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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Japanese ivory netsuke, rice basket, signed

Signed Japanese Ivory Rice Basket Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke, rice basket, signed

Oriental ivory netsuke of a tiger

Ivory Tiger Netsuke

Oriental ivory netsuke of a tiger

Japanese ivory mask netsuke, signed

Signed Japanese Ivory Mask Netsuke

Japanese ivory mask netsuke, signed

Boxwood and ivory netsuke of a Samurai signed in mother of…

Samurai Netsuke with Mother of Pearl Signature

Boxwood and ivory netsuke of a Samurai signed in mother of pearl cartouche

A Japanese netsuke carved from ivory showing bearded man with…

Bearded Man with Dog Netsuke

A Japanese netsuke carved from ivory showing bearded man with dog.

A Japanese ivory netsuke, of a snail upon a leaf, signed,…

Japanese Ivory Snail Netsuke on Leaf

A Japanese ivory netsuke, of a snail upon a leaf, signed, length 6 cm.

Japanese ivory netsuke. Old man with fan. Signed to base.…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Old Man with Fan

Japanese ivory netsuke. Old man with fan. Signed to base. Height 5 cm. W35g

Ivory netsuke standing elephant

Standing Ivory Elephant Netsuke

Ivory netsuke standing elephant

Ivory netsuke of an elderly woman, standing with pail and ladle.…

Ivory netsuke of an elderly woman, standing with pail and ladle. Stained and signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

An ivory netsuke of an old figure, crouching with hand club and…

An ivory netsuke of an old figure, crouching with hand club and fan. Stained and signed, height 4.8 cm. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

An ivory netsuke of a kneeling woman, applying lipstick with…

An ivory netsuke of a kneeling woman, applying lipstick with the use of a disc form mirror. Stained and signed. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975. Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc. New York.

Antique Japanese ivory seated Buddha netsuke

Japanese Ivory Buddha Netsuke

Antique Japanese ivory seated Buddha netsuke

Two antique Japanese carved ivory netsukes each netsuke being a…

Pair of Carved Ivory Japanese Netsukes

Two antique Japanese carved ivory netsukes each netsuke being a carved figural image, height 4.5 cm, and 7 cm approx.

Japanese carved ivory Workman netsuke standing figure carrying…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Workman with Keg

Japanese carved ivory Workman netsuke standing figure carrying a keg, signed, height 4.5 cm approx.

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure standing figure with child,…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figure with Child

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure standing figure with child, signed to base, height 4 cm approx.

Japanese carved ivory netsuke man with monkey figure, signed to…

Ivory Netsuke: Man with Monkey Figure

Japanese carved ivory netsuke man with monkey figure, signed to base, height 4 cm.

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…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figure, Signed

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

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

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figure, Signed, 5cm Height

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

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

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figure, Signed

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

An ivory netsuke of a seated man and a boy, signed, Meiji period

Seated Man and Boy Netsuke, Meiji Period

An ivory netsuke of a seated man and a boy, signed, Meiji period

Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, chick in egg the baby chick…

Carved Ivory Netsuke: Chick in Egg

Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, chick in egg the baby chick with inlaid eyes, signed to base 3.2 cm diameter

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

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Man with Jar and Animal

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

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

Japanese Ivory Kabuki Netsuke with Changing Face

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

A Japanese signed ivory netsuke of a Fanged man, length 4.5 cm

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Fanged Man

A Japanese signed ivory netsuke of a Fanged man, length 4.5 cm

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a rat with young on it's back

Maternal Rat Netsuke

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a rat with young on it's back

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a court musician

Ivory Court Musician Netsuke

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a court musician

Early ivory netsuke of monkey, seated monkey with young, signed…

Seated Monkey Netsuke with Young

Early ivory netsuke of monkey, seated monkey with young, signed to base, height 4 cm

Antique Japanese ivory face netsuke, signed to back, height 5…

Signed Japanese Ivory Face Netsuke, 5cm Height

Antique Japanese ivory face netsuke, signed to back, height 5 cm,

Antique Japanese sage & student ivory netsuke, C1920. Signed to…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke, Sage and Student, Signed C1920

Antique Japanese sage & student ivory netsuke, C1920. Signed to base. LHeight 3 cm

Two vintage ivory netsuke figures 4.4 cm high (tallest)

Vintage Ivory Netsuke Figures - 4.4cm Height

Two vintage ivory netsuke figures 4.4 cm high (tallest)

A Japanese carved ivory erotic netsuke, Taisho period, 1920s…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Netsuke, Taisho Period

A Japanese carved ivory erotic netsuke, Taisho period, 1920s depicting a recumbent man and woman in an embrace with finely engraved and stained highlights to the hair and clothing, the underside with himatoshi. Width 6 cm

Two Japanese ivory erotic netsuke, Meiji/Taisho period. Length…

Japanese Erotic Ivory Netsuke Pair

Two Japanese ivory erotic netsuke, Meiji/Taisho period. Length 4 cm max.

