Information for a japanesse carved figure

Hello,
This is one of my fabourite figurines in my collection.
It represents a man with a geisha and one dog.
It looks very old on my eyes, but I want to know your opinion and other information.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

More pics...

 

I really like it, too! The marks across the bottoms of the feet make me think it might be a resin, but let the others give you their take on it. Either way, it's a happy little carving.

 

Isn't that adorable!!

 

I don't see a geisha, unless she is retired.
I see an older couple and a dog with fleas.

I can't enlarge the pictures. Based on your picture of the feet, I agree it looks like resin.
So relatively new.
Still cute.

 

Yes, maybe just a woman!!!
In my hands, the item not feels resin, but is not easy show it in the pictures.

Thanks for all answers!

 

You might look at what was posted in this thread about ivory.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/painted-ivory-horses.48300/

 

They look like ivory to me. Think the scoring on the soles of the feet is tool work obscuring the natural grain lines.

 

Very sweet, and one more vote for ivory.

Yes, and the other decorations also cover up any obvious signs of ivory. The soles are probably meant to be woven tatami slippers, like tatami mats.

 

You should be able to tell if it was hand carved or molded.
If you cant tell, give it the hot pin test.

 

Thanks for all answers, It is maybe resin. Anyway it have a very nice patina, some rest of old colour, and it is very well hand carved.
It make me think, that it is old, and not just a tourist souvenir. Or maybe an expensive souvenir.

 

As this item is made on resin, I suppose that it is not a problem. Moreover, I think that it is older than ivory restrictions.

 

The speckles puzzle me.

 

Aaaacck....no hot pin.........never hot pin !!!!!

 

could I suggest bone...?

 

Hi Stracci,
PLEASE no HOT PIN TESTS. Having worked in the ER for 35 years I have seen plenty of serious burns on people using hot pins on cellulose. Besides the damage it does to some things. It leaves "scars" on people and objects.
greg

 

I was thinking possibly antler - but the porosity/speckles should appear on the bottom of the man's robe as well as the woman's. It also seems rather large in the hand for antler (or bone). Can anyone read the signature?

 

Could be three pieces of antler or bone, glued together.
Some antique keris hilts are made that way.

It wouldn't have been very expensive, but not necessarily a souvenir either. Japanese liked these as well, little carved figurines like this are called okimono.

 

https://www.buddhamuseum.com/sarumawashi-w-masks-netsuke.html

Interestingly enough, I could not find where it stated what material they were made from. But, you can see they are happy!

 

This one is undoubtfully ivory, Shreggers lines visible on some pics