An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Urushi lacquer on Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Featuring 4 drawers of varying sizes and a safety hinged door hiding two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 24 3/8" Wide by 22" High by 12" Deep

Antique Japanese large single section mizuya (kitchen chest) with 8 wide drawers. Made with all fine-grain hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood on the front and frame. Each drawer has iron corner brackets, hirute shaped drawer pulls and square lock plates.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/2" high x 74" wide x 21" deep

One of the most unusual pieces I have ever seen from this innovative artist, an octopus shaped Koro by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box bearing the Teishitsu Gigei-in seal of the Imperial Art Academy. The bulbous top of the head is removable along a line as if the creature were wearing a hachimaki head band, revealing the incense chamber within. It is 26.5 cm (10-1/2 inches) tall, 19.5 cm (roughly 8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

An exquisite porcelain vase decorated with a delicate depiction in over-glaze enamel of plum and bamboo by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gosai Bichiku-e Kabin (Vase with Plum and Bamboo in Five-Color Glaze). A rare work reflecting his roots in Kutani ware. It is 29.5 cm (11-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition...

Huge cotton cloth with dynamic and vivid Shishi (lion), peonies, waves and tachibana (citrus) with tsutsugaki (glue resist dye). The tsutsugaki technique is excellent and lines are very smooth and powerful by a prominent craftsperson. Judging from the shape and size, it might have been used for "Shishimai" (lion dance) at the festival, held in Fukui, Toyama or Ishikawa Prefecture. In excellent condition. Meiji period (1969～1912)

An exceptional Oki-goro Incense Burner in the shape of a dark glazed Catfish by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Namazu Koro dated the 6th month of Taisho 10 (1921). This would have been placed over a dish in which a burning incense cone would have been placed. It is 48 cm (18-1/2 inches) long, 23 cm (9 inches) tall and appears in excellent condition...

Unusual cloisonne vase in flattened geometric shape, with narrow base and neck, the background color a very soft yellow, with floral and scrolling elements in shades of green, blue, white, red and deep yellow, the bands at top and bottom in blue, red and mustard yellow with turquoise blue interior...

You are considering a rare and beautiful Archaic Chinese Jade Scepter or Tablet, "Gui," dating to circa 2000BC. The piece measures 7.5 inches (18.5cm) in length and is, as one would expect, carved (drilled and polished) entirely by hand. As the photos will show, the stone is predominantly a gray-green nephrite, with some areas of darker brown. There are "striations" visible on the surface, which may indicate that the piece had been wrapped in a cloth/textile, which left an imprint...

A crow at rest upon a rock raises its head in a gruff cry by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Karasu Okimono. It is pierced in the back, allowing it to be an oki-koro incense burner. It is 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition. A nearly identical piece was published in the 1923 book Sozan Toko, attributed to his late period...

Were one to describe THE piece which epitomizes the vase aesthetic of Suwa Sozan I, it would be this epochal Red Fish design flaring celadon bottle. This is a superlative example, exquisite detail and come enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 29.5 cm (11-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Suwa Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before moving to Tokyo in 1875...

A Chinese bronze garlic-neck wine bottle, Western Han dynasty,2nd-1st century BC, of unusual elegant compressed form, 25 cms high, 22cms wide. Provenance: The estate of the award winning costume designer Anthony Powell (1935-2021). Purchased at Christie's London circa 1999.

Antique Japanese Karatsu ware chawan (tea bowl) with crackle glaze and kintsugi. Beautifully crafted with a small flattened area for the hand to grasp and a magical elegance to the touch. Evaluation done in the 1930's by TZ Shiota when the family was inheriting the collection from their great grandfather, Federic Torrey...

Antique Japanese Yatsushiro Ware chawan (tea bowl) with gray and cream color Hakeme glaze. Magnificent deep tea bowl with gray white crackle glaze and indention for thumb. Evauation by TZ Shiota (#4) done in 1930's, a tea ware expert from San Francisco Bay Area...

