A dish decorated in a Chinese literati style with a composition featuring principally a scholar’s refuge, Ting (Chinese), Teshi (Japanese ) beneath a rather curious gnarled tree with fan like foliage, presumably a Pine, and an auspicious ruyi (lingzhi) cloud pattern. This cloud motif, unki-zu, is essentially Chinese, xiangyun, relying on the homophone yun, yun, cloud, which sounds like yun, good luck or fortune, combined with Tian, heaven, so signifying heaven sent good luck...

A circular dish with slightly everted rim decorated with a landscape freize to the cavetto. The pattern is split into equal halves, by a zigzagging screen wall on one side, and an S shaped motif with ruyi cloud shaped motifs. The first portion of the design shows a pair of scholar’s playing Go sitting beneath a Bodri Tree set in a landscape with a scholar’s refuge cum tea house and oddly oversized autumn flowers, kikyo, bell flowers, and suisen, Japanese narcissus...

A circular dish with slightly everted rim decorated with a landscape freize to the cavetto. The pattern is split into equal halves, by a zigzagging screen wall on one side, and an S shaped motif with ruyi cloud shaped motifs. The first portion of the design shows a pair of scholar’s playing Go sitting beneath a Bodri Tree set in a landscape with a scholar’s refuge cum tea house and oddly oversized autumn flowers, kikyo, bell flowers, and suisen, Japanese narcissus...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with cobalt blue design of waves and an array of scholar objects in mint green, lilac, yellow, and red glaze. Edges are decorated with "comb" design along foot. Underside has interesting signature mark of a budding flower. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

A moulded hexagonal bowl, hakkaku hachi, decorated to the exterior with an iron red ground inset with alternating reserves containing ribbon bound scrolls, makimono, and artemisin leaves, mogusa-ha, two of the Eight Chinese precious objects, Babao, hachitakara, and a band of stylised eight petal flowers, presumably Tessen the clematis flower, with leaves and pine branches...

This finely crafted tripod incense burner is one of several often-employed motifs used by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I. With a design borrowed from ancient Chinese porcelain production, this piece displays horizontal bands on a field of luminous light-blue—contrasting nicely with the lid which is a dark varnished wood.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture...

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl, with blue gourds hanging from a vine and two red flower buds with gilt pigment accents on the stem and around the bowl's rim. Blue butterflies decorate the outer edge and "comb" design along foot. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 6" diameter, 1.5" height

Antique Japanese Nabeshima ware bowl with scalloped rim to resemble a lotus, with blue cobalt florals designs along the outside and "comb" style design along the foot. The interior of the bowl has a black squirrel hunting for grapes. Provenance sticker from Japanese antique dealer Shiota in San Francisco. 19th century. Size: 5.5" diameter, 2.25" height

Ca. early 1800s

This porcelain dish is in the shape of an abalone shell with underglaze blue and overglaze enamel decoration. It is raised on a low footring with an underglaze blue four character mark reading, “Made in the Great Ming.” There is minor glaze wear to the interior and minor firing flaws. There are no cracks or restorations.

Length: 6 3/8 in., Width: 5 3/8 in., Height: 1 ¼ in.

Finely drawn chrysanthemums on a field of ivory porcelain. The flowers are placed on the outside and inside edges of one half of the bowl drawing the eye away from the center and giving this piece a unique perspective.

Seifū Yohei IV, Seizan (1871-1951) was the second son of Seifū Yohei III (1851-1914) who was awarded the title of Teishitsu Gigeiin or “Imperial Court Artist” in 1893...

This extraordinary piece depicting two shishi guardian lions locked in playful combat, is done in fine white porcelain from the Arita region of Japan.

Guardian lions (alternately known as Shishi, Foo-dogs, or Koma-inu) were introduced to Japan in the 8th century and are often seen outside shrine gates or adorning rooftop shingles. When seen in pairs, one typically has its mouth open (the male) while the other’s is shut (the female)...

An intriguing and rare dish that borrows its overall arrangement from a Chinese export Kangxi precedent, but given a distinctly Japanese twist. It is a parody on the theme of the Four Gentlemanly or scholarly accomplishments, Kinkishoga or Siyi, calligraphy, painting, reading poetry and playing music, mitate-e. Here the scholars are replaced by Bijin, elegant ladies at leisure, set in a large Garden arranged in a continuous frieze that is adapted from a Chinese export plate of the Kangxi period...

