Antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship safe chest), made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with elaborate heavy iron work, safe box has hinged door which opens to the right to reveal 4 small Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood drawers of differing sizes (one of which has a Chrysanthemum lock), the left hand door to the safe opens by sliding to the right revealing 2 small Kiri wood drawers, one large external drawer on top with large lock, Chrysanthemum iron work throughout including raised blossoms on the corners o...

A beautifully gold accented imari small dish from old Japan, detailed and profusely decorated with tendrils and flora with a well painted mythical Kylin; the contrast is simply stunning and well defined, condition is excellent and the enamels well preserved, minor glaze imperfection on the backside, but hardly worth mentioning save for accuracy sake, we date this beauty to the Meiji period pre-1900. Measurements: 10.16 cm diameter (4 inches)

Unusual Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (Captain's ship safe), made of very heavy solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely dovetail joints used in its construction. Original deep red-orange and black lacquer finish, iron hardware, Sakata area of Japan, Edo Period. Stunning original condition. Size: 10 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 13" deep.

Japanese writing brush in ornate case, case is made of copper with black lacquer and inlaid all over in an ornate pattern with tiny pieces of gold and shell, design of chrysanthemum on hinged ink well cover, 2 sided brush hidden in stem, large shell inlaid cartouch on bottom, beautiful and delicate.

Size: 6 3/4" high x 1 1/4" wide

The top of this black lacquer Japanese box is heavily carved with leaves and foliage. The carved oval cinnabar panel in the center depicts a long and stable marriage scene. The standing wife has just served her sitting husband tea in the garden, outside the house surrounded by mountains. The four sides of the box are carved with continuous textile design.

The box is 5.5 inches x 4.75 inches and 2+ inches high.

A lovely six inch koro decorated in the 10,000 flower design against a pale grey blue ground, well executed and with only minimal pitting.

A very beautifully rendered Japanese treasure ship with intricate details that are just amazing, this large cast iron antique is lacquered with the 'old red' traditional lacquer that can only be found on your older Japanese antiques. Its function is rare as it doubles up as a censer, fine slit holes are found in the front and backsides of the sail, allowing a fine mist of smoke to create an allusion that the ship is sailing through a fog...

A fine 19th century Imari white porcelain shallow bowl 8.375" in diameter, 1.25" in height.

A lobed 4" white porcelain Kakiemon bowl with molded iris plants on the exterior. The interior is simply enameled with four small floral clusters.

Condition: Excellent. No chips, hairlines or restoration.

A good 11" gourd shaped porcelain bottle by Hichozan Fukugawa. The enameled decoration is of butterflies fluttering through a garden of multicolored chrysanthemums blooming against a fence of bamboo.

Condition: No chips, hairlines or repairs.

A fine and rare 19th century Japanese cloisonne bi-fold table screen in the Kyoto school of Namikawa, depicting a ho bird and dragon. The finely coiled wiring is gilded, as are the back panels of the screen. Each cloisonne panel is wood framed, joined with hinges of silver. Fully opened, the screen measures 8" high and 9" wide.

Condition: Quite fine, with only wear commensurate with age.

An 8.5" blue underglazed eighteenth century Kakiemon foliate plate decorated with a tree of flowering plum. The inner rim bears an enameled garland, the outer rim two simple floral sprays. Ex-Christie's

Condition:A bit of roughness to the unglazed foot, and two old gold lacquer repairs to the rim, one of which is missing most of the gold lacquer. No other faults.

A signed 8" high rectangular porcelain bottle vase decorated with alternating panels of flower bouquets and pine dominated landscapes in the Imari red, blue and gold palette.

Condition: Excellent, having no chips, hairlines or repairs.

Against a ground of sky blue, five silver wired red crowned cranes busily groom themselves on this basse-taille vase of 7.5".

Condition: Immediately above the silver base rim, there is a discolored hairline that extends two thirds around the vase, the slender neck bears an oxidized fault more visible than that at the base.

A Japanese blue underglazed blue and white Kakiemon style porcelain bowl of hexagonal section. The interior is painted to the centre with a formal floral arrangement, the lobed steep interior sides are painted with alternating complex panels, the exterior sides with formal meandering scrollwork, the six-character mark of Chenghua to base...

A 4.5" octagonal Kakiemon porcelain bowl decorated with a branch of pomegranates. Ex-Christies.

Condition: Good, no chips, hairlines or repairs. The glaze is a bit rough on the upper rim, the enamel worn on one flower on the outer side of the bowl.

A fine bear climbing a rocky ledge decorates this large bronze vase. It bears an impressed mark, untranslated, on the base. The patina is medium brown, the condition is excellent. Height 14.5", Diameter 10"

A 9.5" x 1.5" eight lobed blue underglazed shallow bowl decorated with four different opposing floral patterns and a center medallion.

Condition: Excellent except for two small chips to the unglazed foot of the bowl, the larger of which is illustrated.

A 21" Meiji period patinated bronze koro with bamboo shaped handles, six panels depicting small birds, and with a kirin resting atop the lid.