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

Seated Elderly Gentleman Ivory Netsuke

A Japanese ivory netsuke. Meiji period (1868-1912) the small carved ivory okimono of seated elderly gentleman wearing a cloak, with a serene meditative expression, unsigned. Height 4 cm

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke and an antique Baltic amber…

Ivory Netsuke & Amber Bead: Japanese Antique Pair

A signed Japanese ivory netsuke and an antique Baltic amber bead. Meiji period (1868-1912) the small carved ivory netsuke of a coiled snake, finely engraved and stained, signed to the underside, and a large natural butterscotch Baltic amber bead. Height 2…

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, in the form of Buaku mask, with…

Japanese Ivory Buaku Netsuke Mask, Signed, 5cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, in the form of Buaku mask, with a downward gaze to the right, signed to back, length 5 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a figure seated with…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Seated Figure

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

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a seated figure in…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Seated Figure with Geometric Motifs

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting a seated figure in robes and hat, with incised geometric motifs, mark to base, height 5 cm

A vintage ivory seated boar netsuke, the corpulent characterful…

Inked Ivory Boar Netsuke

A vintage ivory seated boar netsuke, the corpulent characterful figure upon its haunches finely inked to depict, fur, signature and himatoshi underside, width 5 cm

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting a monkey…

Meiji Ivory Monkey Netsuke with Lobster

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting a monkey with lobster on its back, height 4 cm. Provenance: The Pullinger collection, then Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

A mammoth ivory netsuke of the God of longevity and two boys…

God of Longevity Netsuke with Boys and Peach

A mammoth ivory netsuke of the God of longevity and two boys balancing a very large peach, 20th century, height 3.5 cm, length 5 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke. Egg form, signed. Nb: export restricted.

Signed Japanese Ivory Egg Netsuke (Export Restricted)

Japanese ivory netsuke. Egg form, signed. Nb: export restricted.

A Japanese ivory netsuke, with a large woven basket on his back,…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke with Woven Basket

A Japanese ivory netsuke, with a large woven basket on his back, Meiji period, 1868-1912, a happy face with his hair in a back bun, wearing a short brown Kimino, height 5 cm. Provenance: The Estate of the late June Fairall

Japanese Meiji period ivory netsuke, carved in the form of a…

Meiji ivory netsuke: Warrior on horseback

Japanese Meiji period ivory netsuke, carved in the form of a warrior carrying a spear riding on the back of a horse, signed, height 5.7 cm

A vintage signed ivory netsuke, early 20th century, well carved…

Conjoined Buddha Netsuke, Early 20th Century

A vintage signed ivory netsuke, early 20th century, well carved as conjoined tumbling Buddha figures carrying fans, one with black ink decoration, the other with tan colours, with himotoshi and engraved and inked signature, height 4 cm

Antique Japanese carved ivory figural netsuke, 6 cm high approx

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Figurine

Antique Japanese carved ivory figural netsuke, 6 cm high approx

Oriental ivory netsuke - ebisu, signed

Signed Oriental Ivory Netsuke of Ebisu

Oriental ivory netsuke - ebisu, signed

Japanese ivory netsuke, Oni (demon) with revolving face, signed

Revolving-faced Oni: Signed Ivory Netsuke from Japan

Japanese ivory netsuke, Oni (demon) with revolving face, signed

Japanese ivory netsuke of a buffalo, signed

Signed Japanese Ivory Buffalo Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke of a buffalo, signed

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting an emperor, penguin…

Emperor and Penguin Netsuke

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, depicting an emperor, penguin and chick;signed under the base

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man with drum. Signed to base. Height 5…

Ivory Netsuke: Man with Drum (Signed)

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man with drum. Signed to base. Height 5 cm. W24g

Japanese ivory netsuke. Double sided head, signed. Provenance:…

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke with Double-Sided Head

Japanese ivory netsuke. Double sided head, signed. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT. Height 3 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke. Samurai warrior with rotating head,…

Rotating Head Samurai Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke. Samurai warrior with rotating head, signed. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT. Height 6 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man & frog, signed. Provenance: Private…

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Man & Frog

Japanese ivory netsuke. Man & frog, signed. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT. Height 6 cm

