This Olmec maskette is 1 7/8" long, 1 5/8" wide and 1" thick. It has been in a fire, possibly sacrificial in nature, with mild damage to one back edge which lends to its authenticity. It is made from Fuchsite which was used by the Olmecs. Fushsite is a form of mica which can readily be seen in the pictures. This piece was almost certainly used in magical shamanistic ceremonies. I just couldn't get a decent picture of how this piece reflects light...

Inrô with five compartments with lake landscape decoration in continuity on both sides, in gold lacquer hira maki-e, taka maki-e, kirigane and brown lacquer on a fundame gold background. The interior is in nashi-ji lacquer.

Wooden Netsuke representing the Japanese wonder shell (Thatcheria mirabilis).

Ojime of tubular form in gilded copper and incised with peach decoration. In Japanese popular culture, fishing has the power to drive away evil spirits...

Lovely Gilt bronze incensor with raised chrysanthemum flowers and tripod feet in the form of chrysanthemum leaves. Reticulated cover for smoke. On the bottom is the incised signature of Kо̄sai Sano 佐野宏采, a favorite artisan of Emperor Hirohito's. Age: Early 20th century

Size: 6"H x 4" Diameter

Japanese Funa Tansu, or ship safe box, made from Keyaki (Zelkova) wood in an unusual wide shape with two hinged doors instead of the typical one (this style known as Ryobiraki-do). It has iron hinges, corner hardware, and a large, round iron lock in its center with multiple sliding locks and two kan (ring) handles. Inside, it has two long drawers with two warabite handles each, one large drawer with a single handle, and two smaller drawers with leaf shaped handle backings/locks...

This is a Mayan Jade sitting cross-legged pregnant woman. Depictions of women are rare. Pregnant women are even rarer. She is wearing a coiled snake headdress. Snakes are a powerful symbol among the Maya. In their primal form, snakes represent the surge of life force that brings all things on earth into manifestation. It is 3" tall. Excellent patina. No damage. It was found in Guatemala and dates to 250-600AD. I purchased it in 1991 from dealer Michael Robbins.

Japanese woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, Tsukioka (1839-1892) entitled "The Fever of Taira no Kiymori". A triptych print, the scene is of the tyrant Taira no Kiyomori as he writhes in fever just before death. According to legend, the evil Kiyomori burned down a temple and is fetched for retribution by Emma-o the King of Hell, Kiyomori's wife and son kneel and pray for his salvation while demons and the souls of Kiyomori's victims surround him. Print date: 1883...

This is an extremely rare pure gold 23K gold cup from Colombia. It is 3 1/2" tall. It has been hammered paper thin and has some crinkling. I purchased it in 1986 from dealer Royce Hubert.

An antique Japanese Zushi (portable altar) with standing Amida Buddha within. Urushi lacquer over wood. Original bronze ornamentation features a large clasp with stylized arabesque Lotus blossoms on either side and the Dharma wheel above and below. Makie lacquer crossed feathers Mon (family crest). Opening the doors of the altar reveals the Buddha in its original patina and a hand painted upper apron with lotus blossoms...

Antique Tibetan thangka painting of Green Tara, one of the manifestations of the bodhisattva of protection. The central figure of Green Tara is flanked by bodhisattvas while the Amitabha Buddha is seated directly above her head. Below Tara are a fierce deity with mortal attendants carrying offerings...

Pair of Japanese antique abumi (horse riding stirrups), made of iron with silver inlay all over in beautiful designs of vines and leaves, the bottom of each stirrup is decorated with a bamboo motif, the foot areas are lacquered black, each abumi is inlaid with writing: Kaga Ishikawa Prefecture, Mori Hei Saku (artist's name and "signed by") lived in Komaki. Edo Period (18th century). Size of each: 9 1/2" high x 11 1/2" long x 5" wide.

Antique Japanese kiri (paulownia) wood tansu of a rare and unusual size, with beautiful rosey iron corner bracing, locks, and handles of an elegant and elongated shape. Gorgeous natural finish hardwood. Early Meiji period (1868-1912) Size: 49" L x 18" D x 26" H

Antique Chinese pair of porcelain bowls, glazed white and with detailed overpainting in orange and gold of dragons and flaming pearl. Each bowl has two five-clawed dragons on either side of the pearl. Eyes are green and black and every scale is finely outlined in gold. Daoguang (1821-1850) mark on the bottom.

Age: Qing Dynasty (19th century)

Dimensions: 4" high x 6 1/2" wide each (5 1/2" high on stand)

A splendid set of five Chataku Tea Cup Saucers of turned wood decorated in ridiculously thick lacquer floral decoration by Ikkokusai enclosed in a fine wooden box signed by the artist and dated Meiji 39 (1906). Accompanying is a note stating the set was received as a gift upon visiting the Naganuma Ryokan during a trip to Hiroshima in the fifth month of Meiji 43, accompanied by the name Kayanomiyasama. Kaya-no-miya were a collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial family...

A rare antique Japanese Okidoko (display stand for a Tokonoma room) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. The top is one thick solid long piece of this rare wood...

An antique Japanese Nagoya Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Made in 2 sections, the upper portion has two sets of sliding doors with spacious storage while the bottom section has 9 drawers, a pair of sliding doors and a pair of hinged doors that provided storage and organizing of daily Japanese culinary tools, gadgets and utensils...

An elaborately decorated lacquered sword stand. The stand is made into a small chest with three drawers. The chest is decorated with motifs of plums, a phoenix, and a Chinese style landscape with inlaid embellishments. The interior of the drawers is done in nashiji or pear skin makie. Age: 18th/19th century. Size: length: 19.75" width: 9.5" height 20"

Lacquer kobako box with two compartments in the shape of a fan. Decorated with pine trees near a stream on all sides in takamaki-e, hiramaki-e techniques with a nashi-ji background. On the upper side, a couple of cranes are looking for food on the ground, while three baby cranes are waiting in the nest located in the pine tree. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japan - Edo period (1603-1868)

Height: 1.8 in...

Complete footed cast bronze Hu (wine container), terminating curved and bulbous contour flaring on square mouth. Banded edge and lidded square cover...