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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

People Also Browsed

Japanese Resin Three Section Hand Carved Inro & Netsuke of Horses
Japanese Resin Three Section Hand Carved Inro & Netsuke of Horses

Japanese Resin Three Section Hand Carved Inro & Netsuke of Horses

Located in San Diego, CA

A nice vintage Japanese resin three-section inro and netsuke of horses, circa early 1950s. The piece is well carved with wonderful detail and in very good vintage condition; it incl...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Resin

Selection of eight restored 19th C Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Windows
Selection of eight restored 19th C Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Windows

Selection of eight restored 19th C Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Windows

$110,776 / set

H 64.18 in W 28.75 in D 0.79 in

Selection of eight restored 19th C Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Windows

Located in Leuven , BE

The Color Experience: Stained-glass windows “Color is a power which directly influences the soul” (Wassili Kandinsky, Moskou 1866 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1944) “Color! What a deep a...

Category

Antique 19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Windows

Materials

Art Glass, Stained Glass

Antique Inro Box, Meiji Period, Lacquered Wood, Japan, 19th Century
Antique Inro Box, Meiji Period, Lacquered Wood, Japan, 19th Century

Antique Inro Box, Meiji Period, Lacquered Wood, Japan, 19th Century

Located in Madrid, ES

Inro is an ancient traditional Japanese box used to carry and store small items such as tobacco, money, paintbrushes, and other objects. The inro is a stack of small boxes hanging fr...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Large Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Jade Vase
Large Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Jade Vase

Large Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Jade Vase

Located in Austin, TX

A large and impressive Chinese caved jade vase, Republic Period, circa 1930. Carved from one massive piece of jade. The vase carved with the He He Er Xian, the Immortal Twin Boys...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Japanese Wooden Netsuke Cicada 1900 Meiji Sekisen
Japanese Wooden Netsuke Cicada 1900 Meiji Sekisen

Japanese Wooden Netsuke Cicada 1900 Meiji Sekisen

$594

H 1.19 in W 2.17 in D 1.07 in

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

19th C., Meiji, Antique Japanese Bronze Animal Rat / Mouse Holding A Chestnut
19th C., Meiji, Antique Japanese Bronze Animal Rat / Mouse Holding A Chestnut

19th C., Meiji, Antique Japanese Bronze Animal Rat / Mouse Holding A Chestnut

$1,480Sale Price|20% Off

H 4.06 in W 5.67 in D 3.55 in

19th C., Meiji, Antique Japanese Bronze Animal Rat / Mouse Holding A Chestnut

Located in Sampantawong, TH

Japanese bronze animal rat / mouse holding a chestnut with artist sign. Artist signature is on the last photo. Age: Japan, Meiji Period, 19th Century Size: Length 14.4 C.M. / Width ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Edo Period (1603-1868) Skeleton Foetus Netsuke
Japanese Edo Period (1603-1868) Skeleton Foetus Netsuke

Japanese Edo Period (1603-1868) Skeleton Foetus Netsuke

Located in Newark, England

Laying Foetus From our Japanese collection, we are pleased to offer this Japanese Edo Period Skeleton Netsuke. The Skeleton Netsuke is carved from Boxwood depicting a skeleton in t...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Boxwood

Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Crab Claw' 1970s Showa era
Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Crab Claw' 1970s Showa era

Japanese Wooden Netsuke 'Crab Claw' 1970s Showa era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1970s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17th century Japan. Initially a simply-carved button fast...

Category

Vintage 1970s Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke ' Duck ' 1950s Showa Era
Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke ' Duck ' 1950s Showa Era

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke ' Duck ' 1950s Showa Era

$376Sale Price|25% Off

H 1.38 in W 1.97 in D 1.07 in

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke ' Duck ' 1950s Showa Era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. This netsuke was made by a netsuke artist. (you can find his signature on the bottom of this netsuke). Netsuke i...

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Wild Boar 1950s by artist Tomotada
Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Wild Boar 1950s by artist Tomotada

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Wild Boar 1950s by artist Tomotada

$401Sale Price|20% Off

H 1.19 in W 1.78 in D 1.19 in

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Wild Boar 1950s by artist Tomotada

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. The signature is written on the back side 'Tomotada'. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture, originating in 17t...

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

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: Collected in the 1980’s. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen...

Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Netsuke Japanese Dog Eating Skull Sculpture, 20th Century
Netsuke Japanese Dog Eating Skull Sculpture, 20th Century

Netsuke Japanese Dog Eating Skull Sculpture, 20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Brutal piece. Signed. 20th century Provenance: From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen, A well known Dutch painter and artist from Amsterdam. Merkelbach van Enkhuiz...

Category

20th Century Edo Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Old Wooden Netsuke 19/20th C Japanese Japan QUAIL Meiji Period
Old Wooden Netsuke 19/20th C Japanese Japan QUAIL Meiji Period

Old Wooden Netsuke 19/20th C Japanese Japan QUAIL Meiji Period

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Description Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 9 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980's. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach va...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

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

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 meticulously engraved to create a realistic appearance. The netsuke has a shiny pati...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antiquities

Materials

Boxwood

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

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

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 5 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980's. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen, ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

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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.