Purchase Date: 18th November 2011
Price: £11.06
Location: Burton Upon Trent,Staffordshire, UK (auction via Ebay)
Size: Approx 18mm
Description:A cute little mouse (no lines on the tail!) not too much detail, but expertly carved, as his tiny tail is carved from one solid piece and is quite delicate. I just love the little expression on his face!
Himotoshi holes to underside and eyes have been inlaid with black glass or onyx.
Purchase Date: 15th November 2011
Price: £19.27
Location: Great Yarmouth, UK (auction via Ebay)
Size: Approx 50mm
19th Century Japanese Dragon
Description: A mythical dragon wrapping itself around a sphere or ball. Dragons play a bit part in Japanese folklore and the Dragon is one of the signs of the zodiac. In fact 2012 is the year of the Dragon. The style of the dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese dragon. Most Japanese ones are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water and are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet.
Himotoshi holes to the underside and the eyes have inlaid black glass or onyx.
Purchase Date: 11th November 2011
Price: £41.00
Location:Great Yarmouth, UK, (via Ebay)
Size: approx 50mm
Description: Boxwood carved figure of a small rat carrying a pack with a chinese/japanese coin. Rats and mice have their own small place in Japanese folklore and the rat is one of the signs of the zodiac. This mouse or rat seems to be wearing what looks like a peasant waistcoat. Rat netsukes normally have lines carved into the tail, this one does not, which leads me to suspect that it’s actually a mouse.
The Japanese word for mouse and rat (nezumi) is the same for both.
Himotoshi holes to the underside and the eyes are inlaid with black glass or onyx.
Purchase Date: 29th November 2011
Price: £27.67($43.00)
Location: Palm Bay, Florida, (via Ebay)
Size: 50mm x 35mm x 25mm
Description: Nice carved figure of a seated scholar, nice detail to the kimono and hair which is cut in the traditional “chomage” style. The scholar wears a frown as though he has just had bad news. Himotoshi holes are to the back with signature on the underside.
Purchase Date: 31st December 2011
Price: £49.96 ($77.65)
Location: Dallas, Texas, (via Ebay)
Size: 60mm x 41mm x 29mm
Description: A dense, fine grained, nicely carved Japanese Netsuke depicting an Octopus on a clam shell. Nice, dark brown patina. Almost certainly 19th century and possibly Edo. Artist signed.
