Ivory is a hard, white material obtained from the tusks of elephants, walruses, narwhals, and other animals. It has been prized for centuries for its beauty, durability, and rarity, and has been used extensively in decorative arts in Western and Oriental cultures from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

In Western cultures during the 18th to 20th centuries, ivory continued to be a popular material for creating decorative objects. A few examples of ivory objects from Western cultures during this time period include:

•    toiletry necessaire: A set of toiletry items made of ivory, late 19th century.

•     more...

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 more...

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Ivory netsuke of a mountainous village scene, including…

Ivory netsuke of a mountainous village scene, including buildings, figures and tress. Stained and signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

A Japanese ivory netsuke, possibly representing a Jesuit,…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Jesuit with Dog and Flower

A Japanese ivory netsuke, possibly representing a Jesuit, standing holding a flower, a dog seated beside him. signed, height 5.2 cm.

An ivory netsuke of a fox with inlaid eyes and a tea-kettle…

Inlaid Fox Netsuke with Tea-Kettle Badger, Signed

An ivory netsuke of a fox with inlaid eyes and a tea-kettle badger, signed, 20th century

A Japanese ivory signed netsuke, late Meiji period, 1868-1912…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Man with Newborn

A Japanese ivory signed netsuke, late Meiji period, 1868-1912 well carved and finely inked in red and green tones, depicting a man carrying a newborn, signed underside. Height 5 cm

A Japanese ivory netsuke, signed Eiyuki, featuring a man riding…

Eiyuki's Ivory Netsuke: Man on Boar

A Japanese ivory netsuke, signed Eiyuki, featuring a man riding a boar, length 50 mm.

An ivory netsuke of a Recumbent goat, signed with wooden stand.

Ivory Goat Netsuke with Stand

An ivory netsuke of a Recumbent goat, signed with wooden stand.

An ivory netsuke of a Zoomorphic horse, signed with wooden…

Signed Ivory Netsuke of Zoomorphic Horse with Stand

An ivory netsuke of a Zoomorphic horse, signed with wooden stand.

Three ivory kirin netsuke, 19th/early 20th century comprising a…

Ivory Kirin Netsuke Trio

Three ivory kirin netsuke, 19th/early 20th century comprising a seated kirin with head turned, a baying Kirin with up-stretched neck and a standing kirin the largest 9 cm high

An ivory netsuke, of a dog with ball. Width 4.6 cm.

Ivory Dog Netsuke with Ball

An ivory netsuke, of a dog with ball. Width 4.6 cm.

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a woodsman with axe & pipe

Woodsman Netsuke: Carved Ivory Axe and Pipe

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a woodsman with axe & pipe

Stained & signed ivory netsuke man & small child

Ivory Netsuke: Man and Child

Stained & signed ivory netsuke man & small child

Ivory netsuke of a drummer

Drummer Netsuke: Ivory Percussion Miniature

Ivory netsuke of a drummer

A small Japanese ivory netsuke, of an old man and young boy.…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Old Man and Young Boy

A small Japanese ivory netsuke, of an old man and young boy. Slight losses. Height 3.7 cm

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke, late Meiji period (1868-1912),…

Signed Japanese Ivory Fisherman Netsuke

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke, late Meiji period (1868-1912), the carved ivory netsuke depicting a seated young fisherman wearing a bonnet, proudly holding his fish and basket, signed to the underside. Width 4 cm

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke. Taisho period, 1920s, the…

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Scholar with Scroll and Brush Pot

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke. Taisho period, 1920s, the signed ivory netsuke depicting a standing scholar, with a scroll and a brush pot in his hands, lightly engraved and inked in black and maroon, signed to underside. Height 5 cm

A vintage ivory netsuke of a geisha, the figure dressed in…

Geisha Netsuke: Vintage Ivory Carving

A vintage ivory netsuke of a geisha, the figure dressed in lightly engraved and inked attire with blackened coiffed hair and carrying a fan, signed underside, height 5 cm

A vintage ivory netsuke of a peasant figure carrying a fan, the…

Inflated Bloomers: Vintage Ivory Peasant Netsuke with Fan

A vintage ivory netsuke of a peasant figure carrying a fan, the bulky figure of a peasant with inflated bloomers and a lightly engraved and inked haori jacket with lotus designs, carrying a folding fan, a finger to his lips, signed to the side of the…

A vintage coloured ivory netsuke of an Elderly artist, an…

Elderly Artist Netsuke with Red Flowers

A vintage coloured ivory netsuke of an Elderly artist, an expressive older man with a paint brush and red ink block, a basket of red flowers at his feet, decorated with green and brown colours upon a 'Tea stained' ground, signed underside, height 5.5 cm