A fine Imari bowl and cover decorated with a pattern composed of Autumn flowers, akikusa de, and Banded hedges, shibagaki. A wheel cut Johanneum inventory number incised to the interior of the foot-ring of the bowl indicating that it belonged to the collection of Augustus the Strong, and was acquired before 1722. Both cover and bowl marked with an enamelled choji motif. The bowl and cover are in superb condition, no cracks, chips or restoration...

This large, finely crafted tsutsu chawan was done by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873. From this point forward, he divided his time mainly between Kanazawa and Tokyo working at a number of kilns and research institutes...

A hog mouthed beaker of conventional form decorated with Flowers of precious appearance or sometimes referred to as Tang Flowers, karahana. A six character Dai Min Seika nensei mark is painted within the foot-ring. The beaker is in good condition with no cracks, chips or restoration. It measures 9.2cm in diameter and stands 6.2cm high. See Shibata Volume V no 231 for a beaker of different form but with an almost identical pattern. There dated c.1690-1720. Shipping at Cost.

Used for ceremonial purposes by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Traditionally, the jue vessel was made of bronze with a pouring spout on either end and a pair of capped posts rising from the rim. This piece, although in the shape of a jue, is done in fine, powdery-blue celadon and is described on the tomobako as being a jue-shaped incense burner (korou).

Suwa Sozan the first (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture...

Beautiful Antique Japanese Shigaraki tea jar. Made to hold home brewed cold tea. Natural blues and Greens flow together on the original fired glazed finish. Holds water without leaks. Early 19th Century Dimensions: 18" 1/2 High X 15" Wide

A fine quality five colour Arita shallow saucer dish decorated with Cherry branches and storm waves, arashi-nami, awash with fallen rafts of cherry blossom. Presumably the design is a play on the words nami, wave, and hannami, cherry viewing, and the design derived from a contemporary or earlier textile pattern. The reverse of the dish simply decorated with cherry blossom. Dating early Eighteenth century, circa 1700-20. The dish is in good condition with no cracks chips or restoration...

A good early Arita Ewer of European form, probably derived from a German stoneware precedent, and decorated in the style of Chinese Transitional export ware with a repeating pattern of bands of Birds and flowers. The jug stands 21.5cm and is in good condition with no chips or restorations, a short trivial hairline to the rim and to the handle, see image no 5...

A very unusual dish decorated in somenishiki-de style with a fanciful landscape featuring a Namban figure, a Portuguese perhaps rather than a Dutchman, accompanied by a servant with parasol, walking to and from some sort of compound in the background with a curious barrel shaped tower. The well of the bowl and the exterior decorated in underglaze blue with a Shou symbol, Kotobuki, and three pussy foot Dragons to the exterior of the bowl. The bowl has no attached foot-rim as such, but an unglazed...

A very unusual shallow bowl decorated in somenishiki-de style with a fanciful landscape featuring a Namban figure, a Portugese perhaps rather than a Dutchman, accompanied by a servant with parasol, walking to and from some sort of compound in the background with a curious barrel shaped tower. The well of the bowl and the exterior decorated in underglaze blue with a Shou symbol, Kotobuki, and three pussy foot Dragons to the exterior of the bowl. The bowl has no attached foot-rim as such, but an...

A rare serving dish with a reticulated border of interlocking rings, richly enamelled and gilded, the centre decorated with a reverse painted, kakewake, scene of three White Herons, san shirasagi, a classic motif found on Arita porcelain from the mid seventeenth century, surrounded by marshland plants, the distinctive heart vine, Aoi, and Kuwai, the Japanese arrowhead. The White Heron here symbolises purity. The reverse decorated in a palette of iron red and gilt with a finely painted with ka...

A very rare Kakiemon moulded dish, ozara, in a nigoshide type porcelain body dating from the first period of the Kakiemon kiln at Nangawara. The dish is moulded with various motifs and symbols of Longevity, including, a pair of cranes, pine, bamboo, a minogame, and prunus, and a pair of precious objects an artemesin leaf combined with a flywhisk. In between the framed motifs various forms of yoraku, pendant Buddhist jewels. The dish is of twelve sided form with a barbed rim suggesting the form o...

Studio Earthenware Vase by Ito Tozan, Meiji (1868-1912) Period

It is 7.5 inches (19 cm) tall by 6 inches (15 cm) wide.

It is in good condition with no repairs, chips, or cracks.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid. All you need to do is return the item to us within 10 days of receipt and in the s...

