Lacquered and painted wood travel coffer or cabinet with iron mountings and lock. Japanese work. The exterior is black lacquered decorated with gold and polychrome. Some typical patterns allow us to date it with certainty around 1580 more or less 20 years. Very rare specimen, few similar models exist. The lock is one of the very first executed in Japan because it was the Portuguese who brought the technique when they landed in Japan around 1550...

Kogo in Japanese lacquer urushi, decorated on maki-e with a dog playing with a fan. The interior is Nashiji. Diameter : Inches. Japan Edo (1603-1868), End of 17th, early 18th century.

Rare japanese urushi lacquer box of a calabash shape. Beautiful Hoteï sleeping on his bag on a black ground. Nashiji lacquer inside with two figthers. A rare border of checkerboard and mother of pearl inlays.

Cabinet in black lacquered wood. Decor of plants in gilding and mother-of-pearl inlay. The mounts are incised and gilded copper. Two doors conceal a series of drawers and a small door. The small handles of the drawers are in cast bronze as well as the handles. On the top is represented in mother-of-pearl Mount Fuji partly concealed by clouds...

Inro 4 cases.Peonies in mother-of-pearl inlaid on a brown lacquered ground and gold dust. Japan earlier Edo 17th century.It is rare to find inros from this period, they are probably the first to have been created. The lacquer is dark red-brown, almost black, it is very solid and despite the shocks and more than three centuries of handling it has not chipped at all. The mother-of-pearl is also well preserved and there is only a tiny lack due to a direct impact...

Rare lacquer box with nashiji background. Gold lacquer decoration in relief of pavilions in a lake landscape. Kirikane gold and silver, pine needles in yellow metal inlaid in high relief blackened by oxidation and dirt. Early Edo period, late 17°or earlier. Inside there is a tray. 18 x 10 x 8cm. A broken and badly glued interior edge (visible on photo). Sold as is, never restored nor cleaned. No lack. Very good condition considering the venerable age.

A very rare Japanese lacquer cabinet made for the Dutch export. The quality of this model is very good and surpasses the usual cabinets of this period. The landscape decorations are very finely and artistically painted, notably the trees whose foliage is swayed by the wind...

Rare box with 3 compartments in lacquered wood from the beginning of the Edo period, end of the 17th century, beginning of the 18th. Decor of chrysanthemums in a landscape. Some flowers are encrusted in solid gold. The decoration is in lacquer in light relief powdered with gold and silver on a nashiji background. Details in Kirikane. The silver is strongly oxidized and has turned greyish-black as on all very old lacquers of this period...

Negoro Marubon (circular tray). Late Muromachi to early Momoyama period -16th. Nice balance between the cinnabar shrinkage and the black lacquer underlying, due to a long time use. It is possible that the upper side as been later relacquered (18th c. ?) as orange-vermilion slightly appears under the dark brown lacquer coat. diam. 29 cm (11.4’’) With box.

Exceptional example of a very old Japanese bronze. This type of lacquered bronze of the best quality is extremely rare. We only know a handful. This is the Mule of Toba in cast bronze, lacquered in red and cream. The animal is represented lowering its head. His rider, Toba has disappeared. Note the elegance of the movement, the strength but also the humor that emerges from this sculpture, this is the unique work of a great sculptor...

Japanese inkstand (suzuribako) in lacquer (urushi). Decor on a spangled background (nashiji) of a lakeside mountainous landscape treated in relief (takamaki-e) flat silver powdered details (hiramaki-e) and mosaic (kirikane ) gold and silver. The rocks are particularly well treated. The interior is decorated with a rich nashiji background forming scrolls of mist and flowers in relief. The suzuribako is complete with its original simple and gilded copper stone and dropper...

Wooden lectern covered with black lacquer, decorated with Japanese seignorial emblems (Mon) with gold powder...

Namban style chest with a semi-cylindrical lid made of black lacquered wood (urushi) with gold lacquer (maki-e) and inlaid with mother-of-pearl (raden).
Decorated with three main bands of floral motifs, middle surrounded by vertical bands of mother-of-pearl inlaid lozenges and framed by the hanashippô pattern (overlapping circles forming petals).
On the lied, acer (momiji) and plum tree flowers (ume). On the front side, branches of citrus tree tachibana (Citrus tachibana), vine le...

