Featured Netsuke Figure Is it Ivory? How Old and Who Signed?

I bought this Netsuke today at an artist's estate sale. He had a lot of unique goodies like storytellers, SW Pottery, Original art, Kachina dolls etc. This netsuke I picked up for $1. I looked on You tube for information how to tell ivory from bone and this piece doesn't have the black holes for veins etc. It does seem to have a grain/crosshatching to the surface. I know that I can't sell Ivory unless it's 100 years old. This piece is signed and if anyone knows the artist, I'd love to hear more. Oh, I also tried the hot needle to see if it would burn, and it did not leave a mark. So what do you suggest? I have an Etsy Vintage shop that I'd love to sell this legally at, (I need help with the price also) but perhaps, I'll just have to add it to my personal collection. The inking and work on it is amazing. It is 2" tall and 1" wide. Thank you ahead for your help. I love finding out new information on this forum.

 

I think you can rest easy on the subject to ivory. This is not ivory, much more likely resin. It is also relatively new and as clean as it is has probably never been used in way netsukes are.

 

Thank you Bakersgma

 

BTW the hot needle test is never a good idea no matter what the substance.

 

LOL that's what I was informed was a good way to test by an antique dealer on You Tube. Ooopps!

 

Good clear pictures! I agree with Bakersgma that it’s a resin.

 

Resin.

Debora

 

Hi,
NEVER use the hot needle test on anything. Working in the ER I have seen several serious burns from people using the hot needle test. If it is a celluloid item it can literally explode. Other plastic pieces can be indelibly marked and scarred. Let's get the word out NO HOT NEEDLE TESTS!!!!!!
greg

 

Definitely molded resin. For future reference:

https://www.fws.gov/lab/ivory_natural.php

https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Ivory-genuine-fake--confusing

 

Karen that is really cute and should sell in spite of it being resin.
Patd

 

I'm with the others.

Yes it should sell because the cuteness factor.
One thing to remember about netsuke-like items is that these cute 'bigheads' are recent. I think it has to do with the Japanese anime fad, but that is just a theory. They also make them in bone.

 

Great photos.

 

I agree "resin" & new

 

Hmmm; depends on how it's used. Have used it many, many times on the inside of a perforation of "African trade amber" that's really Bakelite and it works well. Course, you have to know the smell, eh?

 

Agreed; it looks like resin with a very slim chance of tagua nut.

 

I know I'm going against the tide, and was glad to see the suggestion, however slim, of tagua nut.

I don't know what it is, but there are parts that don't ring true to me as resin. The crack in the bottom is one, plus the other circled area. There are other bits, but those are the ones that bother me the most.

 

Looks a little too light to be Tagua nut. Tagua nut is more caramel coloured. See below. The cracks are interesting though. Not sure what they mean.

 

What seems to be bubbles and a "blob" surface below the hole in the photo in the above photo looks like resin.

 

Most tagua nut is the color of ivory unless it has been dyed.

 

I'm not seeing what you mean. But I grant that there are definitely areas, particularly the mouth, that make me think resin.

But but but... I'm still not convinced.