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Hello,

I normally participate on eBay's Antiques and Collectibles forums but someone there suggested to try this forum for information in regard to this ivory netsuke I recently purchased at an estate sale.

My question is if this netsuke is antique (100 years or older) or is of the later 20th cent. I believe the key lies in deciphering the carver's name. Thanks for any help!

First, I suspect that this was a netsuke made for the European collector, perhaps in the early 20th. Those designed to be used -- worn as a toggle hanging over the kimono sash -- would not have those free, protuberances to catch (and possibly break) on clothing. They generally had a smooth, rounded outline.

That said, I'm only a collector and "knowledgeable amateur" in that field and the folks at the International Netsuke Society forums probably could tell you immediately -- and perhaps decipher the signature, too.

Go to: http://forums.netsuke.org/tool/mb/netsuke

Thanks for the link, Jim! I will post there also.

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