4 lacquered wood panels inlaid with metals and mother-of-pearl. Very old Japanese work. Decoration of rocks boldly drawn with power but elegance, decorated with plants. Whoever has painted such a high quality drawing is an excellent artist, certainly one of the best of his time. Would it be the 4 seasons or 4 of the twelve months? The very thick and cracked lacquer is pluricentennial it is posed on a grey coating mixed with thick vegetable fibers which seem to me to be hemp.It is said that hemp...

A lacquered cabinet for storing Tea accoutrements by Koyama Kogetsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated 1931 and titled Tsukiyama Maki-e Kikkyoku (Mon and Hills Maki-e Tea Cabinet). On the door deer stand on the edge of a glade, gold, lead and Raden (mother of pearl) trees with branches of gold and silver maki-e above. The door lifts off to reveal the silver disc of a full moon rising over evening hills. It is signed in gold Kogetsu. The cabinet is 36 x 28 x 39 cm (11 x 14 x 15-1...

Porcelain cranes in a lead tree decorate the lacquered top of this gilded wooden box enclosed in the original wooden box titled Romatsu Sokaku Zu (Ancient Pine Two Cranes) and signed Sekka, with signatures of Tozan II (porcelain decoration) and Suzuki Hyoetsu (lacquer artist) inside. In this case, Kamisaka Sekka produced the design, enlisting two of Kyoto’s then top artisans to complete the work, lacquer artist Miki Hyoetsu I who applied the lead, gold and lacquer and Ito Tozan who created the...

Charming Kiri (paulownia wood) lacquered Japanese Container. Inlaid on branches with mother of pearl. Decorated elegantly with blooming cherry blossoms, with bird perched on a branch. Has a pleasing deep mahogany-like lacquer finish. Taisho Period (1912-1926) Dimensions: 7.25" High X 3.25" diameter

A two drawer Japanese box done in a kinji or gold background with fine paintings of pine and flowers with a family crest set in the open areas of the piece. The box has metal fittings for the drawers and a handle to carry the chest. Often lacquer works with family crests were made for dowries for high ranking samurai families. Age: 19th century Size: length 10.75" width 10.75" height 10.25"

A splendid set of five Chataku Tea Cup Saucers of turned wood decorated in ridiculously thick lacquer floral decoration by Ikkokusai enclosed in a fine wooden box signed by the artist and dated Meiji 39 (1906). Accompanying is a note stating the set was received as a gift upon visiting the Naganuma Ryokan during a trip to Hiroshima in the fifth month of Meiji 43, accompanied by the name Kayanomiyasama. Kaya-no-miya were a collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial family. There is a photogra...

An exquisite Japanese pillow, the body woven with red pigment lacquer, the ends lacquered in black with gilt lacquer. One end depicts the mythical creature Baku, said to devour bad dreams. The other end is a floral scene with beautiful nashiji gold flakes.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Size: 8.5" L x 6.75" D x 4" H

Japanese Buddhist temple stand for a bell bowl with a beautiful red lacquer, black lacquer bottom, and gold lacquered accenting. Bell bowls (or singing bowls) are played by striking the rim with a padded mallet. The sound is used for relaxation and meditation. Meiji period (1867-1912) Size: 8.5" height, 9" width

This Japanese red lacquered wooden serving platter or tray is 13 inches in diameter. It is carved as a bream, which is the Japanese fish symbol for the "bounty of the sea". There are several layers of different colors of red lacquer which heighten the fluid appearence of the fish. The surface is slightly dulled with use and age, the charger is in wonderful condition.

A large table made of layers of lacquer carved through to reveal the various colors by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Guri Joku and bearing the Teishitsu Gigei-in Seal of the Imperial Art Academy. It is 65 x 40.5 x 20 cm (25-1/2 x 16 x 8 inches) and is in excellent condition. The artists seal is expertly incised into the back of one ball shaped foot.
Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studie...

Pair of Japanese antique hibachis. Round in form and carved to appear as if made of woven basketry. Spilling over the rims and made to look as though bursting forth from holes in the baskets are plump clusters of grapes, vines and leaves. The "basket" portion of the hibachis is lacquered a deep red while vines and leaves are lacquer a dark green. The grapes a lacquered a deep red. There are metal inserts for coals and ashes.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensi...

