Can anyone help identify this Netsuke? Is it real?

[JeanneCurt]

Hi,
I bought this little guy in a box lot at an auction and wondered if it is a real Netsuke.  I have looked these items up and didn't see anything just like it.  If you look at the photo of the bottom there is a weird little round area.  Is that some sort of plug?  It doesn't appear to be signed.  It measures about 1 1/2" high.

Thanks for any information.  You guys & girls are amazing!
Thanks,
Jeanne & Curt

[waywardangler]

I am not even partially knowledgeable on netsuke but the material appears to be resin. I would think the real deal would be ivory?

[wendy177]

Hi Jeanne I agree with Wayward from the photos it appears to be some type of resin, Plastic made for tourists. A Real netsuke would be made from ivory ,boxwood, other hardwoods,hippopotamus tooth ,boar tusk ,rhinoceros horn,  clay/porcelain
They did use some more unusual materials for netsuke but these are the most common. The key is to determine if it is plastic.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here is the link from the Special Threads section on how to identify ivory vs. bone, celluloid, Bakelite or plastic:

http://www.antique-shop.com/forums/index.php?topic=6485.0

[KC]

My first knee jerk reaction is that this is resin...but the bottom pic shows grain lines that are pretty convincing.  Agree....look at the tips to see how to distinguish!  Best of luck!

[mariok54]

If Ivory or Bone, then that pattern will be engraved as opposed to looking as if it were molded .. what does it look like in the flesh?

[JeanneCurt]

It is really hard to say what it is like.  It is very smooth but has lots of detail.  I don't see any seam lines from a mold.  I don't see any carving marks though.  It is quite glossy looking.  Could I put a hot pin inside the holes to tell if it were plastic or resin or wouldn't that be a good idea??
Thanks for all of the responses. 
Jeanne

[waywardangler]

Yes, you will know what the material is right away. Do it in an inconspicuous spot inside one of the holes. I am guessing this was resin poured in a mold and then finished.

[fancypants]

I get the impression that this item is chinese , not japanese .... ?

Among all of the possible mat'ls your item may be constructed from , I'd include 'natural' (horn) resin , which has a tell-tale aroma (with a red-hot pin) sorta like burned hair + cattle .

I'm not sure if the plug in the bottom was included to confound me , but it's in question here .....curious if you can see the end of it (inside of the item) from a top-side look through the holes ..... sometimes plugs were used in bone items as well ...

[JeanneCurt]

Well---I used the hot pin and it smells like toasted marshmallows.  I am thinking that might not be a good thing  .  I will keep researching it!
Thanks everyone.
Jeanne

[KC]

When tapped against your top teeth....does it sound/feel like glass or plastic or other?  (Old timers ways of helping distinguish...)

[mariok54]

Depends upon what your top set are made from!   

[KC]

Mario you are a hoot!!!!