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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Japanese carved Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of two…

Meiji Netsuke: Women with Horses Under Tree

Japanese carved Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of two women under tree wearing scarves, holding ropes to horse heads, signed, length 5.5 cm

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, in the form of deity incised…

Japanese Mammoth Netsuke: Deity with Protruding Eyes

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, in the form of deity incised with flower patterns and eyes that protrude when moved, signed, height 4.2 cm

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, carved in the form of a sphere…

Japanese Mammoth Netsuke: Multi-Faced Sphere Carving

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, carved in the form of a sphere with multiple faces and bodies, signed, height 3.4 cm

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, carved in the form of a figure…

Japanese Mammoth Netsuke: Combing Hair with Cat

Japanese carved Mammoth netsuke, carved in the form of a figure combing her hair with cat at her feet, signed, height 7.5 cm

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

Demon Netsuke with Scroll and Basket

Japanese late Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of a demon stepping through a scroll with basket, signed verso, height 4.2 cm

Japanese late Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of an…

Meiji Period Netsuke: Riding Figure on Horseback

Japanese late Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of an elongated figure riding a horse, etched and inked decoration, signature to base, height 7.5 cm

Japanese Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of resting…

Resting Cat Netsuke with Climbing Mouse

Japanese Meiji period netsuke, carved in the form of resting cat with mouse climbing up its back, signature to base, length 4.5 cm

Netsuke, carved bone, monkey with Petruding eyes

Petruding-Eyed Monkey Netsuke

Netsuke, carved bone, monkey with Petruding eyes

Netsuke, carved stag horn, monkey and Luggage

Stag Horn Netsuke with Monkey and Luggage Carving

Netsuke, carved stag horn, monkey and Luggage

Netsuke, carved bone, dragon and lamp

Dragon Lamp Netsuke in Carved Bone

Netsuke, carved bone, dragon and lamp

Netsuke, carved bone, rat on Sack

Bone Rat Sack Netsuke

Netsuke, carved bone, rat on Sack

Two Japanese netsuke a Recumbent lion & a figure of a kneeling…

Edo Period Japanese Netsuke: Lion and Kneeling Man

Two Japanese netsuke a Recumbent lion & a figure of a kneeling man, Edo period, condition: Age cracks & natural wear, length 5 cm

Japanese Kuroyaki netsuke of a Mouse, Meiji period, 19th…

Meiji Mouse Netsuke with Inlaid Eyes and Nut

Japanese Kuroyaki netsuke of a Mouse, Meiji period, 19th century, with inlaid eyes, holding a nut, unsigned, length 4.3 cm

Rare 19th century netsuke in carved ebony showing two…

Ebony Netsuke with Internal Seated Gentlemen

Rare 19th century netsuke in carved ebony showing two theatrical masks, opening to reveal a group of three gentlemen seated internally

19th century carved netsuke of an elderly man with frog on…

Elderly man with frog netsuke

19th century carved netsuke of an elderly man with frog on should (possibly reconstructed amber)

Unusual vintage bone netsuke, length 4.5 cm approx

Vintage Bone Netsuke: Unusual 4.5cm Collectible

Unusual vintage bone netsuke, length 4.5 cm approx

Netsuke of temple dog and ball

Temple Dog Netsuke with Ball

Netsuke of temple dog and ball

Japanese netsuke of gentleman, 8 cm high.

Japanese Gentleman Netsuke

Japanese netsuke of gentleman, 8 cm high.

Netsuke of rat and tortoise, signed

Signed Netsuke: Rat and Tortoise

Netsuke of rat and tortoise, signed

A Japanese bone netsuke of a sage with large ears & children…

Japanese Sage Netsuke with Children Playing

A Japanese bone netsuke of a sage with large ears & children playing at his feet. Provenance: Adelaide collector, height 4 cm

Antique Japanese carved netsuke, probably antler, 4 cm high…

Japanese Antler Netsuke - 4cm

Antique Japanese carved netsuke, probably antler, 4 cm high approx.

Japanese resin netsuke. Monkey. Height 4 cm

Resin Monkey Netsuke - 4cm

Japanese resin netsuke. Monkey. Height 4 cm

Japanese netsuke of a boy riding an ox & a Chinese deeply…

Boy and Ox Netsuke with Chinese Carved Tusk

Japanese netsuke of a boy riding an ox & a Chinese deeply carved tusk 20th century, with moutainouse landscape, signature to base of netsuke [2], condition: missing part of point to tusk, tusk Length 17 cm, height 5 cm

A Japanese bone netsuke of the God of Longevity, seated with a…

Japanese Bone Netsuke of God of Longevity with Child

A Japanese bone netsuke of the God of Longevity, seated with a child at his feet. Provenance: Adelaide collector. Height 3.5

