As the kimono, the traditional form of Japanese dress, had no pockets, the Japanese men suspended small items they needed to take with them, such as tobacco pouches, purses, pipes and writing implements on a silk cord from their sash, and stop the cord slipping, it was fed through a toggle - a netsuke.

Originally the toggle was made from found objects such as roots or shells, which were selected for their aesthetic appeal, but over time the toggle itself developed as an art form. Many fine carvers devoted themselves to netsuke, but the demand was so great, that their manufacture was taken up by other craft persons such as lacquerers, metal artists and potters.

While ivory is the most commonly used material, netsuke were also made from wood, bone, lacquer, metal and other materials.

The custom of wearing netsuke flourished in Japan for more than three centuries - from around 1600 more...

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A boxwood carved netsuke, a Mouse Look back, length 5 cm

Boxwood Mouse Netsuke

A boxwood carved netsuke, a Mouse Look back, length 5 cm

Japanese carved wood netsuke

Carved Japanese Netsuke Wood Art

Japanese carved wood netsuke

A vintage signed boxwood netsuke of a monkey, Showa period, mid…

Signed Boxwood Monkey Netsuke, Showa Period

A vintage signed boxwood netsuke of a monkey, Showa period, mid 20th century, depicting a crouching monkey guarding a fruit, signed to inlaid cartouche, underside, height 3.5 cm

A carved wood standing owl netsuke with inlaid eyes and finely…

Carved Wood Owl Netsuke with Inlaid Eyes and Feathers

A carved wood standing owl netsuke with inlaid eyes and finely detailed feathers, length 5 cm

A boxwood carved netsuke, of a snail upon a rice cake. Signed,…

Snail on Rice Cake Netsuke

A boxwood carved netsuke, of a snail upon a rice cake. Signed, diameter 4 cm.

Boxwood netsuke in form of a dog

Boxwood Dog Netsuke

Boxwood netsuke in form of a dog

A signed Japanese wood netsuke of a dragon. Showa period, mid…

Signed Japanese Dragon Wood Netsuke

A signed Japanese wood netsuke of a dragon. Showa period, mid 20th century, the carved dragon, coiled around a ball with claws drawn close in a compact pose, its head reared and snarling, with inlaid eyes, signed to the underside. Height 5.5 cm

Japanese Meiji period carved wooden netsuke, depicting a…

Meiji Period Carved Wooden Netsuke of Mythical Creature

Japanese Meiji period carved wooden netsuke, depicting a mythical creature with head turned upwards, incised signature to base, height 4 cm. Provenance: The Pullinger collection, then Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

Ivory and wooden netsuke

Ivory and Wood Netsuke Collectibles

Ivory and wooden netsuke

A Japanese carved boxwood netsuke, of a kappa holding a large…

Kappa Netsuke with Bi-Valve Shell

A Japanese carved boxwood netsuke, of a kappa holding a large bi-valve shell, signed, height 4 cm

Japanese boxwood netsuke of a geisha. Height 5 cm

Geisha Netsuke: Japanese Boxwood Carving

Japanese boxwood netsuke of a geisha. Height 5 cm

A Japanese wood netsuke. Meiji period (1868-1912) the Japanese…

Japanese Monkey Drummer Netsuke

A Japanese wood netsuke. Meiji period (1868-1912) the Japanese carved wood netsuke of a standing monkey figure in a shishi mask and cloak playing the taiko drum. Height 4 cm

A Japanese wood netsuke of a fisherman, late Meiji period…

Meiji period wood netsuke of fisherman saving drowning man

A Japanese wood netsuke of a fisherman, late Meiji period (1868-1912) the carved wood netsuke depicting a fisherman saving another man caught in his net from drowning, signed to the underside. Width 5 cm

A carved boxwood netsuke, of manju (rice cake) shape, carved in…

Dragon Relief Carved Boxwood Manju Netsuke

A carved boxwood netsuke, of manju (rice cake) shape, carved in relief with a dragon. Signed, diameter 4 cm.

A Japanese wood and bone netsuke, featuring a carved Noh mask,…

Japanese Noh Mask Netsuke

A Japanese wood and bone netsuke, featuring a carved Noh mask, length 31 mm.

