What are Japanese netsukes?

Japanese netsukes are small highly-detailed sculptures that date back to 17th-century Japan. Originally, the figurines allowed men to secure pouches or purses to their sash, as Japanese traditional dress didn’t have pockets. Today, people collect them as art. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Japanese netsukes.

Japanese Ivory Netsukes

Signed Netsuke

Carved Netsuke

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Meiji Ivory

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Antique Netsuke

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Finely Carved Antique IVORY Japanese Netsuke

Unavailable

H 1.78 in W 1.58 in D 0.6 in

Finely Carved Antique IVORY Japanese Netsuke

Located in Brunswick, ME

The comical demon mask of Buaku which also appears in Noh theatre and is represented as the character O-Beshimi. Obeshimis are Gods; representing a tengu who protects others from ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Other

Very Large Antique Carved Ivory Netsuke, Stag, Artist Signed

Unavailable

H 3.5 in W 3.75 in D 2.25 in

Very Large Antique Carved Ivory Netsuke, Stag, Artist Signed

Located in San Marcos, CA

Overly large for use as a Netuske, but it has the holes carved into the underside which would accommodate the string (view images). The figure of a stag lying down and with 4 fawns ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Victorian Figurines and Sculptures

Antique Japanese Tobacco Pouch with Carved Ivory Netsuke

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H 4 in W 5.5 in D 1.5 in

Antique Japanese Tobacco Pouch with Carved Ivory Netsuke

Located in New Hope, PA

A silver floral clasp decorates the front and a hand carved ivory iris netsuke is attached to the top of the chain.

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Victorian Evening Bags and Minaudières

JAPAN 1900 Meiji Netsuke Carved Shell In Ivory With Snails

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H 0.83 in W 2.01 in D 1.42 in

JAPAN 1900 Meiji Netsuke Carved Shell In Ivory With Snails

Located in Miami, FL

Japanese Meiji period netsuke. This is a beautiful netsuke, created during the imperial Japan in the Meiji period, back in he 1900.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Ivory

Japanese Carved Netsuke Polychrome Figure Group"Floating on sea" Signed , Meiji

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H 1.5 in W 1.25 in D 1.25 in

Japanese Carved Netsuke Polychrome Figure Group"Floating on sea" Signed , Meiji

Located in Norton, MA

Netsuke emerged as a practical solution to dressing in 17th-century Japan.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ivory, Paint

Japanese Carved Netsuke A Goose Biting a Fish-Signed by Tomotada, Edo

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H 0.75 in W 2 in D 1 in

Japanese Carved Netsuke A Goose Biting a Fish-Signed by Tomotada, Edo

Located in Norton, MA

Netsuke Japanese Hand-Carved Mixed Material Figure, A Goose Biting a Fish-Signed by Tomotada from the Edo period. Ric.NA007 This item is 2" wide x 1" deep x 0.75" high in dimension,...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ivory, Paint

Japanese Carved Netsuke Humanoid Dragon by Yamada Hojitsu法實, Edo Period

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H 2 in W 1.5 in D 0.75 in

Japanese Carved Netsuke Humanoid Dragon by Yamada Hojitsu法實, Edo Period

Located in Norton, MA

Japanese Carved Netsuke Humanoid Dragon-Signed by Yamada Hojitsu法實, Edo Period (1825–1872), Ric.NA001 This item is 1.5" wide x 0.75" deep x 2" high in dimension. This item is in ex...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ivory, Paint

A Beautiful Art Deco powder box by Tilden Thurber France

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Dm 6 in

A Beautiful Art Deco powder box by Tilden Thurber France

By Tilden Thurber Co.

Located in New York, NY

They retailed important jewelry and objects of virtu on par with Tiffany and Cartier.This box has flavors of Art Nouveau as well as art deco influences typical of France in the 1930...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Bronze

A Humorous Ivory Netsuke Of A Man Tying His Loin Cloth

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H 3.125 in

A Humorous Ivory Netsuke Of A Man Tying His Loin Cloth

Located in Winter Park, FL

A humorous depiction of a naked man pulling up his fundoshi after the bath. His mouth is open and eyes squinting in discomfort as he pulls to tighten up on his crotch. Please note...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures

Materials

Ivory

An Enchanting French Leather Box in the Japanese Style

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H 5 in W 9.25 in D 7 in

An Enchanting French Leather Box in the Japanese Style

Located in San Francisco, CA

The domed lid with scalloped edge; above a conforming case with corners of Japanese Netsuke ivory figures; the exterior of embossed leather with foliate and bird motif; the interior ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Boxes

Materials

Leather, Ivory

Netsuke Carved Ivory -Two Mice With Corn Kernels

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H 1 in W 2 in D 1.75 in

Netsuke Carved Ivory -Two Mice With Corn Kernels

Located in Middleburg, VA

Wonderful Japanese 19th cent ivory .Netsuke with exquisite intricate carving On both sides - the top being two Mice on Corn Kernels.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Scholar's Objects

Materials

Ivory

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Japanese Ivory Netsukes For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of Japanese ivory netsukes for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct Japanese ivory netsukes — often made from wood, bone and ivory — can elevate any home. Japanese ivory netsukes have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century.

How Much are Japanese Ivory Netsukes?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,450, while they’re typically $903 on the low end and $19,950 highest priced.

Questions About Japanese Ivory Netsukes

What are Japanese netsukes?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Japanese netsukes are small highly-detailed sculptures that date back to 17th-century Japan. Originally, the figurines allowed men to secure pouches or purses to their sash, as Japanese traditional dress didn’t have pockets. Today, people collect them as art. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Japanese netsukes.