A 3.5" vase of midnight blue depicting a pair of songbirds perched upon a branch of flowering prunus. Entirely silver wired, it has quite intricately wired rims and shoulder. The gilded base bears the seal of Ota Tamashiro

Condition: Excellent. No chips, hairlines or repairs.

A 19th century 11" yellow robed model of a bijin, nicely enameled.

Condition: There is a firing imperfection behind her left ear, a repair to her neck and some enamel losses.

A very rare early and finely decorated blue underglazed 3.5" porcelain container bearing the mark of Dohachi I, father of Japanese porcelain.

Condition: Excellent, no chips, hairlines or restoration. The pierced wooden lid, which appears to once have had a nob, has a chip to the underside.

Satsuma Koro with Geisha Signed Kizan, Meiji Period (1868-1912)

It is 4.25 inches (11 cm) tall by 3.25 inches (8.25 cm) wide.

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

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...

This is a nice 5.75" x 1.75" foliate bowl, blue underglaze, with painted bamboo decoration and a fine brown line around the upper rim.

Condition: Fine except for a number of tiny chips in the brown rim paint. There are no major chips, hairlines or repairs.

Large, impressive and rare describe this beautifully painted late 19th century Imari hexagonal lantern. 46" in height.

Condition: Excellent

A fine 11" x 8" Satsuma model of an official seated in a wood grained horse shoe style chair, clothed in finely painted robes and trousers and holding a feather fan. Excellent detail and fine crackle finish. Ex-Sotheby's New York.

Condition: Good. There is an old chip to the nose, a broken fingertip on the hand holding the fan, and an old repair to the back and one side of the base.

An Oribe Ware plate with the impressed mark Rihei. 10" in diameter, the foot and base is carved. Decorated with a grove of pine trees, a village to the rear, a rock outcrop to the left, all painted in iron brown, accented with a splash of deep green glaze.

Condition: excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs.

During the Edo period, the women of the Samurai class carried a pouch in their chest area (right above the obi belt) when they were dressed up in formal kimonos. The pouch was folded into a skinnier shape and accented with a nice tie. Carried inside were the beni ita (today's lipstick), a mirror, tissues, kanzashi, coins, etc. The chains were added to the kanzashi (hair ornament) sometime later...

Outstanding craftsmanship has produced this fabulous bronze Buddhist Daruma-san. Rich patina and old Meiji Period bronze c.1880 have created a classic piece. Daruma is revered in Japan for bringing Buddhism to Japan and then his undying determination to achieve liberation and realization. c.1880. (15" x 6") (37cm x 16cm).

An 8.5" blue underglazed Imari bowl painted in gilt, orange and blue. The center medallion features a ship, fierce dragons prowl the inner and outer sides of this bowl.

Condition: Gold paint on the upper rim is worn. No chips, hairlines or repairs.

A silver wired rooster, hen and chick on an olive green ground decorate this signed 7.25" vase. Rims are silvered, the bottom is black enamel.

Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs.

Seeded fruit are enameled over a blue underglaze on this 7" Nabeshima porcelain footed dish.

Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs

An antique Satsuma figural group of a prone bull with a guardian. The bull with crackled cream ground, gilt noseguard and retaining rope and with polychrome painted and gilt backcover. The young man in a gilt and multicolor painted traditional Japanese garment resting on the animal while holding a book in his hand. 11.5" long, 6" high. An exceptional piece.

Condition: Flawless, ex-Christie's

A lovely and very attractive Japanese bowl, with four dragons in a circular pattern. This lovely specimen dates to the Meiji period 1868-1912 and is well over 100 years old. In perfect condition, it measures in diameter 5.25 inches and 2.25 inches high

This is a signed late Meiji 7.25" silver wired olive green cloisonne vase portraying a rooster, hen and chick among chrysanthemums of two varieties.

Condition: Negligible pitting, no chips, cracks, or repairs.

A fine Edo period 7.75" blue underglazed Nabeshima low footed dish with floral decor. The underside rim is decorated with sprays of peonies, the high rim with the serrated comb pattern.

Condition: Quite good, with only two minor rim chips illustrated in photograph 5.

A large hoofed beast rests atop the pierced lid of this 7" 18th century bronze koro. Ho birds in low relief panels decorate the square body, fish spouting water form the applied handles.

Gold Wash Bronze Elephant Herd Jardiniere, possibly Signed, Meiji Period (1868-1912)

It is 10.5 inches (26.75 cm) tall by 15.5 inches (39.5 cm) wide.It is 22Lb.

It is in good condition without chips, except an old manufacture repair to a crack at the lip and removal of a possible signature cartouche (as seen in the photos).

For more photos, please see tiger767A.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell...

During the Edo Period, there was a time when puppet play became the most popular form of entertainment among the common people. At one time, they were so popular that Kabuki actors even began mimicking the movement of the puppets.

The era of Ningyo Joruri (puppet play later called Bunraku) began in 1684 when Takemoto Gidayu, a narrator, opened a theater in Dotonbori...

Purchased through Christie's a good number of years ago, this is a very rare Ko-Imari porcelain figure circa 1640. Decorated in iron-red, green, gold and black enamel, the seated official measures 7.5"x6"x2".