An iIvory netsuke, depicting seated sage with an oversized…

Smiling Sage Ivory Netsuke

An iIvory netsuke, depicting seated sage with an oversized smiling face. Provenance: Adelaide collector. Height 3 cm

A finely carved bone netsuke, of a sage with an unfurled scroll.…

Sage Netsuke with Unfurled Scroll

A finely carved bone netsuke, of a sage with an unfurled scroll. Provenance: Adelaide collector. Height 3.25 cm

An amber netsuke, featuring a rabbit, signed

Signed Rabbit Amber Netsuke

An amber netsuke, featuring a rabbit, signed

An bone netsuke of a man carrying an oversized sack on his…

Oversized Sack Man Netsuke

An bone netsuke of a man carrying an oversized sack on his right shoulder, his tummy exposed. Height 3.75 cm

Japanese netsuke of hatching gargoyle

Hatching Gargoyle Netsuke

Japanese netsuke of hatching gargoyle

A netsuke of a scholar' s rock, Meiji period

Meiji Scholar Rock Netsuke

A netsuke of a scholar' s rock, Meiji period

Netsuke of lady, approx 4.5 cm high

Miniature Lady Netsuke

Netsuke of lady, approx 4.5 cm high

Japanese netsuke of a mythical creature

Mythical Netsuke

Japanese netsuke of a mythical creature

Small carved netsuke 3.5 cm high approx.

Miniature Netsuke Carving

Small carved netsuke 3.5 cm high approx.

Oriental hippo tooth erotic netsuke, signed

Signed Oriental Hippo Tooth Erotic Netsuke

Oriental hippo tooth erotic netsuke, signed

Netsuke in the form of a dog, signed

Signed Dog Netsuke

Netsuke in the form of a dog, signed

Signed Japanese netsuke & small box. Height 3 cm (netsuke)

Japanese Netsuke & Box Set

Signed Japanese netsuke & small box. Height 3 cm (netsuke)

A horn carving netsuke of a mage. Length 8.5 cm

Mage Horn Netsuke

A horn carving netsuke of a mage. Length 8.5 cm

A netsuke of Buddha. Height 6 cm

Buddha Netsuke: Serene Miniature Sculpture

A netsuke of Buddha. Height 6 cm

Japanese bone figure netsuke. Height 7 cm

Japanese Bone Netsuke Figure - 7cm

Japanese bone figure netsuke. Height 7 cm

Rare ebony netsuke of a long horn beetle, with ojime by Vaughan…

Ebony Horn Beetle Netsuke by Vaughan Cottle

Rare ebony netsuke of a long horn beetle, with ojime by Vaughan Cottle, 1989, seal mark VHC, in presentation box

Carved netsuke figure of a child with face on the back

Back-Faced Child Netsuke

Carved netsuke figure of a child with face on the back

Antique Japanese carved antler netsuke of a priest

Japanese Priest Netsuke Carved Antler

Antique Japanese carved antler netsuke of a priest

Japanese 19th century carved antler netsuke of monkey & 2…

Monkey and Children Netsuke

Japanese 19th century carved antler netsuke of monkey & 2 children, Purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Carved Japanese antler netsuke of man thinking, purchased…

Japanese Man Netsuke

Carved Japanese antler netsuke of man thinking, purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Carved Japanese antler netsuke Shishi parade costume over man

Japanese Antler Shishi Parade Costume Netsuke

Carved Japanese antler netsuke Shishi parade costume over man

Large carved antler netsuke of priest Early Meiji period,…

Meiji Priest Antler Netsuke (1870)

Large carved antler netsuke of priest Early Meiji period, around 1870

Japanese 19th century carved ebony netsuke cat like from,…

Ebony Netsuke Cat from 19th Century Japan

Japanese 19th century carved ebony netsuke cat like from, signed to base, purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Late Edo period carved tiger (imaginary) netsuke Material:…

Edo Tiger Netsuke by Tadatoms (1840)

Late Edo period carved tiger (imaginary) netsuke Material: Kohutan, maker: Tadatoms, c.1840, purchased Nagoya, Japan c.1960

Japanese netsuke together with signed Japanese minature bell…

Japanese Netsuke and Signed Miniature Bell

Japanese netsuke together with signed Japanese minature bell Enscribed Mr. H. P. Tinkler Mr. Toh Thean,500

A signed Japanese netsuke of a man Building a chair, Meiji…

Japanese Netsuke: Chair Builder

A signed Japanese netsuke of a man Building a chair, Meiji period, 1868-1912, Inked and engraved, depicting a man in overalls, a check shirt and a cap sitting astride a bench and finishing a chair, his tools of trade made of amber and agate; signed…