Boxwood netsuke of a skull, signed Tamayama

Tamayama's Skull Netsuke

Boxwood netsuke of a skull, signed Tamayama

A carved wood puffer fish netsuke with inlaid eyes, Showa…

Inlaid Eye Puffer Fish Netsuke, Showa Period

A carved wood puffer fish netsuke with inlaid eyes, Showa period, 20th century, length 6 cm

A carved wood netsuke of a hare and a monkey pulling the left…

Hare, Monkey, and Rooster Netsuke

A carved wood netsuke of a hare and a monkey pulling the left back leg and a rooster with a tall fanned tail, each with inlaid eyes, height 5 cm and length 5 cm

A carved wood netsuke, Meiji period, in the form of a recumbent…

Meiji Ox Netsuke

A carved wood netsuke, Meiji period, in the form of a recumbent ox, the details finely delineated in the dark wood, 4.5 cm long

A Japanese carved boxwood Kirin netsuke, with glass bead eyes,…

Japanese Kirin Netsuke with Glass Bead Eyes

A Japanese carved boxwood Kirin netsuke, with glass bead eyes, signed Tamamatsu, size 45 x 40 mm.

19th century carved wood netsuke depicting a scholar, height 3.…

Scholar Netsuke Carved Wood 19th Century

19th century carved wood netsuke depicting a scholar, height 3.5 cm

Japanese carved boxwood dragon form netsuke signed to base,…

Carved Boxwood Dragon Netsuke

Japanese carved boxwood dragon form netsuke signed to base, (height 5.5 cm approx).

Antique Japanese carved timber netsuke of a man with bags.…

Antique Japanese carved timber netsuke of a man with bags. Signed to foot.

A Japanese wood netsuke of a monkey, late Meiji period…

Meiji monkey netsuke with mask and cloak

A Japanese wood netsuke of a monkey, late Meiji period (1868-1912) the carved wood netsuke depicting a monkey seated, its mouth wide open, wearing a mask and cloak over its head and back, signed to the underside. Height 4 cm 100-200

Two Japanese boxwood netsuke bulldogs with inlaid eyes both…

Pair of Inlaid-Eye Japanese Boxwood Bulldog Netsuke

Two Japanese boxwood netsuke bulldogs with inlaid eyes both signed with marks inlaid to base tallest measures 5 cm high, (2)

A Japanese wood carved bull dog netsuke, size 45 x 28 mm,…

Japanese Bulldog Netsuke, Signed, Carved Wood, 45x28mm

A Japanese wood carved bull dog netsuke, size 45 x 28 mm, signed at base.

A carved boxwood netsuke, crouching figure revealing butterfly…

Crouching Figure with Butterfly Netsuke

A carved boxwood netsuke, crouching figure revealing butterfly to underside.

A Japanese wooden netsuke of Gama Sennin, late Meiji period…

Japanese Gama Sennin Netsuke, Late Meiji Period

A Japanese wooden netsuke of Gama Sennin, late Meiji period carved standing with one foot raised, wearing long robes and leafy skirt, finely patterned, unsigned, length 6.5 cm

Three Japanese netsuke. One staghorn depicting Hotai; boxwood…

Japanese Netsuke Trio

Three Japanese netsuke. One staghorn depicting Hotai; boxwood monkey & snake; & a resin shishi, height 4 cm & 5.5 cm, length 5 cm (shishi)

A finely carved boxwood netsuke; featuring a monkey. Signed…

Tamayama's Monkey Netsuke

A finely carved boxwood netsuke; featuring a monkey. Signed Tamayama.

A carved boxwood netsuke; featuring 3 monkeys

Three Wise Monkeys Netsuke

A carved boxwood netsuke; featuring 3 monkeys

Japanese netsuke, carved wood in the form of a bear with ball,…

Japanese netsuke, carved wood in the form of a bear with ball, signed to base

Oriental carved boxwood netsuke of a boar, signed to the base

Carved Boxwood Boar Netsuke with Signature

Oriental carved boxwood netsuke of a boar, signed to the base

Japanese carved wood sparrow netsuke early carved wood sparrow…

Early Japanese Sparrow Netsuke with Carved Attachments

Japanese carved wood sparrow netsuke early carved wood sparrow form netsuke, diameter 10 cm with carved bead and bone attachments.

A Japanese netsuke, rosewood, carved as two birds hoarding a…

Rosewood Netsuke: Birds with Twig

A Japanese netsuke, rosewood, carved as two birds hoarding a twig in their beaks. Signed, width 4.7 cm.

