19th century marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) in ball shape carved in medium relief with a figure of seated Hotei leaning on his huge bag with gifts as he watches 2 boys at play. Hotei was a historical Chinese monk allegedly living in Wuyue kingdom in the 10th century and known for his jolly nature and love of children, he is considered to be an incarnation of Buddha Maitreya - the Buddha of the Future...

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with 8 cloth dolls of Zen Patriarch Daruma. This representation of Daruma refers to him stretching after 9 years of continuous meditation, when his legs withered from not moving all those years. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, beautiful floret surrounds to the holes, superb patina. Signed SHOZAN on the side - the artist is listed on p...

19th century marine material ball shaped ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with a praying mantis crouching among leaves and plants including a chrysanthemum and several hozuki (Chinese lantern fruit), central hole with terminals surrounded by carved florets. Wonderful carving, excellent staining, beautiful wear and warm patina. Height 5/8 inches.

19th century marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as seated shishi with its mouth open and containing a loose ball, and its front paw on a large ball. Excellent carving - see its ferocious face and hairwork. Beautiful wear, wonderful warm patina, in excellent condition. Signed OSEI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 855 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 3/4 inches.

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with a bird in flight by a rock and blooming peony bush. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUICHI on the side - the artist is listed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 3/8 inches.

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with four arhat - the original disciples of the Buddha identifiable by their halos - in different attitudes. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUICHI on the side - the artist is listed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 3/8 inches.

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with a man trying to fish in a stream with a double gourd next to a pine and a woven fence. Ojime illustrates a Japanese proverb “Namazu hyotan kindama” (A gourd against a catfish) meaning useless effort similar to trying to catch a slippery fish with a gourd. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, beautiful floret surrounds to the holes, superb patina...

18th century votive Indian bronze sculpture depicting bare breasted goddess Durga sitting on a lotus base and holding various implements in her hands. Durga is the warrior goddess, whose mythology centers around combating evil and demonic forces that threaten peace, prosperity and dharma of the good. She is the fierce form of the protective mother goddess, willing to unleash her anger against wrong, violence for liberation and destruction to empower creation...

Ancient Fayence turquoise shabti of "Padi Khonsu" c. 945-715 B.C. 11.1cm

Light turquoise with details and inscription in black, holding hoes, basket over shoulders, very fine facial features, the vertical frontal column of hieroglyphs for “The god’s father of Amen, ”Padi Khonsu”

Ancient Fayence turquoise Shabti of Nesi Khonsu. Third Intermediate Period, 21th/22th Dynasty. ca. 12 cm...

A large and very rare beaker shaped Chinese porcelain vase painted with scenes in cartouches delicately enamelled in "mandarin" palette, and reserved on elaborate gilt scroll ground. This item was made in China for export to Europe late in the reign of the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795).

Condition - this vase has been broken in a number of places and has had extensive professional old restoration. .

42.5 cm (16.7 inches) high; 23cm (9 inches) diameter at rim...

Unusual 1930s good size and weight Chinese puddingstone seal of classic square section, the imprint of the seal is shown on the first photo. Superbly cut beautiful natural stone with mesmerizing subtle play of colors. The bottom is carved with 4 sunken characters that can be translated as HALL OF TOTAL RIGHTEOUSNESS. Very pleasant to hold, in excellent condition, nice object for a scholar’s desk. Height 3 9/16 inches, 1 1/2 inches square.

Unusual 1900s - 1910s (late Meiji - early Taisho) small Japanese wooden visiting card tray with inlaid multimetal decoration of a Dutchman standing by a pole, one hand raised to his head, the other holding a wide brimmed hat. Wood appears to be kurogaki (black persimmon), wonderful crisp metalwork with different patinas and gilding, beautiful dense hardwood, great patina, in perfect condition. Size 5 5/16 x 4 3/4 inches.

A dish of plain everted form measuring seven suns in diameter and decorated in somenishikide style with a traditional kacho-ga pattern of a pair of Butterflies and a Rock Peony. An auspicious pattern symbolising harmony and prosperity. The reverse decorated with scattered Peony leaf sprigs and the base is plain. The dish dating to circa 1780-1800. The reverse decorated with auspicious stylised Chinese clouds and a four character Fu Ki Cho Sun mark. A single spur mark to the base...

A rare full size Japanese Temple gold gilt ranma. Deep hand-carved relief depicting a floating apsara with an incredible flowing phoenix tail feathers (heavenly being) amongst swirling clouds. A phoenix rising up and through the angel with its head seen leading the way.
An apsara is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist culture...

A rare Srivijaya Kingdom 8 - 10th century large priest offering ceremonial bronze bowl, good condition please see picture for detail, size: 24 cm diameter.

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made iron hardware including the Kakute front drawer handles and the Warabite side carrying handles. Construction includes straight dovetail joinery with hardened wooden nails. Lock plates include parallel vertical bars that double as decorative as well as strong security connectors preventing easy removal from the drawer fronts...

Bone hairpin with an elaborate decoration on its top representing the head of a horse surmounted by a standing animal, probably a ram. Bactria, 3rd to 2nd century B.C. Height: 8.8 cm. Lower part probably partly missing, otherwise very good condition .

A rare example of an Karasu (raven) Samurai menpo (facial armour). Although not as celebrated today, the crow is a mark of rebirth and rejuvenation; the animal that has historically cleaned up after great battles symbolized the renaissance after such tragedy...