Featured Ivory Bead Necklace with Netsuke

You might have seen my post on the finds thread. The beads are ivory, necklace is 34" long. The netsuke is signed on the bottom in red, will post a pic, forgot to photograph it. Maybe you can help me with some question, I would appreciate it.
1. What do you think the material is on the netsuke? There are striations on the upper back of the figure, but I do not see cross-hatching.
2. What would you do about the red bleed on the lips? What could have caused it?
3. What age would you date the netsuke to?

Thanks.

 

Are these Schreger lines

 

The whole necklace is nice, but I just can't visualize how the lovely netsuke hangs.....to the side or in the center???? I LOVE her!!!

 

I would say to the side. Never thought of having in the center, could work either way, but I see them photographed hanging to the side.

 

imo.....if it was an older netsuke of any real value...it would not have been drilled into and used ( hung ) in such a fashion...

 

Lovely necklace Marko.
Maybe someone tried to touch up the colour on her lips and slipped.
Could you post a photo of her feet? Sometimes you can see a tiny Schreger area there.

I think those are just regular lines. Marko said she saw no cross-hatching, which is what the Schreger lines are.

 

@Marko, when you take the other close-ups, could you try to re-take a sharper one of her shoulder area......it's hard to see if those are actually Schreger lines.....and thanks if you can!!!!

Edit....and I just now saw AJ's post above mine......sorry!

 

UNLESS someone DIDN'T know what they possibly had...........?

 

Going to check back on this thread. What an interesting piece.

I sold a somewhat similar necklace (in design) a while back, the pendant feature hung from the side like this. Also was around 35" long. Realize that Marko's pendant is not a bird, but you search "cloisonne bird necklace" there are others like this with this length and design. Most think Chinese, the one I had I guessed was 1980s/90s. (And if memory serves, sold well.)

Be sure to "view original listing":

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Or...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Can't help with the red on the lips. I would think this will be almost impossible to remove whether ivory or plastic -- the way a dye would soak in probably means some kind of fix over the top, paint touch up, etc. as suggested.

 

Here are some more pictures. The markings on the bottom look Japanese to me, but I am no expert.

 

Beautiful necklace, Lucille. I have a two ivory neckaces, one with a resin monkey, another with a big resin dragon clasp, that also hang to the side like yours.

 

Looking at the closeups, this geisha on the current necklace is either bone or ivory. I am leaning towards ivory looking at the vertical striations on the back. Could the crosshatching be covered by the engraved design and coloring?

 

Thanks for the photos, no Schreger lines, but it looks like ivory to me.

She is a Japanese lady as well. Netsuke are Japanese in use, and most are Japanese made, but the Chinese made some for export.
Most signatures on netsuke are never identified.

 

I think they are but not showing cross hatching. We had this discussion on another piece- ivory does not always show cross hatching depending on how it was cut on the grain.

 

I think the ivory is cut in such a way that Schreger lines won't show, the bottom is pretty small and has some coloured lines and staining as well. The only place where it would show is on the top and shoulders, but that is covered by the black of her hair and the floral designs.

 

They are ivory lines but not Schreger lines. Schreger lines are the cross hatched lines.

 

Yes.... elephant ivory the whole piece. Wonder if I should try to do anything with the lips. Looks like the same ink the artist signed his piece with.

 

ivory yes....80's... maybe.

 

Maybe a child tried to put lipstick on her?