Carved ivory netsuke of seated scholar & Octopus, the octopus…

Scholar and Octopus Netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of seated scholar & Octopus, the octopus with pop out eyes

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

Japanese Carved Ivory Sage Netsuke

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

Japanese carved ivory netsuke Geisha figure signed to base,…

Japanese Ivory Geisha Netsuke, Signed

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

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 sage form, signed to base, height…

Signed Japanese Ivory Sage Netsuke, 4cm Height

Japanese carved ivory netsuke sage form, signed to base, height 4 cm. ,

Antique Japanese ivory netsuke man in traditional costume,…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke Man in Traditional Costume, c1920

Antique Japanese ivory netsuke man in traditional costume, c1920,signed to base, 5.5 cm high

A carved ivory netsuke 'Boy child'; signed

Signed Ivory Netsuke: Boy Child

A carved ivory netsuke 'Boy child'; signed

An ivory netsuke of a seated man with a basket and gourd,…

Seated Man with Basket and Gourd Netsuke, Meiji Period

An ivory netsuke of a seated man with a basket and gourd, signed, Meiji period

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of an elderly gentleman…

Elderly Gentleman with Peach Ivory Netsuke

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of an elderly gentleman standing holding a peach, his robes, footwear and headdress with dark stained detail, signed on the reverse with a tablet with red calligraphic signature

A Japanese carved ivory miniature Noh mask, possibly as a…

Japanese Ivory Noh Mask Netsuke, Signed

A Japanese carved ivory miniature Noh mask, possibly as a netsuke, signed, marks to the reverse, height 5.8 cm.

An early ivory netsuke of monk carrying a skull together with a…

Monk and Man with Monkey and Skull Netsuke

An early ivory netsuke of monk carrying a skull together with a man Shouldering a monkey, height 5 cm

A Japanese ivory netsuke of a seated man. Width 4 cm.

Seated Man Ivory Netsuke

A Japanese ivory netsuke of a seated man. Width 4 cm.

Ivory netsuke of a samurai, signed

Signed Samurai Ivory Netsuke

Ivory netsuke of a samurai, signed

Ivory netsuke of two birds, signed

Signed Ivory Netsuke: Two Birds

Ivory netsuke of two birds, signed

Antique Japanese ivory Netsuke with revolving face, signed to…

Revolving Face Ivory Netsuke, Signed, C. 1900

Antique Japanese ivory Netsuke with revolving face, signed to base, C:1900, height 5 cm approx

An ivory netsuke of a Recumbent lioness,signed with wooden…

Ivory Lioness Netsuke with Stand

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

Netsuke: Japanese carved ivory tiger group; and feeding cat. 4…

Japanese Ivory Tiger and Feeding Cat Netsuke Pair

Netsuke: Japanese carved ivory tiger group; and feeding cat. 4 cm each (2 items)

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a Trader with basket of…

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a Trader with basket of Quail eating soup

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a old Samurai seated with…

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a old Samurai seated with apprentice and rabbit

Stained ivory netsuke of a Actor with oversize mask on his back

Stained ivory netsuke of a Actor with oversize mask on his back

A coloured ivory netsuke of a farmer, Meiji period, 19th to…

Coloured Ivory Netsuke of Jovial Farmer

A coloured ivory netsuke of a farmer, Meiji period, 19th to 20th century, signed, the jovial male figure in lightly engraved and olive and aubergine coloured clothing hold a farm tool and a cloth bag, signed underside, height 5 cm

A Japanese ivory netsuke of a man, standing holding a fan and…

Japanese ivory netsuke of man with fan and gourd

A Japanese ivory netsuke of a man, standing holding a fan and gourd. Small himotoshi to his back. Height 5 cm.

A Japanese ivory netsuke, of a woman from folklore, carrying…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Folklore Woman with Head and Dagger

A Japanese ivory netsuke, of a woman from folklore, carrying the head of a man and a short aikuchi dagger. Signed under the base. Height 5.2 cm.

A vintage ivory elephant netsuke, a trumpeting elephant in tea…

Tea-Stained Ivory Elephant Netsuke with Himatoshi

A vintage ivory elephant netsuke, a trumpeting elephant in tea stained colours, signed to rear leg, with himatoshi to the belly, width 5 cm

Antique ivory monkey netsuke with carved tiger's eye Buddha…

Ivory Monkey Netsuke with Tiger's Eye Buddha Head & Snuff Bottle

Antique ivory monkey netsuke with carved tiger's eye Buddha head with ivory and silver snuff bottle and another netsuke, monkey netsuke signed to foot and measures 3.4 cm high, (4)

