Matsunoki

Imo Japanese. Nice “wabi sabi” feel to it.

Forgot to answer fully…age…likely last 20 years, origin likely africa, value (artistic or monetary) zero. Sorry but these are far worse than even the modern Chinese fakes.

As said above….not netsuke, not Japanese and sad to say that elephants are still being killed to make stuff like this as souvenirs for tourists🤬

John, sorry, no. We parted company a while ago. Best. C.

Hi Rob search for “legend of the badger tea kettle” ….very well known and much depicted in varied Japanese arts

I was wrong…..they did thank us!…..

…..and they commonly charge us Buyers over 30% premium for the privilege of doing business with them……but that is a choice we as buyers make…..it’s up to us whether we chose to actually view a lot or whether we actually chose to buy it unseen and risk it. It’s a tough reality!

The wrapping (and skin) on the longer one suggests strongly that it is not of Japanese origin but more likely from a Chinese fake. The smaller one is Japanese but impossible to give a reliable date beyond saying Edo period.

Whilst you really need legal expertise to interpret and understand Bonhams extensive Conditions of Sale they generally protect Bonhams from liability. “Caveat emptor” is the apparent principle.

Appears that they have been withdrawn. I was a bit blunt in what I said……so best we don’t expect any thanks🙂

Thanks Ray. Very kind of you.

I think I can see “? Ji ni ? Month ?lucky? Day” …..I’m confused again. Is this a date? Any help greatly appreciated! Sorry to be useless on kanji! Many thanks.

I’ve emailed Rachel Hyman. (“Senior specialist”) ……erm. Let’s see what she does.

Hi Grev image of relevant page…….. Best. Colin

Hi Jake, I think the most likely explanation is that someone used a pin to see if it was glass…..and doubtless found out that it was not glass! My comments are based on having made a huge number of these eyes in a variety of materials when I used to restore pieces (netsuke, shibayama, okimono etc.) During that time I have never encountered a glass eye nor any where any type of pupil had been created by dribbling anything internally (except from the reverse as described above). Once you get the hang of it and have the right tooling they are not that difficult to make…..just a bit fiddly - which tends to mangle your fingernails (miniature diamond drills and cutting discs on flexi drive jewellers machines).