Rather unusual late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese seal carved out of a natural dense stone with numerous cream to brown colored layers wonderfully resembling flowing hair, and it is not soapstone. The impression of the seal is shown on the first photo (image is flipped left to right to present the image as it will actually print on paper). Beautiful surface, wonderful flow to the texture of the stone, one side is left in its natural state in a very clever nod to a scholar’s sensibility...

Late Meiji - early Taisho (1890s - 1910s) Japanese Arita porcelain chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) with sometsuke (underglaze blue and white) decoration. Painted in Shonsui style: initial Shonsui ware is Chinese blue and white porcelain imported to Japan starting in the reign of Tianqi Emperor (1621-1627). Starting from the 18th century Arita kilns have been producing their own items in Shonsui style...

This elaborate beaded breastplate would have been worn for festivals by a wealthy Tibetan woman. The main section has 3 ornate silver and turquoise ornaments surrounded by a raised beaded coil which is bordered with cowrie shells. The neckline rolled and padded.

It is 13 inches across at the widest point and can be tied around the neck using the attached fabric ties. As is obvious in the pictures, there are a couple areas of lose on the turquoise ornaments.

One of a kind! Very rare and unique Seto Chawan from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) which combines a unique mosaic pattern glaze on the outside with an artistic Neriage/Nerikomi technique on the inside. There is a signature of the potter inside the foot.

Nerikomi (練り込み , lit. "kneading") is an artistic technique for creating Japanese pottery in multiple colors of clay...

Unusual late Meiji period (1890s -1912) wooden sashi netsuke in a form of a pillar, its top carved as a face of the Zen Patriarch Daruma wearing monk’s cape. Wonderful face with severe expression, carved out of chosen matsu (Korean pine wood) in ittobori (one cut) style characteristic of Hida school of netsuke carvers, eyes are inlaid with metal. Himotoshi (cord opening) goes through the bottom to the back of the netsuke. Beautiful patina, very pleasant to hold. Height 4.2 inches.

DESCRIPTION: A red and gilt ink cake in the form of a turtle with a curled snake on its back. In ancient China, the tortoise and the snake were thought to be spiritual creatures symbolizing longevity. Both the front and back have been finely pressed in raised relief with gilt accents. One of the treasures of the Chinese scholar’s studio, this ink cake is in excellent condition, in its original box, and dates from the first quarter of the 20th C. or earlier. DIMENSIONS: 3” long (7.7 cm).

This very well carved brush holder is an early 20th century product. On one side, it depicts six children playing with fire crackers during New Year; on the other side there is a big red character “Fu,” good luck. There are mountain and river scenes on the bottom inside and outside. It is almost 5” high, 4” wide and 3 ½” thick. It is in great condition aside from some old cracks.

Japanese cast Iron Tetsubin, Iron Tea pot, with Bronze Top, 5" high include top knob, 8 1/2" with handle upright position, 6 1/2" wide- widest part include spout, brown rust inside the pot, pebble sandy finish outside. The condition is good.

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1910s) Japanese wooden round kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony), its top with a silver plaque engraved with bamboo stalks and leaves. The wood is ichii (Japanese yew) with clever use of wood patterns to add to the charm of the piece, Simple classic design, in excellent condition. Diameter 2.73 inches, height 1.14 inches. Part of a small East Coast kogo collection.

DESCRIPTION: A large Mongolian trunk, the front delightfully hand painted with a large, colorful bird perched upon leafy blooms, around which are fanciful borders of butterflies, pomegranates, lilies and large red blossoms. Sturdily constructed of light weight Poplar wood, the top and sides are lacquered black while the back is red. A perfect place to store linens and blankets, it would also make an attractive bedside table. Very good condition and dating from around 1900 - 1910...

Very collectible ink cake of a Chinese woman in traditional Chinese attire wearing padded armor and holding the Chinese Army (1912 -1929)flag while her left hand crosses over body and rests on the sword pummel. The detailing is excellent and this is one of those items that looks better in person than in the photos. We feel comfortable with a pre-1920 dating. It measures 5.5" (14 cm) high, 4" (10.2 cm) widest, .75" (1.9 cm) deep.