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting a tiger…

Meiji Ivory Tiger Netsuke from Pullinger & Torrington Collection

Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, depicting a tiger standing on two branches of bamboo, height 4 cm. Provenance: The Pullinger collection, then Dr. Merna Marie Torrington collection

An antique Japanese ivory 'Oni' netsuke, Meiji period,…

Japanese Ivory Oni Netsuke, Meiji Period

An antique Japanese ivory 'Oni' netsuke, Meiji period, 1868-1912, the powerful figure of a seated oni with horns issuing from his curled hair, and having claw feet, engraved and inked, height 3.5 cm

A signed antique Japanese ivory 'Changing Faces' netsuke, Meiji…

Antique Japanese Netsuke with Changing Faces

A signed antique Japanese ivory 'Changing Faces' netsuke, Meiji period, 1868-1912, an articulated Kabuki character with long hair carrying a hammer, having a revolving head depicting both a threatening and a benign visage, lightly engraved and inked,…

Two vintage ivory netsuke figures, early to mid 20th century,…

Vintage Ivory Netsuke Figures: Peasant and Footwear-Tying Man

Two vintage ivory netsuke figures, early to mid 20th century, comprising a male figure bending to tie his traditional geta footwear, and a well carved figure of a smiling older peasant figure carrying a shoulder bag and a lantern or vessel upon a stick,…

Two antique signed ivory netsuke, Meiji period, 1868-1912, a…

Signed Meiji Ivory Netsuke: Rodent and Bear with Frog

Two antique signed ivory netsuke, Meiji period, 1868-1912, a rodent crawling out of a gourd, and a bewildered bear with a frog upon its back, signed underside, height 3.5 cm

Japanese ivory netsuke, carved in the form of a small boy being…

Ivory Netsuke: Boy on Bucking Ox

Japanese ivory netsuke, carved in the form of a small boy being bucked on an ox, signed in mother of pearl panel, height 14 cm

Early 20th century Japanese ivory netsuke. Fukurokuju with two…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Fukurokuju and Two Dogs

Early 20th century Japanese ivory netsuke. Fukurokuju with two dogs. Signed. Height 5 cm

A Meiji Japanese carved ivory netsuke, the two seated figures…

Meiji Ivory Netsuke: Daruma Doll with Seated Figures

A Meiji Japanese carved ivory netsuke, the two seated figures decorating a large Daruma doll, fine detail, character marks to base.

A Japanese finely carved ivory netsuke, a woman and child, a…

Ivory Netsuke: Woman, Child, and Fish

A Japanese finely carved ivory netsuke, a woman and child, a fish upon a block to their front, stained highlights.

An ivory netsuke of Hotei, traditionally represented with his…

An ivory netsuke of Hotei, traditionally represented with his open robe exposing his corpulent belly, his large sack across his shoulder upon his back. Signed, dark stained highlights. Provenance: Purchased 'Japanese and Other Works of Art' June 1975.…

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a swallow

Ivory Swallow Netsuke

Signed carved ivory netsuke of a swallow

An antique Japanese ivory netsuke. Meiji period, late 19th…

Meiji Ivory Kabuki Netsuke with Revolving Head

An antique Japanese ivory netsuke. Meiji period, late 19th century, the kabuki figure with a long wig and carrying a sceptre and having a revolving head depicting either a benevolent or malevolent face; inscribed signature to base. Height 5.5 cm

A Japanese 'Changing face' ivory netsuke, early 20th century,…

Articulated Kabuki Netsuke with Changing Face

A Japanese 'Changing face' ivory netsuke, early 20th century, an articulated Kabuki character carrying a sword, having a revolving head depicting both a threatening and a benign visage; with characters to base. Height 5 cm

A Japanese ivory netsuke, Meiji period, a man holding a pipe…

Monkey Companion: Japanese Ivory Netsuke

A Japanese ivory netsuke, Meiji period, a man holding a pipe accompanied by a monkey on a box, the ivory engraved with floral and diaper designs and lightly stained in brown, black and red; signature to base flanked by paulownia leaves. Height 4 cm

Japanese carved ivory fisherman netsuke signed to base, height…

Signed Ivory Fisherman Netsuke Pendant with Necklace

Japanese carved ivory fisherman netsuke signed to base, height 5 cm, suspended with beaded necklace.

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure man with fish basket,…

Ivory Netsuke Figure: Man with Fish Basket (Signed)

Japanese carved ivory netsuke figure man with fish basket, signed to base, height 5 cm approx.

Antique Japanese ivory netsuke - Buddha and child c1920, signed…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Buddha and Child (1920)

Antique Japanese ivory netsuke - Buddha and child c1920, signed to base, 4.5 cm high