DESCRIPTION: A beautiful round ivory box, the lid design skillfully carved in deep relief of a coiled dragon with double inlaid eyes among sea waves. The fitted sides have been left smooth and the bottom has a raised circular foot. Meiji Period (1868 – 1912), and in virtually perfect condition with no breaks, chips or repairs. DIMENSIONS: 2 ½” diameter (6.4 cm) x 1 ¾” high (4.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A Japanese ivory okimono with incredibly fine carving depicting Gamma Sennin carrying a magic toad on his back, while carefully shading him with a large curled leaf. The detail on this carving is remarkable as evidenced by the thinly carved and delicately curled leaf that is undercut and almost fully separated from the rest of the piece. Also of note is the detail in Gamma Sennin’s long hair, his delicate hands and the finely carved signature on the base. Gamma Sennin (Liu Hai in ... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: An incredible and very finely carved walrus ivory okimono of a male lion attacking a kangaroo doe with its joey (baby) on her chest. The dynamic movement and superior detail set this okimono apart as an absolutely superb carving. The lion’s fine hair and pronounced muscle groups, and the terrified expression of the doe gives a realism that almost makes you shudder! Both animals have inlaid eyes, the lion’s of a reflective yellow stone while the doe’s eyes are black onyx. The und... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A delightful and large carved wood figure of one of the seven Japanese gods of good fortune, Daikoku, the deity of prosperity. Here he is seen in his traditional pose, standing on two bales of rice with his wish-granting mallet in his right hand, and a bag of riches slung over his left shoulder. He is also venerated as the deity of the kitchen where such carvings were traditionally displayed, sometimes in the ceiling rafters for good luck. A wonderful mingei piece, his happy exp... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A very special Japanese wood censer, carved in the form of a comical shi shi or foo dog, standing upright on four straight legs with knobby toes, and ending in a round hollowed body. The shi shi’s face has a priceless comical expression with pink lips and protruding tongue around an open, grinning mouth, and is attached to the body by a wooden hinge and can be positioned open or closed. When closed, the smoke from the burning incense wafts through his pierced eyes and mouth. This... Click for details

DESCRIPTION: A stained ivory netsuke of three mice climbing on (and nibbling their way into) a loaf of bread. This netsuke is in very good condition, is probably Chinese carved, and dates from the mid 1900’s. DIMENSIONS: 2” long (5 cm) x 1 ¼” high (3.2 cm).