netsuke

Rutherston has 155 ivory netsukes in stock, 130 of which are being offered on behalf of clients.

We also offered a collection 17 small ivory Japanese carved toggles called netsukes and these made from PS80 to PS800 for the examples signed by the makers.

The realistic artistry on many of the netsukes in the auction simply must be seen to be believed.

John had given a few things to his elder daughter, Bonnie, who lived with her husband and baby in New Jersey, but they were inconsequential--a Moroccan hassock, a few palm-sized netsukes and a terra cotta wall fountain whose absence left its ghostly outline on the wall, a few shades lighter than the paint.

These things I have noticed cost around pounds 50-pounds 60 each but the great masks are the things to look for and they are wonderful but we should remember that ivory masks were carved as netsukes or toggles which were attached to the small silk pouches fixed to the belts of well-to-do Japanese men.

For example, I handled cigarette cases in Russian gun-metal, studded with diamonds at Meg Armstrong (who specialises in Oriental antiques which were also nicely displayed) and elsewhere, I found 1930s porcelain at the top of the market, along with fine ivory Netsukes, jade, ivory, amber, wonderful silver, beautiful glass and 100 other rarities from fans to religious objects.

But Mary Deeming, one of the nicest women you could wish to meet, and an oriental specialist, had some wonderful oriental prints by the great Japanese names such as Utamoro along with some elegant Cloisonne carved ivories, Netsukes, Japanese dolls and Satsuma.