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Japanese Netsuke with Articulating Features, Signed (Lot of 2) [154999]

Currency:USD Category:Art / Medium - Sculptures Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 600.00 USD
Japanese Netsuke with Articulating Features, Signed (Lot of 2) [154999]
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Lot of 2 pieces of Japanese Netsuke, each is signed by artist, both have RARE moving features! One piece is of man with articulating eyeballs that pop out of his head. The other is a painted piece of a figure in a floral purple and silver kimono with long orange hair striking a gong. The face spins over to change from an older Japanese woman into a smiling "oni" (demon, ogre or troll).
Believed to date between 1868-1891. OVER 100 YEARS OLD. Both appear to be hand-carved from real ivory. One piece is painted.
Pieces measure approximately 1.5 x 1.25 x 1.25" and 2 x 1.75 x .75" (painted piece).
Please read description carefully and inspect all high resolution images.

Netsuke date back to the Edo Period (1615-1868) originally hand-carved miniature figures, most commonly made from elephant ivory or Japanese wood, that reflect important aspects of Japanese folklore and culture. They became popular souvenirs post 1868, when Japan opened itself to travel/tourism for the first time since the early 17th Century. Prior to the 1800s, artists' marks were not typical, but signatures became the norm under the influence of Western tourists, who believed marked items were more valuable. As the popularity of Netsuke grew in the Western marketplace, so did the production of fakes mass produced in places such as Korea or Hong Kong eventually resulting in the 1891 U.S. McKinley Tariff Act, a law that standardized trademark requirements on all imported goods. By Law, any Japanese souvenirs exported after 1891 were trademarked "Nippon" (until 1921) or "JAPAN" (post 1921).

Neither of these pieces have a trademark indicating the country of origin, but they are signed in Japanese characters. Collectible Netsuke resources are widely available for researching artists' marks or signatures. These pieces appear to us to be made from hand-carved ivory. The smaller piece may be artificially aged, a practice not employed until Japanese souvenirs made from ivory hit the Western marketplace in 1868. Both have uneven Schreger lines and hand tool marks. Real ivory was still legally exported and very common in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Both of these pieces are artistic figural depictions from traditional Japanese folklore. Both pieces were made by the most skilled Netsuke craftsman, as seen in the articulating eyeballs of the smaller piece and the changing face of the painted piece. Pieces with movable parts are very RARE and collectible and only the most talented artists mastered this skill. Taking all this into consideration, and because these pieces lack the Nippon import mark required post 1891 we believe these pieces were made by Japanese craftsmen and most likely date c1868-1891, easily over 100 years old.

Japanese artifacts/antiquities are a favorite for reproduction and due to the volume of counterfeiting techniques and the level of skill employed by knock off artists, all interested buyers are encouraged to make their own inspection prior to bidding.
HWAC does not guarantee authenticity and has provided an accurate and full description to the best of our ability. Every item we sell is available for live preview 2-3 days prior to the auction or by appointment.

Date: 1868-1891
Country (if not USA): Japan
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