Polychrome celadon ceramic four-lobed tray with two fish yôkai dressed in yukata, a light kimono worn in summer. The yôkai are supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. Most of the ceramic is glazed, except for the brown skin of yôkai which has a matte finish.
Unidentified mark.

Japan - Taishô era (1912-1926)
Height: 1.2 in. (3.4 cm) - diameter: 6.3 in. (16.3 cm)

Long suzuribako (calligraphy box) with nashiji lacquer background, plum tree decoration in a lake landscape in takamaki-e, kôrin maki-e and kirigane. The plum tree (ume), which blooms at the beginning of the year, announces spring. Its flower is a symbol of protection against demons. On the inner lid, decoration with seven flying birds near a coast with clouds...

Ivory netsuke of a human skull.

Japon – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height 1.2 in (3 cm) – length 1.4 in (3.5 cm) – width 1 in (2.5 cm)

Horn netsuke of an reclining ox.

In Japan, the ox (ushi) is the second sign of the zodiac. It is considered usefulness and willingness. Reclining, it is the emblem of Sugawara Michizane (845-903), a great scholar, minister of emperor Daigo (897-930) and statesman of the Heian period. Under the pressure of the Fujiwara family, he was driven into exile to the island of Kyûshû and he rode away upon a bull. Unfairly punished, his memory is rehabilitated after his death...

Okimono sculpture in bronze of a crow perched on a tree stump in varnished wood. Its eyes are in shakudo.
In Japan, the crow (karasu) is a symbol of gratitude and family love. It is also considered as the divine messenger of good omen. The Kojiki (713) relates that the crow Yatagarasu guided the mythical founder of Japan, Emperor Jinmu (660-585 BC), on a military campaign to Yamato.

Signed under the crow within an oval cartouche 義光, Yoshimitsu...

Polychrome Sumida-gawa ceramic bowl made from sandstone, also called Sumida-yaki. Some parts are glazed. Original decoration of an old man trying to climb the bowl.

Mark of Ishiguro Koko (石黒香香): 香二, Koko. The 二 marks the repetition of a character in traditional Chinese. His name can also be written 香々 or 香二). His real name was Ishiga Gôzô (石田郷三). He is a potter of the early Meiji era...

Interesting larger stone head carved in Vulcanic stone on the Iberian peninsular, Iberian-Roman or Celt-Iberian manifacture, around 3rd. cent. BC-1st. cent. AD.

From a collection of an artist and once bought at a London dealer for ca. $8000. The head depicts a bearded older man, perhaps a leader or even a god. Typical celt-Iberian features, but also inspired by grecco-roman art.

Size: c. 17 cm. tall and 12 cm...

Antique Chinese pair of porcelain bowls, glazed white and with detailed overpainting in orange and gold of dragons and flaming pearl. Each bowl has two five-clawed dragons on either side of the pearl. Eyes are green and black and every scale is finely outlined in gold. Daoguang (1821-1850) mark on the bottom.

Age: Qing Dynasty (19th century)

Dimensions: 4" high x 6 1/2" wide each (5 1/2" high on stand)

Antique Japanese ikebana basket for flower arranging. Round body with wide split bamboo and twisted rope bamboo foot and neck. The dramatic, arching handle is made of gnarled wisteria branches. Beautiful deep reddish finish and dark patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 17 3/8" high x 11 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" wide.

A large Japanese Ko-Tamba (Tanba) Vase/Tsubo decorated with a splashed and dripped deep-green glaze pooling towards the foot on a dark-brownish body.

It was made in the Momoyama Period 16th century or earlier. This impressive vase is a wonderful example of a so called Shiji-ko vase, which means 'vase with four ears'.

Great antique condition.

Tanbayaki has been produced in the village of Tachikui, Hyogo pref. for over 800 years...

Two pieces of urumi-zome cloth which are made of hand-spun cotton and vegetable indigo dye. Urumi-zome is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) imitating shibori-zome (tie-dye) and it requires more process than common katazome to make blurring like shibori. Both have rips but other part of the cloth is not weak. The right one has a patch in the back. The second half of the 19th century. Right one:75cm x 126cm, Left one:65cm x 126cm

An antique Japanese Ryo Biraki Tansu made of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the natural Urushi lacquer. The two hinged doors hide 6 drawers of varying sizes. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 1/2 Wide by 21 1/4" High by 17" Deep.

Height: 8.5 cm (3.4 in)
Width: 8.4 cm (3.4 in)

Fine Chinese porcelain Daoguang Period famille rose lidded pot; depicts figures in a rural setting; iron-red Daoguang marks on lid and bowl; old German label inside; good condition; email for more pictures

An antique Japanese rare tall Tansu with 7 drawers made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Also known as a Chobako, it was used by a merchant to store his business records and small valuables. A rare feature is the original custom built hinged door that was made for a left handed merchant allowing the door to easily open from right to left with the left hand. All original hand forged iron hardware. A secret hidden box can be accessed behind one of the drawers...

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Lock plates feature double Chrysanthemum knobs with flying butterfly security catch plates. Each handle has upper and lower Atari in the form of Plum blossoms. The hinged safe door hides two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1868-1880)

Dimensions: 44 1/4" Wide by ...

Sagemono made of armor’s fragments. Probably mounted during the early Edo with elements dating from the Muromachi period. 9 x 6,5 x 6 cm.

Height: 22.5 cm (9 in)
Width: 11.2 cm (4.4 in)

Fine Chinese porcelain famille verte mallet vase; features a noble figure and attendants; fine decoration throughout; six character Kangxi marks to the base; good condition; email for more pictures

Maiwai is a kimono having been given to fishermen from a fish boat owner on the occasion of the large catch. It is seen along the Pacific Ocean, from Aomori to Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The motif of the picture in the lower part is “Gonin-dachi Kashima Odori”, five people performing Kashima dance which is the group folk dancing originated from Kashima-jingu Shrine in Ibaraki Pref. The design is katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and vegetable indigo dyed and pigments. It was performed...