A good Arita sometsuke style dish probably from one of the favoured inner set of kilns at Arita, the so-called Uchiyama kilns. The dish is decorated with a border of stylised waves, painted in reverse style, with a single branch of a Camelia Tree in the centre. The underside of the dish decorated with a pair of sketchily painted Gourd vines. For an identical dish see no 216 of the Shibata Collection Part II at page 87...

Unusual late Meiji period (1890s -1912) wooden sashi netsuke in a form of a pillar, its top carved as a face of the Zen Patriarch Daruma wearing monk’s cape. Wonderful face with severe expression, carved out of chosen matsu (Korean pine wood) in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida school of netsuke carvers, eyes are inlaid with metal. Himotoshi (cord opening) goes through the bottom to the back of the netsuke. Beautiful patina, very pleasant to hold. Height 4.2 inches.

Japanese iron tsuba, an important fitting on a samurai's sword to protect their hands from the blade and provide balance. Decorated with relief gold lacquer image of a gourd and opposing catfish. The backside of the tsuba is gold plated, with commemorative inscription "Bill - Christmas, 1972". The plating is signed with 14k and 18k gold marks, and stamped Potter Mellen. With custom base.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 3" x 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" (w/ stand)

Taoism guardians known as the embodiment of Good Fortune (Fu), Prosperity (Lu), and Longevity (Shou) finely curved and kept in a Zushi, a miniature shrine decorated with gold leaf and handmade silver work. Circa 19th Century. The guardians are often kept as personal daily worship at household and decoration. Signed Shugetsu. The seal reads Hara. It is attributed to one of prominent doll make artists, first Hara Shugetsu. It is in fine condition.

Hara Shugetsu was born in Sakai in Osaka...

A small porcelain teapot with molded chrysanthemum blossom decoration and arch-shaped handle. Thick greyish clay with craquelé. Condition: few tiny rim frits near the spout end, no repairs. Dimension: 12.4 cm high x 12.8 cm long.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of O-Beshimi. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.07 inches.

Boxwood okimono depicting a koi carp. The eyes, in mother-of-pearl and black horn, are inlaid with precision, while the overlapping scales on the body give extraordinary realism. The koi carp was portrayed with particular attention to its movement, creating a dynamic and engaging visual effect...

This iron plaque is in a very good condition. Size: Approximately 2 inch (50mm)

Oshie (raised cloth picture) with samurai, which is displayed with hina-dolls on the Girl's Festival, or Hina-Matsuri, on March 3rd. It is from a collector in Matsumoto city in Nagano prefecture, and this one was made by a craftsperson in the city too. Made of several kinds of silk, gold brocade, silk crepe, black satin, etc. The face is hand-painted. The back side is washi. In excellent condition. Late 19th early 20th century. W:33cm, L:45cm

Japanese lacquer inro, with 5 sections (4 compartments) with gold takamaki-e lacquer design of a fan and flowers in low relief over nashiji ground. The interior of each compartment in copper nashiji ground. With light yellow silk cord and coral ojime bead.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2 1/8" x 5/8" x 3 1/2" H

19th century netsuke of baying spotted deer standing on a base carved with a seal on the bottom. Image of the characters on Enlargement 1 is flipped left to right, so it shows the way an imprint will look. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body, beautiful depiction of its spotted coat, eyes inlaid with light horn, painted pupils. Cord openings are formed by natural openings between deer’s legs...

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned green skinned demon. Uncommon image, excellent intense face, great patina. Crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.27 inches.

Wonderful antique Japanese okimono of the mythical characters Ashinaga and Tenaga. The two friends live on the beach and survive on fish. Tenaga catches them with his long arms while sitting on the back of Ashinaga who wades out into the water with his long legs. Carved with great detail and whimsy out of boxwood. Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 14 1/4" high x 4 3/4" wide

A pair of large Seto tall baluster vases each decorated with scattered Peonies and Chrysanthemums reserved against an elaborate scrolling arabesque ground with moulded shishi ring faux handles. Each vase measures 37cm high, just over 14.5 inches high. The diameter of the mouth of the vase is 11cm, just over 4.25 inches, and the base measures just under 11cm in diameter, 4.25 inches. Each vase is signed Kato Mokuzaemon...

An antique Japanese Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite stye handles. 5 exterior drawers for storage and organizing with 2 sliding doors behind which store records and books were kept. Hinged door secures 2 small drawers where valuables were hidden away. Horizontal side slats provide strength and a visual design element complimenting the sliding door slats...

One-of-a-kind!!! This is an item sui generis.

A yellow glazed Raku chawan, dating from the Meiji Period (ca. 120 years old) with its originally signed wood box.

The chawan is in superb condition with no chips or cracks. Around the bowl are carved chinese characters. The tea bowl is very solid and fits perfectly into the palm of the hands. Great chawan!

No chips or cracks.

Size: 8,6 cm height x 11,9 cm in diameter.

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Hard porcelain dish, painted in cobalt blue under glassure. Decor typical of the second half of the 18th century. Japanese work, Arita kilns. Below are drawn 6 Chinese characters, apocryphal mark of Emperor Ming Tchenghoa. The shibata collection of the Porcelain Museum in Arita hosts a dish with a similar decoration. Good condition. Diameter: 215mm

A large Tembo tsuba. The Tembo (or Tenpo) style evolved from the Saotome school and the sukashi decoration of Okiagari here (an especially nice feature) carries over. Okiagari are self righting toys and the subject was a symbol of inspiration to Samurai in aspiring to improvement and the right path in life. There is, on a curious level of interest, some minute trace of old gold decoration (long since worn off) on the surface of this tsuba...