A cute Kutani ware incense box and cover (Kogo) in the form of a mandarine duck (Oshidori) in typical Kutani color pallet: green, yellow, blue and black. The bottom part with Kutani stamp at the base. Enclosed in an inscribed old tomobako. L 8,5 H 5 cm. Late Meiji to early Taisho. Good condition.

Late Meiji Japanese Bizen pottery ware chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) with slender body of rounded triangular section and narrow mouth. Wonderful potting, beautiful patina, very nice texture and play of colors to the glaze on its surface. Inscribed by the potter on the bottom. Turned bone cover lined with silver colored foil on the inside. Great piece in excellent condition. Height with cover 3 3/8 inches.

A large Kuro-Oribe chawan, hand thrown and carved from fine Mino clay during the later Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). It comes with a very good Japanese wooden box.

Oribe-yaki – I guess no other pottery had a greater influence on the aesthetics of Japanese pottery.

Oribe ware is a historically important Japanese pottery variety that emerged during the late Momoyama and early Edo periods in Tajimi, in modern day Gifu prefecture...

Exquisite Javanese Bronze Oil Lamp depicting a stylized sacred Hindu NANDI BULL, late 19/20th Century. Condition: good, size: 7.25" L. 6.5" x D. 2 1/8". Weight: 1247 gr.

Antique Korean bandaji chest, adorned with large brass hardware, incised with delicate floral patterns and the Chinese shou (a symbol for happiness), handle plates shaped like lucky bats, a large drop-down door opening to a large interior for storing blankets or clothes and three upper drawers. Very heavy and sturdy made of elm. Choson Period c1910. Size: 35" height, 37" width, 19" depth

The size of Tea Cup: 3 1/8" Dia x 2 1/4" High. The pair of Japanese Hakeme Tea Cups by 1st Kuze Kyuho (1874-1947). It is finely made with brownish earthen clay. It has finish of Hakeme, white brush stroke work glazing. The Tea cup is made finely finish. Each cup bear the Kyuho's round chop seal on the wide of Kodai (foot rim). Each cup has Japanese Kanji writing of "Konnichi An" which is name of Urasenke's Tea Room which was built by Sen Sotan (1578-1658)...

Late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese jade seal of classic stele shape slightly tapering towards the top. First catalog photo includes the image of the printing surface flipped left to right to show what the imprint of the seal will look like. True nephrite jade of light celadon color with beautiful russet patches, very pleasant matte finish to the stone, very nice to handle...

Antique Japanese vase decorated with scroll vine motifs around the mouth of the vase and animal like figures near the mid-section of the vase. The glaze used for this piece is emulation Jun ware which was developed in the Song Dynasty in China and in Japan, Song dynasty style glazes captivated connoisseurs and tea masters. The popularity and preferences of these glaze still continue to this day. Age: 19th-20th century. Size: Height 14" Diameter 7"

DESCRIPTION: A handsome scholar's calligraphy brush, crafted using a dark brown bamboo for the shaft which connects to a shaped horn ferrule and long, natural bristle brush. One of the "four treasures of the scholar’s studio," this striking scholar’s brush would have been used for calligraphy or painting. This attractive, well made brush dates from the early 20th C. DIMENSIONS: 13.25” long (33.5 cm).

This unusual small triangular shaped snuff bottle 2 of the 3 sides of the piece have carefully repouse Tibetan symbols..no makers marks...a few tiny dents ...no loss. It was brought back from Tibet by a man who went on a long walkabout from Istanbul to Tibet back in the late 60's...China was not open at the time...and Tibet ..he traveled with a backpack,limited space,few small momentoes and he was picky...old pieces only... bottle is approx 1.75 inches high

Antique Japanese Iron Tetsubin (teapot). Detailed with flowers and landscape scenes. Wonderful condition with interesting lid signed by the artist. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Dimensions: 6 1/2" Wide X 5" High

Chinese yellow Crackle ware Pottery Brush Washer and brush Holder, Ca. pre 1920, 1 5/8" high-maximum measurement, 2 3/4" wide,1 3/4" deep-maximum measurement, with crackled yellowish beige color glaze, a high relief frog beside rock garden on the top next to a round hole 3/8" diameter to hold a single brush. This crackle ware Brush Washer has glaze crack and few glaze flake frits on the glaze.

