An exceptional antique Japanese bowwood carved netsuke - the Yama Inu - a dog resting his paw on his masters scull. Protecting him in even past the point of death. Superstition related to the okuri(yama) inu are extremely old, and are found in all parts of Japan.
The meaning of the dog also speaks about patience, reliability, and obedience. It focuses on protection, guardianship, and service. The dog spirit animal is a noble animal...

Nice strand of antique Indo Pacific glass beads from Thailand. L: 69cm/27in- see last enlargement for scale. Free shipping via Hong Kong Registered Airmail.

Unusual 19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as a kiseruzutsu - a tobacco pipe case. Simple and very clever design in Japanese taste, pleasant patina. Length 1 inch.

For centuries, before there was electricity, throughout Asia, Puppetry Arts were a popular form of traveling entertainment... A platform with a cloth screen, lit from the back by candlelight, provided the stage.... The shadow images were black against the white "background". Hence, the puppets had a minimum of color and only the necessary intricate cut outs for personality as they were sometimes presented to the audience with the "handlers" after a performance...

A lovely Chinese Han dynasty lead green glaze funnel, Ht. 6 cm, Dia. 8.5 cm. Condition: chips to the month rim, no restore as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platform, please ask before ordering.

19th century good size angel skin coral ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) of simple ball shape. Rather unusual material, nice patina on the surface, few beautiful very slight pink areas. Diameter 5/8 inches.

19th century rock crystal ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in modified egg shape. Does not photograph well. All lines inside the material are not cracks, but natural features of the stone, pleasant patina on the surface. Length 1 inch.

19th century glass ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in ball shape with pink body and leaf and white cherry flowers. Beautiful surface, very pleasant patina, large central hole. Diameter 5/8 inches.

A small late Ming Dynasty underglaze blue porcelain dish featuring a flower basket design. In excellent original condition with no cracks, no hairlines, and no repairs. Measures 5 7/8 inches diameter, 1 inch high.

Pair of Old (1900's) Japanese Mixed Metal Vase

Each is 4.8 inches (12.2 cm) tall by 2 inches (5.3 cm) wide. Total weight is 777.5 gram

They have rubbing of gold, oxidation, pitting, surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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 Japanese antique indigo dye cotton shibori kimono of asamai of the taisyo era. It has several faint stains. But that is no damage. Size:Length:150cm / 59inch Width:: 128cm / 50.3inch

Two very well-painted miniature Tibetan paintings on treated cloth (not paper). One wrathful, one tranquil. The larger of the two measures 3-1/4" X 4", while the smaller of the two, the wrathful one, measures 3-1/8" X 3-1/2". Minor rubbing, as seen in the photos. No retouching or repainting.

In some regions of China, women made separate pairs of heels for their lotus shoes. That way, the heels could be worn with different pairs of lotus shoes, depending on the occasion, or mood. The heels had loops for straps which were used to tie the heels into place on the shoe...

A late Ming dynasty 17th century Zhangzhou ware covered box, decorated with ribs pattern to the body, the top side with a white on blue of chrysanthemum flowers. Condition is good except minor tiny chips to rim, no crack and free from any restoration. Diameter: 10,6 cm.

Antique Japanese 6-panel byobu screen painting depicting a noble woman's carriage (gosho-guruma) parked under a blossoming cherry tree (sakura). The tassel cords are untied. The yoke rests on a black lacquered stool. The cart is decorated with irises and peonies with raised rimpa paint. The sudari is shut closed with chrysanthemum pattern curtains billowing out. Painted in mineral colors and raised gofun on gold leaf...

During the Qing Dynasty, the feathers of the kingfisher bird were used to create ornaments for woman to attach to clothing and/or wear in their hair... Through the 1800's These ornaments were made and formed with heavy paper (light weight cardboard...) They had large areas of feathers and the edges of the paper form were bordered with gold paint...and the ornaments were often domed By the early 1900's the bird were becoming rare almost extinct ...so intricate and smaller sections of fea...

This early South Coast textile incorporates a two-headed serpent motif, together with a human (or divine) being with arms raised high (sometimes referred to as "the oculate being," because of the prominent, bulging eyes.). Classic south coast imagery, most probably Nazca (Nasca). I included a photograph of a much later related image, dating to perhaps as much as one thousand years later, to show the continuity of the imagery...

Length: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Height: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)

Early Chinese toggle of a recumbent foo dog; natural material; good patina with wear; age lines on the base; good condition

Length: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Width: 2.9 cm (1.2 in)
Height: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)

Early Chinese toggle of a recumbent foo dog; natural material; good patina and age wear; good condition

19th century long wooden netsuke of nyoi - a Buddhist scepter carved as a length of a reishi fungus with three fungus heads. Did not photograph well. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge, and reishi fungus represents the fabled Fungus of Immortality. Carved out of dense beautiful brown rosewood, elegant design in Japanese taste, great depiction of fungus texture, wonderful patina and excellent sheen to the surface from being handled...

A 19th Century Japanese six panel screen of Nara preparing for the Matsuri Wakakusa Yamigaki festival. This elegant bird's eye view of the city of Nara in the Edo period depicts a scree of village life in preparation for the traditional rice festival. Dancing and drinking are on display and the excitement fills the air with anticipation. The Nara temple is the major sponsor of the activities. The temple is open to patronage and veneration. This festival celebrates the rice harvest for the city...

