19c staghorn netsuke BAT on TODAI-JI ROOF TILE by MASAHARU

Description

19th century staghorn netsuke of a bat resting on an old roof tile. The tile face has raised characters reading TODAI-JI - it is one of the Seven Great Temples located in Nara, and is the headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism. Typical stag antler texture to the material, superb quality stippling and staining perfectly imitating the rough texture of a ceramic tile, extraordinary rich patina. Signed MASAHARU on the inside of the tile - this artist known for his original and clever designs is listed on p. 700 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Superb netsuke by the master carver. Length 1.51 inches

Reserve: $1,200.00

Shipping:

Domestic: Flat-rate of $20.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT.

Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.

Location: This item ships from Massachusetts

Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.

Buyer's Premium

20%

19c staghorn netsuke BAT on TODAI-JI ROOF TILE by MASAHARU

Lot 0129

Estimate $1,500-$2,000

Jun 10, 2026, 1:04 PM EDT

Starting Price

Secure

$950

1 bidder is watching this item

LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection

Vetted auction houses

Secure, online bidding

Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings

Dedicated support when you need it

Asian Antiques: Scrolls, Weaponry and More!

Jun 05, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

New York, NY, United States

19c netsuke STAGHORN CORONET: 19th century netsuke in button form carved out of the coronet part of a deer antler. Strong early piece, nicely chunky, beautiful staining, warm patina, natural blemishes as is usual with staghorn,

19c netsuke STAGHORN CORONET

19c netsuke 8 MASKS by ISSAI: 19th century netsuke carved as a cluster of eight theatrical masks, those of Okina, Hannya, Hyottoko, Bishamon, Oni, Ikkaku Sennin, Okame and O-Tobide. Excellent faces, very pleasant feel to the

19c netsuke 8 MASKS by ISSAI

19c netsuke MASK DISTRESSED MAN by RYUUN: 19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a distressed man. Excellent intense face, crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina, some wear to the

19c netsuke MASK DISTRESSED MAN by RYUUN

Early 19c netsuke MAP OF JAPAN manner of Nanka: Early 19th century netsuke in manju shape carved with a map of Japanese islands, all prefectures’ names are engraved in minute calligraphy. Very nice work in the manner of Nanka, old age lines,

Early 19c netsuke MAP OF JAPAN manner of Nanka

19c netsuke SEAL FUNGUS GOURD by GYOKUHO: 19th century netsuke of carved as a cluster of 3 branches of natural fungus, seal with deer finial and double gourd with stopper and its lower end containing carved village scene. Excellent and elegan

19c netsuke SEAL FUNGUS GOURD by GYOKUHO

19c netsuke BAMBOO by RYUSHO: 19th century netsuke carved in a shape of a bamboo section. Very simple elegant design in Japanese taste with clean lines, himotoshi is formed by central peg that has a hole in its back part through w

19c netsuke BAMBOO by RYUSHO

Early 19c shunga netsuke CRABS & CLAMS in basket: Early 19th century netsuke of two crabs crawling about a woven basket containing hamaguri (clams) with more shells thrown around it. Subtle elegant piece in Japanese taste of implied shunga character

Early 19c shunga netsuke CRABS & CLAMS in basket

19c netsuke Mount FUJI & eggplants by GYOKUHOSAI: 19th century netsuke in manju pillow shape carved on the front with a scholarly landscape of Mount Fuji partially obscured by clouds, a wide bay with a sail boat and pines, and a lower part depicting

19c netsuke Mount FUJI & eggplants by GYOKUHOSAI

19c netsuke NIO on sandal by SEIMIN ex DU PONT 105mm: Unusually large 19th century netsuke of a Nio lying on a straw sandal. Nio - one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings - is holding a vajra in his right hand, and a scarf is laid out around him. Strong bold

19c netsuke NIO on sandal by SEIMIN ex DU PONT 105mm

19c staghorn Asakusa sashi netsuke FUNGUS of IMMORTALITY: 19th century Asakusa school staghorn sashi type netsuke carved in a shape of a stem of Immortality Fungus with 3 heads. Elegant carving, beautiful rendition of fungus head textures, very pleasant stai

19c staghorn Asakusa sashi netsuke FUNGUS of IMMORTALITY

18c netsuke SENNIN CHOCHU with fly whisk: 18th century netsuke of a sennin Chochu enveloped in his robe and holding his most important attribute - a hossu (fly whisk) - across his shoulders. Very rare subject, wonderfully captured facial expr

18c netsuke SENNIN CHOCHU with fly whisk

19c netsuke SHISHI FAMILY & peony by NAGAMITSU: Unusual 19th century netsuke in bean shape carved on the inside with a scene of a shishi family (2 adults and a cub) frolicking among flowering peony bushes. Rare use of anabori (cavern) carving techn

19c netsuke SHISHI FAMILY & peony by NAGAMITSU

19c kagamibuta netsuke buffalo horn THUNDER GOD RAIDEN: 19th century netsuke of kagamituta (“mirror lid”) type with wooden bowl and buffalo horn top carved in sunken relief with a scene of running Thunder God Raiden beating his drum, thus creat

19c kagamibuta netsuke buffalo horn THUNDER GOD RAIDEN

Early 19c netsuke KENDO HELMET breastplate, seashells: Early 19th century netsuke carved as a Japanese martial arts MEN (kendo helmet) resting on a DŌ (breast protector) surrounded by a pile of seashells. Unique subject, a bit of a zen puzzle waiting

Early 19c netsuke KENDO HELMET breastplate, seashells

Early 19c Japanese carving KANNON sculpture signed: Early 19th century Japanese wooden devotional carving of Kannon (Chinese Guanyin, or Avalokiteshvara) - the Boddhisattva of Compassion - enveloped in her robe and cape. Kannon grants deliverance from

Early 19c Japanese carving KANNON sculpture signed

19c netsuke baying deer STAG: 19th century netsuke of a baying stag with its head turned back, its upper front teeth bared. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, excellent hairwork, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body

19c netsuke baying deer STAG

18c Japanese sword KASHIRA DRAGONFLY: 18th century Japanese iron sword kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt) with inlaid brass dragonfly. Crisp detailed work with fine veining on its wings, wonderful feel of age. Very clever and

18c Japanese sword KASHIRA DRAGONFLY

19c Chinese SCHOLAR’S ROCK / brush rest PETRIFIED WOOD ebony stand: 19th century Chinese scholar’ s rock in a form of petrified wood wonderfully resembling a mountain range of twisted rock formations with rich weathered surface. Can be used as a brush rest as

19c Chinese SCHOLAR’S ROCK / brush rest PETRIFIED WOOD ebony stand

Early 19c Negoro lacquer netsuke SHISHI: Early 19th century wooden netsuke of a snarling shishi (Buddhist lion) seated on a base. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - golden lacquer over dark red/brown over black, so as it wears first red,

Early 19c Negoro lacquer netsuke SHISHI

19c netsuke SCHOLARS in garden: 19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke, the top being Chinese carving adopted as netsuke, with deeply undercarved scene of 2 scholars among trees and pavilions. Beautiful wear and patina,

19c netsuke SCHOLARS in garden

TOP