This carved ZiTan (紫 檀) hard wood Bitong (brush holder) is an early 20th century product. ZiTan is a species of Pterocarpus native to India. Chinese love the quality and hardness of the wood; therefore, they use it to make expensive items. The brush holder is 6 1/8” high and 4 1/4” in diameter. Carved in deep relief, it depicts Nan Ji Xian Weng (南 極 仙 翁) or Shou Xing, Shou Lao...

Mask of a grotesque character with twisted nose ; accident on the left side, slit on the chin (see pix) ; 26 x 16 cms.
End of 19th - beginning of 20th C, West Nepal, Gurung.

Vintage Japanese wooden sago (tea scoop) carved in a shape of an eggplant. That kind of tea scoop is used for sencha - a type of Japanese green tea which is prepared by infusing the processed whole tea leaves in hot water. Cleverly and beautifully carved (see the stippling on the leaves by the stem) out of softwood, very pleasant to hold, in great condition. Length 4 7/8 inches.

DESCRIPTION: An extraordinary Chinese tray, its rectangular form crafted from one slab of huanghuali wood that has been skillfully hollowed to expose the beautiful grain and form the graceful, curved edges. This elegant tray highlights the incredible beauty of this favored Chinese wood and virtually shimmers in the light. Excellent condition with a nice weight to it; from a private collection. DIMENSIONS: 13 1/2" wide (34.2 cm) x 9" deep (22.8 cm).

Wonderful Charming small Bizen ware handmade sculpture of a sitting dog. Nice detail work especially his eyes and ears and even the circular woven mat on which he sits. He has a collar and an alert expression. Original piece with no condition issues. Taisho Period. (1912-1926). Size: 5 1/2" high

A Japanese erotic ebony netsuke of Okame with ivory-eyed holding a large mushroom. Engraved Tomotsugu signature on the mushroom. Edo period 18-19th century Sizes: 4,5 x 3 x 2 cm Condition report: Good condition

Late Meiji (1900s) Japanese ceramic chawan (tea bowl) for tea ceremony decorated with what appears to be dumbbell shaped percussion instruments. Dark brown stoneware body, beautiful Satsuma type glaze with wonderful fine crackling, multicolored enamels with gold. Excellent free potting, wonderful sense of energy to the piece, great object in Japanese taste, in perfect condition. Stamped with a potter’s seal in unglazed area by the foot. Diameter 3 1/2 inches, height 3 1/2 inches.

Width: 12.4 cm (4.9 in)
Height: 4.9 cm (1.9 in)

Quality Japanese Satsuma bowl featuring Samurai having a discussion in a rural setting; floral decoration to the exterior; finely gilded throughout; marked Senzan; excellent condition

A well carved boxwood netsuke of a Noh theatre mask. Hand carved with a wonderful expressive face. Fine details show through the original finish and condition.

Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th Century

Size: 1.75" W 2.75" H x 1" thick

Large Japanese Zenga calligraphy scroll of the character 'KOTOBUKI', or long life, longevity. Bold, large brush strokes showing great intensity. Signed and sealed with three red seals by the artist. Small black kanji translates with the first 4 characters: 日光門主 Nikkō Monzu, who was a very high-ranking monk of imperial lineage at the temple, Rinnō-ji, in Nikkō. The seals used by monk show his rank and importance...

This is an antique two section Korean Nong made of a hardwood with beautiful Maple wood accents. Original Nickel hardware with four drawers along the upper part of each section...

This is a circular copper scholar’s ink box with etching of a love poem on top of the cover. It has three seal ark on it, one on the extreme right and two just below the two below the name of the author. On the base of the ink box, there is also a seal mark likely to be that of the manufacturer. It also comes with the original used ink cake. Circa. late Qing to early Republic period.

It is in very good condition with the exception of the welding lining at the bottom casing which is ...

Large Natural Qing Dynasty Gourd. Original ring and cap with tassel. Dimensions 50 cm high and 27 cm wide.