Five various netsuke


Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), early to late 19th centuryThe first of metal and coral, a three-clawed dragon carved in silver and gilt metal, its scaly body coiled around a piece of red coral, grasping a small coral jewel, the himotoshi formed by a metal ring on the underside, signed Kikugawa, 5.3cm (2 1/8in) wide; the second of wood, three chestnuts, signed Ryokyu, 5cm (2in) wide; the third a temple servant, beating a large mokugyo (wooden drum), unsigned, 5.2cm (2 1/8in) high; the fourth a sennin (sage), standing, holding a large double gourd over his shoulder, inscribed Shuzan zu Toyomasa, 5.7cm (2¼in) high; the fifth an oni (demon), running, wearing a broad straw hat, the pupils inlaid, unsigned, 5.8cm (2 3/8in) high. (5).