Two Japanese wooden netsuke, comprising rosewood netsuke of a…

Japanese Netsuke: Boar and Monkey

Two Japanese wooden netsuke, comprising rosewood netsuke of a resting boar, unsigned, length 6.5 cm, and a boxwood monkey with peaches slung over back, unsigned, height 4.5 cm (2). Provenance: The Collection of the Late Bruce & Odette McLeod

A pair of signed antique boxwood netsuke, probably Taisho…

Antique Boxwood Netsuke of Lion Dog and Dragon

A pair of signed antique boxwood netsuke, probably Taisho period, early 20th century, carved to depict a recumbent but snarling shi shi or lion dog, the other a pierced and carved serpentine dragon; both with incised signatures underside, length 4.5 cm…

19th century carved boxwood Shi Shi netsuke, signed to the base

Carved Boxwood Shi Shi Netsuke with Signature

19th century carved boxwood Shi Shi netsuke, signed to the base

Boxwood carved Japanese netsuke of a monkey

Monkey Netsuke: Boxwood Carving from Japan

Boxwood carved Japanese netsuke of a monkey

Chinese carved timber ox netsuke, signature to base, height 3.5…

Carved Chinese Ox Netsuke

Chinese carved timber ox netsuke, signature to base, height 3.5 cm

Japanese carved wood hippopotamus netsuke marked to base.…

Japanese Hippopotamus Netsuke

Japanese carved wood hippopotamus netsuke marked to base. Length 6 cm

Japanese carved wood netsuke mouse with a corncob, signed to…

Carved Wood Netsuke with Mouse and Corncob

Japanese carved wood netsuke mouse with a corncob, signed to base. Height 5 cm

Japanese carved wood netsuke mouse lying under a mushroom,…

Carved wood netsuke: Mouse under mushroom

Japanese carved wood netsuke mouse lying under a mushroom, signed to base. Height 4 cm

Two tagua nut animal okimono and a resin netsuke, 20th century,…

Tagua and Resin Animal Okimono and Netsuke Set

Two tagua nut animal okimono and a resin netsuke, 20th century, a delightful study of two playful rabbits, and a panda eating bamboo, both tagua nuts signed, and a resin netsuke in the form of a ram, 4.5 cm, and smaller

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting a robed figure, in…

Brown-toned Carved Netsuke of Robed Figure

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting a robed figure, in brown tones, height 9 cm

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting two mice amongst…

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting two mice amongst coiled rope, signed, height 2.5 cm and diameter 5 cm

An old carved boxwood netsuke study of an old man, standing…

An old carved boxwood netsuke study of an old man, standing holding his stubbed toe, his right hand to his mouth. Unsigned, height 4.4 cm.

Two Japanese boxwood netsuke bulldogs one signed with mark…

Japanese Boxwood Bulldog Netsuke Pair

Two Japanese boxwood netsuke bulldogs one signed with mark inlaid to base tallest measures 5 cm (2)

Japanese boxwood rabbit netsuke, carved wooden rabbit netsuke,…

Japanese boxwood rabbit netsuke, carved wooden rabbit netsuke, glass eyed, squat crouching form with large ears and animated facial expression, artist mark incised to base

Boxwood netsuke, carved, signed of a toad climbing a lotus

Toad on Lotus: Boxwood Netsuke Carving

Boxwood netsuke, carved, signed of a toad climbing a lotus

A Japanese boxwood skull netsuke, signed.

Signed Japanese Boxwood Skull Netsuke

A Japanese boxwood skull netsuke, signed.

Antique carved boxwood netsuke Eggplant form, 19th century

19th Century Eggplant Netsuke

Antique carved boxwood netsuke Eggplant form, 19th century

Vintage carved timber netsuke - turtle on leaf signed to base,…

Carved Turtle Netsuke on Leaf

Vintage carved timber netsuke - turtle on leaf signed to base, 4.5 cm wide

Japanese carved wood frog netsuke, signed to base, height 3.5 cm

Carved Wood Frog Netsuke from Japan

Japanese carved wood frog netsuke, signed to base, height 3.5 cm

Japanese carved netsuke, in wood, carved in the form of a frog…

Japanese Frog Netsuke with Snail and Barrel

Japanese carved netsuke, in wood, carved in the form of a frog with walking stick kissing a snail which is seated on a roped barrel, inset seal mark, height 4 cm the collection of the Late Dr Alexander Yu Fu Pau

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, in the form of a dragon…

Dragon Netsuke with Flaming Pearl

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, in the form of a dragon clutching a flaming pearl, signed to base, height 5 cm