Antique Japanese Kyo-yaki, low-fired raku ceramic kogo ( an incense container used in tea ceremonies) in the form of an adorable fat bunny with shallow eyes and long ears with pink enamel and a creamy tan crackle glaze all over its body. Chop impressed on bottom is illegible. Size: 2.25" height, 2.25" width

A dish decorated with a partially painted and stencilled dragon amongst lightning bolts framed by a double ring within a band of stencilled Wan diaper band to the rim. The reverse painted with three stencil and wash auspicious gobenka with karakusa motifs, and a six character mark nien hao for the Chinese Emperor Chenghua. This is an early example of the use of katagami stencils, a technique borrowed from textiles, apparently particularly associated with the Hikeoba and Sarugawa kilns, but a...

A rice bowl, chawan, and cover cum sauce dish, mamezara, decorated with a pattern of trailing grapes and a flying beetle in gilt outlined enamels and underglaze cobalt blue. The grapes, budo, typically orientated upside down with a flying beetle, kabutobushi. The lid measures 10.13 cm in diameter and stands 2.6cm high, and the bowl measures 5.6cm high and is 11.13cm in diameter. They are in good condition no chips, cracks or restoration a small firing flaw to the rim of the lid and some brown s...

A rice bowl, chawan, and cover cum sauce dish, mamezara, decorated with a pattern of trailing grapes and a flying beetle in gilt outlined enamels and underglaze cobalt blue. The grapes, budo, typically orientated upside down with a flying beetle, kabutobushi. The lid measures 10.13 cm in diameter and stands 2.6cm high, and the bowl measures 5.6cm high and is 11.13cm in diameter. They are in good condition no chips, cracks or restoration a small firing flaw to the rim of the lid and some brown s...

A fine pair of large fan shaped sweetmeat dishes decorated with a design of vase or censer flanked by a pair of square suiban on a veranda containing arrangements of Cherry, Camelia, Chrysanthemums and Pinkes. The dishes are strikingly similar in form and decoration to some examples in the Dresden collection with inventory marks indicating that they were acquired before 1721. See Reichel “Altjapanisches Porzellan” illustration no 60 “Konfektschalen”, and the notes thereto at page 151. T...

A fine pair of Fukugawa vases dating to the late Meji period of wasted baluster handled form standing on tripod bases. A traditional Japanese form, vases with similar tripod bases date from the late 17th century. The vases are decorated with a dark underglaze blue ground with gilt dots inset with auspicious dragons and clouds painted with enamels in doucai style, whilst the feet are decorated with stylised rocks emerging from waves, a representation of the Isles of the Immortals. The vases are ...

Antique Japanese hirado porcelain brush washer in the form of a fu dog, laying on his backside and sporting a large, whimsical smile. The brush washer sits on three short legs. The form and detail in this little guy are wonderful. Size: 2.5" length, 2.25" height

An Arita serving bowl, namasu, of moulded simplified lotus form partially celadon glazed with a ko sometsuke style Sansui landscape in the well of the bowl framed by enamelled Chestnut branches outlined in gilt. The reverse plain and the interior of the foot-ring clear glazed. The bowl is typical of the output of the Higuchi kiln in the Nangawara valley which specialised in combing celadon and clear glazes. The bowl dates to the Horeki era and the mid 18th century. See Shibata Volume IV no 187 ...

A good quality five colour Imari deep bowl decorated with a meandering arabesque of double headed Peach flowers. The interior decorated with boughs of the same, and the base decorated with a Clove motif in green enamel (Oliver Impey identifies this as a Daikon). The bowl measures 8 inches 20.5cm in diameter and is in good condition, some slight frits to the rim, no crack, chips or restoration, some slight losses to the enamels. English Provenance. Shipping at Cost

Japanese Arita porcelain round form deep dish decorated in underglaze blue with a karashishi (Buddhist lion dog) among leafy flowers set against a faintly celadon tinted white ground. The back bears an abbreviated apocryphal Chinese Ming dynasty Chenghua reign mark (Taimin nenka) on the glazed base. The foot rim is unglazed. The outside well is decorated around the circumference with karakusa. Circa 1800. Measures just over 11 1/4" diameter x 2" high. Very good overall condition with no ch...

This is a beautiful antique porcelain vase from the Fukagawa factory. It is beautifully painted and has extremely fine enamel work. Look close at the cherry blossom images to appreciate this great artistry. The vase stands 9 3/4 inches tall. Condition is excellent and there are no condition issues.

