Unsigned
Japan, 19th century

The first wood netsuke carved as a joined pair of flat shoes with two seams along the toe. Good himotoshi through the center of the shoe. The second finely carved netsuke of a lotus pod with one loose and movable seed inside the pit. The stem curling, forming part of the himotoshi. The third carved in openwork as an ingyo (seal) netsuke with a shishi standing on the seal base, its mouth open in a roar. Well worn, a single himotoshi through the back of the shishi. The fourth of oval shape, carved in the round as Buddha seated in dhyanasana on a lotus pedestal, hands resting in dhyana mudra, flanked by a radiating mandorla and halo. The reverse inscribed on a rectangular tablet with himotoshi naturally formed behind the Buddha's neck. Tactile and well worn, the fifth netsuke carved as an eggplant, its stem still attached to the branch. Good himotoshi to the back.

HEIGHT 6 cm (tallest)

Condition: Good condition with wear, rubbing, shallow scratches, and small chips.
Provenance: From a German private collection, assembled prior to 2007.