The 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 trade, but I am pretty certain it is carved of ivory and really a sweet little object. 

2 3/8" tall x 1 3/4" wide x 9/16" deep. The carved details on the wings, claws and faces have been darkened with ink, with a bit of running original to the making.