Boxwood cicada on leaf netsuke, hand carved, signed

Hand-carved Boxwood Cicada Netsuke, Signed

Boxwood cicada on leaf netsuke, hand carved, signed

Ironwood netsuke, hand carved in the form of a bat resting upon…

Ironwood Bat Netsuke with Bamboo and Glass Eyes

Ironwood netsuke, hand carved in the form of a bat resting upon bamboo, glass eyes with makers signature mark to base

Boxwood netsuke, hand carved twin entwined carp design with…

Twin Carp Boxwood Netsuke with Glass Eyes

Boxwood netsuke, hand carved twin entwined carp design with glass eyes (unsigned) 5.2 x 2.4 cm

Carved boxwood netsuke in the form of a coiled snaked, signed…

Signed Boxwood Snake Netsuke

Carved boxwood netsuke in the form of a coiled snaked, signed by artist on reverse

Japanese carved boxwood dog form netsuke signed to base,…

Japanese Boxwood Dog Netsuke

Japanese carved boxwood dog form netsuke signed to base, (height 5 cm approx).

Quality Japanese carved wooden netsuke in the form of a tiger,…

Japanese Tiger Netsuke: Carved Wooden Art

Quality Japanese carved wooden netsuke in the form of a tiger, signed

Boxwood netsuke of a mouse Toting money, carved and signed by…

Mouse Money: Boxwood Netsuke by Signed Artist

Boxwood netsuke of a mouse Toting money, carved and signed by the artist

Chinese boxwood netsuke, carved pig and piglets, signed to base…

Boxwood Pig and Piglets Netsuke

Chinese boxwood netsuke, carved pig and piglets, signed to base with character marks

Chinese carved boxwood netsuke, carved Sumo wrestler with…

Carved Boxwood Sumo Wrestler Netsuke with Character Marks

Chinese carved boxwood netsuke, carved Sumo wrestler with character marks to leg

Chinese carved boxwood netsuke, carved mud crab, signed to base

Carved Boxwood Mud Crab Netsuke, Signed

Chinese carved boxwood netsuke, carved mud crab, signed to base

Chinese carved boxwood netsuke, hatching turtles with signed…

Carved Boxwood Netsuke: Hatching Turtles with Character Marks

Chinese carved boxwood netsuke, hatching turtles with signed character marks

Wooden netsuke, hand carved in the form of a small frog upon…

Frog on Seashell Netsuke with Glass Eyes

Wooden netsuke, hand carved in the form of a small frog upon seashell, glass eyed with makers signature mark to base

Japanese carved wood netsuke. Two men with a drum. Height 3 cm

Japanese Drumming Netsuke

Japanese carved wood netsuke. Two men with a drum. Height 3 cm

A fine Japanese netsuke, the carved silk boxwood shaped as a…

Japanese Mermaid Netsuke

A fine Japanese netsuke, the carved silk boxwood shaped as a Mermaid, signed to base. Length 4.5 cm.

Three wood netsuke, a baby elephant on a ball, piglets and a…

Inlaid-Eyed Wood Netsuke: Elephant, Piglets, Water Snakes

Three wood netsuke, a baby elephant on a ball, piglets and a ball of water snakes, carved in the round, 20th century, all with inlaid eyes, diameter 3.5 cm

Two Japanese netsuke, a boxwood long Eared Hare and a Coiled…

Japanese Netsuke: Hare and Snake

Two Japanese netsuke, a boxwood long Eared Hare and a Coiled snake with a red Tongue, Showa period, 20th century, incised line decoration, two of the twelve branches of the cyclical lunar year, each with a maker's mark to the base, height 3.5 - 5 cm

A carved rosewood netsuke, modelled as a cicada, signed, length…

Carved Rosewood Cicada Netsuke

A carved rosewood netsuke, modelled as a cicada, signed, length 6.5 cm.

A Japanese boxwood netsuke, woman in bath with frog, signed…

Japanese Boxwood Netsuke: Woman and Frog Bathing

A Japanese boxwood netsuke, woman in bath with frog, signed Yamatsu.

