Your Online Antiques University     One item that has been attracting interest in recent years is "Netsuke". Netsuke are of course those interesting little Japanese carvings of people, animals, spirits and amphibians. Netsuke are generally carved from ivory, but are also made of antler, wood or metal and measure less than two inches high. While many people are familiar with the term, but most have only a foggy notion what they were used for. To the Japanese population prior to the 1920's, Netsuke were a necessary everyday item as the traditional clothing, the Kimono, were without pockets. Instead of a pocket, the Japanese used a small decorative box with multiple sections called an "Inro" to contain everyday items such as money or writing implements. The Inro was hung from the top, under the kimono's sash , the Netsuke working as a toggle to hold it in place. The most valuable Netsuke are those produced for the domestic Japanese market made before 1868. Up until then Japan was controlled by the Tokugawa regime, who kept the Japanese market virtually closed to foreign goods until after their overthrow in 1867. Values for these miniature works of art vary immensely depending on their maker, rarity and quality with those early pieces marked marked by their maker being the most sought after. While it is still possible to pick up good quality early 20th Century Netsuke for under $200.00, most 19th Century examples now sell for over $500.00. With the rise in value for these originally pieces a number poor quality reproductions have entered the market, some even produced from cast resins aged to resemble old Ivory. As with all things Antique novice collectors should educate themselves through reading reference material regarding Netsuke, visiting museum exhibits, and examining as many authentic Netsuke as they can find. Mike Wilcox Wilcox & Hall Appraisers              Copyright Wilcox & Hall Online- 1997-2006 All Rights Reserved

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