Keman in cut, chiselled and gilded copper alloy détails in shakudo. The keman were suspended from the ceilings of the temples and replaced the baskets of real flowers. This model already existed in the 13th century at the time of Kamakura. It is therefore difficult to date them, I think this one is Japan Edo period. The inscription in Chinese characters should give us a precise date. Good condition, gilding a little worn. 44cm x 31cm.

A Chinese Canton enamel dish vividly panted with two cockerels beside flowers issuing from rockwork within a border of plum flowers, cracked ice, ruyi heads and waves, the reverse with three flower sprays. Qianlong, 18th century. 23 cms diam. One small area of restoration to the white on the back of the rim. Otherwise in good condition bar the odd usual stress crack.

A large table made of layers of lacquer carved through to reveal the various colors by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Guri Joku and bearing the Teishitsu Gigei-in Seal of the Imperial Art Academy. It is 65 x 40.5 x 20 cm (25-1/2 x 16 x 8 inches) and is in excellent condition. The artists seal is expertly incised into the back of one ball shaped foot...

Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original wooden box titled Kagyu-tsuki Take Kake-hana-ire (Bamboo Hanging Vase with Snail) bearing the Teishitsu Gigei-in Seal of the Imperial Art Academy signed inside “Sozan, with Amateur Skill” followed by the artists seal in red. It is 49 cm long and in excellent condition. The only other I have ever seen in this style is published in the rare 1971 book Suwa Sozan Sakuhin Shu page 59...

An exceedingly rare (in fact the only one I have ever seen) Tenmoku-Dai stand for a Tenmoku Chawan by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kuruwa Tenmoku Dai (Curved Circular Tea Bowl Stand). It is made of layer upon layer of lacquer, carved with scrolling designs revealing the depth of the lacquer in a style known as Guri. The artist has carved his seal into the inside of the base...

A Fine and Rare Korean 8 Panel Pictorial Ideographs (文字圖)-19th C. : Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century, separated from a framed screen (unframed screen). 문자도(文字圖): 효제충신예의염치(孝悌忠信禮義廉恥) Painted in ink and color on paper and decorated with bird, turtle, dragon, big carp, shell fish, mountain with pavilion, bamboo, fan, boat sailing, flowers, and a large crane are painted with a decorative rubric to form the Chinese character for each pr...

First we hear the clang of the hammer striking the bell, then the steadily approaching clop of his wooden shoes before the horrifying creature dressed in the robes of an itinerant priest appears; a ledger in one hand noting our sins. This is a very rare ceramic figurine by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nenbutsu Oni and bearing the seal of the imperial Art Academy. It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition. He would have originally held a hammer, ...

Antique Japanese ema of a horse. This ema is a dedication plaque that was made as an offering in a shinto shrine. Horses are considered vehicles of the gods, so this ema was made at the highest level in order to convey an important wish as speedily as possible. Painted in mineral colors on keyaki (elm) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" high x 43 1/4" wide x 2" deep

Chogappo made of fragments of ramie which is recycled from old textiles. Pojagi is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchworked with asa (choma or hemp) fragments. (Reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995). Hemp or ramie ones are for wrapping summer clothing. In excellent condition. Late 19th to early 20th century. 100cm x 104cm

Chogappo made of fragments of hemp which is recycled from old textiles. Both warps and wefts are hand-plied. Pojagi" is the general name for the wrapping cloth and "chogappo" is one kind of pojagi which is patchworked with asa (choma, ramie or hemp) fragments. (Reference source: "Korean Embroidery and Wrapping Cloths from the Choson Dynasty" published by Japan Art & Culture Association in 1995). The first half of the 20thHemp or Ramie ones are for wrapping summer clothing. This one is made of he...

A Chinese bronze water-dropper, Late Ming/Qing, 17th/18th century, well cast as a flower issuing from rockwork in a quatrefoil shaped jardiniere. 8cms long.

What an amazing statue: early 18th century four-armed Avalokiteshvara purple bronze Buddha, the Bodhisattva of infinite compassion.

The statue is made of high class purple bronze, with rests of gilt and color, very impressing with 51 cm (20'') height and a weight of approx. 10kg.

