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

Manju nestuke in hardwood carved with a cherry blossom and geometric pattern

$1,709

Manju nestuke in hardwood carved with a cherry blossom and geometric pattern

Located in PARIS, FR

From 1948 to 1970, he worked as a part-time cataloguer for Sotheby’s, where he catalogued netsuke, lacquerware, and Japanese sword fittings.

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Hardwood

Manju Nestuke in black and lacquer decorated of a scene of child under a pine

$2,279

Manju Nestuke in black and lacquer decorated of a scene of child under a pine

Located in PARIS, FR

Later, between 1948 and 1970, he worked part-time as a cataloguer for Sotheby’s, where he catalogued netsuke, lacquerwares, and Japanese sword fittings.

Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer

Italian Handmade Walnut Wall Cabinet, Vintage 1960s, 100cm Wide

$1,060

Italian Handmade Walnut Wall Cabinet, Vintage 1960s, 100cm Wide

Located in Oirlo, LI

This is a very beautiful handmade wall cabinet to place beautiful things in. Beautiful for netsukes, Japanese decorative buttons or perfume bottles, nice small pieces or a plant.

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

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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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