19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Okina, the Happy Old Man, portraying a happy man of wisdom and joy in many Noh dramas. This Noh mask is carved by Ko-Ikiu III from a long line of Noh mask
carvers. It is finely lacquered over paloma wood. Signed with original case. This
mask is in Perfect Condition. 7.5 inches tall (15 inches with beard) x 6 inches wide, 19cm tall (38cm with beard) x 15cm wide.
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Sculpture of Senju Kannon, the 1,000 armed Bosatsu of Compassion, the deity of pure bounty, omniscient and omnipresent. This divine sculpture holds its foremost hands in the Anjali mudra (hand position), universally used by people in Asia for salutation, it evokes an offering (of one's good feelings, of one's person, of art, etc.). This is a fantastic, masterfully rendered find for the Buddhist art collector. 13.5 inches, 34 cm. Excellent Condition.
19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Sculpture of a Falcon with open wings landing on a rock with waves. This is an exciting work, featuring one of the most revered birds of Japan. The falcon's deep gaze pulls you in. 19h x 20.5w inches, 48h x 52w cm. Excellent Condition.
18th Century Japanese Wood Carving of a Mythological Guardian Shishi and Peony. This carving is reminiscent of a carving at Nikko Shrine. It is unusual to find one with much of its paint still intact. Wonderfully carved and painted by a master. A fantastic addition for a collector. 31 inches (79 cm) long x 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) high. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
An extraordinary early Meiji Period Bronze of a Roaring Lion. It is very unusual to see a Lion in Japanese Bronzes. It has a wonderful gold bronze patina, this great bronze signed Atsushige, a master of animal bronzes. 20 inches (51 cm) long x 10.5 inches (27 cm) high. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
Edo Period (circa 1820) Japanese Sculpture of Tenjin, the Shinto God of Knowledge. It was housed and displayed in a Shinto shrine. This Tenjin is extraordinary. it
was commissioned by a wealthy family and presented to the shrine as a gift. It is an amazing work of art and is complete with its platforms and accessories. Its color and lacquer work are sublime. He has crystal eyes
which add to an unforgettable image. 34 inches (86.5 cm)h x 22 inches (56 cm)w x 13 inches (33 cm)d...
An early pair of Japanese Kutani Porcelain Shishi (Foo Dogs). These unique porcelains
have a rich brown glaze with black and white under glaze. They have a wonderful mythological presence. 7 x 4.5 inches, 18 x 11.5 cm each. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
A superb bronze casting of a Rooster on a Commonwealth Drum. It is of the finest quality, a master work of the art of Japanese bronze metal art. The Rooster on a drum is a popular image for the New Years Geon Festival. 11 inches, 28 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
A Superb, Rare Pristine 18th Century Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Ko-jo, an elegant old man
in Noh Drama. This mask is of the highest quality carved to dramatic perfection. Finely lacquered over wood. A magnificent addition for the serious Noh mask collection. 8 inches (20.5 cm) height x 5.5 inches width. Height with beard is 14.5 inches (37 cm). From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
Japanese Bronze Sculpture of a Mermaid in a Whirlpool. An exquisite example by the important artist Isihara of the type of Japanese art that was having a major influence on Art Nouveau. A rare example of this artist's work. 9.5 inches (24 cm) long. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
17th Century Japanese Standing Buddha. A rare and fine example from the early Edo Period. Carved of Poloma wood with a rich dark patina. Complete with Stand and Mandala. It has a spiritual presence and a beautiful face to contemplate. 15 inches, 38 cm tall. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.
Taisho Period Japanese Bronze Tear Drop Vase with original box. A classic shape with
a gorgeous caramel patina. 8 inches (20.5cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.
Very Rare Early Edo Period (early 17th Century) Japanese Lion Mask for the Gion Festival. It would have been part of a two man costume, one man holding the mask and the other at the back covered by fabric to
perform the traditional Lion Dance.
To find this mask from such an early period is really quite an important find for the serious mingei collector. 12 inches (30.5 cm)h x 10.5 inches (27 cm)w x 11 inches (28 cm)d...
Large Japanese Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Okimono of a Kirin, one of the most magnificent and admired
creatures in Japanese mythology. The Kirin is a Japanese unicorn, an animal-god who punishes the wicked with its single horn. It protects the just and grants them good luck. Seeing a kirin is considered an omen of extreme good luck - if one is a virtuous person. This spectacular carving is a masterpiece. It truly captures this fantastical
creature in every detail...
Late Edo Period (1850 -1868) Kyoto Bronze Vessel with an Encircling Dragon beautifully casted in high
relief. Rich patina, wonderful shape, and a stunning design. Dragons are a Japanese
symbol of strength and valor. 10 inches (25.5cm) tall x 10 inches (25.5cm) across. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.
Edo Period (circa 1750) Large Japanese Wood Sculpture of a Shrine Horse, a gift from an
upper-class family to a shrine. Images of Horses are highly prized in Japan. It is commissioned and presented to protect a newborn male child. Rising up on its back legs, set to gallop, it strikes an animated, exciting, and beautiful pose that sets it apart from the usual static poses that these horses have...
Rare pair of shrine guardians in the shape of foxes, both sitting on a two tiered elevation. The right one holds a moving jewel in its mouth, the left one a stick. Middle brown, dense wood with a beautiful patina where hands touched the backs and heads of the foxes and the bases. Red staining on inside of ears, inside the mouths, in nostrils. Crystal eyes. Bases made of the same wood...
Wooden figure of an unidentified patriarch of one of the many Buddhist sects, sitting on a double base. He sits in the classic posture with the soles of his feet laid together. From underneath his left sleeve pops out a ryui scepter. His widely spread-out red garment is decorated with flower designs in gold, as are the sides of the upper part of the base he is sitting on. His head is covered with a black cloth with traces of flower decoration in gold...