Spontaneous as a poet’s imagination, or the flow of the waters of a rivulet descending down a mountain peak, there seems to flow in the fluidity of the lines and contours of the statue the com...

Layer upon layer of lacquer has been carved with scrolling designs revealing the depth of the surface in a style known as Guri by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in a wooden box titled Guri Kobon. It is 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inches) and in excellent condition, the artist seal inlayed in mother of pearl beneath. The box is annotated by his adopted daughter and heir Torako (Suwa Sozan II).
Sozan I (1852-1922) was born in Kutani country, present day Ishikawa prefecture, where he initially studied before...

Antique Japanese fushima (sliding door panel). Painting with a crane and pine tree on a background of gold mist. Painted in mineral colors on a sugi (cryptomeria) wood panel and framed with black lacquered hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 68 1/4" high x 36 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" deep

Here we see a Chinese style celadon floral bowl by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. The potter, Sozan, spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Southern Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze. The low-relief floral design really brings an elegance to this work and the celadon glaze seems to have an inner radiance all its own.

Sozan (the first) was born in an area of what is known today as ...

A classic Chinese Song dynasty Jian ware hare's fur tenmuko tea bowl. Dia. 11.7. Dia. 6.7 Condition: perfect with no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

A nice Chinese Song dynasty Jian ware hare's fur tenmuko tea bowl. Dia. 11.7. Dia. 6.5 Condition: tiny chipped inner mouth rim, please refer to enlargement 5, no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering. Duration of shipment may take up to a month due to the pandemic.

Large Indian Tantric painting on cotton showing a yogi with both hands raised his body with 5 chakras. Extensive text inscriptions. Minor tears, bottom edge frayed. Undated, estimated to be late 19th early 20th cent. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.

Japanese scroll painting of 3 skeletons celebrating Obon. One skeleton dances with a fan while two others pay a drum and a shamisen. The Obon festival happens in summer and is a time to honor the dead with music, dance, parades and other events. It is believed that ancestors' spirits return to the world of the living during Obon. Painted in ink and light colors on silk. Signed and with seal of Takeuchi Seiho (1864 - 1942) Seiho traveled and studied in Europe was being strongly influenced ...

A Chinese bronze two-handled vase cast in relief with mountains, masks and ribbons, 28 cms., Song/Yuan dynasty, 12th/13th century. Unusually large for a vase of this type, it has had the base plate removed and put back, like many such vases for some reason.

A nice pair of very scarce bronze bells with great patina and raised design, Chinese probably Warring States, BC.475-221 or earlier

Both are made for hanging and are decorated with geometrical patterns.

Size: c. 70 mm each.

Condition: Nice patinas, both with losses. One still has the gong.

Ex. Hafnia Coins stock, bought in Denmark in the late 1990s.

Superb hanging stand, carved in sandalwood with boxwood details. Decor of 2 dragons presenting a Chinese character, certainly that of longevity "Shou". The stand is carved with the greatest care, a perfect work of cabinetmaking with an excellent finish. In the upper part there remains a hook and a piece of chain in gilded bronze with mercury tecnical. The suspended object, now missing, must have been of exceptional quality, probably imperial. Maybe a jade? but not necessarily. A precious object...

Rare porcelain vase with marbled decoration. The oxides are passed randomly to imitate marble.This type of decoration imitating stones is rare, the known examples are most often clumsily executed. Our vase is an exception because the imitation of marble is perfect both in the design of the veins and their color. Also the double gourd shape is interesting.Chinese work from the end of the 18th century, reign of Qianlong or Kiaking. In a perfect condition. No restoration. Height:22cm. A simil...

A large and unusual Chinese bronze arrow vase, Yuan/early Ming dynasty, with tubular handles on the tall tapering neck, the globular body finely cast in relief with three dragons. Height 39 cms. Provenance: House clearance in Staffordshire, UK.