A vintage ivory netsuke of a seated official, the figure…

Vintage Ivory Netsuke of Seated Official

A vintage ivory netsuke of a seated official, the figure wearing an ornamented coat and hat, lightly inked and coloured in green and brown colours, signed to cartouche underside, height 5.5 cm

Carved ivory netsuke, in the form of an immortal with staff,…

Immortal Ivory Netsuke with Staff

Carved ivory netsuke, in the form of an immortal with staff, height 7 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a seated, emaciated…

Emaciated Man Ivory Netsuke with Signature

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a seated, emaciated man holding his hand to his ear, signature to base, height 4 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a warrior with robes…

Japanese Ivory Warrior Netsuke

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a warrior with robes and swords, with hand held behind back, mark to base, height 5 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a lady with long hair…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Lady with Long Hair

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a lady with long hair and flowing robes, mark to base, height 4 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a sumo wrestler, with…

Sumo Wrestler Ivory Netsuke

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a sumo wrestler, with large belly and decorative skirt, mark to underside, a/f, height 5 cm

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting two bears…

Meiji Ivory Netsuke: Playful Bear Duo

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting two bears playing, incised signature to base, length 5 cm. Provenance: The Pullinger collection, then Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a figure seated with…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Seated Cross-Legged Figure

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a figure seated with legs crossed, mark to base, height 5 cm

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting a theatre…

Meiji Ivory Netsuke: Resting Actor on Egg

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting a theatre actor resting on egg, incised signature to base, height 3.5 cm. Provenance: The Pullinger collection, then Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a figure with sword…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Sword-Bearing Figure

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a figure with sword and bag slung over shoulder, mark to base, height 5.5 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a scholar holding a…

Scholar Netsuke with Walking Stick and Peach

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a scholar holding a walking stick and peach, coloured with pigment, signed to base, height 5 cm

Ivory netsuke, carved pierced foliage piece

Pierced Foliage Netsuke

Ivory netsuke, carved pierced foliage piece

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, carved in the form of a statue…

Ivory Buddha Netsuke with Cleaning Figures

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, carved in the form of a statue of a Buddha, surrounded by small figures cleaning the Buddha, height 4.8 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke, carved in the form of seated deity with…

Seated Deity Ivory Netsuke with Fly Whisk

Japanese ivory netsuke, carved in the form of seated deity with fly whisk, signed verso, height 3.8 cm

An ivory netsuke of seated man holding a large lotus Pod, a…

Seated Man with Lotus Pod Netsuke

An ivory netsuke of seated man holding a large lotus Pod, a small & large hole to the underside. Provenance: Adelaide collector, height 3 cm

A signed ivory netsuke of a musician and dragon, probably…

Dragon and Musician Ivory Netsuke

A signed ivory netsuke of a musician and dragon, probably Taisho to Showa period, early to mid 20th century, the seated female musician holding a string instrument and with a dragon at her side; lightly inked and engraved, signed underside. Height 4 cm

Japanese ivory erotic netsuke, Meiji/Taisho period. Height 6 cm

Japanese Erotic Ivory Netsuke

Japanese ivory erotic netsuke, Meiji/Taisho period. Height 6 cm

Ivory netsuke of a Actor wearing a Demon Noh mask

Ivory netsuke of a Actor wearing a Demon Noh mask

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man with baby in arms. Signed to base.…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Man with Baby

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man with baby in arms. Signed to base. Height 5 cm. W22g

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man on masked cushion, signed.…

Masked Man Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man on masked cushion, signed. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT. Height 3 cm

A vintage carved ivory netsuke, depicting man tying laces,…

Carved Ivory Netsuke: Man Tying Laces

A vintage carved ivory netsuke, depicting man tying laces, length 47 mm.

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure signed to base, height 5 cm

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figure, Signed (5cm)

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure signed to base, height 5 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure signed to base, height 5 cm

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figure - 5cm Height

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure signed to base, height 5 cm

Early carved ivory seated sage reading netsuke C1940, signed to…

Carved Ivory Seated Sage Netsuke, Signed (1940)

Early carved ivory seated sage reading netsuke C1940, signed to base, height 4 cm.

Antique Japanese carved ivory netsuke, signed to base. Height 6…

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke

Antique Japanese carved ivory netsuke, signed to base. Height 6 cm approx.

Vintage Japanese ivory netsuke - working gentleman, height 5 cm

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Working Gentleman

Vintage Japanese ivory netsuke - working gentleman, height 5 cm

Carved ivory netsuke of a monkey holding a fruit

Monkey with Fruit Netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of a monkey holding a fruit

19th century Japanese carved ivory netsuke in the form of a…

Ivory Buddha Netsuke with Money Bag and Signature

19th century Japanese carved ivory netsuke in the form of a Buddha holding a large money bag, signed

A Japanese ivory netsuke, of a seated man, of compact form.…

Compact Seated Man Ivory Netsuke

A Japanese ivory netsuke, of a seated man, of compact form. Signed, height 3.5 cm.