Wooden sculpture of Shichimen Daimyojin in sitting pose, one leg crossed over the other. She sits on the summit of mount Shichimen, her shoes by her side, holding a golden jewel in her left hand and another object, likely a key that is now missing. On the back in red lacquer an donation inscription with the date of Tenpo 7 (1836). Polychrome decorated wood with finish for protection of pigments, gilt metal crown, glass or crystal eyes. Japan, late Edo period...
Travel shrine, or zushi, with sitting figure of Kukai, carved in wood...
The deity is represented seated surrounded by his multiple arms holding various attributes. Excellent quality of sculpture, on its skull multiple small heads (10+1) pegged, pretty draping, beautiful facial expression, the eyes and the third frontal eye in glass or rock crystal. Thick, solid lacquer, beautiful gilding. Avalokitesvara wears all her jewelry. Complete set with its glory and its original base. Japan Edo period 18° or before.
This statuette has fortunately never been restored, and i...
A rare late Edo Period (19th cent) Shishi Lion Foo Dog Statue made of iron rich Bizen clay, wood fired in an Anagama kiln.
Shishi (or Jishi) is translated as "lion” but it can also refer to a deer or dog with magical properties and the power to repel evil spirits. This mythical beast was probably introduced to Japan from China via Korean in the 7th or 8th century AD, during the same period as Buddhism’s transmission to Japan, for the Japanese shishi combines elements of both the...
Interesting and rare lifesize Japanese Demon stone mask of granite, Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period c. 16th.-17th. century AD.
The mask made in a heavy granite type of stone, finely sculptured as a Demons face, probably to ward off evil spirits in a temple or as a part of a funeral chamber.
Far to heavy to carry for a human, but still hollowed at the back.
Finely made with facial details and painted in red, white and gold. Old 19th. century museum tag and a number on ...
Antique Japanese carved wooden panel depicting a pair of pheasants. The male is seated on a blossoming cherry branch while the female looks up at him from near a spray of bamboo. Beautifully carved and painted with intricate details. The frame is lacquered.
Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)
Dimensions: 22" high x 16" wide x 1" deep
Very old wood statue of Buddhist goddess Sho Kannon Bosatsu (one of the many forms of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), wearing formal robes, and a diadem with bronze decorations on the two sides, standing on a lotus, her left hand holding a vase, her right hand in abhaya mudra. The goddess face reflects a profound meditation. Remnants of the original gilding. Fine age patina. Japan, early Edo period. Height: 25.2 cm. Good condition.
An amazing small wooden figure covered in with glass eyes made in the hyper-real likeness of a Rakugo-shi Comic storyteller, dressed I traditional Hakama trousers and seated on a large cushion clutching a fan in his right hand.
It is 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall, while the cushion upon which he sits is 19.5 x 15.5 cm (just under 8 x 6 inches) and the figure is in excellent condition. There is what appears to be a signature on the bottom; Ta?Saku. This caring is very much in the audacious style...
Antique Japanese bronze hiten (Sanskrit, apsara), celestial musician. Seated on swirling clouds, she moves her flute to her lips to play. Stylistically represented in the Indian or Southeast Asian traditional garb of bodhisattvas with high crown, elaborate pectoral jewelry and flowing drapery. The billowing clouds on which she sits have a green patina.
Age: Taisho period (early 20th century)
Dimensions: 15" high x 9" wide x 7" deep
Antique Japanese small ink stone. Carved with leaves and fruit on front and back. The front is accented with three tiny pieces of coral. The entire back side is carved with intricately interlacing vines, leaves and fruit. A small mouse sits off the the right side. Comes with kiri wood tomobako.
Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 4 1/8" high x 3" wide
Black-patina bronze hare standing on its hind legs.
In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in the legends and superstitions of Japan. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years.
Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 5.7 in. (14.5 cm) - width: 2.8 in. (7 cm) - depth: 4.3 in. (11 cm)
Antique Japanese stone sekitō (pagoda) with three tiers. Made of granite and carved in 7 stacking pieces. The central square section is carved with a seated Buddha on four sides. The top spire is carved with 9 tiers between lotus petals. The surface has a beautiful patina and is covered with areas lichen and moss.
Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)
Dimensions: 75" high x 24 1/2" wide x 24 1/2" deep
An antique Japanese Buddhist temple freize wooden carving of waves centered by a Hoju sacred jewel. Carved from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Professionally mounted on an iron stand.
Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)
Dimensions: 32 1/2" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 5" Deep
Dark brown patina bronze sculpture of a monkey with shakudo eyes. Sitting, he is contemplating or examining attentively a small turtle placed on his right hand, held with care. The latter is removable. The monkey's eyes seem to be illuminated by what he is observing through the shakudo (copper alloy typically containing 3-7% gold, mainly used for its black-purple lacquer-like patina).
In Japanese art, there are many representations of monkeys (paintings, sculpture, ceram...
Sculpture in chiselled and stained wood representing a hare lying down.
In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to...
Chiseled wood sculpture representing a sitting hare.
In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to see in this star...
Antique Japanese carved wooden ranma (decorative transom). Beautifully carved with blossoming lotus flowers on a background of swirling water. The lotus flowers range in different stages of blossoming, a Buddhist symbol for the different stages of enlightenment. Carved of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and framed in brown and gold lacquered wood.
Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 46 1/2" wide
Antique Japanese wood carving of a pair of fu-dogs (shishi) near a waterfall. Playfully, they chase each other over the flowing stream. Clouds billow over head. Carved of keyaki (zelkova - Japanese elm) wood with details in black and red pigment.
Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 9" high x 28 1/2" long