The 2 monkey figure, expressively carved fighting each other, Standing on a rectangular base. Wearing jeweled bracelets, armlets and collars. With pendeloque ear rings tiara in front of conical-shaped headdress finely decorated behind. A very rare piece, extremely hard to find. Measurements: Height - 82 cm (32 In) Estimate Value: $10 000 - $15 000 Don't hesitate to send your offer, we always do our best to offer the most attractive pieces for ...

This is a large, early and powerful Tibetan copper repousse head. The piece is adorned with a crown of five skulls surrounded by flames.There is some very minor damage to the figure's left ear, a split, visible in the photos. Two of the crowns have lost their finial, again visible in the photos. The piece is substantial, sitting a generous 5-3/4" in height. The piece was most probably surmounted by a flame(?), now also missing. Dating to no later than the early 18th century, and most probably ea...

Cast bronze censer gilded with mercury. Decor of Greek friezes and incised precious objects. The gilding is largely worn, we still see some in the places most protected from wear and tear. It is thick and of good quality, it is a hot-pasted mercury gilding technique. The handles are attached to the body they were cast with it, they are not added, riveted or welded, they represent dragon heads. On the base foot we can see a vertical dark trace of solding that is probably an old restauration. Diff...

A larger and well-engraved Chalchedony stamp seal, Neo-babylonian period of Mesopotamia, 8th.-6th. century BC.

Trapezoid shape, decorated with a fine style image of Marduk, the main god of the early Neo-Babylonian Empire, standing in front of a complicated structure with podiums and towers, crescent above. Complete with suspension hole through the centre.

A beautiful seal with complete brownish calcified surfaces.

Size: ca. 28 mm. tall, 21 mm. wide.

Co...

Nice Song dynasty celadon lotus small dish. Good condition. 15,2 cm diameter.

Two Longquan celadon washer bowl, Song Dynasty. Good conditions. 11,8 cm and 9 cm diameter.

Feminine figure, of elongated form, arms alongside the body, hands holding the abdomen, standing on a rounded base. Wood, glossy patina. Indonesia, Atoni, West Timor. Height: 31 cm. Old accidents, otherwise good condition.

Very rare and old mask, finely carved to represent Hanuman, half monkey half god, the deified hero of the famous Ramayana epic, with a vivid expression. Wood, with remnants of polychromy. Bhutan/Arunchal Pradesh, early 19th century. Height: 20.8 cm. Nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old insect infestation (no more danger), small crack at chin level, otherwise good condition.

Wooden ornament, carved in relief on wood, representing Hindu god Kartikeya, with six heads, holding a spear in his right hand, riding his peacock, in a niche, flanked by two other niches in which are shown his two wives, Devasena and Valli. The two other niches are surmounted each by a kala makara (dragon) head. The whole scene is resting on two feet, each decorated in relief with a foliage design. India, 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 49 cm. Slight abrasion due to age, chip on top, other...

Chinese Song dynasty longquan celadon washer bowl. 12,7 cm diameter. Crackled glaze. Good condition except small chipped at the foot rim. (please see on the pictures).

Cast bronze censer. Thick and heavy. It rests on 4 feet. The simply twisted handles seem to be part of the one and the same casting which would be a technical feat because I don't see any traces or rivets or welds. A frieze of stylized flowers surrounds the upper body. On the front part, the prestigious mark of Emperor Xuande cast in high relief is probably apocryphal. The exterior of the censer must have been regularly cleaned because the metal bears no patina except in the hollows of the patte...

This is a Japanese antique indigo dye cotton Boro noragi old Farmclothes Thick of patched and sashiko stitch Meiji (1868-1912). This noragi can enjoy both sides. size: Length 86cm (33.8inch) sleeve to sleeve126cm (49.6inch)

A Turquoise Glazed Group of a Pair of Birds. One perched on a tree trunk looking down at its fellow. Covered in a bright turquoise glaze. Chinese L19thC. Height; 9 3/4" (24.8 cm). Condition; excellent, various minor pre firing faults

A better, very finely made bronze stamp seal with remnants from ancient gilt, Byzantine Empire, 5th - 8th Century AD.

