Antique Japanese Hand-Carved Wood Horse Netsuke 882652

David's Antiques & Jewelry Verified independent store

→

A small but expressive antique Japanese netsuke — a kneeling horse hand-carved in dense, dark hardwood, with the characteristic gesture of mouth open mid-whinny and an inset glass eye that catches light. Netsuke functioned as toggles for the silk cord of an inrō (small lacquered case) tucked into the obi of a kimono; horses appear frequently in netsuke as one of the twelve zodiac animals (the noble, energetic Year of the Horse). The underside carries a small inlaid signature panel — a maker’s mark in the traditional manner. The grain of the wood and the warm brown patina speak to a century-plus of careful handling. Multiple available — each piece individually carved, no two identical. Specifications Material: Hand-carved hardwood with inlaid glass eyes Weight: 32g Subject: Kneeling Horse (mid-whinny) Origin: Japan Era: Antique Item: 882652 FAQs Are all the netsuke identical? No — each is hand-carved and slightly different in detail and patina. Is the signature genuine? The underside inlaid panel carries kanji characters in the traditional manner. What was a netsuke used for? A functional toggle for the silk cord of a sash-pouch (inrō) on a kimono. Display? A small display case or shadow-box with stable temperature/humidity. Show more