraisers from 1986 to 1994 and served nine years as chair for the City of West Hollywood Fine Arts Commission. Richard Silverman was posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his decades-long promotion of Japanese culture.

A FINE YAKIMONO (CERAMIC) NETSUKE OF HOTEIJapan, Wahei workshop, late 19th centuryFinely modelled as a laughing Hotei holding a fan and carrying his treasure bag slung over his back, applied with a variety of glazes ranging from creamy-white craquelure to olive-green, the himotoshi found through the bag. Unsigned, but attributed to the Wahei workshop.HEIGHT 4.2 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Swiss private collection.

A WOOD NETSUKE OF HANKAIJapan, late 19th centuryFinely carved as Hankai standing in full armor, his feet placed wide apart dynamically, his expression forceful, holding a door with a grimacing face in his hand. His pupils are inlaid and the asymmetrical himotoshi are found in the back.HEIGHT 4.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear. Provenance: European collection.Hankai (Chinese: Fan Kuai, died around 200 B.C.) was one of the first followers of the Han Dynasty and minister of the emperor Kan no Koso. The legend describes how Hankai prevented an assassination attempt on the emperor by the villain Gao Yu. When Hankai heard about the planned attack, he kicked the hall door in and stormed the room with a door leaf under his arm. Afterwards he enabled the emperor to escape by a trick.

ALEXANDER DERKACHENKO: A MAMMOTH IVORY NETSUKE OF A BAYING KIRINBy Alexander Derkachenko, signed with the artist's markUkraine, late 20th centuryThe very first kirin carved by the contemporary artist, depicting the baying kirin in a classic manner, the eyes inlaid with dark horn, the mammoth ivory deeply stained, several natural himotoshi between the beast's limbs and body, the underside with the artist's signature.HEIGHT 6 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear.With an original mahogany box and cover signed by the artist.

ROKKO: A FINE WOOD OKIMONO OF HOTEIBy Rokko, signed RokkoJapan, Tokyo, late 19th centuryDepicting the lucky god Hotei laughing jovially, the face well-carved with inlaid pupils and opened mouth framed by pendulous earlobes, standing dressed in a flowing, loose-fitting robe, the huge belly and chest bare. A separately carved, gnarly cane is placed between Hotei's arm and the opening of his treasure bag. Signed underneath ROKKO.HEIGHT 11.5 cmCondition: Good condition. One foot chipped and one pupil replaced.Provenance: German private collection.Auction comparison:A closely related wood okimono depicting Ebisu by Rokko was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono &Okimono, 2 June 2018, Vienna, lot 84 (sold for 4,297 EUR).

AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A SAGE AND BOYJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The rather large netsuke finely carved in openwork as a smiling sage with long, neatly incised hair and beard, wearing long flowing robes, a young boy seated on a drum below him, both holding gnarled branches bearing blossoms inlaid with coral and mother-of-pearl, two asymmetrical himotoshi to the sage's back.HEIGHT 6 cmCondition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, expected age cracks, traces of use. Fine, smooth, honey-yellow patina.Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0289). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

CHIKAMASA: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MOTHER WITH CHILDBy Chikamasa, signed ChikamasaJapan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A rather large ivory netsuke depicting a mother supporting her child on her back and holding a large tea kettle. The woman is a bijin (beautiful lady) - a symbol of eroticism, as the netsuke has light shunga undertones, the mother's sensitively crafted breasts are revealed. Furthermore, she represents fertility and devotion, as she carries her child and a tea kettle, presumably to her husband. The back with two small himotoshi and the signature CHIKAMASA within a rectangular reserve.HEIGHT 7.4 cmCondition: Good condition with some wear, particularly to sumi detailing, minor age cracks, few minuscule nicks.Provenance: From a private collection in Berlin, Germany.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke by Chikuyosai Tomochika, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono &Okimono, 2 November 2019, Vienna, lot 37 (sold for 10,112 EUR).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0114).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A TSUISHU (RED LACQUER) FOUR-CASE INRO AND MANJU NETSUKEJapan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The inro of rounded rectangular form, well and deeply carved with peony blossoms amid rockwork against a hanabishi ground, the top and bottom of the inro similarly carved with a conch shell and fan, respectively. The interior of nashiji with gold fundame edges. The two-part manju netsuke of circular domed form, the tsuishu side carved with prunus blossoms against a hanabishi ground, the silver side neatly incised with a recumbent ox. The red-lacquered ojime of globular form carved as a spiral.HEIGHT 9.5 cm (the inro), DIAMETER 4.1 cm (the netsuke)Condition: Good condition with expected wear, minor chips, small losses, few minuscule nicks.Provenance: French private collection.Auction comparison: Compare a related tsuishu ensemble at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 342 (sold for 2,040 GBP).