Excellently potted japanese porcelain dishes, decorated in underglaze Cobalt blue with a nice landscape scenery. Nabeshima - style, Meiji Period 1868 - 1912 ) Diameter : 20,8 cm. Condition : No crack, but each of the dishes has a small chip which is old repaired in Kintsugi technique ( Japanese Gold Lacquer repair.) Provenance : Old German collection. ( All in all we do have 4 pieces of the same kind of dishes on offer ( 2 pairs )).

Excellently potted japanese porcelain dishes, decorated in underglaze Cobalt blue with a nice landscape scenery. Nabeshima - style, Meiji Period 1868 - 1912 ) Diameter : 20,8 cm. Condition : Perfect. Provenance : Old German collection. ( All in all we do have 4 pieces of the same kind of dishes on offer ( 2 pairs )).

Large Ko Imari Shochikubai Roundels Dish c.1730 No 2 An unusual dish decorated with a principal motif of three wreaths, wahana, each representing one of the three elements of the Shochikubai, further intersected and linked by a central ring all painted in underglaze blue with some gilt outlining. A type of design that is more frequently found used in the context of Lacquer and textiles. In addition Chrysanthemum and Peonies are depicted in gilt outlined enamels to produce an overall less aust...

Antique Japanese pair of hirado porcelain puppy dogs, with round floppy ears, curly tails, and a ribbon around each of their necks. Each puppy has unglazed, pierced eyes, with a gas hole molded on the bottoms. 19th century Size: 3.75" height, 2.75" width

A rather curious dish decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with an “American Eagle” grasping three arrows in its right claw and framed by a stylised Olive wreath. The reverse decorated with three clumps of stylised grasses and a shop mark within the foot-ring. The dish was probably produced at one of the provincial kilns in South China during the late Qing period, second half of the nineteenth century to the early 20th century. The dish measures 17.5cm in diameter, or 7 inches in diameter, a...

An unusual large Japanese bowl featuring three light purple elephants in ceremonial attire resting among many flowers. The bowl is excellent condition, except for some wear to the gold around the rim. Measures 11.5 inches in diameter. Dates late Edo, late 1840's.

A kakuzara decorated in a combination of underglaze blue with enamels and gilding. The main motif is composed of waka matsu, young pines, often used an emblem for the arrival of spring with warabi, fern croziers, and fingers of spring mist, kasumi, The borders containing further motifs, composed of bamboo, and pine boughs growing from stylised hexagonal, kiku-mon, rocks, which when combined with the stylised karakusa motifs to the reverse, each of which contains a plum blossom, ume-hana complete...

A kakuzara decorated in a combination of underglaze blue with enamels and gilding. The main motif is composed of waka matsu, young pines, often used an emblem for the arrival of spring with warabi, fern croziers, and fingers of spring mist, kasumi, The borders containing further motifs, composed of bamboo, and pine boughs growing from stylised hexagonal, kiku-mon, rocks, which when combined with the stylised karakusa motifs to the reverse, each of which contains a plum blossom, ume-hana complete...

A rare Ko Imari scalloped rimmed dish decorated with an eremetic motif of a scholar’s refuge in an idealised landscape. The rim celadon seji glazed and decorated with a depiction of the Three Friends of Winter in gilt outlined enamels. The reverse of the dish is celadon glazed to the foot-ring. The foot-ring containing a six character mark for the Ming Emperor Chengua and a set of five spur marks in a square or cross formation. The dish dates to the Horeki period and was probably produced at...

Diameter approximately 32.5 cm. A chip at the rim. In good condition.

Ca. 1800

This porcelain bowl, molded in chrysanthemum form, is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels in red, green and gold. The center of the interior is painted with a 16-petaled flower in underglaze blue, and the well is painted with various plant and landscape scenes. The exterior is surrounded with an underglaze blue floral pattern, and the base is painted with a Chinese “Chenghua” mark, as is often seen on 18th and early 19th Century Imari dishes. The bowl is ...

From our Sake Tokkuri collection we offer you a very old example of oldest Oribe ware, made in the mid Edo Period, around 250 years ago.

Wonderful umanome design (horse eye) and vivid Oribe glaze.

Oribe ware, type of Japanese ceramics, usually glazed in blue or green and first appearing during the Keichō and Genna eras (1596–1624). The name Oribe is derived from Furuta Oribe, a pupil of Sen Rikyū, under whose guidance it was first produced.

Some Orib...

Fine Japanese Arita Bottle Vase decorated with 'banded hedge' scattered among flowering plum and bamboo. C1700/20 Height 9.0" (22.3cm). Condition; excellent with glaze frit to foot.

