What are Japanese netsukes?

Japanese netsukes are small highly-detailed sculptures that date back to 17th-century Japan. Originally, the figurines allowed men to secure pouches or purses to their sash, as Japanese traditional dress didn’t have pockets. Today, people collect them as art. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Japanese netsukes.

Japanese Netsuke

19th Century Japanese Wood Carving

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood, Lacquer

Lacquered Netsuke in the form of an old Lady carrying an Oni in her back

$1,199

Deer Antler netsuke in the form of an elderly with a turtle shell on his back

Located in PARIS, FR

Deer antler netsuke showing a man sitting on a chair with his back in the shape of a tortoise shell

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Deer Antler netsuke in the form of an elderly with a turtle shell on his back

$1,199

Netsuke in ebony in the form of two mice on a fine piece of wickerwork

Located in PARIS, FR

Netsuke, très probablement en bois d’ébène, représentant deux souris sur une vannerie, l’une s’en

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Ebony

Netsuke in ebony in the form of two mice on a fine piece of wickerwork

$1,799

Japanese Smoking Set Tabac-Ire

Located in PARIS, FR

the belt thanks to the netsuke. Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912), second half of the 19th century

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Metal

Japanese Smoking Set Tabac-Ire

$5,999

Three Antique Japanese Items

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Three Antique Japanese Items 1) An antique Japanese tabako-ire' with hand tooled gilded kane mono

Category

Antique 1880s Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Three Antique Japanese Items

$800

Italian Handmade Walnut wall cabinet from the 1960s.

Located in Oirlo, LI

cabinet to place beautiful things in. Beautiful for netsukes, Japanese decorative buttons or perfume

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Italian Handmade Walnut wall cabinet from the 1960s.

$1,799

Finely Carved Antique IVORY Japanese Netsuke

Located in Brunswick, ME

to stem from Sarugaku, a form of Chinese entertainment brought to Japan around the 8th century. It

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Other

Finely Carved Antique IVORY Japanese Netsuke

$6,375

Edo Period Japanese Hardwood Karako Netsuke, 1820s

Located in Niella Tanaro, IT

An Edo period wood netsuke in the form of Karako the small Chinese boy near the big sac of

Category

Antique 1820s Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Hardwood

Edo Period Japanese Hardwood Karako Netsuke, 1820s

$1,139

Umbrella Netsuke

Located in Stockbridge, MA

Mid-century lacquered netsuke with umbrella decoration. Original box with artists signature

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Taisho Lacquer

Materials

Softwood

Umbrella Netsuke

$1,600

19th Century Japanese Gold Lacquer Inro with Netsuke (Decorative Pills Box)

Located in Paris, FR

. Netsuke Japan - End of the Edo period (1603-1868). Height 2 cm, width 2 cm.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

19th Century Japanese Gold Lacquer Inro with Netsuke (Decorative Pills Box)

$7,799

Grazing Horse Netsuke

Located in New York, NY

Graceful carving of a grazing horse with fine patina.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures

Grazing Horse Netsuke

$2,600

Large Wood Netsuke of a Shishi

Located in Milano, IT

Large wood netsuke of a shishi Kyoto school, 18th/19th century Height: 5.7cm The large

Category

Antique 18th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Large Wood Netsuke of a Shishi

$4,545

19th Century Black and Gold Lacquered Inro Toad Netsuke

Located in Paris, FR

. The inside is decorated of nashiji. The inro carries a netsuke: Japanese clothing object which is

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Boxwood

19th Century Black and Gold Lacquered Inro Toad Netsuke

$5,999

Yatate Japonais En Bois Scuplté Nissho Antique Wood Carved Netsuke Meiji Era

Located in PONT-AUDEMER, FR

Description : Amusant range pinceau « Yatate » en bois sculpté « Nissho Dimensions : Longueur : 27 cms Largeur : 5 cms Profondeur : 5 cms Etat : Bel Etat d’usage. Bien ...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Yatate Japonais En Bois Scuplté Nissho Antique Wood Carved Netsuke Meiji Era

$395

Seven Japanese Netsuke Masks

Located in Chicago, IL

Collection of 18th and 19th Century Japanese Netsuke masks carved of various precious woods

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures

Seven Japanese Netsuke Masks

$880

Japanese Netsuke Inro of Recumbent Dog

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Japanese Netsuke Inro of

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Composition

Japanese Netsuke Inro of Recumbent Dog

$199

Japanese Netsuke Skeleton and Wolf Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

An antique wood netsuke circa 19th century. It depicts a wolf embracing a skeleton. Signed as shown

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Netsuke Skeleton and Wolf Meiji Period

$950

Signed Japanese Tagua Nut Netsuke Inro of Laughing Buddha

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Netsuke

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Walnut

Signed Japanese Tagua Nut Netsuke Inro of Laughing Buddha

$406

Early 20th Century Chinese Bone Toggle Charm

Located in Chicago, IL

-dynasty men much like Japanese netsuke. Because traditional Chinese clothing didn't have pockets, men and

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Bone

Early 20th Century Chinese Bone Toggle Charm

$248

Japanese Carved Falk Netsuke

Located in Kastrup, DK

Japanese carved bone netsuke of a falcon on a tree stump. Signed. See photo. Meiji period, 1852

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Japanese Carved Falk Netsuke

$1,259

Japanese Boxwood Swan Netsuke

Located in Nottingham, GB

From a private collection. Free international shipping. Japanese Boxwood Swan Netsuke

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Boxwood Swan Netsuke

$268

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Meiji

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pewter

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke

$378

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Hotei , 1920s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Hotei , 1920s

$347

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Onnamen 1920s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Onnamen 1920s

$515

Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Oni

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Oni

$516

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Meiji

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro

$378

Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Fisherman

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Japanese Meiji Netsuke Inro Fisherman

