The theme of this very rare screen traces the story of the great battle of Yashima, in the 12th century, between the Taira and Minamoto clans. It owes its name to the contraction of Minamoto Gen (Chinese reading) and the Taira Hei clan, hence the name Heike. Also called Heike Monogotari. This is a naval battle, the Battle of Yashima (ichi no tani) in 1184, where the Taira clan retreated to an island off Shikoku in the inland sea...

Japanese antique Funa Tansu (merchant's safe), all made of very heavy quarter sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) wood...

Japanese porcelain soup tureen whose shape is inspired by European goldsmith pieces. On the sides two heads of modeled Buddhist lions and on the lid a crown. Simple decor of phoenixes, flowers, plants and waves in the color palette of the Imari style. An old collector's label indicated that this tureen was part of the service of Augustus the Strong. Probably verifiable statement for motivated collectors...

Vase of exceptional size in Satsuma earthenware. It is extremely difficult to make such a large and above heavy earthenware because the audacious shape carries a risk of subsidence during firing. It is certain that the artist must have used supports during the firing. It is a technical feat of a master potter. The enamels and gilding are of high quality as can be seen on the best satsuma creations. The decoration is also atypical with a beautiful decorative effect and a surprising aesthetic...

An antique Japanese 4-panel screen painting. Each of the flowers shown has a meaning known as the Language of Flowers, depicting Love, Loyalty and Family. Painted with mineral pigments and raised gofun on gold leafed paper.

Date: Taisho Period

Dimensions: 67 1/2” high X 96” wide

An extremely rare and very large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Iki Ningyo (living figure) of a young Bijin. An exquisite Ningyo representing idealized feminine Japanese beauty. She is posing as if for a photograph or for an artist. Every aspect is hyper realistic: the hair, eye lashes, accessories, and the painted kimono. She is holding a silver mirror and hair ornament as part of a collection of hair ornaments featuring a lacquered comb. Her beautiful face changes from different angles...

Japanese Two Panel Screen of Snow Cranes on a Willow Tree. This great masterpiece is one of the most amazing screen paintings we have seen. Each Snow Crane is painted with its own personality and attitude, using the finest pigments and Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer). All of the elements of this painting are just magical. Brocade borders in a black lacquered frame make this two panel screen complete this work of art. 66 inches (167.5 cm)w x 62 inches (157.5 cm)h. Excellent Condition...

A very important find and a great day for the serious Satsuma collector who acquires this exceedingly rare pair of plates of breathtaking beauty, detail and color by the renowned Satsuma Master, Ryozan, depicting the two Goddesses of the Seven Lucky Gods, Benzai-ten and Kichijo-ten (Kichijo-ten sometimes replaces Fukurokuju in portrayals of the Seven Lucky Gods)...

Japanese Late Meiji Period Two Panel Owl Screen featuring a solitary owl perched on a wind blown bamboo, entwined by vines with clusters of red berries. Signed by Kouro. Nihonga School - ink and color on paper painting in tarashikomi, a technique that achieves shading through pooling successive layers of partially dried pigment. 68.5 inches (174 cm)h x 67 inches (170 cm)w. Very Good Condition. Minor Repairs. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

A Japanese gold lacquer Inro with five compartments. A relief of a pair of silver horses dominates the landscape scene of a seaside village with drying racks of fish and pines and clouds in the background. The horses are galloping over a creek with foliage. The reverse side shows a lone horse under a fruit tree and thatched cottage. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). The cord has an agate ojime...

Small 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).
Mon style decoration (family emblem) of ginkos and chrysanthemums framed by friezes alternating three grooves and mother-of-pearl inlays...

This exceptional tanto is very original, unique in its kind, it represents a bundle of lotus flowers wrapped in a canvas. The mount is in silver, embossed for the leaves of the sheath and cast for the flower buds at both ends. The seppa are in shakudo and gold. Some elements in gilded bronze. The design of the sheath is unique, it is a perfect imitation of a fabric canvas. It is made of woven bamboo fibers covered with lacquer. The effect is striking, the impression of a real fabric is real, we ...

Antique Japanese Art Deco bronze and silver figure of a parrot sitting on a holly branch. Elegant simplified lines and form with swooping tail and copper color eyes. In two sections. Signed by the artist, Tanshо̄ Inoue. He was famous for his Art Deco bronze work during the Taisho Period and a member of Tokyo Chukinkai (Tokyo Cast Bronze Craftman's Association).

探勝作 Tanshо̄ saku "Made by Tanshо̄"

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 15 3/4" hi...