Antique Japanese pair of lacquer trays with a black exterior and deep red lacquer interior. The sides of each tray are pierced with gourd shapes on their sides, lines, and small holes, and the rim is dotted with gilt lacquer. One tray is slightly smaller than the other, so they may be stacked and stored away. A wooden box is included with kanji on its lid. Size: 21.25" length, 13.75" width & 20.75" length, 13.25" width

An exquisite lacquered box covered in gold powder prominently bearing the imperial crest given as a gift to Baron Nakamura Satoru in Meiji 44 (1911). According to the inside of the lid this box was created for the Meiji emperor and given in gratitude to the Baron for his support in creating the Keanfu memorial for fallen soldiers of the Russo-Japanese war. The box is an exquisite example of Imperial splendor featuring leaves tinged with kiri-gane gold inlay over powdered gold on a surface dust...

Antique Japanese black lacquer box, with makie (sprinkled gold powder) designs on its top and sides. The lid shows an open book with images of bamboo and flying sparrows and a scroll with raised images of leaves and foliage, and its sides have other auspicious maki-e elements such as butterflies and flowers. The underside of the lid and lining of its two small front drawers are decorated with an orange/bronze toned nashiji.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Size: 7.5" height, 12" w...

Taisho Period (1912-1926) Gold and Black Lacquer Obento Lunch Box/Picnic Box filled with symbolism of eternal love. The deer and crane are symbols of longevity, and when they are paired they are symbols of eternal love. The pine tree is also a symbol of longevity. The pastoral scenes and gold flowers are beautifully rendered in gold lacquer on black lacquer. The handle is in the form of a pair of dragons. 14w x 12h x 7d inches, 35.5w x 30.5h x 18d inches.

Unusual Antique Japanese maki-e lacquer Jingasa (Samurai helmet) decorated in low relief lacquer work of a fierce looking red Oni with piercing gold eyes and teeth . A gilt lacquer mon, or family crest is seen below the Oni representing daffodils. The underside of the helmet is smooth, shiny black lacquer.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather. Kas...

The Hiramaki-e technique, which dates from the latter part of the Heian Period (794-1185), was preceded by Togidashi maki-e, a technique in which not only the design, but the whole surface is covered with clear lacquer after the sprinkling of metal powder. The lacquer is then polished down to reveal the design.

The Japanese letter box is decorated in low relief of mountainous terrain and a stylized linear mist or cloud line. The interior ground is lacquered and sprinkled with gold fl...

An antique Japaese tray in the form of a banana leaf in green natural Urushi lacquer with its original Tomobako. Beautiful artist rendition of a folded top to the leaf that has an edge which naturally cuts up. Fully carved and lacquered both top and bottom. Age: Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" Long by 10 1/2" Wide

Over 100 years old, this exquisite lacquered box set was crafted in the fourth year of Taisho (1915). On the underside of the lid are painted butterflies and the sides and top of the box set feature Chrysanthemum flowers in gold, sumi, and mother-of-pearl. Long considered an auspicious symbol of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan, when first introduced to the island nation during the Nara period (710 – 793 AC), the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum. Over time, it bec...

A Taisho period Lacquer writing box of superb quality decorated with a design of a stone lantern under broad leaves enclosed in an age darkened kiri-wood box. The scene is performed with Thick slices of shell and lead inlay on black Ro-iro ground with Taka-maki-e and Hira-maki-e designs. Inside is finished in Kin-gin (gold and silver) Nashiji. It contains two ink stones, a solid silver water dropper and Silver lidded box, as well as the original brushes, hole punch and paper knife all in matc...

Japanese Gold Lacquer Writing Box Suzuribako The box is traditionally made of lacquered wood and is used to hold an inkstone and a water-dropper. Square with round corners, finely decorated in gold hiramaki-e, takamaki-e and kirikane with a landscape scene of trees, houses, hills and clouds; fitted with a slate inkstone and a removable water dropper. Size: 23.6 cm long, 20.4 cm wide, 4.3 cm deep. Condition: cracks on the bottom edge.

Japanese food container, at times known as a jikiro, where food items are placed inside the container. In tea ceremony, the object is used to place sweets inside. The object is done in black lacquer with makie decorated with a motif of a peony. Inside the container is decorated with gold in the style known as Nashiji, or pear skin. Age: 20th century. Size: Diameter 8" Height 4.75"

An exceedingly rare (in fact the only one I have ever seen) Tenmoku-Dai stand for a Tenmoku Chawan by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kuruwa Tenmoku Dai (Curved Circular Tea Bowl Stand). It is made of layer upon layer of lacquer, carved with scrolling designs revealing the depth of the lacquer in a style known as Guri. The artist has carved his seal into the inside of the base. It is 15 cm (6 inches) diameter7.5 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.