Condition: Excellent, with only minor wear to enamel and one almost undetectibly small old chip to the edge of the base.

A fine late 19th century Imari 10.125" square plate, signed and brightly painted in shades of blue, red green and gold.

Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks or repairs.

Beautiful old Japanese woven silk uchikake gown in new condition. The size of this gown is small (much shorter) and light in weight. We are not sure how gowns in this style were worn but our humble guess would be that they were either made into jackets for upper class women (style is similar to kosode from late Edo period), Noh custumes or wedding gowns (though the sleeves are short). Subtle but beautiful, will make a great wall decoration...

Beautifully painted horses frolic through fields of wind blown grasses on this exceptional 16" late 19th century Imari porcelain charger.

Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks or restoration

Circa 1880, this large 16.4" x 2" Imari charger is decorated with two village scenes finely painted in red, yellow, black and gold with a background pattern of blue and gold vines.

Condition: Excellent, very slight wear. No chips, cracks, or restoration.

Late 19th century Nabeshina porcelain portrayal of Mt Fuji against a celadon ground. This signed 7" plate is in very good condition with only minor surface scratches from use.

This is a mid 19th century or earlier 7" Nabeshima shallow footed bowl decorated with a blue landscape against a celadon sky. A similar example is illustrated in The Study of the Nabeshima House's Ceramic Ware Factory and Its Products, Plate 10.

Condition: Excellent

With a height of 32 inches, this is a rare and impressive example of early 19th century Imari ware. Both the vase and stand are finely decorated in shades of blue, gold and orange.

Condition is excellent.

A school of three finely shaded mackerel swim across a sea of mottled green on this 2.75 inch baluster form vase signed Ando Jubei. The upper rim is of copper, the lower silver.

An excellent piece with only the negligible pitting usual for the era.

Uniquely figured diamond shaped bronze 'suiban' flower vessel for ikebana flower arrangement. Lovely Meiji Period c.1885 bronze featuring hexagonal diaper pattern representing tortoise shells and long life. Ever since the Nara Period, stylized tortoise shells have been a popular diaper design in Japanese art. Very rare design for a suiban flower vessel; most are rectangular. Excellent condition. c.1885. (18" x 13") (45cm x 32cm).

Turn of the century antique Japanese bronze flower vase. Thick rings create an art deco feeling. Beautiful lines and rich coloration. c.1900. (9" x 5") (23cm x 11cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $80.

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground. It has butterfly family crests (mon) in the center of a scrolling leaf and flower border, the interior in red lacquer.

The butterfly design was a favorite among the aristocrats and was seen in their belongings, ox-carts and attire during the Heian period (794-1192). They were also seen in armor of the Heike (Taira family) before power was shifted to the Genji (Minamoto family) samurai...

Japanese antique gift cover, fukusa, with the design of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Shichi Fuku Jin), tsuzure-ri tapestry weave with wide borders (1 3/4"). The liner is made of chirimen crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912), 26 1/4" W x 29 1/2"L

This is a beautiful fukusa even with obvious stains. It shows the quality and professional workmanship everywhere. This fukusa is woven in tsuzure-ori...

Antique Japanese merchant's chest (choba tansu), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood with dark red lacquer finish, 4 exterior drawers and safe box with 2 small interior drawers, beautiful heavy iron hardware including elaborate bracing on front frame, wooden bracing on sides and back, from the Mikuni area, Edo Period (late 18th/early 19th century). Size: 32 1/2" high x 38" wide x 18" deep.

Antique Japanese tsutsugaki (paste resist) cotton horse cover, bold design of large red characters on either side and white stripes on dark indigo ground in center.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 14" wide x 89" long

Antique Japanese horse cover made of paste resist died cotton(tsutsugaki), design of fish jumping up waterfall on either side, middle is decorated with a large Tomoe (large commas) mon (crest).

Meiji Period 1868 - 1912

Size: 22" wide x 83 1/2" long

Antique Japanese horse saddle cover, made of tsutsugaki (paste resist died cotton), fan and tassel motif in red and indigo, large Kashiwa (oak leaf) mons on either side.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 27 1/2" wide x 45" long.

Antique Japanese wooden horse saddle frame, lacquered and inlaid with shells in chrysanthemum motif with Soroban (abacus beads) mon, bronze hardware, Edo Period (late 18th/ early 19th century). Size: 17 1/2" high x 21" wide x 26" deep.

Large silver geisha kanzashi (hair pin) with a family crest of three Kikyo (bellflower) blossoms within the kikko (tortoiseshell) hexagonal frame. Unique kanzashi for an elaborate hairdo. This kanzashi looks better than the photos shown. 9" long, late Meiji/Taisho period...

Beautiful Japanese ginbari cloisonne vase. At 9 1/2", this is an unusually large and desirable example among the same group. It probably dates from the Meiji period (1868-1912) when the art of Japanese cloisonné enamels reached its highest point. Technological improvements enabled artists to create wonderful examples, including one of the most desirable techniques called "ginbari" (silver foil foundation) shippo as you see it here...

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). Some are replaced with coral or crystals (old glass) depe...