General Question about Netsuke / Rarity / Materials

I have these two netsuke children praying with folded hands, a boy and a girl. I did a lot of searches online to see if I could find them but I have not been able to.

I believe they are resin.

I see people pay decent money for resin netsuke if they are rare/desirable. There are a bunch over the $100 range and many more over $50.

Do you think these might be desirable subject matter? How do I know if they are rarer other than searching for them online? Are their manufacturer's catalogs in Japanese? The best reference for resin netsuke?

 

Also, I've noticed that some pieces are listed as "carved resin." Do you think these pieces might be carved resin?

I don't see any mold lines. I'm going to get up a picture of the bottom soon.

 

They don't look like netsukes - no holes for the material for hanging them off the belt.

 

No. Modern, resin and Chinese, not Japanese.

Debora

 

I can't imagine there being any kind of "reference catalog" for things like this.

 

I'm with the others, just resin figurines representing Chinese people.
Since the boy is wearing his hair in a 'queue', he is probably meant to be an adult man.

Neither can I. Maybe individual manufacturers make them for their own pieces. I doubt any lists or whatever would be in Japanese though.

 

Lots of these types of pairs to be found on the internet. These are in ceramic and hold, according to the seller, good luck charms.

Debora

 

Google cannot find any other image that looks like yours.

Do you remember the keywords you used to find it?

 

Try "little chinese boy girl figurines" with "ivory" or "netsuke" and then click Images.

This eBay seller calls hers "Netsuke Chopstick holders."

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-japanese-ivorine-boy-girl-435014849

Debora

 

Are these selling prices or asking prices?

Doubt there's really any such thing. The whole point of resin is that it can be used to do something like this, mass produce pieces that resemble ivory but do not require carving. If any hand carving is involved, think it is just finishing touches after the molding is completed, some undercutting to make it appear carved.

 

Sold (selling) prices.

 

I see. There are a lot listed as "carved resin" but I see your point.

 

Those are for exceptional resin netsuke and okimono replicas. Yours are resin, but not exceptional and not netsuke or okimono replicas.
While there is more appreciation of Asian style resin figurines, I doubt yours are very desirable.

Some photos of one of my resin okimono replicas. One like this would fetch a reasonable price (without damage). I hope you can see the difference with your Chinese style figurines.




Yours, for comparison:

 

They're also artificially aged.

Debora