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Netsuke Rat

Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke of Rats and Snakes in Basket
Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke of Rats and Snakes in Basket

Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke of Rats and Snakes in Basket

Located in San Diego, CA

The piece is well carved with wonderful detail and in very good vintage condition; it includes a small rat netsuke. The piece measures 2.5"D x 3"H and is unsigned.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Recent Sales

Vintage Japanese Three Rat Netsuke
Vintage Japanese Three Rat Netsuke

Vintage Japanese Three Rat Netsuke

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H 1.25 in W 1.75 in D 1.5 in

Vintage Japanese Three Rat Netsuke

Located in Chicago, IL

The lack of pockets on traditional Japanese kimonos resulted in small pouches or boxes that were strung at the waist and secured by button-like fasteners known as netsuke. Although t...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Rat on the Wood Board" Signed,  Meiji Era
Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Rat on the Wood Board" Signed,  Meiji Era

Japanese Wood Netsuke " The Rat on the Wood Board" Signed, Meiji Era

Located in Norton, MA

A Japanese Antique carved netsuke "The Rat on the Wood Board" dated around the late 19th to early 20th century, signed on the bottom.   

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes
Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes

Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes

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H 1.5 in W 1.75 in D 1 in

Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes

Located in San Diego, CA

There are two rat / rodent figurative netsukes and one frog piece; all are highly detailed (some with black glass eyes) and two are signed.

Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Vintage Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke Ball of Twelve Animals by Kozuki
Vintage Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke Ball of Twelve Animals by Kozuki

Vintage Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke Ball of Twelve Animals by Kozuki

Located in San Diego, CA

The piece is well carved with wonderful detail and in very good vintage condition; it includes a small rat ball netsuke. The piece measures 2.75"D x 2.75"H and is signed.

Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

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Finding the Right Sculptures-carvings for You

Asian sculptors have worked in materials including wood, bronze and jade. Artists and artisans have used traditional techniques to depict deities, scenes from culture and more, and today, antique Asian sculptures and carvings are a popular choice for provocative and sophisticated home decor.

In China, the Qing dynasty, from the mid-17th century to the early 20th century, brought about significant changes in art while preserving traditional culture. Many emperors during this period were patrons of the arts, such as painting, calligraphy and decorative arts. This era saw the building of new Buddhist temples, which were decorated with statues. Some of these sculptures were adorned with colorful cloisonné decoration, in which tiny compartments, or cloisons, made by soldering copper filaments to a metal surface were filled with vibrantly hued enamel.

From the 17th to mid-19th century in Japan, kimonos were worn across classes and often fastened with a netsuke, a type of small carved toggle. Artists carved these from ivory, wood, shells and coral, creating animals, flowers and mythical creatures. During the Japanese Meiji period, spanning from 1868–1912, the country began trading internationally after centuries of isolation, allowing artists to sell their work overseas. Bronze sculpture flourished around this time for creating teapots, vases and incense burners.

Asian sculpture continued to evolve in the 20th century. During the Japanese Shōwa era, from 1926–89, art was influenced by international modernist movements like abstraction, Futurism and Surrealism. Contemporary Asian sculptures and carvings continue to combine global influences and a rich heritage of technique.

Decorating a space with Asian sculptures and carvings is a great way to add interest to any corner of your home. Explore by material, period or style on 1stDibs.