Japanese twin pronged kanzashi with an agate ball. Late Meiji/Taisho period. Kanzashi is 6" long and the diameter of the ball is 3/4".

In the old days of Japan, agate was treasured as one of the sacred treasures. The Seven Sacred Treasures of Japan (Shippo), which originally came from the Buddhist surta, are gold, silver, ruri (lapis lazuli - blue stone with purple tint), shako (sea shell), agate, pearl, and maie (sea shell)...

This is a early Nippon collectors dream, beautiful and profusely decorated with a background of rolling mountains and trees, displaying an early morning sunrise. Enlarged birds and lakeside bulrushes are elegantly sculpted in high relief detail, the handles and mouth rim as well as the bulrushes are dotted with jewel-like turquoise beads, colors of chocolate, salmon pink, orange, and yellow dazzle the eyes...

Meiji period, 1868-1912

This shallow bowl-form dish is decorated with a peony growing from a rocky ground in underglaze cobalt blue. It is set on a high foot--characteristic of classic Nabeshima dishes. The foot is painted with the so-called comb tooth pattern often seen on dishes of this sort. It is glazed overall in an even, clear glaze that takes on a very slight, pale celadon tinge on the exterior. The base is glazed and the fine paste is exposed on the footring...

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.

19th Century Japanese Porcelain figure of Kintaro in court attire in the style of a Gosho Ningyo (Palace Doll) holding a Crane. Kintaro loved all birds and animals. This rare porcelain figure is signed by Makuzu, a well recognized porcelain artist who is collected by museums and collectors in Japan. He uses glazes in his own recognizable style. 4 inches, 10 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Framed 19th Century Japanese Late Edo Period Embroidery of a Phoenix. Wonderful and elaborate master needle work with beautiful use of soft colored silk threads accented with gold silk threads. This a rare find for the Japanese textile collector. This was part of the Morris collection, which is housed in the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts. It is framed with a Victorian era frame. 26.5 inches (67 cm)w x 25 inches (63.5 cm)h...

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.

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.

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.

Early 19th Century Edo Period signed Japanese Ikebana flower arranging wall basket made of bamboo woven by the master, Mineko, with wonderful color and design. Wall baskets of this quality are hard to come by. 8.5 inches (21.5 cm)h x 3.5 inches (9 cm)w. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

A signed classic Kakiemon Japanese Porcelain Vase by Meiji Period artist, Ucho, featuring a wonderful flower image with gorgeous, brilliant under glaze red on pure white glaze. This vase has the wonderful global shape of perfection. 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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...

An unusual and important early 19th Century Edo Period Woven Bamboo Tea Ceremony Box. This unique work of art is the only one we have seen like this. Expertly woven bamboo accented with a large bamboo handle. A rare find for the serious Japanese basket collector. Wonderful color and patina. You are not likely to see another on the art market. 17.5 inches (44.5 cm)h x 12 inches (30.5 cm)w x 10 inches (20.5 cm)d. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Early 18th Century Japanese Two Panel Screen Painting featuring a spectacular Phoenix. Exquisitely painted with silver leaf on paper. Original brocade borders. Screens this early are very rare, and screens of these proportions are rarely seen. 28 inches (71 cm)w x 24 inches 61 cm)h. Good 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...

Early 19th Century Edo Period Japanese Takeda Isho Ningyo pair representing Daikoku, the God of Wealth and Fukurokuju, the God of Knowledge in a sumo match. Wonderfully rendered Ningyo in a rare and unique pose. Symbolic parody of wisdom over money. Subjects of Sumo are very sought after in Japan. A great find for Ningyo and Sumo Collectors. Overall Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 9.5 inches, 30.5 x 28 x 24 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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 important Rare 18th Century Noh Theater Robe. This extraordinary silk embroidered example of a summer production Noh Robe has a design of Wisteria, Fans and Ropes, and exquisitely captures the art of Noh. 63.5 inches (161.5cm) height x 52 inches (132 cm) width. 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 Meiji Period lacquered comb. The base of the comb is lacquered in gold and brown lacquer with hawk and pine design. The comb has wonderful carved design of a hawk on each side with small gold inlays. Unsigned. Minor rubbing on side edges. The comb measures 3 3/8" long by 1 5/8" tall.

