A Japanese Porcelain Netsuke of Puppies Playing

Edo period (1615-1868), porcelain with glaze, two puppies are intertwined playing, each wearing a ribbon around its neck, the black puppy with combed detail to fur on body in contrast to the white puppy that is smooth, two holes to the underside.

1 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8 in.

Collection of Michael and Ingrid Kelly, Worldwide Gallery Antiques, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Japanese netsuke are miniature carved toggles, traditionally used from the 17th century onward to secure inro and other small containers to the kaku obi of a man's kimono. Often crafted from materials such as ivory, wood, or stag antler, they served both functional and decorative roles, evolving into highly collectible sculptural artworks. Porcelain netsuke were uncommon and are considered a rarity, produced in small numbers by makers associated with Arita, Satsuma, or Kyoto ceramic traditions.

Good estate condition; some loss to enamels on collars, head of one puppy with some surface wear.