Rat netsuke

[Rat netsuke]

Any information on this Netsuke would be appreciated. 

[Matsunoki]

Sorry but it’s most likely a modern (probably Chinese) very low quality fake. Might even be resin but difficult to tell the material from these images.

[Matsunoki]

Compare the quality to the real thing…….

https://www.bonhams....y=Netsuke+rat&page=3

[Rat netsuke]

Thank you for your input.  They saw me coming. Thought the seller was legit 

[John C]

3 hours ago, Rat netsuke said:

Any information

Interestingly, it appears that someone has been using it. Note the wear on the kumihimo ana, although this too can be faked.

Take heart, JY. We have all paid for "an education" when we did not get the real thing. Sometimes that's just as valuable.

 

John C.

[Bugyotsuji]

Sadly I have to agree with the opinions here. The signature too is typical for one of these netsuke-like-objects (NLO). Remember, though, if you did not pay too much for it, you can actually use one of these to hang something from without fear of damaging it, and many people will even compliment you on it! 

 

One word of caution regarding the person who sold this to you. It is possible that they did not know much when they bought it, accepting whatever they were told, and happy to make a buck. Not all dealers are experts, most are still learning on the job, and some (not all) are even happy to be educated. A few years back I bought a neat little dragon Netsuke, but when I took it home for a really good look some faint mould lines between the legs showed that it was pressed resin. A month later I took it back to the same monthly market, and the dealer was more than happy to give my money back. Mr Maehata, salute! We've been good friends ever since and I have bought several things from him subsequently.