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ID #SA1199127
FOR SALE
£1,450
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Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €1,697     $1,842
£1,450
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 217 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Id #SA1199127
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Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

19th century
Description

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

Subject & Iconography

This finely carved boxwood (tsuge) figure depicts Ebisu, the Japanese God of Fishermen and Luck, and one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin). He is shown in a classic, joyful pose, cradling a large Tai (Sea Bream) in a woven basket. The sea bream is a symbol of celebration and "plenty" in Japanese culture.

Signature: The underside features a deeply incised two-character signature for Tomochika.

School: This style is characteristic of the famous Tomochika school of Edo/Tokyo, renowned for expressive character studies and high-quality detail during the 19th century.

Markings: There is an old ink-stamped inventory number "2" on the sole of the foot, suggesting a previous history in a private collection or gallery.

Craftsmanship & Condition

Details: The carving exhibits wonderful attention to detail, from the expressive facial features and traditional headwear to the textured scales of the fish and the weave of the basket.

Patina: The wood has a rich, dark honey-brown patina with natural wear on the high points, indicating decades of handling.

At 6.5 cm tall, it sits between a large functional netsuke and a small okimono (display piece). It features two himotoshi (cord holes) on the back, suggesting it was originally intended to be worn as a functional toggle.

Provenance The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Brought Barcelona, Spain 1980

Physical Dimensions
Height
6.5cm (2.56")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1199127
Description
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

Subject & Iconography

“
This finely carved boxwood (tsuge) figure depicts Ebisu, the Japanese God of Fishermen and Luck, and one of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin).
Sandbanks Antiques

He is shown in a classic, joyful pose, cradling a large Tai (Sea Bream) in a woven basket. The sea bream is a symbol of celebration and "plenty" in Japanese culture.

fig 1. A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.
fig 1. Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

Signature: The underside features a deeply incised two-character signature for Tomochika.

School: This style is characteristic of the famous Tomochika school of Edo/Tokyo, renowned for expressive character studies and high-quality detail during the 19th century.

fig 2. A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.
fig 2. Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

Markings: There is an old ink-stamped inventory number "2" on the sole of the foot, suggesting a previous history in a private collection or gallery.

Craftsmanship & Condition

Details: The carving exhibits wonderful attention to detail, from the expressive facial features and traditional headwear to the textured scales of the fish and the weave of the basket.

fig 3. A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.
fig 3. Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

Patina: The wood has a rich, dark honey-brown patina with natural wear on the high points, indicating decades of handling.

At 6.5 cm tall, it sits between a large functional netsuke and a small okimono (display piece). It features two himotoshi (cord holes) on the back, suggesting it was originally intended to be worn as a functional toggle.

Provenance The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Brought Barcelona, Spain 1980

Height
6.5cm (2.56")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1199127
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.
1 / 10
Archive I A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika

Archive II A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View II
Archive III A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View III
Archive IV A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View IV
Archive V A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View V
Archive VI A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View VI
Archive VII A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View VII
Archive VIII A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View VIII
Archive IX A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View IX
Archive X A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 217
Items Sold 88
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
217
Sold
88
A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Wood Netsuke / Okimono of Ebisu with Tai Fish – Signed Tomochika
Ref: SA1199127
A carved dark wood Japanese figurine depicting Ebisu holding a basket containing a sea bream fish.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFigurines
  • Period19th century
  • StyleJapanese Meiji Period
  • MaterialWood
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsEbisu figure, Tai fish in basket, Hand-carved facial features, Signed base
  • SizeH 6.5 cm (3 in)

This nineteenth-century Japanese Meiji period netsuke and okimono is carved from dark brown boxwood in the traditional style of the Tomochika school. The hand-carved figure depicts Ebisu wearing a soft cap, holding a woven basket containing a tai fish against his torso. The carving shows deep facial wrinkles, a smiling expression, visible wood grain, and a smooth patina on the high points from handling. Measuring 6.5 cm high, this pocket-sized carving works well displayed on a bookshelf or within a gentleman's library collection. The miniature sculpture rests on bare feet and includes two cord holes on the reverse for suspension. The rich dark honey-brown timber exhibits natural tonal variations across the curved surfaces of the figure's robes and back. Placed among books or small curios, the object brings traditional Japanese craftsmanship into a modern interior space.

FAQs

Netsuke are functional carved toggles designed to secure hanging pouches from an obi sash in traditional attire, whereas okimono are small decorative sculptures created solely for display in interior settings.

Japanese craftsmen traditionally used dense hardwoods such as boxwood, cherry wood, and ebony, shaping the form with fine handheld chisels and applying natural stains to enhance the wood grain.

Authentic pieces from the Meiji period typically display detailed hand-carving techniques, smooth surface wear from age, deep patina within recessed areas, and incised artist signatures on the base.

Small carved sculptures can be positioned inside glass display cabinets, styled atop a stack of books on a coffee table, or arranged on a shelf in a home office or library environment.

Keep wooden carvings away from direct heat sources and fluctuating moisture to avoid warping or splitting; clean dusting should be conducted gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush without liquid polish.
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