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Netsuke Rat

Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke of Rats and Snakes in Basket
Located in San Diego, CA
includes a small rat netsuke. The piece measures 2.5"D x 3"H and is unsigned. Beautiful well crafted
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Recent Sales

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
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes
Located in San Diego, CA
rat / rodent figurative netsukes and one frog piece; all are highly detailed (some with black glass
Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes
Collection of Three Japanese Netsukes
H 1.5 in W 1.75 in D 1 in
Vintage Japanese Boxwood Inro & Netsuke Ball of Twelve Animals by Kozuki
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage Japanese boxwood inro and netsuke ball of twelve animals by Kozuki, circa 1940s. The
Category

20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

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Japanese Wooden Netsuke Cicada 1900 Meiji Sekisen
Located in Paris, FR
This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Meiji period 1900s. The signature is written on the back side 'Sekisen'. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17th...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke 'Buffalo' 1920s Taisho
Located in Paris, FR
This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17th century Japan. Initially a simply-carved button fas...
Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

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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 sculpture, originating in 17th century Japan. Initially a simply-carved button fas...
Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro by Yutokusai
Located in Atlanta, GA
A four-case lacquered Japanese inro by Yutokusai (Gyokkei), a lacquer artist active from 1845-1900 (end of Edo to Meiji period). The slightly round inro features a very intricate des...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke 1920s 'Mouse' Taisho era
Located in Paris, FR
This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17th century Japan. Initially a simply-carved button fas...
Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Lacquer Ryoshibako Document Box Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Japanese lacquer box with elaborate Maki-e design from Meiji period, (mid-late 19th century). The generous size of the box was reserved for paper document and called Ryoshiba...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Set of Three Japanese Wood Netsukes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of three Japanese netsukes carved out of wood with a reddish stained finish, appear to be circa mid-20th century. One depicts a frog holding a trumpet; one a rooster eating grain...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

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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.