Netsuke, man & fish

Man and Fish Netsuke

Netsuke, man & fish

Japanese Netsuke of a sage, signed

Signed Japanese Sage Netsuke

Japanese Netsuke of a sage, signed

Japanese Netsuke, dog with pup, signed

Signed Japanese Netsuke: Dog and Pup

Japanese Netsuke, dog with pup, signed

A signed Japanese netsuke, man with a double gourd, Meiji…

Japanese Netsuke: Man with Double Gourd

A signed Japanese netsuke, man with a double gourd, Meiji period (1868-1912), a seated traditionally attired man in a lightly incised and inked robe, oppressed by the weight of a gigantic double gourd; signed underside. Height 6 cm

An old carved Japanese netsuke of two figures, the crouching…

Japanese Netsuke: Crouching Man and Seated Woman

An old carved Japanese netsuke of two figures, the crouching man supporting the woman seated upon his back facing the opposite direction, fine carved and stained detail. Height 3.9 cm

Oriental netsuke in the form of an archaic bird

Archaic Bird Netsuke

Oriental netsuke in the form of an archaic bird

Japanese netsuke Oyster farmer, 4.5 cm wide

Japanese Oyster Farmer Netsuke

Japanese netsuke Oyster farmer, 4.5 cm wide

Japanese netsuke 5.5 cm high approx

Miniature Japanese Netsuke Sculpture

Japanese netsuke 5.5 cm high approx

A stag horn netsuke water buffalo, Edo period, mid 18th century,…

Stag Horn Water Buffalo Netsuke

A stag horn netsuke water buffalo, Edo period, mid 18th century, the recumbent buffalo in harness, well engraved and inked and with good patination. Height 6.5 cm

Japanese stained netsuke. Rabbit on straw parcel. Provenance:…

Japanese Rabbit Netsuke on Straw Parcel

Japanese stained netsuke. Rabbit on straw parcel. Provenance: Private Collection, ACT. Height four cm

A Japanese netsuke of a scholar marks to base 6.5 cm

Japanese Scholar Netsuke

A Japanese netsuke of a scholar marks to base 6.5 cm

Vintage Japanese carved netsuke, in the form of two men in a…

Japanese Netsuke: Two Men in Cave

Vintage Japanese carved netsuke, in the form of two men in a cave, approx 4.5 cm high

A group of three antique Japanese figural netsuke, Meiji period…

Antique Japanese Figural Netsuke Set

A group of three antique Japanese figural netsuke, Meiji period (1868-1912), each depicted as traditional figures in a crouching pose, finely carved and etched with patterns and with decorative brown staining; some with signatures underside. Height 3 cm…

A group of three Japanese figural netsuke, each depicted as…

Japanese Figural Netsuke Trio

A group of three Japanese figural netsuke, each depicted as traditional style figures, finely cross hatched and patterned with decorative staining in red, green black and brown. Height 5 cm.

Japanese netsuke of a monkey holding a Mushroom

Monkey with Mushroom Netsuke

Japanese netsuke of a monkey holding a Mushroom

Japanese netsuke of a face

Serene Netsuke Face

Japanese netsuke of a face

Japanese netsuke of a reclining figure

Reclining Netsuke Figure

Japanese netsuke of a reclining figure

Netsuke scorpian on a mushroom

Scorpion Netsuke on Mushroom

Netsuke scorpian on a mushroom

Antique finely carved netsuke of a recumbent water buffalo

Carved Water Buffalo Netsuke

Antique finely carved netsuke of a recumbent water buffalo

Japanese netsuke, old man with pipe, signed

Signed Japanese Netsuke of Old Man with Pipe

Japanese netsuke, old man with pipe, signed

Japanese netsuke, Demon with rotating head, signed

Rotating Demon Netsuke, Signed

Japanese netsuke, Demon with rotating head, signed

Japanese netsuke, man with basket, signed

Signed Japanese Netsuke of Man with Basket

Japanese netsuke, man with basket, signed

Japanese netsuke, priest, signed

Signed Japanese Priest Netsuke

Japanese netsuke, priest, signed

Japanese netsuke, signed

Signed Japanese Netsuke

Japanese netsuke, signed

Japanese netsuke, man with bowl, signed

Signed Japanese Netsuke: Man with Bowl

Japanese netsuke, man with bowl, signed

Japanese netsuke, man with perch, signed

Signed Japanese Netsuke: Man with Perch

Japanese netsuke, man with perch, signed

Japanese bone netsuke. Sleeping man. Length 3.5 cm

Sleeping Man Bone Netsuke

Japanese bone netsuke. Sleeping man. Length 3.5 cm

A Japanese okimono netsuke of a recumbent man. Signed. Length 5…

Recumbent Man

A Japanese okimono netsuke of a recumbent man. Signed. Length 5 cm

A 19th century Japanese stag antler netsuke, carved as a monkey…

Monkey under Pine Netsuke

A 19th century Japanese stag antler netsuke, carved as a monkey seated beneath an ancient pine. Affixed with BADA metal customs seal in use predating the early 1960s. Height 5.6 cm