Japanese Blue and White Ewer with a loop handle. Decorated in the Chinese Transitional style with figures on a terrace. Arita C1670/80. Height 8 1/4" (20.8cm). Condition; some glaze crazing mainly to foot.

Sensational Meiji Period C.1890 Imari Charger. Motif of Ikebana flower arangements. Very art deco and like a painting. Hand drawn with cobalt blues and fired at high temperatures. Signed by Fukuichi, a reknown Imari artist in Kyushu. 13"x 13". Ask for shipping quote.

A dish of distinctive ribbed petal kikugata form decorated in a three colour palette of under-glaze blue, iron red and gilding. Painted with a central motif of a stylised sansui landscape based on one of the eight views of Omi framed by elaborate symmetrically arranged Thistle sprays, azami, emblematic of spring. The dish measures 22cm in diameter and stands 3cm to the rim. The dish is in overall good condition, but there are some small areas of crazing to the rim and several short hairlines, p...

A fine quality early Eighteenth century export saucer dish decorated with a central kikkumon and sprays of Chrysanthemums and Prunus branches in a five colour palette sans aubergine enamel. The reverse decorated with three prunus sprays. The dish has elements of slightly raised moulded decoration in the form of three plum flowers and three chrysanthemum blooms. The dish measures 23cm in diameter and stands 3.5cm high at the rim and is in good condition, no cracks, chips or restoration, some we...

An Arita bowl decorated with a design of Azami, Thistles, a motif emblematic of Spring painted in a refined pencilled style called senbeki. The bowl measures just over 15cm or 6 inches in diameter, and stands 53mm or just over 2 inches high. The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or restoration. Shipping at Cost.

A large Kakiemon dish decorated with the Three Friends of Winter to the rim and a central motif of a Peony. The reverse decorated with a continuous lotus scroll and a spiral fuku in a double square. The dish dates to the late seventeenth century circa 1680-1700. The dish measures approximately 25 cm in diameter and stands 6cm high. The dish is in good condition, except for a crack to the rim and small filled chip. Shipping at Cost.

An interesting kaku nagazara, rectangular dish designed for use in the Kaiseki meal. It is decorated primarily in a three colour Imari palette, more typically found on porcelain produced for export to the West. The central reserve is decorated in kinsai style with gilt and gilt outlined enamels with a “winter” landscape incorporating Bamboo, Take, Pawlonia, Kiri and Suisen, Japanese Narcissus partially obscured by cloud like ground fog, and finger form kuomo style clouds. The cavetto of the ...

A rectangular dish, kakunagazara, made for the Japanese domestic market decorated with an auspicious manji-tsunagi, wan diaper, gilt brocade ground inset with ume hana, plum blossom inset with niche like lobed reserves containing stylised Camellia, Tsubaki. The central reserve, mikomi, window, containing geometrically arranged stylised Bamboo, take, Bamboo shoots and grasses with mist or clouds in Kumo finger form painted in underglaze blue. The motifs are consistent with a late autumn, winter, ...

A barbed form dish decorated in kakiwake style with a White Elephant and Chinese Boy. The design here is not the Confucian parable of Shun and the Elephants, but one that explores a Buddhist theme. The White Elephant in Buddhism is symbolic of mental strength achieved through the practice of the Dharma. The boy figure holding a staff stares at rocks and Banana plaintain, symbols of longevity and the impermanence of life. He may be a representation of Henkitsu, the Bohisattiva Fugen. Boy avatars,...

A barbed form dish decorated in kakiwake style with a White Elephant and Chinese Boy. The design here is not the Confucian parable of Shun and the Elephants, but one that explores a Buddhist theme. The White Elephant in Buddhism is symbolic of mental strength achieved through the practice of the Dharma. The boy figure holding a staff stares at rocks and Banana plaintain, symbols of longevity and the impermanence of life. He may be a representation of Henkitsu, the Bohisattiva Fugen. Boy avatars,...

Ca. early 1800s

This bowl is divided into eight petal-form lobes, with a rim painted with alternating leaves and geometric designs in underglaze cobalt blue of medium to dark tones. The well is painted with a so-called “The Friends of Winter” design of pine, prunes and bamboo, and the interior base is painted with a bird on rocks and leafy plants. The exterior sides have a scrolling peony Arabesque, and the base has a four-character Chinese Ming Dynasty Chenghua mark. Very good conditi...

This is a very attractive Japanese Imari bowl. For an old Imari piece it is in excellent condition. It is also a very heavy piece potted. The bowl measures 8 1/2 inches across and 4 inches tall.