Of Steeply conical form with a bulbous top. This jingasa is constructed of hide and cloth, shaped in a mold, lacquered in reddish brown lacquer, with a gilt rising sun mon on the rounded apex.
The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather. Kasa shares its etymology with the Japanese word for "umbrella" (which is also pronounced "kasa", but written 傘). ...

A magnificent set of five wooden bowls lacquered red with a net design enclosed in the original wooden box titled Shu-nuri Amime Hashiaraiwan dating from the first half of the 20th century. Excluding the lid each is 7.5 cm (3 inches) tall, roughly the same diameter at the rim, and all are in excellent condition. Repeated use of lacquer tends to see the black acquire a brown tinge. These remain jet black, and it is likely they have been virtually unused for the better part of a century.
...

A beautiful Japanese lacquer jubako, or tiered storage box, with nishiji background made from sprinkled gold flakes. Each side is decorated by maki-e lacquer imagery of shochikubai, meaning "three friends of winter", bamboo, plum, and pine with gold and silver leaves and flowers. The interior of each level is coated in bright red lacquer. The jubako comes with its own tomobako, or storage box, as well as a second lid. Size: 17" height, 9" width

Japanese lacquer box form the Meiji/Taisho period circa 19th century. Decorated with gold flowering clematis vines on dark brown lacquer interior with gold rim inset and shallow tray. Accented with gilt fittings with paulownia decoration and ring handles. Dimensions: 5 1/2'' X 6 1/2'' X 5"

A carved lacquer box which pays homage to Chinese literary taste while presenting itself clearly in a modern, Japanese way (for turn of the century lacquerware at least) by 2nd generation lacquer artist Ishii Yusuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The tsuishu lacquer technique requires applying layer upon layer of lacquer which is then carved through and polished, a painstaking process. This piece is exquisitely crafted, carved and polished revealing the many layers of lacquer, it ...

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray in the shape which four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips. Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

A fine Japanese lacquer tray dating Taisho era, pre 1920. In excellent condition with only having some light wear to the bottom from sliding on tables or what not over the years. Measures: Length 8" x Width 6.75"

Japanese small lacquer chest from the Meiji period (circa 1900). Beautiful lacquer detail with playful fudogs and butterflies. Fine details in the hardware and lacquer on each of the panels. Dimensions: 19" Long X 18 1/4" High X 11 3/4" Deep

Japanese antique inro with one compartment, carved of wood and lacquered a very dark brown. On one side, a silvery bat flies through the air. On the other side, a fishing net hangs to dry on a fence. The fishing net is done in gold lacquer and the fence is made of shell inlay. The inside of the inro case is lacquered a deep red with gold edging.

Late Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2 1/8" high x 3" wide

This Japanese hibachi is made from a single piece of Kiri wood, aka paulownia. A design of thick raised gold lacquer, aka Makie depicts Botan peony plant with added colors of pink and green for definition of flower and a single leaf. Hibachi comes with the original copper insert and the condition is very good. A couple of hard to find scratches and tiny (pinheadsize) dents on the top rim. Hibachi dates from late Meiji period. The size is approx 6.5" diameter x 6” high

Dark brown natural wood suzuribako (writing set) with polychrome takamaki-e lacquer decoration of toys, with a rabbit on its cushion and a horse head to ride with its cover.

Interior in negoro-nuri lacquer. This is an ancient technique, developed in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) at the Negoro temple in the ancient province of Kii (now Wakayama prefecture). It is characterized by its vermilion color, made from cinnabar and showing natural brush marks. These irregular patterns are t...

Wood Sumikiri-bon with red urushi. Summikiri means a tray whose four corners are cut. Four sides have painted in Negoro style which has partly black urushi. Used and some scratches and chips in both sides . Late 19th to early 20th century. 36.5cm x 36.5cm x 3.5cm

Layer upon layer of lacquer has been carved with scrolling designs revealing the depth of the surface in a style known as Guri by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in a wooden box titled Guri Kobon. It is 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inches) and in excellent condition, the artist seal inlayed in mother of pearl beneath. The box is annotated by his adopted daughter and heir Torako (Suwa Sozan II).
Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before...

