Japanese Netsuke with Pair of Perched Birds Andersen Design Studio each with a Janus-like pair

each with a Janus-like pair of faces

2 3/4" in diameter x 2 1/4" tall

Note there is some reflection visible in the photos

In this work

Japanese Netsuke with Pair of Perched Birds Andersen Design Studio each with a Janus-like pairThe world of Japanese Netsuke is incredibly complex (and incredible!), and I am no expert; I bought this piece, as I often do, as impetus to do some learning. I just love the form of these two facing perched birds, joined at the tips of their beaks and feet, with the arcs of their necks almost forming a heart and the negative space between the feet and the base rather like a keyhole. I'm pretty certain this is a 20th century piece made for the tourist