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Netsuke


Stoney

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 I guess you don't get a real (old) one for under a good couple of hundred $'s either....so sounds to me like a minefield.

 

You would be incredibly lucky to get a quality netsuke for a couple of hundreds - yes, it's like with almost all other Japanese art, it doesn't come cheap.

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The second, no information on this one.

 

At first glance it looks like cast resin to me. Can you see Schreger lines anywhere that would indicate ivory? If not, you might try the hot needle test: a red hot glowing needle will not harm ivory, but melt plastic.

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A good indication to spot a fake is the placement of the himotoshi, holes. If a cord is put through them, would the netsuke properly "sit" on the obi? Does the placement of the holes look natural and doesn't interfere with the design? The rat, for instance, just begs to have "natural" himotoshi where the tail meets the body, and no holes at all. The standing man should have holes in his back, instead he was given two buttholes that would make him dangling upside down on the obi.

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Ed. The Shishi looks too heavily stained and too yellow, possibly hiding something underneath? Not Schreger lines there in its back, but just possibly in the front right leg. (?) Anyway, proving it might be made of ivory would not really add anything to the equation, if it turns out to be modern; on the contrary, ivory would be a definite drawback.

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Piers, The lighting produced an unnatural color on many of the shots, and I was too lazy to adjust it.  

Here is an accurate color depiction of that one and a photo of the mei.

I reshot at least one of each this morning in natural light, so from here on, at least the first photo should depict the actual color.

 

*Note: I tested them with the red hot needle, none of the ones tested melted, smoked, discolored.  

There was no change, no indication that they were resin.  :thumbsup:

 

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More accurate color of the first one:

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Wooden Kappa:

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More to come.

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Quote, Ed: "Looked through some files and found photos of two of my Netsuke. Both Shishi, the first standing on fore legs with hornbill & red coral eyes was described to me as a contemporary piece by Kinsui. The second, no information on this one."

 

The contemporary name should be read "Kansui".

 

The 'yellow' shishi with ball looks really much better in that new shot, thanks, although I still cannot decide what material it is. Ivory is likely, however. For what it is worth the name in reserve says "Kangyoku". Take it along to a local Netsuke meeting and get a hands-on evaluation. Always assume it is a modern attempt to look old, and there will be no disappointment.

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Steven, I think you have two Netsuke tied together, or one Netsuke and one small Okimono.

NEITHER-  The bucket with lotus is a rather smallish ( late 18th/early 19th C) netsuke.  There, as you know,  seemed to have been a fad for rather fussily detailed small lightweight netsuke for use with inro at this time.   The Daruma is an ojime.

 

-StevenK

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Picking up on Ed's contemporary netsuke: like with swords and fittings, I'm more into antique netsuke. My "youngest" ones are the wooden sheep by Masanao Shinzan (although that one also approached 100 years fast) I posted above, and this hare by Yasufusa (about 40 years old):

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Piers, thanks for the information provided.  No Netsuke meetings around here.

 

Guido, I like the Hare also.  Guess I am not as picky with netsuke, I knew up front the one above was contemporary, but I like it none the less.

 

Here are a couple more:

Skull

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Monkey/Tengu

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Here is a group I figure are fakes for sure.  The temple dogs on the ends and the woman and child don't have himotoshi, so technically I susppose they are not even fake netsuke, just small carvings.  Big Hotei in the middle is too obvious.  Not real sure about the reclined man in front.

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 A VERY KAIGYOKU MOMENT.

 

You're absolutely on spot, this netsuke is very reminiscent of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu. Quite frankly, Yasufusa's usual netsuke are not always that stellar, although his work was displayed at (and is part of the collection of) the National Museum in Tōkyō. He was a member of the Baishōdō group that was founded by (his cousin) Bishū's grandfather. This one is therefore signed 梅昇堂保房 Baishōdō Yasufusa.

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Guess I am not as picky with netsuke, I knew up front the one above was contemporary, but I like it none the less.

 

Ed, there's absolutely nothing wrong with contemporary netsuke, it's basically the same principle as shinsakutō. Contemporary doesn't mean fake, although many on the market unfortunately are.

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Here is a group I figure are fakes for sure.  

 

One of those occasions you're probably not happy that I agree :( . The kappa and monkey/tengu netsuke are also definately made in China, not only the execution, but especially the material is a dead giveaway.

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Not a few tōsōgu artists turned to making the lids for kagamibuta-netsuke after the ban of swords, so for those who'd like to reason themselves into collecting netsuke, too, here's the golden bridge :laughing: . I bought the dragon, btw, from a fellow forumite; it's a little unusual because it's entirely made from silver - no ivory bowl - and I'm very happy with it. Keep your eyes peeled, and they will come along! :)

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