$516

Japanese Shiitake Mushroom Netsuke Charm, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

In 19th-century Japan, kimono-clad men compensated for the garment’s lack of pockets by wearing

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bone

Japanese Shiitake Mushroom Netsuke Charm, c. 1850

$380

Early 20th Century Japanese Bamboo Basket Netsuke

Located in Chicago, IL

In 17th century Japan, kimono-clad men compensated for the garment’s lack of pockets by wearing

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Horn

Early 20th Century Japanese Bamboo Basket Netsuke

$288

Japanese Antique Wooden Small Netsuke Rooster 1960s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1960s. Dimensions: 2 x 3 x H2,2 cm

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wooden Small Netsuke Rooster 1960s

$335

Japanese Skeleton Boxwood Netsuke Late Edo Period

Located in Newark, England

Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a skeleton. The skeleton naturalistically carved in the foetal

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Boxwood

Japanese Skeleton Boxwood Netsuke Late Edo Period

$3,922

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Cow 1900s Meiji

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Meiji period 1900s. The signature is written

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Cow 1900s Meiji

$623

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke 7 Mouses , 1950s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke 7 Mouses , 1950s

$407

Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Turtle, 20th Century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Additional information: Material: Wood Region of Origin: Japan Period: 20th century Condition: Perfect

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Wooden Netsuke Sculpture Japanese Turtle, 20th Century

$339

Japanese Antique Netsuke of a Dutchman Signed Tomotada

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Japanese carved wood netsuke depicting a Dutchman. A charming novelty piece showing the foreigner

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Netsuke of a Dutchman Signed Tomotada

$1,800

Signed Japanese Carved Netsuke Inro Meiji

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Carved

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Carved Netsuke Inro Meiji

$378

Signed Japanese Carved Edo Netsuke Inro

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Carved Edo

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Carved Edo Netsuke Inro

$378

Signed Japanese Carved Edo Netsuke Inro

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Carved Edo

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Antler

Signed Japanese Carved Edo Netsuke Inro

$447

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Deer Meiji Era 1900s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around meiji period 1900s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Deer Meiji Era 1900s

$251

Box Wood Roar Frog Netsuke 19th-20th Century Japanese Japan Unsigned

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned, Japan, 19th or 20th century. Condition / / overall

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Box Wood Roar Frog Netsuke 19th-20th Century Japanese Japan Unsigned

$899

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Rhinoceros Meiji Era, 1900s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around meiji period 1900s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Rhinoceros Meiji Era, 1900s

$239

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Dog Meiji Era 1900s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Meiji period 1900s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Dog Meiji Era 1900s

$239

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Boy with Fish 1930s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around 1930s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Vintage 1930s Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Boy with Fish 1930s

$358

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Turtle and Mouse 1920s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Turtle and Mouse 1920s

$503

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Sumo Wrestlers Fighting 1920s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1920s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Sumo Wrestlers Fighting 1920s

$479

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Daruma 1920s Taisho era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Daruma 1920s Taisho era

$539

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Rabbit 1920s Taisho era

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique wooden netsuke made in Japan around Taisho period 1920s. Netsuke is a miniature

Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Wooden Netsuke Rabbit 1920s Taisho era

$503

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke CICADA Edo Era 1800s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1800s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke CICADA Edo Era 1800s

$358

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Octopus Edo Era 1800s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1800s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Octopus Edo Era 1800s

$311

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Crabe Edo Era 1800s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Edo period 1800s. Netsuke is a miniature sculpture

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Crabe Edo Era 1800s

$358

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Flog and Kappa 1950s

Located in Paris, FR

This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1950s. This netsuke was made by a

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Wooden Netsuke Flog and Kappa 1950s

$515

Japanese Edo Period Tiger Cub Boxwood Netsuke Singed Masayoshi

Located in Newark, England

Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a Tiger & cub. The netsuke featuring a large tiger holding its

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Boxwood

Japanese Edo Period Tiger Cub Boxwood Netsuke Singed Masayoshi

$4,473

Antique Lacquer or Ceramic Netsuke Hotei with Fan 19th Century, Japanese, Japan

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and very detailed piece. Hotei with fan. Condition Overall condition very nice. Measures: Ca 4.5cm high Period Meiji Periode (1867-1912).

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Lacquer or Ceramic Netsuke Hotei with Fan 19th Century, Japanese, Japan

$1,139

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime Good condition From a private collection. Free

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime

$240

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime

Located in Nottingham, GB

Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime, signed Very good condition. From a private collection

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Boxwood Netsuke Inro Ojime

$378

Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Inro of a Mermaid

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Japanese Boxwood Netsuke

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Boxwood Netsuke Inro of a Mermaid

$337

Signed Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke Inro Owl

Located in Nottingham, GB

In good condition From a private collection Free international shipping Signed Japanese Carved Wood

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Boxwood

Signed Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke Inro Owl

$378

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Japanese Netsuke For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic piece of Japanese netsuke available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and bone, every item from our selection of Japanese netsuke was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the choice in our collection of Japanese netsuke you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. An object in our assortment of Japanese netsuke is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in styles are sought with frequency. A well-made option in this array of Japanese netsuke has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Japanese School are consistently popular.

How Much is a Japanese Netsuke?

Prices for a piece of Japanese netsuke can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $190 and can go as high as $11,559, while the average can fetch as much as $899.

Questions About Japanese Netsuke

What are Japanese netsukes?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Japanese netsukes are small highly-detailed sculptures that date back to 17th-century Japan. Originally, the figurines allowed men to secure pouches or purses to their sash, as Japanese traditional dress didn’t have pockets. Today, people collect them as art. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Japanese netsukes.

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