Fine Edo Period Sho Bosatsu Kannon in Rare Excellent Condition, gilded wood sculpture seated on a lotus and holding a lotus in the left hand. The Bodhisattva of Compassion has never been more beautifully rendered. Height: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Width: 14 inches (35.5 cm).

A rare wonderful Daki Ningyo with the most artistic style and a beautiful hypnotic face, wearing a gorgeous painted silk kimono of Imperial purple. Made for the Imperial class. Late 19th Century. 27 inches, 68.5 cm.

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. In the bottom of the box on the base compartment we can dis...

Perfume fountain in porcelain Imari kinrandé mounted in gilt bronze from the same set of porcelain. The cup and the bowl form the base, the pot covers the perfume container.
Blue under-cover decoration with gold highlights of interlacing lotus flowers. On each of the ceramic pieces, two four-lobed spaces and sides with floral motifs (pine, yellow and red lycoris, carnation, phlox moss, bamboo) and two foxes. Top of the pot with a chrysanthemum pattern. The inside of the fountain has a ban...

18th Century Japanese Edo Period pair of Kyoho-Bina Ningyo, an exceedingly rare early 18th century. An exceptional example of this early style. The finest quality in all aspects, featuring rich silk matching brocades in an elegant floral pattern with auspicious treasures on multilayered robes creating a classical form. All accessories and stands are original, very rare for such an early piece. Fine faces of gofun (oyster shell lacquer) aged to a burnished tone, with painted details. They have a...

Bronze sculpture representing an owl on a tree stump covered with ivy. The owl, detachable from its base, has shakudo eyes. It is certainly an Ryûkyû scops owl (Otus elegans), present in the south of Japan in Ryûkyû Islands.
Red fabric glued to the base of the trunk to protect the base and the pedestal (not original).

The owl (fukurô, 梟) symbolizes good luck and protection from hardship. By homonymy, fukuro mean « good fortune coming » (福来郎) or « without diffi...

Remarkable and exceedingly rare bronze life-size kannon statue. From a buddhist temple, c. 1920. Holding a lotus about to blossom. Had a halo but had damage so we are selling without it. We feel the proportion of the halo was too big for the piece regardless. In excellent condition. Shipping from CA warehouse. 5ft. tall by 23" wide.

A one of a kind, very large early example of this Musha-Ningyo (Boys' Day Figure). This legendary figure first appeared for Boys Day in the late 19th Century. He is the Japanese equivalent to Hercules. He is always shown with a ruddy complexion, as seen in Japanese woodblock prints, scrolls and screens. He is a magnificent sculpture, Iki and Gosho in style. He holds an Axe and wears a sumptuous embroidery brocade featuring a mythical Turtle. 19th Century (circa 1880). 29 inches (74cm) height. ...

Japanese Late Edo Period very large rare pair of Musha Ningyo representing Empress Jingū (Jingū Kōgō) and the old minister Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding the baby Ōjin (a son of the Empress Jingū who later became Emperor Ōjin) and is seated on a camp stool. These are among the largest examples and are of the highest quality and artistic workmanship. The heads and hands are carved of wood, covered with many layers of tinted gofun (oyster shell lacquer),...

Rare and exceptional tanto of the Koto period with a polishing perfectly revealing the metallurgical qualities of the blade accompanied by a completely extraordinary lacquer and inlays sheath. The blade is in hira zukuri with a forge (hada) itame, a quenching in suguha. The tip (boshi) is chu maru. On the nakago in ubu keitai there are 2 mekugi ana. Length of the nagasa blade 28.8 cm. The scabbard (koshirae) in dark brown lacquer and ro-iro black lacquer for the decoration of gourds and folia...

An Extraordinary and Scarce, Museum Quality Find. Early 16th Century Muromachi Period Saga Ningyo of the Goddess Kannon, in a rare and elegant standing form. Carved entirely of wood, her costume is built up with pigments in a technique called 'moriage'. Her gorgeous robes are decorated with foliate scroll slightly raised in relief. This rarest of all Ningyo forms almost never comes up for sale and are never seen except in museums or important private collections. Saga Ningyo are considered t...

Antique Japanese tall Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern. Carved of granite with beautiful lichen and age. The large gem-shaped finial (Hōju/hōshu 宝珠) sits on a lotus Ukebana (請花) atop a hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof with upward curling corners. The central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with openwork lattice windows, an opening in the front and one in the back. Highly raised fu-dogs, flowers and birds decorate the fire box platform (Chūdai 中台) as well as the...