A RARE MIXED METAL NETSUKE OF A FUCHI-GASHIRA WITH ORCHIDJapan, late 19th centuryThe fuchi-gashira shaped netsuke fitted with a gilt metal plate and inlaid in the front with a silver orchid, the sides bearing a nanako ground, the back with a gilt metal chrysanthemum knop and looped cord attachment.LENGTH 3.9 cmCondition: Good condition with minor associated surface wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Richard R. Silverman, purchased from Ito, Tokyo, in 2006. Richard R. Silverman (1932-2019) was a renowned Asian art collector with one of the largest private collections of netsuke outside of Japan. He lived in Tokyo between 1964 and 1979 and began to collect netsuke there in 1968. Since the 1970s, he wrote and lectured about netsuke and was an Asian art consultant for Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams. His gift of 226 ceramic netsuke to the Toledo Museum of Art constitutes perhaps the largest public collection of these miniature clay sculptures in the world. After moving to California, Silverman became a member of the Far Eastern Art Council at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1984. In 1993, he joined LACMA's Executive Board. He served on the board of directors for the International Society of Appraisers from 1986 to 1994 and served nine years as chair for the City of West Hollywood Fine Arts Commission. Richard Silverman was posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his decades-long promotion of Japanese culture.

A WOOD NETSUKE OF A CALLIGRAPHERJapan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The shokoda (calligrapher) modelled seated, his right arm holding a paintbrush, in his left a paper slip, wearing a finely carved robe with geometrical roundels and intricate details, the face showing a calm expression. The base with generously excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi and signed within a rectangular reserve.LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, some light surface scratches.Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm collection, Paris.

GYOKUHOSAI RYUCHIN: A MARINE IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO ONI SEARCHING FOR A NAMAZU By Gyokuhosai Ryuchin, signed RyuchinJapan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1830, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as two oni in the guise of fishermen atop a furled lotus leaf with neatly incised veins, one holding a large basket, both with grotesque expressions and long hair, failing to see the namazu (catfish) carved in relief to the underside of the leaf. The underside with two himotoshi and the signature RYUCHIN.LENGTH 4.7 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear and few minuscule nicks, one arm with an old repair. Fine, naturally grown, honey-gold patina.Provenance: French private collection.Gyokuhosai Ryuchin was regarded by Meinertzhagen as one of the most brilliant netsuke carvers of his time. His designs were original and often displayed his superior use of sukashibori (openwork). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

MASATSUGU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SARUMAWASHIBy Masatsugu, signed Masatsugu Japan, late 19th centuryAn unusually charming and characterful carving depicting a sarumawashi (monkey trainer) standing and laughing, wearing his typical clothes and a soft cloth hat, holding a cane in one hand, and supporting the monkey with the other, the monkey sitting on his back. Two himotoshi through the lower back of the sarumawashi and the signature on the back of his left leg MASATSUGU.HEIGHT 5.9 cmCondition: Overall good condition with minor wear, with few tiny chips to the feet, one repaired. Provenance: German private collection.

NORISHIGE: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF KINTARO WITH BEARBy Norishige, signed NorishigeJapan, Osaka, mid-19th centuryThe Golden Boy seated and petting a small bear lying in front of him, his axe held in his left hand, clad in an apron incised with star designs, tied at the waist and neck, his muscular body boldly carved, the bear's fur and his hair subtly incised and heightened with sumi, the underside well carved with his and the animal's limbs, two himotoshi, and the signature NORISHIGE.LENGTH 3.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and expected age cracks.Provenance: French private collection.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0110).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

IKKYU: A RARE NETSUKE OF A FISHERMANBy Ikkyu, signed IkkyuJapan, Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved depicting a fisherman, his hands seemingly pulling a rope (the cord of the inro), the head partially covered with a cloth, his face with a joyful expression, the pupils minutely inlaid in dark horn. The cord channel runs through both hands, the underside of the leg with the signature IKKYU within a rectangular reserve.HEIGHT 4.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and traces of use.Provenance: European collection.Figural netsuke by this master carver from Nagoya are to be considered extremely rare. The cord channel running through the hands is most unusual.

AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A CHINESE OFFICIALJapan, 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved standing, wearing voluminous robes, shoes, and a shaped apron with floral and cloud decoration, holding a large hat in his left hand and a scepter with pale translucent horn inlay, his long hair elegantly falling in three strands over his back. The underside and back with chimney himotoshi.HEIGHT 8.3 cmCondition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear due to handling, minuscule nicks and chips, natural age cracks. Superb, naturally grown, smooth, honey-brown patina.Provenance: A private collection in the Rhineland, Germany, assembled between 1960 and 1990.Literature comparison: Compare a related netsuke illustrated by Joly, H. L. (1975) Catalogue of the H. Seymour Trower Collection of Japanese Art, pl. I, no. 511.Auction comparison: Compare a Chinese ivory figure of an official, dated to the Ming dynasty, 17th century, at Sotheby's, Chinese Art, 29 May 2019, Hong Kong, lot 703 (sold for 118,750 HKD).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0094).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

A MARINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY SITTING IN A COILED BAMBOO NODEJapan, c. 1830, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Sydney L. Moss (2010) they are all fire and every one doth shine. The Elly Nordskog Collection of Japanese Inro, Pipecases and Netsuke, London, pp. 404-405, no. 140.The monkey casually sitting in a coiled, basket-shaped bamboo node, the right hand grasping the upper part, the left hand resting on the lower part of the node, the head looking back over its shoulder and smiling. The fur is neatly incised and appealingly worn. Asymmetrical himotoshi through the underside and lower back of the bamboo node. HEIGHT 3.5 cmCondition: Good condition with minimal wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Elinor "Elly" Nordskog (1919-2013).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

MASAKAZU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI TRAPPING SHOKIBy Masakazu, signed MasakazuJapan, Gifu/Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Superbly carved with minutely detailed expression as a mischievous oni trapping Shoki underneath a finely carved straw basket, the demon queller slightly flattened and using all his might to lift the basket ever so slightly. The details finely carved all around. One himotoshi to the side, the other tucked away underneath Shoki's robe where the signature is found - MASAKAZU. The dark cherry wood bearing a fine, unctuous patina.LENGTH 3 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: Swiss private collection.Auction comparison:A related wood netsuke by Tomokazu was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono &Okimono, 27 April 2019, Vienna, lot 266 (sold for 12,640 EUR).

A LARGE IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI ON HIS TREASURE BAGJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Moss, Sydney L. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, pp. 154-155, no.32.Carved depicting the bulbous-earlobed Hotei reclining at his ease atop his large treasure sack. The rather unusual crease of his overstuffed belly with a wobbly smile of its own, beneath straggly chest hair. A few rope designs are carved across the bag. A large himotoshi in the back, exiting through the underside of the bag.HEIGHT 6 cmCondition: Good condition, age cracks, minor nibbling and surface scratches. The ivory of honey-brown patina to the reverse.Provenance: Ex-collection June H. Schuerch (1930-2009).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0314).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

AN UNUSUAL KYOTO SCHOOL NETSUKE OF A MONKEY WITH ACORNSJapan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Boldly carved as a monkey with quizzical expression marked by large bulging eyes, the mouth agape revealing teeth and tongue, both hands holding onto a gnarled branch, the monkey flanked by two acorns issuing from the branch forming several natural himotoshi.LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, few minuscule nicks, possibly a small loss to the branch.Provenance: US private collection.Literature comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of a monkey scratching itself by Mitsuhide, illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese and Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 332, no. C 1030. Another related wood netsuke of a monkey and young by Mitsuhide, dated early 19th century, is in the collection of the Linden-Museum Stuttgart, inventory number OA 19021.

AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECLINING HOTEI WITH HOSSU (FLYWHISK)Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved in a reclining posture, holding a hossu, the netsuke of a type meant to be worn horizontally reclining on the top of the obi. His loose robe with finely carved folds and opening at the chest to reveal his rotund belly and ample chest, a cheerful expression on his chubby face, the mouth agape in a laugh, the back with two generously excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi.LENGTH 6.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, minor age cracks, light honey-yellow patina to the reverse. The himotoshi clearly display signs of use.Provenance: Acquired at Kunsthaus Lempertz, Asian Art, 6 September 2017, Cologne, lot 500.Netsuke such as the present lot are of unusually high quality for early figural ivory netsuke. Unlike the seated Hotei types, which tend to follow earlier Chinese models, these horizontal variants are purely Japanese in concept.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0339).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

MASANOBU: AN UNUSUAL IVORY SHUNGA NETSUKE OF OKAME POLISHING A TENGU MASKBy Masanobu, signed Masanobu Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The okimono type netsuke carved with the Shinto goddess of mirth Okame smiling while polishing the long phallic nose of a konoha-tengu mask with a long cloth, above the nose, a karasu tengu is seated, the features carved with extraordinary detail. Himotoshi through the feathered fan (hauchiwa), underneath and signature MASANOBU.HEIGHT 4.6 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and natural age cracks. Fine yellowish patina. Provenance: European private collection.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0347).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

MASAKAZU: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BAKEMONO PLAYING THE KOTOBy Masakazu, signed MasakazuJapan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a seated bakemono playing the koto, his hands gently pulling at the strings. The prominent head with a joyful expression. The koto with neatly incised detail on the side. A large himotoshi through the base of the koto, the other underneath the bakemono's legs, signed MASAKAZU with a wavy reserve.LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear.Provenance: European collection.

AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI WITH TREASURE BAGJapan, 17th to early 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Moss, Sydney L. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, pp. 150-151, no.28.The beautifully worn ivory netsuke carved as a standing, smiling Hotei with his sack slung over one shoulder. Large himotoshi through the back.Condition: Good condition, signs of age and wear, a chip to the left sleeve, age cracks, honey-colored patina.Provenance: Ex-collection June H. Schuerch (1930-2009).HEIGHT 4.4 cmIt may well be the case that this carving originates from Ming-Dynasty China, as the Buddhist deity Budai, and the himotoshi were introduced to this piece upon arrival in Japan.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0312). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

VADYM PYVOVAR: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A MOON RABBITBy Vadym Pyvovar, signed with the artist's markUkraine, 2021Finely carved and stained as a plump lunar hare with large ears and amusing expression, its body in the shape of the full moon, the eyes inlaid. The underside with two large himotoshi and signed with the artist's initials within a polished oval reserve.LENGTH 4.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition.

RYUMIN: AN UNUSUAL IVORY AND METAL KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKEBy Serizawa Ryumin, signed Ryumin and kakihan Japan, Tokyo, late 19th centuryThe shibuichi plate set into an unusual heart-shaped ivory bowl bearing a fine patina, the plate carved in katakiri-bori with an old lady seated by a spinning wheel, the details inlaid in gold, with the signature RYUMIN and kakihan. Central himotoshi to the back.LENGTH 4.2 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. The bowl with natural age cracks. Provenance: Ex-collection Ted Wrangham. Edward A. 'Ted' Wrangham (1928-2009) formed one of the most important collections of Japanese Art in modern times. His reference book 'The Index of Inro Artists' (1995) is considered one of the most important English-language studies on Japanese lacquer ever published.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0333).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

ANGANSAI: A WOOD NETSUKE OF RIHAKU (LI BAI)By Angansai, signed AngansaiJapan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The famous Chinese poet from the Tang dynasty carved seated in a relaxed pose, supporting himself with one hand and holding up a wine-filled cup with the other, his inebriated state betrayed by his amusing expression, the voluminous robe neatly incised with floral roundels. The back and underside with himotoshi.LENGTH 3 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, few minuscule nicks.Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris.Li Bai (701-762), known as Rihaku in Japan, was a Chinese poet acclaimed from his own day to the present as a genius and a romantic figure who took traditional poetic forms to new heights. His life has taken on a legendary aspect, including tales of drunkenness, chivalry, and the well-known fable that Li drowned when he reached from his boat to grasp the moon's reflection in the river while drunk.

A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF OKAME SLEEPINGJapan, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved to depict Okame sleeping on a mat carved as the character yume (dream), her head resting on one hand, the other hand on her knee, the face with a gentle expression, the hair neatly incised. Himotoshi to the underside.LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Richard R. Silverman, purchased from Ito, Tokyo, in 2003. Richard R. Silverman (1932-2019) was a renowned Asian art collector with one of the largest private collections of netsuke outside of Japan. He lived in Tokyo between 1964 and 1979 and began to collect netsuke there in 1968. Since the 1970s, he wrote and lectured about netsuke and was an Asian art consultant for Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams. His gift of 226 ceramic netsuke to the Toledo Museum of Art constitutes perhaps the largest public collection of these miniature clay sculptures in the world. After moving to California, Silverman became a member of the Far Eastern Art Council at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1984. In 1993, he joined LACMA's Executive Board. He served on the board of directors for the International Society of Appraisers from 1986 to 1994 and served nine years as chair for the City of West Hollywood Fine Arts Commission. Richard Silverman was posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his decades-long promotion of Japanese culture.

A FINE WALNUT NETSUKE OF A DRAGONJapan, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The kurumi netsuke very finely carved as a dragon (tatsu), its writhing scaly body twisting around the composition, flames emanating from its body, and surrounded by crashing waves. The back with two himotoshi.HEIGHT 3.7 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear, natural flaws to the material. The signature tablet has been lost and replaced.Provenance: European collection.Likely artists for this fine netsuke are either Kozan or Kurokawa Masahide.Auction comparison:A related kurumi netsuke by Kozan depicting Rakan Handaka Sonja and dragon was sold at Lempertz, The Papp Collection of Netsuke, 16 June 2018, Cologne, lot 1041 (sold for 3,472 EUR).