19th century iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba for tanto with design of a turtle with a very long tale. The subject may be a minogame (turtle with a long tail made from seaweed and algae accumulated from many years leaving in the sea) or a directional animal - the Black Snake-Tortoise of the North. Clever design and nice detailed work (see its carapace), a bit of rust, overall in very good condition. Height 2.16 inches.

Interesting large amuletic seal in marble, probably crusader period, 11th.-13th. cent.

The seal was found in Eastern Anatolia / Western Mesopotamia - old crusader land. It was described in the large collection as a 'mystery seal', due to it's strange form and depiction on the seals base.

Finely carved in white marble with uncleaned parts of brown enbedded sand. The amulet in itself had the shape of a veiled Virgin Mary...

Fine Qing Dynasty small carved wood panel depicting a scholar and boy in garden with flower buds and pine trees. Carved on both sides excellent condition with gold, red and black lacquer. L:30.3xm 12in and H: 12.5cm/5.5in.

Inro with 4 compartments in black lacquered wood. Decor of a mountain lake landscape executed in gold and silver powder. Mosaic details of small squares of gold. The worn parts reveal the red lacquer which was used to execute the reliefs. Japanese work from the 18th century or before. No signing. Good general condition for a tercentenary lacquer. Multiple small damages all visible on photos. No repainted areas, no restoration. Quality lacquer, solid. 82x52mm.

Small hard porcelain dish, enamelled decoration, with a bouquet of flowers and flowering branches in relief in the colors of the "famille rose". Chinese work from the end of the 18th century, probably made for export via the "compagnie de indies". Relief decorations are rare. Good condition, wear from use visible on photos. No restaure. Diameter 16cm.

Arita hard porcelain dish. The decoration is painted with stylized flowers in underglaze cobalt blue and enamelled with medallions. The edge is coated with a thick chocolate brown enamel, typical. Japanese work from the end of the 17th century or the beginning of the 18th. It is a rare artistic model. Below a mark drawn in blue and traces of pernettes. Good condition. Some enamel skids. Diameter 195mm.

19th century Japanese tobacco pipe consisting of a reed stem and 2 brass parts, the mouth one with copper and silver inlaid scholar’s hut. The top of the smoking part bears the signs of wear due to the fact that it was tapped on hard surfaces to empty the bowl. Excellent crisp work, great detailing, characteristic small bowl (Japanese used finely shredded tobacco, and usually made just 2-3 puffs), traces of tobacco residue. Wonderful old piece with pleasant signs of wear. Length 7.5 inches.

A lovely rectangular stamp seal with a stylized bird handle, North-West Mesopotamia, 2nd. mill. BC.

The base particularly well-engraved for the stone type and period, with two animals in flight.

Size: 22 mm. long and 16 mm. wide and 17 mm...

A very interesting large stamp seal with a knob handle, Western Mesopotamian, 1st. mill. BC.

Finely worked and polished seal in a glossy dark stone. The base in engraved with a detailed depiction of a horned animal, crescent above.

Size: 27 mm. tall and 24 mm...

A lovely larger stamp seal in form of a stepped Pyramid, Neo-Hittite Kingdoms of the East Anatolia and West Mesopotamia, 1st. mill. BC.

finely carved and pierced at the top in a light brown stone. The top also engraved. The base engraved with a mythical winged animal.

Size: 21 mm x 21 mm. and 14 mm...

An attractive round dark green almost black stone seal of the hemispheric form of the Uruk period, 4th.-3rd. mill. BC.

The seal is finely polished and carved with a stylized motif that looks a like an insect.

Size: 20 mm. diameter and 11 mm...

19th century Japanese chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) in a shape of a storage jar with narrow waist and wider shoulders, and 2 mock ring handles. Old Bizen ware with characteristic dark brown clay bearing the marks of potter’s fingers as he was turning the piece on a wheel. Typical Japanese elliptical lines on the bottom left by a string used to cut the item off the turning wheel. Possibly marked by the bottom - see the detail on Enlargement 1...

Late Meiji (1890s to 1912) Japanese chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) in a shape of a storage jar with 4 mock lug handles. Buff colored stoneware body with free bulbous body bearing the marks of potter’s fingers as he was turning the piece on a wheel. Beautiful glaze turning from brown to off-white towards the bottom of the piece. Comes with very well made shifuku (silk brocade storage bag). Old bone lid lined with gold leaf paper on the inside...

1900-1920s (late Meiji - early Taisho) ceramic chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) in bunrin (apple) shape with a single small handle. Unusual Kyoto piece made in neriage (agateware) technique that is achieved by laminating different colored clays together and throwing them on a wheel to develop a swirling and spiraling effect. Comes with very well made shifuku (silk brocade storage bag).Old turned bone lid lined with gold leaf paper on the inside...

1900-1920s (late Meiji - early Taisho) Japanese burlwood stand with live edge and two sides with wave shaped edges, to be used for placing small objects during tea ceremony or display of okimono. Wonderful dense wood with supremely beautiful texture resembling swirling clouds, in excellent condition. Size 6 x 5 inches, 0.35 inches thick.

Early 19th century Japanese wooden devotional carving of Kannon (Chinese Guanyin, or Avalokiteshvara) - the Boddhisattva of Compassion - enveloped in her robe and cape. Kannon grants deliverance from suffering to anyone who calls upon her name. Wonderful quality work, beautiful tranquil face, graceful flow of her robe. Old small losses to nose and feet as can be see on photos. Marked on the bottom in ink with one character followed by kakihan (monogram of the carver). Excellent patina, has wond...

Late Meiji (1890s - 1910s) Japanese bamboo wrist rest used by painters and calligraphers, with low relief carving of an iris flower about to bloom and cursively written poem. Beautiful subtle piece, superb quality carving, rich warm patina, in excellent condition. Wonderful object for a scholar’s desk. Size 6 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches.

19th century or earlier Japanese magatama bead made out of lapis lazuli. Magatama are curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jomon period (circa 1000 BCE), and in Korea during the Prehistoric period, mainly in the Bronze Age and Neolithic. They are found in mounded tumulus graves as offerings to deities, and continued to be popular with the ruling elite throughout the Kofun Period, and are often romanticized as indicative of the Yamato Dynasty of Japan. It is believed that magatam...