Japanese Koto Cover featuring a magnificent Phoenix. The Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument. This Koto Cover was for an important Koto player. A textile of this quality rarely comes along for sale. Beatifully hand painted with some embroidery on fine silk. Really a work of art. 96 x 13.5 inches, 244 x 34 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Japanese Cloisonné Elephant Jar. This is a wonderful, charming figure and is an unusual fine example that is a joy to behold. In a circus pose with elaborate fittings. 11.5 inches, 29 cm tall. Excellent Condition. 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.

Ca. early 1800s

Finely potted shallow bowl-form dish with an everted octagonal rim, painted on the exterior in underglaze cobalt blue with a scrolling vine and flower motif. The interior is delicately painted in overglaze enamels with a scene of a male and a female pheasant among flowers and the rim is decorated with eight flower scrolls in red, green and blue enamel colors and gilding. The bowl is raised on a low footring encircled by three underglaze blue lines...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting an actor portraying a samurai standing in a garden under a blossoming cherry tree, published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. Signed "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow)...

Beautifully whimsical antique Japanese bronze vase with the heads of three dogs cast in high relief, wonderful detail, large raised signature on bottom, Meiji Period (c.1900). Size: 11 1/2" high x 13" wide

Late 1800s

This Satsuma ware tea caddy is made in the shape of a lacquer natsume tea caddy for use in the tea ceremony as a container for powdered green tea. This shape is given this name because it resembles a natsume plum. It is glazed overall with a finely crackled clear glaze showing the buff-colored clay body beneath. Overglaze enamels decorate the top and sides with open and closed fan designs. The interiors of both the lid and container are glazed as is also the base. The base is sl...

Japanese woodblock print depicting a beauty lighting a floor lamp titled “Kakinomoto no Hitomaro” (image no. 3) from the series “One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets” (Hyakunin-isshu Emyo) by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) published by Sanoya Kihei in 1844. The image is signed “Kunisada changing his name to Toyokuni II” with the red Toshidama seal below. The two cartouches in the shape of playing cards at the upper left hold a picture of a poet and his poem. The scroll-shaped cart...

This 8" high wooden figure of the sitting Tenjin was carved during the Edo period, the mid 19th century (1850). Tenjin is the Japanese "god" name name given to the Japanese statesman and scholar, Sugawarea Michizane, the 9th century poet and writer of Chinese prose and verse.

Possibly carved from cryptomera wood and darkened with age, this carved figure has both a simplicity and elegance which are, for me, the major characteristics of Japanese asthetics.

A truly unusual Japanese cloisonne tea caddy, circa Meiji period late 19th century. The colors are vivid and intense against a background of swirling wind motifs, captured artistically in each individual cloisonne cell, then off set against various pictured panels of flora and vine. A real visual treat for the serious collector of quality cloisonne. The tea caddy is in excellent condition with only minor pitting of the enamels, further no damage of any kind and measures 4.5" high. $400.00

Antique, rare 3-piece Japanese Imari lantern decorated with dragon in clouds, phoenixes, cranes, fu-dogs, rabbits and moons, with waves around the base. Outfitted with metal fittings from previous estate. Meiji Period. Size: 37" high x 12 1/2" wide

Beautiful Japanese tama (ball) kanzashi with a pink agate ball above a twin pronged gilt mixed metal pin in the original box with a seal. Taisho period. Length 6 3/4"

A Japanese silver kanzashi (hair pin) with pierced and engraved circular design of peacock, original box with printed seals, Taisho period. Length 6 9/16", 1 1/12" in diameter.

Bandori is the local term in the Shonai area for woven straw and indigo fabric back-pads.It is approximately 80+ years of age, dating to the late Meiji Period. Size is 40" long.