With tall handle, shaped as an open Bell with a loop. The base finely engraved with a cute horned animal.

Size: 21 mm. tall.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection between 1985 - 2000s, bought at reputable dealers and from old collections. Gustav Oberländer specialized in early stamp ...

A large and superb early bronze bowl, Ancient Near East, Early Achaemenid / Greco-Persian, c. 7th.-5th. century BC.

The phiale designed in high relief as a sun or a flower with multible rays radiating from the central omphallos. Very flat design, typical for this type of phiale for making drink-offers.

Size: 19 cm. in diameter.

Condition: Extremely fine, exceptionally attractive Phiale with a green and olive patina.

Ex. Collection of Gert Cleff, Wuppe...

A striking late 19th century Shigaraki Chawan with one of the most beautiful Kintsugi repairs we have ever seen. A mixture of lacquer and gold powder showing a traditional Karakusa pattern - a real unicum.

This aesthetically pleasing highest quality Kintsugi gold repair was made and in 1974 by Arakawa Kentaro, former master craftsman of the Tokyo National Museum.

The 'kara' of Karakusa means 'China', while 'kusa' means 'plant'. The Karakusa pattern came to Japan from China...

Finely crafted more than 22 carats pure gold pendants depicting Bullas, holsters for script rolls, both with loops and one with an extra attachment with a loop a top.

Condition: Very fine, Still wearable, with some light tear and wear.

Size: up c. 20 mm. tall and 12 mm. wide

Weight: 1,58 grams.

Ex. Old Estate collection of Northern German, c. 1900-1970.

Very rare pair of Greek jewelry pendants in high grade 22+ carats Gold.

The nicely crafted pendants depicting Pommegranates. The original gold chain still attached on both. In the picture it looks like one is shorter but they are both the same length. Quite heavy ancient gold jevellery!

Condition: Choice, Still wearable and can be used as earrings or in a necklace.

Size: Up to a length of 2,8 cm.

Weight: 3,18 grams.

Ex. Old Estate collection...

A Chinese bronze ting, after a Shang dynasty original, heavily cast and with nice malachite and red areas of patina, archaic inscription to the interior. 19 cms high. Song dynasty, circa 12th century. (one leg re-attached a long time ago).

A Very Fine Korean Double Gourd Shape B/W Bottle/Bat, Butterflies-19th C.: Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century. The double gourd shape bottle sets on high ring foot with oviform lower body and tall cylindrical neck terminating flat cut lip, painted in underglaze cobalt blue with peony floral scrolls, butterflies and bats on a lower and upper bodies, It’s in good condition, it measures 23.8cm x 13.4cm d.

Black and white print of Nagasena Ahrat. In the 9th century this portrait of the luohan was painted as well as those of 15 other Ahrats by the painter Guanxiu who was a Buddhist monk. 900 years later, in 1757, Emperor Kienlong during a visit to Shengyin Monastery in the former province of Hang admired the 16 portraits. In order to perpetuate them, he ordered the carving of 16 sculpted stones to produce numerous prints of these works of art, of which here is one of the rare examples. Since then, ...

A wonderful and very large late achaemenid / Greco-Persian bronze Patera, c. 4th century B.C.

At the rim a bead moulding, the end of the handle in form of an animal-head, possibly a wolf or dog, on the handle engraved decoration.

Size: Nearly 35 cm. long incl. the handle and and quite deep, measuring 8 cm. from the handle down and ca. 5,3 cm. to the rim of the bowl.

Condition: Good Very Fine, a couple of tiny hairline cracks around the footring in the center, ...

Rare Kenjo Karatsu Chawan decorated with inlaid cranes and clouds design made in the mid Edo period (1603-1868).

Kenjo Karatsu refers to the Karatsu ware that was officially presented to the Tokugawa Shogun family by the lord of Karatsu Castle in Hizen.

The mouth is wide and gently narrows from the edge to the bottom. The body is covered with a glossy white glaze, and the base is unglazed. The stoneware body is decorated with the design of fluttering clouds and flying cran...