Japanese boxwood netsuke. Hare. Signed to base. Height 6 cm

Signed Japanese Boxwood Hare Netsuke (6cm)

Japanese boxwood netsuke. Hare. Signed to base. Height 6 cm

Mice and basket netsuke, carved wooden netsuke modelled of two…

Mouse Duo Netsuke with Articulated Basket

Mice and basket netsuke, carved wooden netsuke modelled of two mice, one upon basket and other articulated moves in and out of basket, signed to rear

Antique carved boxwood netsuke toad form, purchased Nagoya,…

Carved Boxwood Toad Netsuke from Nagoya, Japan (1960)

Antique carved boxwood netsuke toad form, purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Japanese carved boxwood netsuke figure & rat

Boxwood Rat Netsuke

Japanese carved boxwood netsuke figure & rat

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting two shi shi, the…

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting two shi shi, the larger one is shown lying down on all four, while the smaller one standing on its hind legs with its paws on the back of the larger one, possible incised signature to base, 4.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 4 cm

18th century carved wood netsuke in the form of a badger with…

Carved Badger Netsuke with Inlaid Eyes

18th century carved wood netsuke in the form of a badger with inlaid eyes

Japanese carved boxwood netsuke of carp with ivory eyes, signed…

Signed Japanese Netsuke: Carved Carp with Ivory Eyes

Japanese carved boxwood netsuke of carp with ivory eyes, signed by the artist

Antique carved boxwood netsuke Monkey riding a horse over a…

Carved Boxwood Monkey Riding Horse Netsuke

Antique carved boxwood netsuke Monkey riding a horse over a bridge, signed to base

Japanese carved boxwood netsuke of a sage carrying a ball, late…

Edo Sage Netsuke with Ball

Japanese carved boxwood netsuke of a sage carrying a ball, late Edo, signature indistinct, Purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Japanese carved timber rabbit netsuke signed to base, width 6.5…

Japanese Carved Rabbit Netsuke, Signed

Japanese carved timber rabbit netsuke signed to base, width 6.5 cm

A wood netsuke, of a man with large mussels on legs & arms & a…

Muscular Man with Barrel and Coral Sprig Netsuke

A wood netsuke, of a man with large mussels on legs & arms & a very thin body, revealing his rib cage on his back, he is holding a barrel with a coral sprig. Height 4 cm

A signed Japanese timber netsuke of a horse, in dark modulating…

Signed Japanese Horse Netsuke in Dark Timber

A signed Japanese timber netsuke of a horse, in dark modulating timber and of smooth rounded form depicting a horse with its head upon its forelegs; with a signed cartouche to the reverse and leather strap. Height 6 cm

Japanese boxwood antique netsuke of a pup

Antique Japanese Boxwood Pup Netsuke

Japanese boxwood antique netsuke of a pup

A boxwood Netsuke; featuring 3 monkeys. Signed Yoshikawa.

Three Monkey Boxwood Netsuke by Yoshikawa

A boxwood Netsuke; featuring 3 monkeys. Signed Yoshikawa.

Boxwood Japanese netsuke hornet on nest quality carving, signed…

Hornet Netsuke with Ivory Inlay

Boxwood Japanese netsuke hornet on nest quality carving, signed with ivory inlay

Japanese boxwood netsuke carved as a Shishi purchased Nagoya,…

Japanese Shishi Boxwood Netsuke, Nagoya c.1960

Japanese boxwood netsuke carved as a Shishi purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting Buddha's hand holding…

Buddha's Hand Netsuke with Chicken

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting Buddha's hand holding a chicken in palm, mark to base, length 4 cm

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting a seated man with one…

Japanese carved wooden netsuke, depicting a seated man with one leg outstretched with oni bent over leaning on the mans leg, 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm

Japanese boxwood large netsuke of Hotei (crack)

Cracked Hotei Netsuke in Japanese Boxwood

Japanese boxwood large netsuke of Hotei (crack)

Ivory and boxwood netsuke of a sage, signed in mother of pearl…

Sage Netsuke with Mother of Pearl Signature

Ivory and boxwood netsuke of a sage, signed in mother of pearl cartouche

Three Oriental carved items, a carved walnut, mythical creature…

Oriental Carvings: Walnut, Mythical Creature, Squirrel

Three Oriental carved items, a carved walnut, mythical creature and a stone squirrel the walnut intricately carved with monks, likely Japanese. The mythical creature, possibly a netsuke with an extra purpose, probably a brushwash, Japanese. Height: 7 cm…

A wooden netsuke crouching karashishi holding a pieced ball,…

Meiji Wooden Netsuke of Crouching Karashishi with Ball

A wooden netsuke crouching karashishi holding a pieced ball, Meiji period