Japanese Netsuke with Pair of Perched Birds pins and rear of the back

and rear of the back

graphite-colored mark to the surface

4 1/2" tall x 2 1/4" wide x 7/8" deep and carved on both sides

unglazed base

The taller measures 4 3/8" tall

Japanese Netsuke with Pair of Perched Birds pins and rear of the backThe world of Japanese Netsuke is incredibly complex (and incredible!), and I am no expert; I bought this piece, as I often do, as impetus to do some learning. I just love the form of these two facing perched birds, joined at the tips of their beaks and feet, with the arcs of their necks almost forming a heart and the negative space between the feet and the base rather like a keyhole. I'm pretty certain this is a 20th century piece made for the tourist