Antiue Japanese man with gourd ivory netsuke, with rotating…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke with Rotating Face, 1920

Antiue Japanese man with gourd ivory netsuke, with rotating face,C1920. Signed to base. Height 6 cm

Ivory netsuke of a smoker, standing in traditional robe open…

Ivory netsuke of a smoker, standing in traditional robe open exposing his chest, a pipe to one hand, the other with pouch. Recessed staining and signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

Ivory netsuke of a demon group with old woman, the two demons…

Ivory netsuke of a demon group with old woman, the two demons on top of a box, the women seated to the front, a skull and snakes beside. Stained and signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New…

Ivory netsuke of a mythical dancing figure, open dropped drawer,…

Ivory netsuke of a mythical dancing figure, open dropped drawer, one arm raised, wearing voluminous robe, stained. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

Ivory netsuke of two men battling with a horse, a warrior on…

Ivory netsuke of two men battling with a horse, a warrior on the horses back, another man below. Signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

Ivory netsuke of foreigner, wearing traditional robes, a box…

Ivory netsuke of foreigner, wearing traditional robes, a box hangs around his neck, a parasol to his back, signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

An antique Japanese carved ivory netsuke, the seated gent in…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Seated Gentleman

An antique Japanese carved ivory netsuke, the seated gent in traditional robes, the himotoshi drilled through the base and out the lower back. Black stained detail. Height 3.5 cm.

Signed carved ivory netsuke of actor with revolving face

Revolving Face Netsuke of Actor

Signed carved ivory netsuke of actor with revolving face

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a reclining stag

Reclining Stag Netsuke

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a reclining stag

An old Japanese carved ivory netsuke, as a father and son, both…

Japanese Ivory Father and Son Netsuke

An old Japanese carved ivory netsuke, as a father and son, both seated, with gourd and cup, length 3.8 cm.

A Japanese 'Changing Face' ivory netsuke, late Meiji period,…

Articulated Ivory Kabuki Netsuke with Changing Face

A Japanese 'Changing Face' ivory netsuke, late Meiji period, 1868-1912, the articulated Kabuki character with long hair carrying a sword, with a revolving head depicting both a threatening and a benign visage, lightly engraved and inked. Height 5 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke - man resting on mushroom

Mushroom Rest: Japanese Ivory Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke - man resting on mushroom

Japanese ivory netsuke 'Figure of a Gentleman'

Japanese Ivory Gentleman Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke 'Figure of a Gentleman'

Ivory netsuke, of two children playing blind man's bluff

Blind Man's Bluff Netsuke

Ivory netsuke, of two children playing blind man's bluff

Signed ivory netsuke, standing immortal in flowing robes

Flowing Robes: Ivory Immortal Netsuke

Signed ivory netsuke, standing immortal in flowing robes

Signed ivory netsuke, seated priest with beads, scroll & dog…

Ivory Priest Netsuke with Dog Attendant

Signed ivory netsuke, seated priest with beads, scroll & dog attendant

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, late-19th century depicting a…

Japanese Ivory Rat Netsuke on Coiled Rope

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, late-19th century depicting a rat on a coiled hank of rope. Inlaid black horn eyes. Signed, length 6.5 cm

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke, late Meiji period (1868-1912)…

Smiling Sage Ivory Netsuke

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke, late Meiji period (1868-1912) the carved and stained ivory netsuke depicting a smiling bearded sage with a club, signed to the underside. Height 4 cm

An antique ivory netsuke of a Chimp and a rabbit, Meiji period,…

Chimp and Rabbit Ivory Netsuke

An antique ivory netsuke of a Chimp and a rabbit, Meiji period, 1868-1912, an unusual composition of a chimp standing upon the back of a rabbit, his, left foot on one ear and tugging at the other, himatoshi underside, height 5.5 cm

A signed antique Japanese ivory 'Warrior God' netsuke, Meiji…

Antique Ivory Japanese Warrior God Netsuke

A signed antique Japanese ivory 'Warrior God' netsuke, Meiji period, 1868-1912, depicting the standing figure of a bearded warrior with a powerful gaze and holding a club in one hand and a small powerless figure by the hair with the other, engraved and…

A stained ivory netsuke of a man with basket in boat, signed.

Ivory Boatman Netsuke, Signed

A stained ivory netsuke of a man with basket in boat, signed.

