1890s - 1910s (late Meiji - early Taisho) Japanese inkstone in simple rectangular shape with carved keyfret border and central grinding area. Used for grinding of an inkstick on the surface of the stone. Akama stone of shiunseki type with characteristic reddish brown color - Akama inkstones are quite famous, and come from the Yamaguchi Prefecture. Beautiful patina, traces of ink on the grinding surface, comes with fitted wooden cover. Very nice object for scholars table, in excellent condition...

18th century netsuke of a seated skinny dog wearing a collar with bell and resting one front paw on a cloth ball. Strong early piece, beautifully carved - great face with horn inlaid eyes, wonderful rendition of its spine and ribs, superbly carved paws, netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, beautiful wear and patina (some irregularities on the surface on the darker colored part of its back), old age lines...

Very unusual 19th century mixed metal and wood netsuke of a boy quietly playing a reed flute while leaning against a side of a resting buffalo, 2 baskets next to him. The subject is ushidoji (also called bokudo) symbolizing the perfect peace of mind, and is considered to be one of the stages on the way to the Buddhahood. Excellent quality metalwork of shakudo (buffalo), solid silver (boy) and copper (baskets), perfectly captured mood of the scene...

19th century staghorn netsuke carved as a cluster of all 7 masks of shichifukujin - Seven Gods of Good Fortune: Ebisu - god of fishermen and merchants, Daikoku - god of wealth, commerce and trade, Bishamonten - god of warriors, Benten - goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, Fukurokuju - god of happiness, wealth and longevity, Hotei - the fat and happy god of abundance and good health, and Jurojin - god of wisdom. Essentially the netsuke is a wish for good luck and serves as a talisman as well...

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a theatrical mask of an oni - a mischievous demon. Cleverly carved in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, wonderful depiction of its bushy eyebrows and toothy grin. Wonderful patina and beautiful sheen to the surface. Signed SUKEYOSHI on the back bar - the artist is listed on p. 1051 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, and was a student of Sukenaga. Height 1 9/16 inches.

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya. Wonderful crisp detailing, beautiful lustrous patina from wear. Height 1 15/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century metal and wood netsuke of giboshi - a bridge post finial. Beautiful simple object in Japanese taste, perfectly elegant, in excellent condition. Rare subject, beautiful wear and patina. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a head of a dragon with a Precious Gem in its mouth. Boldly carved, strong features of the creature’s face, nice wear and patina. Length 3 inches.

Very unusual 19th century square manju netsuke made out of a slab of aventurine glass with silver fitting on the back in a shape of a samurai family crest with paulownia flowers and leaves, swinging silver loop for hanging. Superbly beautiful and rare material, absolutely stunningly sparkling in direct sunlight, does not photograph well. Three tiny chips along the edges on the front and a couple on the back, do not take away from the piece. Beautiful patina, very pleasant to hold...

Early 19th century bronze netsuke in a form of a temple bell of Miidera. For the legend of Benkei carrying the bell of Miidera see H. Joly LEGEND IN JAPANESE ART, p. 82. Pleasant piece in Japanese taste with nice casting, beautiful wear and patina. Very good piece for collection of various netsuke materials or for scholar’s desk. Height 1 1/8 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in classic bowl shape with cast decoration on the outside of 2 birds by bamboo stalks with leaves. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape, hanged by a bronze ring. Nice old piece with pleasant patina on metal, the inside of the still containing ash residue. Diameter 1 5/8 inches.

Height: 4.1 cm (1.7 in)
Width: 3.8 cm (1.4 in)
Depth: 2 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese netsuke of a Hotei with one hand in his bag; natural material; early angular form; very good patina; good condition

Splendid and absolutely rare double vase of old Karatsu-yaki. It has a vivid Chosen-Karatsu glaze, and the grandiose embellishment of color creates a sublime sense of tension between the dark glazed and color infusion.

This very decorative vase was made around the mid 19th century (late Edo Period).

Very good antique condition with only a light crack of glaze on the back of the white top, which enforces the all over wabi-sabi look...

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 2.8 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 1.7 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese netsuke; probably whale tooth or walrus; depicts a Hotei with his bag; early angular form; very good honey-coloured patina; good condition

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting of a scene with a songbird on a gnarled, moss-covered rock. A stream runs around the rock. Blue and white irises grow on it's banks. Painted in mineral colors on gold leaf.

Dimensions: 43 3/4" high x 36" wide Meiji Period c1900

Japanese calligraphy box made with Keyaki (elm) wood in original dark red lacquer finish. The lid lifts open on three iron hinges with a top iron handle to a shallow lacquered compartment for storing calligraphy papers, and closes securely with a small iron latch. The front of the box holds three drawers with iron lock plates and handles on floral shaped iron mounts.

Edo period (c1850)

Dimensions: 16" L x 12" W x 12" H

This is a great example Meiji Era satsuma. It is probably my favorite piece from Shizan. The colors are rich and the detail is fantastic. It stands 4 3/4 inches tall. This Ewer is in nearly perfect condition.

An impressive large shallow dish of foliate form decorated with a pair of auspicious Hoo birds with Kiri (Pawlonia) painted principally in underglaze blue which trail over the rim on to the reverse of the dish; an “over the wall pattern”...