Elaborate, Antique, Chinese bird cage constructed with various beautiful woods-thin reeds, boxwood and huilli. The bird cage has a doomed top with carved flowers and a brass hook for hanging. The exterior has carved wood images of dragons and 3 bone carvings structures on the front. The interior has 2 ornate porcelain hand painted bird feeders from the 19th and 20th century. There are 4 hanging pendants with agate and stone carvings...
Antique Chinese hardwood desk made from attractive Jumu (Elm) wood with the original finish. The traditional construction is solid wood with one drawer with a brass ring pull. Simple in design with a beautiful grain.
Dimensions: 40" X 19" X 31.5"
Date: Early 19th C.
A hand woven Chinese kossu tapestry with gold foiled tread accents depicting a day of leisure in Chinese life. A scholar is studying in a pavilion, 2 people are walking by a fence, and 2 men are fishing. The background is blue and the color is even throughout. Presently, it is out of frame. The last photo shows it in frame. We can ship with or without frame. Provenance: Duke University. Measures 9.5 inches by 11.5". Dates circa 1880 - 1910
Oshi-e, litterally "pressed picture" which is made of fragments of antique European print and Japanese silk and the motif is a civilian man in Edo period. The history of Oshi-e date back to Heian period, found in Shosoin Treasures (around 10th century) It was very popular toy in Edo period with motif of Kabuki Theatre actors. The ground paper is "Itame-gami" which is ten layers of washi and has thin cotton lining so that it looks like a shallow relief. In good condition...
Oshi-e, litterally "pressed picture" which is made of fragments of antique European prints and the motif is a young woman in Edo period. The history of Oshi-e date back to Heian period, found in Shosoin Treasures (around 10th century) It was very popular toy in Edo period with motif of Kabuki Theatre actors. The ground paper is "Itame-gami" which is ten layers of washi and has thin cotton lining so that it looks like a shallow relief...
Antique Tibetan Buddhist ritualistic bone flute, or kangling. The kangling produces a wailing sound, meant to create a mystical atmosphere during tantric rituals. It is played as a gesture of fearlessness and as a way of cutting off the ego. With silver mounts intricately decorated with floral scrolls and inlaid with turquoise and coral. Provenance Ashby Collection
19th century
Dimensions: 12 1/4" L x 3" W
Antique Tibetan Dzi bead, agate with 8 eyes. The mystical Dzi beads are implements of ancient Tibetan and other Asian cultures for several hundreds of thousands of years. Dzi beads are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection to whomever wore these beads.
They are also thought to hold medicinal properties, and so can be characterized by the "dig marks" left over the surface of the bead, where a small portion has been scraped away to be ingested...
A charming Japanese chawan or tea ceremony bowl, with satsuma yaki ware crackle underglaze painted in polychrome enamels with gold gilt touches, delicate imagery of flowers and gentle breezes with a single butterfly.
19th century Meiji period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 5 1/8" w x 2 1/4" h
Antique Tibetan Buddhist ritualistic bone flute, or kangling. The kangling produces a wailing sound, meant to create a mystical atmosphere during tantric rituals. It is played as a gesture of fearlessness and as a way of cutting off the ego. With silver mounts intricately decorated with floral motifs and dragons, inlaid with turquoise. Provenance Ashby Collection.
Dates from 19th century
Dimensions: 8 1/2" l x 2 1/2" w
Japanese gusoku bitsu (carrying box for samurai armor). Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and lacquered red and black. Iron hardware and side handles for carrying. Top lifts off. Decorated with the mon (family crest) of the Asano Clan.
Dimensions: 15 1/2" w x 21" h
A large, heavy Japanese bronze temple bell or bonsho, with a handle of dragon heads called a ryuzu, protrusions called chi chi or nyu to improve resonance of sound, the tsuki-za striking panels, and the mei-bun inscription of the bell's history...
Egyptian bronze pair of cat figures with overall wear and green patina. Pierced holds through the mouths, heads, necks, and bases suggest they may have once been finials or other component to a large piece. On custom base.
Possibly 12th century
Dimensions: 1" w x 1 1/2" d x 3 3/4" h (each cat), 5 1/4" w x 3 1/4" d x 4 3/4" h (entire stand)
A heavily potted Arita porcelain dish featuring a rural pavilion beside a waterfall, the moulded cavetto with a celadon glaze. The blue and white landscape with touches of iron-red and gold enamel.
Arita, circa 1750 ~ 1780.
Approximately 22.5cm diameter...
An attractive Japanese porcelain dish, the blue & white decoration depicting the King of Beasts and the Queen of Flowers. The Lion-Dog and the Peony, shi-shi and botan in Japan, represent bravery and elegance . A popular motif.
Arita, circa 1790.
Approximately 29 cm diameter. Perfect condition...
An Arita porcelain plate (#2) decorated with a leaping carp within a moulded border based upon Chinese Ming export porcelain, ‘Kraak’ style. The dishes have faux chattering in imitation of Wanli Kraak dishes.
Arita, 1750 - 1780.
Approximately 21.5cm diameter...
A Very Fine Korean Goryo Bronze Mirror with a Sailing Ship-14th C.:
Korea, Goryo dynasty, 13th -14th century.
The design is cast in high relief on the obverse of this Mirror depicts a ship sailing
on a stormy sea. A large dragon arises from the upper left and right with clouds of
spray cap the surging waves...
This extraordinary cha-ire (powdered tea container) displays an excellent glaze that appears to have only grown more intricate and rich with time. Contrasting against a reddish brown background are flows and pools of darker glaze along with lighter textured speckles...
Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research...