Sculpted Stoneware Pottery Bust of Literary Looking Gentleman design blocks There's such a wealth out

There's such a wealth out there of amazing Japanese Netsuke--finely carved miniature sculptures that traditionally functioned as sliding beads or toggles securing the cord attaching a sagemono

I grabbed this knife

4 1/2" l x  2 7/8 w x 1 3/4" t

The winder for the music box is on the bottom and works great

The velvet-like finish to the rust-colored fabric is well worn

Sculpted Stoneware Pottery Bust of Literary Looking Gentleman design blocks There's such a wealth outI feel like I should recognize this face. Walt Whitman, perhaps? Certainly he looks like a literary sort of fellow; if he had a body, surely he would be holding a book, and maybe a pen, too! As such, a pretty perfect piece for the bookshelf, and plenty heavy to serve as a bookend at the same time. He's quite nicely sculpted of a warm, deep brown coarse stoneware, and hollow on the interior, with felt pads added at some point around the edge. I can't