Early 19th Century Edo Period Standing Gosho Ningyo with fine Mizuhiki ribbons painted hair. There are several forms of Mizuhiki, including one used to tie the hair of samurai. This fine ningyo has a round, well executed face with a charming expression, and is covered overall in a fine white gofun with painted features, sexed, and dressed in red chirimen silk crepe. Gosho-ningyô (Palace Dolls) are one of the most distinctive forms of Japanese doll. They were given as gifts within the imperial ...

Antique Japanese choba tansu made of solid quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova) wood with burl wood front. The upper portion of the tansu has a large full-width drawer and another full-width drawer on the bottom. The right hand side has three small exterior drawers. The middle section has sliding panels with unusually fine vertical slats. The interior has 3 small drawers in a vertical row. All original lacquer finish and iron hardware including square drawer pulls and elaborately cut out lock pl...

Rare Large Edo Period (circa 1830-1860) Japanese Gosho Ningyo Depicting a Sumo Wrestler, clothed in exceptional finely embroidered textile with a floral design and Shishi (guardian of Buddha) on chirimen silk crepe. This large scale, wood-carved Ningyô has a beautifully rendered expressive face lacquered with Gofun (Oyster Shell). The pose is most striking, as well. Really an extraordinary find for the Ningyô enthusiast. 18 inches, 46 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that ha...

19th Century Japanese Late Edo Period Two Panels Rimpa Flower Screens. Rimpa School represents the highest standard of decorative painting of all schools of Japanese painting. The flowers and other elements are raised by the use of Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer). This masterpiece features wonderful color with gilding and silver leaf. A great work of art. 67.5 inches (171.5 cm)h x 48 inches (122 cm)w. Very Good Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

One of the best tea bowls I have ever seen. Wonderful Raku Chawan in the style of Donyu (Nonko III) Kichizaemon, made by greatest Raku 12th generation Kônyû Kichizaemon. Holding this masterpiece is like a universe held in the palms of your hands.

Among the various generations of the Kichizaemon family, it has always been customary to devote themselves artistically to at least one of their ancestors and produce a work of art commemorating the great work of their ancestors. And so d...

Exceedingly rare and very large Japanese Meiji Period Imari Porcelain Vases Adapted as Lamps. These great vases are one of a kind, not to be seen or found again. Gorgeous, rich, colorful glazes featuring flowers and birds with a charming fence design, all featured on a translucent white glaze. Height: 41 inches, 104 cm.

A very rare 17th century model of an actor, 14" in height. Over a blue underglaze, it is enameled in black, iron-red, green and blue, the red and white robe nicely decorated in a pattern of thistles

Provenance: Christie's Lot 341, March 1987

Condition: Minor wear and a few rough spots. Detailed photographs will be provided upon request to one seriously interested in the piece. detailed photograph will be A slight rough spot

A fine and rare 19th century Japanese cloisonne bi-fold table screen in the Kyoto school of Namikawa, depicting a ho bird and dragon. The finely coiled wiring is gilded, as are the back panels of the screen. Each cloisonne panel is wood framed, joined with hinges of silver. Fully opened, the screen measures 8" high and 9" wide.

Condition: Quite fine, with only wear commensurate with age.

Rare Japanese Edo Period Silver and Gilt Hair Ornament. Sterling and 999 pure Silver and Gilt hair ornament of magnificent quality made for an Oria, the highest class of geisha, featuring a crane in flight with flowers and branches and tassels. Presented on a museum presentation stand. 14 long x 6 wide x 10.5 inches high with base, 35.5 x 15.25 x 26.5 cm.

This is a superbly Hand-carved EDO Period Boxwood Netsuke depicting a Mother, holding a trumpet in her right hand, and carrying a child on her back. The artist, on this netsuke, seems to have wanted to be unique by having the woman adopt a pose and portray a character that is normally associated with a male foreigner, such as her holding of a trumpet, which is uncharacteristic of a common Japanese woman . It is an outstanding piece representative of Tametaka, whose work, according to G...

Beautiful Japanese Daki Ningyo standing at the unusual height of 26 inches (66 cm), making him a very rare and striking figure of the merchant class. He is wearing an Inro with a pair of Kokishiki dolls inside. It is most uncommon to see this type of Ningyô outside of Japan, for they are highly prized by the Japanese. A widely held theory has it that these dolls were commissioned by patrons of Geisha as presentation gifts. This one is outstanding in every way. It has a wonderfully expressi...