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 Netsuke

19th Century Japanese Wood Carving

Netsuke Japanese Dog Eating Skull Sculpture, 20th Century

$841

Netsuke Japanese Dog Eating Skull Sculpture, 20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan Period: 18th century Japan Dynasty Period: Edo Period

Category

20th Century Edo Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

A Rare Edo Period Hirado Porcelain Netsuke, Japan Circa 1850

$1,200

A Rare Edo Period Hirado Porcelain Netsuke, Japan Circa 1850

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

The recumbent white porcelain figure of a pug dog shown baring its teeth, decorated by hand with spot painted cobalt detail, the underside with twin holes intended for a cord to pass...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Fruit Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$954

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Fruit Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 15 grams

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Tea pot and Bat' 1920s Taisho era

$639

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Tea pot and Bat' 1920s Taisho era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Rare Japanese Inro Netsuke and Omije with Negoro Red Lacquer Edo Period

$4,800

Rare Japanese Inro Netsuke and Omije with Negoro Red Lacquer Edo Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Japanese three-case inro with stringed carved netsuke and bead ojime from early Edo period circa

Category

Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$954

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 25 grams

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Frog Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$651

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Frog Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 8 grams Provenance

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Bat Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$954

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Bat Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 12 grams

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Quail Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$954

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Quail Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 9 grams Provenance

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period 19/20th Century

$651

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 12 grams

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Fisherman Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$651

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Fisherman Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Visible is a fisherman with

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Rare Japanese Ceramic Glazed Inro with Ojime and Netsuke Ogata Kenzan Edo Period

$4,000

Rare Japanese Ceramic Glazed Inro with Ojime and Netsuke Ogata Kenzan Edo Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Japanese four-section inro made from ceramic with glazed painting with original ensuite Ojime and

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Scholar's Objects

Materials

Ceramic

JAPAN 1900 Meiji Period Carved Wood Netsuke Of Frog Resting In A Lotus

$1,698

JAPAN 1900 Meiji Period Carved Wood Netsuke Of Frog Resting In A Lotus

Located in Miami, FL

A Japanese Meiji period netsuke. This is an amazing netsuke created during the imperial Japan in

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Two Frogs on the Lotus Leaf' 1950s Showa era

$497

Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Two Frogs on the Lotus Leaf' 1950s Showa era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Lacquer Inro with Gold Maki-e and Carved Wood Netsuke Meiji Period

$1,500

Japanese Lacquer Inro with Gold Maki-e and Carved Wood Netsuke Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Japanese four-case inro with a stringed carved wood netsuke circa 19th century. The inro has a

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Carved Boxwood and Lacquer Netsuke of a Noh Dancer, Meiji Period, Japan

$1,850

Carved Boxwood and Lacquer Netsuke of a Noh Dancer, Meiji Period, Japan

Located in Austin, TX

period, late 19th century, Japan. The boxwood netsuke finely carved as a kneeling Noh dancer dressed

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood, Lacquer

Japanese boxwood netsuke in the form of three toads stacked on each other

$2,368

Japanese boxwood netsuke in the form of three toads stacked on each other

Located in PARIS, FR

. In feudal Japan, tax collectors could be recognized by the frog-shaped netsuke they wore on their

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Animal Heads Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$954

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Animal Heads Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 11 grams

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Cow Ox Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

$651

Old Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Cow Ox Meiji Period, 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 9 grams Provenance

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Meiji Period 19C Japanese Hirado Netsuke Sanbosa dancing monkey

$982

Antique Meiji Period 19C Japanese Hirado Netsuke Sanbosa dancing monkey

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

This is a most unusually made antique Hirado porcelain netsuke form model of a mischievous monkey

Category

Antique 17th Century Edo Scholar's Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meiji Period 19C Japanese Hirado Netsuke Sanbosa dancing monkey

$734

Antique Meiji Period 19C Japanese Hirado Netsuke Sanbosa dancing monkey

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

This is a most unusually made antique Hirado porcelain netsuke form model of a mischievous monkey

Category

Antique 17th Century Edo Scholar's Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Gold Lacquer Inro with Deer Image, Ojime, Wood Frog Netsuke, Makie Box

$2,350

Japanese Gold Lacquer Inro with Deer Image, Ojime, Wood Frog Netsuke, Makie Box

Located in Point Richmond, CA

accents, an ojime and a wooden frog netsuke. Inros were used to store items like medicine, tobacco or

Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Animal on Turtle Figure Meiji Period 19/20th Century

$954

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Animal on Turtle Figure Meiji Period 19/20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 8 grams Provenance

