Netsuke Question

[nihonto1001]

I have a pending transaction taking Netsuke in trade for a high value non-sword related item.

 

Since I know little about evaluating Netsuke, I have a couple questions:

 

1. What type of things should I look for in judging quality, age, authenticity, value, matter of composition...

2. How much is Netsuke worth on the low end v. high end?

3. Is counterfeiting common?

 

Thanks,

Jon

[b.hennick]

Hi John:

The answer to question 3 is the easiest. There are tons of fake netsuke. Some look great. Fakes are most often ivory or wood. I have seen a few fake deer antler but not many.

As for price $60 at the low end for an ivory fake I have seen them for less. Around $10 for wooden fakes. I have seen fakes go for high prices but they were represented as real. Real netsuke sold by people who know what they have start around $200 and go up from there. Real netsuke can be bought for less from dealers who have no idea what they have. Fakes are a definite problem. Many come with great stories believed by the gullible.

What to look for is the hard part. I look at the holes the string passes through. I look for wear as real netsuke have been used and new ones have not - new sharp edges, old worn edges. I look for quality of carving - detail where needed. Plain is often better than too much detail. Since I live in Canada and can not take ivory across the border I tend to avoid ivory. Deer antler ones are less often faked and can be of good quality. I do have ones made of wood and even mammoth ivory. I hope this helps.

Finally I would stay away from things I know little about. Try trading for swords or fittings. Even there one can get burned.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Jon, This area of collecting is fraught with danger. China churns out tons of ivory modern made netsuke. They have some very good carvers. However, this is a source of illegal ivory poaching and if we are responsible should not buy these items. This trade, like war strife diamonds is controlled by the criminal element and the source of much agony. Legitimate netsuke must be bought through reputable dealers, but, they can be fooled too. See http://forums.netsuke.org/mb/netsuke There is a sub-forum on authenticity. The prices can be quite insane for some authentic pieces by big names. Check this site. http://www.netsuke.com/ John

[nihonto1001]

Thanks for this info.

 

Jon