Antique Japanese lacquer with gold shrine incense stand. Hand carved wood with black lacquer. Gold gilt floral details seen on all sides. Square flat top open to hold an incenser.
The burning of incense in Japan began during the 6th century (the Asuka period) with the introduction of Buddhism, which uses incense during rituals and ceremonies.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 11 1/2" square x 17 3/4" high

This unusual Japanese lacquer clam shell is from Wakasa, a center for exceptional lacquer craftsmanship which began during the Edo period. At that time the lacquerers of the Obama clan, near Wakasa Bay, began decorating their work with designs depicting elements of the ocean floor, For techniques, the Wakasa craftsmen developed a process of repeated lacquer coatings of several colors and rubbing down the lacquer coated surface. This process produced a random decorative pattern. The clam shell s...

An interesting Japanese multi -layer lacquer stand with mother of pearl inlay. Top surface has oil spill pattern in hues of red, black, and orange with green accenting. Taisho Period (circa 1950's). Dimensions: 18" Long X 12 1/2" Wide X 4" High

The title does not lie, this is one against which all others might be measured. A celebratory sake set consisting of three cups and a stand enclosed in their original lacquered wooden boxes. The cups are over the top, decorated with plum pine and bamboo in taka-maki-e gold over red replete with bits of kirigane gold and ke-uchi details. The cups are equally gorgeous on top and bottom, the design extending even inside the foot ring. Roundels of the same designs are built up in gold and lacquer ma...

Japanese lacquer tray with raised gold cranes on top a hill under a large meandering pine tree along with smaller trees and grasses on a large expanse of nashiji lacquer with gold maki-e edges. The underside is performed in a darker sprinkled lacquer and has some chipping to the bottom outer edges, although the face of the tray is good with only some light surface wear. Measures 21.25" long, 15.25" wide, and 2.25" high. Dates circa 1900.

This late Meiji (1868~1911) 3 piece calligraphy lacquer box is 7 ¾ inches long, 6 ¾ inches wide and 1 ¾ inches high. The outside of the cover depicts an open winged eagle resting on a stand; autumn flowers and plants before a full moon appear inside. There are two movable pieces decorated with gold maple leaves in the box. Also, there is a small round metal container, maybe a water dropper, decorated with a gold and silver crane and plum blossom tree. On the bottom is a separate piece whic...

A rich color profusion with well executed brush strokes done in a rapid fashion that demonstrates the power of a Japanese artisan. This truly unique Japanese brush and seal box is a must have for the serious Oriental arts collector; dated to the late Meiji period C. 1910, this box is in excellent antique condition, considering the delicate lacquer and paint job this box would be considered a rarity in both its beauty and condition. These are rare in the condition shown here and are now very di...

An antique Japanese Hibachi with Maki-E gilt lacquer and inlay in a melon shape made of kiri wood. The gilt lacquer designs are of a bird in peonies and ivy trailing around the edge. Gilt nashiji flakes and inlay add depth to the nature scene. Interior has an old patina.

Date: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 11" diameter X 8.5" tall

Antique Japanese large lacquer fumibako (letter box for paper), beautiful design of silver hydrangeas flowers with gold lacquer leaves on top and sides, black lacquer with nishiji (gold fleck) ground, interior with the same black lacquer and nishiji ground, underside of lid with dramatic gold makie lacquer scene of young pine sprouts and grass, Meiji Period. Size: 15 3/4" long x 12 3/4" wide x 5 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese pair of beautiful sake containers, carved wood with lacquer finish, design in gold lacquer of pine branches and scrolling vine motif on very dark brown (almost black) ground, high handles, both identical, Meiji Period. Size: 13 1/2" high x 7" diameter x 10" wide with spout

A 19th century Japanese kyodai (mirror stand) comprised of the stand on two drawer chest. Decorated with gold hiramaki-e and nashiji lacquer techniques depicting pines, prunus and grasses in rocky landscape. The prunus blossoms rendered in oxidized silver haku-e with gold details. Engraved metal terminals adorn scrolled elements and the base of the holder. Two metal insets with Paulownia Mon also adorn the mirror holder as well as the two drawer pulls. Gilt mostly worn from the metal ornaments b...