Japanese ivory netsuke. Fisherman and net, signed. Provenance:…

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Fisherman and Net

Japanese ivory netsuke. Fisherman and net, signed. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT. Height four cm

Japanese ivory netsuke. Woodworker. Height 3 cm. Width four cm

Japanese Ivory Woodworker Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke. Woodworker. Height 3 cm. Width four cm

Japanese ivory netsuke. Woman with fan, signed. Provenance:…

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Woman with Fan

Japanese ivory netsuke. Woman with fan, signed. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT.

Three various Japanese netsuke, including ivory frogs; bone…

Japanese Netsuke Collection

Three various Japanese netsuke, including ivory frogs; bone skeleton; and bone woman and child group. Height 5 cm. (average)

Japanese carved ivory Standing Man netsuke height 5 cm.

Japanese Ivory Standing Man Netsuke

Japanese carved ivory Standing Man netsuke height 5 cm.

Japanese carved ivory Man with Monkey netsuke signed to base,…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Man and Monkey

Japanese carved ivory Man with Monkey netsuke signed to base, height 5.5 cm,

Antique ivory young man holding a bird netsuke circa 1920,…

Ivory Netsuke and Porcelain Miniature of Young Man

Antique ivory young man holding a bird netsuke circa 1920, height 3.5 cm together porcelain with a miniature porcelain young man.

Vintage carved ivory netsuke of man & fish, 5 cm high, c1930, .

Carved Ivory Netsuke of Man and Fish (c.1930)

Vintage carved ivory netsuke of man & fish, 5 cm high, c1930, .

Antique Japanese ivory netsuke fisherman with basket. This item…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Fisherman with Basket

Antique Japanese ivory netsuke fisherman with basket. This item may not be exported without cites documentation. (Height 5 cm approx).

Signed carved ivory netsuke of two toads on a basket

Toad Duo Netsuke

Signed carved ivory netsuke of two toads on a basket

Japanese ivory netsuke of a fishing basket

Japanese Ivory Fishing Basket Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke of a fishing basket

Antique Japanese mythical animal ivory netsuke, C1920, signed…

Japanese Ivory Mythical Animal Netsuke, Signed, C1920

Antique Japanese mythical animal ivory netsuke, C1920, signed lower base

Antique Japanese man figure ivory netsuke, C1920. Signed to…

Signed Ivory Netsuke of Japanese Man, Circa 1920

Antique Japanese man figure ivory netsuke, C1920. Signed to base. Height 3 cm

Carved ivory netsuke of a chicken

Ivory chicken netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of a chicken

Carved ivory netsuke of recumbent oxen

Ivory Oxen Netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of recumbent oxen

Carved ivory netsuke of a dragon

Dragon Netsuke: Carved Ivory Art

Carved ivory netsuke of a dragon

Signed ivory netsuke scholar with Scribe & scroll

Ivory Scribe Netsuke with Scroll

Signed ivory netsuke scholar with Scribe & scroll

Stained & signed ivory netsuke man with pipe

Signed Ivory Netsuke: Man with Pipe

Stained & signed ivory netsuke man with pipe

Signed ivory netsuke man with sword cloth & basket

Ivory Netsuke: Man with Sword and Basket

Signed ivory netsuke man with sword cloth & basket

Signed ivory netsuke of a lady & man with gourd

Ivory Netsuke: Lady and Man with Gourd

Signed ivory netsuke of a lady & man with gourd

Signed ivory netsuke, of standing temple dog

Standing Temple Dog Netsuke

Signed ivory netsuke, of standing temple dog

Signed ivory netsuke, of sage holding peach of longevity

Sage with Longevity Peach Netsuke

Signed ivory netsuke, of sage holding peach of longevity

An ivory netsuke of a man scaling a fish, 20th century

Man Scaling Fish Netsuke

An ivory netsuke of a man scaling a fish, 20th century

An ivory netsuke of a man with a log on his shoulder, Meiji…

Man with log ivory netsuke, Meiji period

An ivory netsuke of a man with a log on his shoulder, Meiji period

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of a child clambering from a…

Child with dogs climbing from treasure sack ivory netsuke

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of a child clambering from a treasure sack, two small dogs play at its foot. Signed

A Japanese 'Changing Face' ivory netsuke, late Meiji period,…

Revolving Kabuki Netsuke

A Japanese 'Changing Face' ivory netsuke, late Meiji period, 1868-1912, the articulated Kabuki character with long hair holding an axe, with a revolving head depicting both a threatening and a benign visage, lightly inked. Height 5 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke of man with gourd

Man with Gourd Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke of man with gourd

Ivory netsuke of a god

Divine Ivory Netsuke

Ivory netsuke of a god