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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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

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

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

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

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 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

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.

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 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

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

Ivory netsuke standing elephant

Standing Ivory Elephant Netsuke

Ivory netsuke standing elephant

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

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.

Signed ivory netsuke of a reclining goat

Signed ivory netsuke of a reclining goat

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a fisherman standing…

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a fisherman standing holding good sized catch

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a standing Hotei, with sack…

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a standing Hotei, with sack of treasure on his back an holding a peach (small chip to base at the back)

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a mother bathing a child…

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a mother bathing a child with puppy dog

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a grandfather playing with…

Signed and stained ivory netsuke of a grandfather playing with his Grandson

Japanese ivory netsuke - man and child

Man and Child Ivory Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke - man and child

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

Taisho Ivory Netsuke of Standing Scholar with Scroll and Brush

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 Japanese ivory netsuke. Showa period, mid 20th century the…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Elderly Man with Basket

A Japanese ivory netsuke. Showa period, mid 20th century the carved netsuke depicting an elderly man in traditional dress concealing a basket behind his back, unsigned. Height 5 cm

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, in the form of a coiled snake…

Ivory Snake Netsuke with Incised Decoration

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, in the form of a coiled snake with incised decoration, incised mark to base, height 3 cm and length 3.5 cm

An antique signed ivory netsuke of an elder at work, Edo to…

Edo-Meiji Ivory Netsuke: Elder Pounding Clothes in Barrel

An antique signed ivory netsuke of an elder at work, Edo to Meiji period, 19th century, an elder figure with a long beard and pounding and washing clothes in a barrel, lightly engraved with brown colouring, with himatoshi to the reverse and signed with…

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, woman with revolving head

Revolving Head Netsuke

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, woman with revolving head

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of a recumbent goat

Ivory Netsuke: Resting Goat

Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of a recumbent goat

A vintage ivory netsuke of a Shi Shi, Showa period, early 20th…

Inked Ivory Shi Shi Netsuke

A vintage ivory netsuke of a Shi Shi, Showa period, early 20th century, the lion dog with boldly inked and engraved fur with an articulated ball in its mouth and grasping a ball, unmarked and with himatoshi, height 5 cm

Ivory netsuke of standing sage with mythical toad on his…

Sage with Toad Netsuke

Ivory netsuke of standing sage with mythical toad on his shoulder

Ivory netsuke of sage taking tea seated on stool

Sage Tea: Ivory Netsuke

Ivory netsuke of sage taking tea seated on stool

A Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, the seated figure…

Meiji Ivory Netsuke with Seated Figure and Fan

A Japanese Meiji period carved ivory netsuke, the seated figure with fan held covering his chin, fine incised detail, engraved signature below the himotoshi. Height 3.9 cm.

Early 20th century Japanese ivory netsuke. Man holding a bowl…

Japanese Ivory Sake Man Netsuke

Early 20th century Japanese ivory netsuke. Man holding a bowl of sake. Signed. Height 3.5 cm

Carved ivory netsuke of drummer wearing chichi mask

Chichi Drummer Netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of drummer wearing chichi mask

Ivory netsuke of a man, signed

Signed Ivory Netsuke of Man

Ivory netsuke of a man, signed

Antique carved ivory camel netsuke, circa 1920s, height 3 cm…

1920s Carved Ivory Camel Netsuke

Antique carved ivory camel netsuke, circa 1920s, height 3 cm approx

Antique Ivory netsuke of man with 2 faces, height: approx 5 cm.

Two-Faced Man Netsuke

Antique Ivory netsuke of man with 2 faces, height: approx 5 cm.

Carved ivory netsuke of a horse

Ivory Horse Netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of a horse

Carved ivory netsuke of a coiled snake

Coiled Ivory Snake Netsuke

Carved ivory netsuke of a coiled snake

Meiji ivory carved netsuke figure of a scholar signed to the…

Meiji Ivory Scholar Netsuke

Meiji ivory carved netsuke figure of a scholar signed to the base, height 5 cm

Early carved ivory Foo dog on ball netsuke C1920, signed to…

Carved Ivory Foo Dog Netsuke, Signed (1920)

Early carved ivory Foo dog on ball netsuke C1920, signed to base, height 7.5 cm.

An ivory netsuke, a gentleman and child with a pet turtle,…

Gentleman and Child with Pet Turtle

An ivory netsuke, a gentleman and child with a pet turtle, signature to base

Oriental ivory netsuke - man with mask, red signature

Masked Man Netsuke with Red Signature

Oriental ivory netsuke - man with mask, red signature

Oriental ivory netsuke - man with fan, signed

Signed Ivory Netsuke: Man with Fan

Oriental ivory netsuke - man with fan, signed

Japanese ivory netsuke, washing ladies, signed

Signed Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Washing Ladies

Japanese ivory netsuke, washing ladies, signed

Japanese ivory netsuke 'Figure of a Geisha'

Geisha Netsuke Ivory Figure

Japanese ivory netsuke 'Figure of a Geisha'

Japanese ivory netsuke of a ram, signed

Signed Japanese Ivory Ram Netsuke

Japanese ivory netsuke of a ram, signed

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of a young boy holding a peach,…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke: Boy with Peach

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, of a young boy holding a peach, his robe detailed in colour. Signed

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, the 'Magic Horse' chained to…

Magic Horse Netsuke with Chokaro's Gourd

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, the 'Magic Horse' chained to Chokaro's gourd, signed, height 4.8 cm. Note: Chokaro is a sennin who carries a gourd, within which is a magic horse believed to be able to travel to heaven and other worldly journeys within…

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, Meiji period, on later wooden…

Japanese Ivory Netsuke on Wooden Base, Meiji Period

A Japanese carved ivory netsuke, Meiji period, on later wooden base for display purposes, 6 cm high