Early 18th C Edo period Japanese byobu painted screen of scholars in retreat. It is composed of 2 panels. The screen has a predominate gold leaf ground on gofun paper. Paint composition is a mineral rimpa paint. The subject matter is a belief of mythology made real. Shu-ton (a scholar's attendant) found a longevity turtle that is believed to be 1000 years old. This turtle is also known to be a messenger to the gods. The expression on the master's face reflects wonderment...

Japanese 17th century Momoyama Period six panel Byobu painted screen of the Tale of Genji...

A mid-century 18th C Japanese Tosa school six panel byobu painted screen. Rimpa paint of gofun paper with gold leafed clouds dividing each of the scenes. The screen begins by exposing us to the art of seduction by listening to poetry. The proper approach to a desired lady was through poems written on scented paper of the finest quality by an elegantly dressed go-between of appropriate social ranking. Gifts are exchanged & elegant conversation is followed with the female dressed within layers of ...

This is a pale celadon and russet jade plaque, dating to the Qing dynasty. The piece is entirely worked by hand, with no indication of modern/machine carving (or re-carving). It measures 2-1/2 inches in length and has been perforated lengthwise to permit it to be strung with a cord and worn. The reverse side has been carved with a series of symbols. Please see the photos, as they are part of the description. Custom stand included.

A medium sized Japanese Oribe dish with a rich, brilliant green glaze and plum blossom brush painting. The crackle in the glaze adds to the design and the edging is painted. The bottom is unglazed and has 4 indented strips. Invented in Japan in 1605, Oribe ware introduced vivid pattern and color to a ceramics tradition that had previously favored somber, monochrome designs.

Dimensions: 9.5" diameter

Date: circa 18th C

19th century netsuke carved as a group of four seals - two of simple square section, one in a shape of a natural lotus bud stem (its stem serving as himotoshi), and one with shishi and ball finial. Elegant design in Japanese taste, bottoms are carved with raised and sunken characters in seal script and stained to resemble real seals - one of them could be a signature of the carver. Possibly made for a silk merchant - the seals resemble actual chops used for stamping silks. Great compact netsuke ...

Chinese yixing zisha teapot. Good conditions. 11 cm wide, 6,5 cm high.

Ko-sometsuke porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A small Japanese porcelain plate glazed with 3 images of a person on an island, a row boat and mountain.

Dimensions: diameter 6" X 1.5"

Date: 17th C

Late 18th to early 19th century Kyoto school netsuke of a dog wearing a collar with its head turned back while resting the front of its body on a ball. Strong piece, superb carving to the last detail, fantastic hairwork, beautiful flow to its tail and bumpy spine, large eyes inlaid with dark horn. Wonderful wear and patina consistent with age, great classic netsuke. Height 1 13/16 inches.

19th century netsuke carved as Amida Buddha sitting with his hands in jo-in mudra - hand gesture signifying concentration. Amida (Amitabha) - "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life” - is the principal buddha in Pure Land Buddhism. Excellent carving of his facial expression of quiet meditation, beautiful rhythm to the flow of the folds of his robe, remnants of gold lacquer on his hair. Wonderful staining and patina, very pleasant to hold. Height 1 9/16 inches.

A rare and highly interesting early Indonesian bronze figure of a Peacock or Cock on a double Lotus throne, Central Java, 9th. century AD.

A very elaborate figure, ornamental in the form of a stylized peacock or cock, with and impressive tail. unusual and very rare example of early Indonesian Buddhist bronze sculptural art.

Refference: See a similar style bronze bird in 'Devine bronze' - Ancient Indonesian bronzes from 600-1600 AD (Paulene Lunnsinggh Scheurleer and Marijk...

Eastern Javanese, Majapahit Dynasty, 14th.-15th Century AD.

Red clay figure of corpulent form, incised with decorative details of the tail, scales and head of a magnificient rendering of a fat fish. Exudes a lively, robust personality. The long tradition of trade between China and Java culminated with the establishment of a trading colony in 1297. The Chinese were subsequently responsible for the first regular use of coins in Java which became widespread in the 15th century. During t...

A large and very rare Anthropomorphic lidded bronze Lime Container, Bronze and Iron Age period, 3, Indonesia (Java, possible Lumajang, Pasiran), dating 2nd. century BC-1st. century AD.

Cylindrical body with a lid and extensive line and zig-zag decorations on the face body with applied bronze thread. On the lid a large archaic head of a female with elaborate applied hair, facial details and large earrings.

The vessel is clearly inspired by the Vietnamese Dong Son Culture, ...

This is a Japanese antique natural Safflower dyeing katazome cotton & shibori kimono of the edo-Meiji era. There is a change of color that oozes out of safflower dyed cotton. but there is no damage. They are not disturbing, and as a whole it is in very good condition. Around the hem and the part of the okumi and the red part of the cuff are muslin. Shibori under the sleeve is cotton. Size:Length:150cm / 59.0inch Cuff to cuff, across the back: 120cm / 47.2inch

Rare and Sublime Nias Island Torque Necklace in a Classic Form made of graduated slices of Coconut Shell. Purchased by a renowned and published collector at Bonham's on May 15, 2008 (Lot 507, page 14 of the catalogue). More provenance information available upon request. 9.25 inches (23.5 cm)