General Question about High-End Japanese Inro/Netsuke

I have 2 of them; one from the late 18thC. Both are GHQ era bring-backs. They are signed, as are their Netsuke. I'm considering offering them to an Asian Art auction house, but haven't settled on which one.
Pics are available, an' good description for one of them. But I am over my head in this value range. I don't want to waste an opportunity, an' probably should have them both evaluated/appraised before any decision. Would such service be best sought from the auction house, or independently?
All your comments will be most welcome...Thanks for listening'!

 

pick two auction houses you think you'd trust...ask them both the same question...
check their fee schedule first !

 

Sorry @wlwhittier but what's GHQ mean ? I'd think there'd be some good Asian appraisers in Seattle.
You might try this site,the International Netsuke Society-
https://www.netsuke.org/
Also-
Leading Public and Specialized Collections-wouldn't be disappointed if they don't reply or kindly demur to evaluate/comment. They are most likely rather busy.

• The British Museum (London): Holds over 2,300 netsuke toggles and around 850 inrō.
• Victoria and Albert Museum (London): Features an extensive repository including roughly 860 netsuke and 570 inrō.
• Kyoto's Netsuke Museum: Opened in 2007 as Japan's first dedicated netsuke institution, housing a specialized collection of over 5,000 pieces.
• Tokyo National Museum: Contains foundational historic sets, including masterworks from the famous Go Collection.

 

GHQ -- General Headquarters?

 

Yes...The other name for the US Occupation of Japan, Postwar; 1945 to ~1952.

 

Good, Bosko...

Also...an' the Tokyo National Museum would be my first choice among them. Thank you, good sir!

 

My pleasure !

 

We use it for a 'General health Questinaire'. But it sounds like they are both in good health.
And there are also these:

"Garhwa railway station, in Jharkhand, India

• General Health Questionnaire

• General headquarters, or, specifically:
  • General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)
  • Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (General Headquarters in occupied Japan)
  • GHQ India - General Headquarters, India, in British India
  • United States Army Air Corps (previously known as General Headquarters Air Force)
  • General Headquarters (game), a board game designed by Kurt Vonnegut in the 1950s, published in 2024

• FM HD3 channels of WUFT-FM

• GHQ (company), which produces 1:285 scale micro armor for miniature wargaming"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GHQ

I was a member of their forum, but the forum has been 'disabled' (I know the feeling). I don't know why, but it means I can't ask there anymore, otherwise I would.

 

Museums generally will not provide appraisals. However, if you can put the pieces in front of a knowledgeable curator you may get their opinion as to age and quality. You might try to get an appointment at the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

 

An excellent suggestion, Books...Though they are relatively close, an' have a remarkable display of items, getting to an' from Seattle is not a simple chore for me any longer. I'll try an email approach, with good pics (which will then appear here, certainly)
I wouldn't ask for an appraisal, so much as open the broader issue of 'are these worthy of your interest?' an' if so perhaps arrange for a hands-on examination at their convenience. I could probably inveigle one of the kids or grandkids into driving me over, with a promise of a great meal inna Big City!

 

Ditto Books-Establishing a relationship w/ an individual Curator (rather than a quote Institution) is the way to go.
PS- Big bummer about the International Netsuke Society ! A lot of Collectors may have a Netsuke in their button jar and barely know it.Keeping a site like this one going takes a very dedicated group (a 'Village' so to speak).

 

Where are the pictures?

 

I haven't taken yet, but will soon.
Sorry for the delay...it'll be worth the wait, promise!

 

better be , with all the brouhaha ......

...otherwise we're gonna come and git ya !!!.............

 

Huh...well, Komo, I've been had before!

 

..... not by us , you haven't !!

we can be pretty unruly .............

 

Bring It!

 

You , bring those photo's !!!! ........

 

YES, Dear...Whatever you SAY, dear...Don't hit me AGAIN, dear!

 

Promises , promises....!