Help further identifying Netsuke

[moses]

I recently acquired a netsuke from my grandmother's collection of about 100 originally bought by my great-grandfather. They were appraised/evaluated by someone a while ago I believe, so I have some sparse slightly vague information (19th century, described as "warrior lifting figure on top of column" and of "fine quality") and was wondering if anyone could help identify anything else like the text or if it's a known character etc. I find the history surrounding netsukes extremely interesting and would love to know more about this specific item.

https://imgur.com/a/FoXCrt1

images ^

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Moses. Finally figured out the double triple figure effect… you were placing the netsuke (okimono) on top of photographs! 
 

This is sadly probably ivory which makes its legal status dodgy in the US today. 20th century Chinese netsuke-like object of perhaps pre-WW2 vintage. The signature has been typically signed in Japanese-ish style by the Chinese artisan. 
 

If you like it as a keepsake, fine, but it has little resale value for serious collectors.

[moses]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Hi Moses. Finally figured out the double triple figure effect… you were placing the netsuke (okimono) on top of photographs! 
 

This is sadly probably ivory which makes its legal status dodgy in the US today. 20th century Chinese netsuke-like object of perhaps pre-WW2 vintage. The signature has been typically signed in Japanese-ish style by the Chinese artisan. 
 

If you like it as a keepsake, fine, but it has little resale value for serious collectors.

I have no interest in reselling, solely as keepsakes to pass through the family. I want to know more about the history behind the piece honestly I find them very interesting as stated before. Thanks for the insight! (Most of her collection is ivory, with a few wood/tusk pieces)

[ChrisW]

As I recall, Japanese netsuke are entirely legal to own and sell in the US (IN MOST STATES) as long as they are under 200 grams, are older than 100 years of age, and you must be able to reasonably prove their age. I can't remember the laws on import/export.. I want to say neither is allowed. That being said, I doubt that Chinese made ones would past muster for legal standards.

I have a friend who is not on this board, but collects netsuke in addition to nihonto and he has quite a lot of them.

[Bugyotsuji]

I only have about 140 netsuke, so I would be classed as a small collector. I do know that the recent US ivory laws, principally under Obama, have pretty much side-swiped the Netsuke collecting market there, and people have lost millions investing in them. Europe has also been strongly affected. Last summer I heard that even for example selling in Paris and collecting the payment into the UK can bring on a fine of up to 250,000 GBP.

 

As to the Netsuke above, I doubt that it would be possible to prove over 100 years old. But it is legal to own, will not be crossing state borders, and as Moses says, it is a family keepsake, so all is good!