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Ryusa Manju netsuke depicting a phénix

$2,368

Ryusa Manju netsuke depicting a phénix

Located in PARIS, FR

Sotheby’s, where he catalogued netsuke, lacquerware, and Japanese sword fittings. He was renowned for his

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Bird of Tree Bark Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th C

$651

Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Bird of Tree Bark Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th C

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 5 grams Provenance

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Netsuke Soapstone Figure Pig

$110

Vintage Netsuke Soapstone Figure Pig

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A beautiful small Pig figurine. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made probably of soapstone or resin. A beautiful nice desktop item or just a display item in your c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Arts and Crafts Animal Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

A boxwood netsuke depicting a peeled mandarin

$1,539

A boxwood netsuke depicting a peeled mandarin

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke depicting a partially peeled mandarin, carved with extraordinary realism. The

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

Katabori netsuke in boxwood depicting a recumbent ox

$3,552

Katabori netsuke in boxwood depicting a recumbent ox

Located in PARIS, FR

Sotheby’s, where he catalogued netsuke, lacquerware, and Japanese sword fittings. He was renowned for his

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

A Very Fine and Unusual Carved Red Lacquer Netsuke

$9,000

A Very Fine and Unusual Carved Red Lacquer Netsuke

Located in London, GB

A Very Fine and Unusual Carved Red Lacquer Netsuke The reverse lacquered black Signed: Hosai

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Netsuke in bamboo in the form of a mushroom

$2,131

Netsuke in bamboo in the form of a mushroom

Located in PARIS, FR

of sagemono. Netsuke are among the finest examples of Japanese craftsmanship, meticulously carved

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bamboo

Manju Netsuke in red lacquer carved using tsuishu technique

$1,420

Manju Netsuke in red lacquer carved using tsuishu technique

Located in PARIS, FR

for Sotheby’s, where he catalogued netsuke, lacquerware, and Japanese sword fittings. He was renowned

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer

A Finely Carved Wood Netsuke of Two Puppy Dogs Playing

$7,950

A Finely Carved Wood Netsuke of Two Puppy Dogs Playing

Located in London, GB

A Finely Carved Wood Netsuke of Two Puppy Dogs Playing The playful puppies with inlaid eyes Wood

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

A boxwood netsuke depicting the Chinese general Guan Yu

$2,012

A boxwood netsuke depicting the Chinese general Guan Yu

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke depicting the Chinese general Guan Yu, shown standing and grasping his famous

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Netsuke in Boxwood in the form of a seated rooster

$947

Netsuke in Boxwood in the form of a seated rooster

Located in PARIS, FR

Small yet interesting netsuke in boxwood representing a seated rooster. The finish of its

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake

$2,131

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake

Located in Milano, IT

Boxwood netsuke depicting a snake coiled around itself. Signature engraved under the base. Origin

Category

Antique 19th Century Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting an Oni and the Setsubun festival

$2,362

A boxwood netsuke depicting an Oni and the Setsubun festival

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke depicting a kneeling Oni during the Setsubun festival, shielding himself with a

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke of a sennin with a sake bottle

$1,184

A boxwood netsuke of a sennin with a sake bottle

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke with a blonde patina, depicting a long-bearded sennin walking with a staff and a

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Netsuke in persimon wood in the form of a sparrow

$2,960

Netsuke in persimon wood in the form of a sparrow

Located in PARIS, FR

Netsuke in natural persimmon wood in the form of a stylized bird (probably a sparrow), it has been

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Boxwood netsuke representing a ducthman with child and a trumpet

$4,736

Boxwood netsuke representing a ducthman with child and a trumpet

Located in PARIS, FR

enter Japan after the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1639, the Dutch are known to netsuke artists only

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Japonisme Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Netsuke in boxwood in the form of three clams

$1,776

Netsuke in boxwood in the form of three clams

Located in PARIS, FR

philippinarum sub species that can be found all the way from Siberia to Philippines, and Japan. Because of its

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Katabori netsuke in boxwood in the form of a tachibana orange

$2,960

Katabori netsuke in boxwood in the form of a tachibana orange

Located in PARIS, FR

he catalogued netsuke, lacquerware, and Japanese sword fittings. He was renowned for his eye and

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

KataborI netsuke in black lacquer depicting the character "ju" or longevity

$1,776

KataborI netsuke in black lacquer depicting the character "ju" or longevity

Located in PARIS, FR

Katabori-type netsuke (fully three-dimensional) in carved wood, lacquered in black, depicting the

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer

Katabori netsuke in boxwood depicting a skeleton leaning on a drum

$1,420

Katabori netsuke in boxwood depicting a skeleton leaning on a drum

Located in PARIS, FR

Katabori-type netsuke (fully three-dimensional) carved in boxwood, depicting a kneeling skeleton

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey trying to catch a turtle

$2,545

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey trying to catch a turtle

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey trying to catch a turtle, which retracts its head and legs

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

Netsuke in lacquered boxwood of a toad resting on a waterlily plant

$2,131

Netsuke in lacquered boxwood of a toad resting on a waterlily plant

Located in PARIS, FR

of sagemono. Netsuke are among the finest examples of Japanese craftsmanship, meticulously carved

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey with an Okame mask, signed Shinzan

$1,930

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey with an Okame mask, signed Shinzan

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke depicting a seated monkey in the act of putting on an inverted Okame mask, which

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a mandarin with an engraved dragon, signed Tomomitsu

$2,249

A boxwood netsuke depicting a mandarin with an engraved dragon, signed Tomomitsu

Located in Milano, IT

A boxwood netsuke depicting a mandarin fruit with a ryu dragon finely carved upside down, featuring

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Manj netsuke in red lacquer, carved and decorated with red and black lacquer

$1,420

Manj netsuke in red lacquer, carved and decorated with red and black lacquer

Located in PARIS, FR

Manju-type netsuke (round in form) in red lacquer, carved using the tsuishu technique, decorated

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer

Netsuke in Boxwood in the form of a turtle hidden in its shell

$2,960

Netsuke in Boxwood in the form of a turtle hidden in its shell

Located in PARIS, FR

Netsuke in boxwood in the form of a tortoise hiding in its shell with only its head overstepping

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a toad on a circular stone millstone, signed Masanao

$2,841

A boxwood netsuke depicting a toad on a circular stone millstone, signed Masanao

Located in Milano, IT

Boxwood netsuke depicting a toad climbing a circular stone millstone. The toad's wrinkled skin is

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

Netsuke in the form of a No mask representing the character of Hyottoko

$1,184

Netsuke in the form of a No mask representing the character of Hyottoko

Located in PARIS, FR

Boxwood netsuke representing the mask of Hyottoko in Noh theatre. Hyottoko is a legendary comic

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Netsuke in deer antler in the form of a feminine figure in traditionnal clothing

$828

Netsuke in deer antler in the form of a feminine figure in traditionnal clothing

Located in PARIS, FR

Small netsuke in deer antler in the form of a standing feminine figure wearing traditional dress

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Netsuke in the form of a No mask representing the character of Obeshimi

$1,184

Netsuke in the form of a No mask representing the character of Obeshimi

Located in PARIS, FR

Wooden netsuke depicting the Obeshimi mask in Noh theater. Obeshimi is a demon characterized by

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Wooden Netsuke in the Form of A Daruma in red lacquer in natural wood

$1,776

Wooden Netsuke in the Form of A Daruma in red lacquer in natural wood

Located in PARIS, FR

Netsuke in lacquered boxwood representing a yawning Daruma in a red cloak. Daruma, the Japanese

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood, Lacquer

Lacquered Netsuke in the form of an old Lady carrying an Oni in her back

$1,184

Lacquered Netsuke in the form of an old Lady carrying an Oni in her back

Located in PARIS, FR

Boxwood netsuke depicting a standing man carrying a pouch behind his back in which an oni is hidden

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood, Lacquer

Japanese Smoking Set 'Tabac-Ire'

$5,920

Japanese Smoking Set 'Tabac-Ire'

Located in PARIS, FR

the belt thanks to the netsuke. Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912), second half of the 19th century

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Metal

Three Antique Japanese Items

$800

Three Antique Japanese Items

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Three Antique Japanese Items 1) An antique Japanese tabako-ire' with hand tooled gilded kane mono

Category

Antique 1880s Antiquities

Materials

Wood

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Japanese Netsuke For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of Japanese netsuke available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and bone, every item from our selection of Japanese netsuke was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of Japanese netsuke you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An object in our assortment of Japanese netsuke is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in styles are sought with frequency. A well-made option in this array of Japanese netsuke has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Japanese School are consistently popular.

How Much is a Japanese Netsuke?

Prices for a piece of Japanese netsuke can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $190 and can go as high as $11,559, while the average can fetch as much as $899.

Questions About Japanese Netsuke

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.

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