Tea leaf storage jars used in Japan like this were produced in and out of Japan from about the 15th century onwards. I wish I could say that this is one of the famous Muromachi Era "nanban" wares from the Phillipines or Southern China that are so prized by Japanese tea ware collectors, but it is one of the replica items made up through the Meiji Era in Seto, Japan. Still, the Japanese kept the traditional shape and produced many fine chatsubo in their own right...

A rich black glaze covers this Kasama-yaki jar from the late 19th C. It is in the shape of a "natsume," a tea powder caddy used in the tea ceremony. H.21.5cm (8.5") Body Dia.16cm (6.25".) Kasama wares currently do not enjoy the fame of pots from nearby Mashiko. But Kasama, in neighboring Ibaraki Prefecture about 30 minutes away by car, preceeded Mashiko in being a ceramic production center by nearly a century, and had a hand in training the early Mashiko potters...

An antique flask much like a tokkuri used for transporting sake, the "abura" (oil) "dokkuri" (flask) was used to transport oil products. H.27cm (10.5"), Body Dia.16cm (6.25".) This one is from the old Echigo (present-day Niigata Prefecture) which had stores of oil used for heating and lighting that were shipped up the Japan Sea coast north to Hokkaido. This example is wonderfully pitted with oil over a white glaze, produced at one of the no longer existent folk kilns of the Echigo region...

A late Edo - early Meiji tokkuri (sake flask) from the Hokuriku (central west coast) of Japan. H.24cm (9.5",) Body Dia. 16cm (6.25".) Probably fired in one of the no longer existent kilns of what is now Niigata Prefecture, this tokkuri has a rich yellowish-brown glaze which has experienced a nice crazing over time. Although from central Japan, the glaze and somewhat refined shape are reminiscent of Yatsushiro ware from Kumamoto in Kyushu...

Sake Flask, "tokkuri," Meiji Era (1868-1912) from Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. H.10", Body Dia.6". This early Mashiko ware shows the "tobi kanna" technique of chatter marking around the body. In Meiji-era Mashiko, this patterned flask was called a "matsu-kawa-tokkuri" (pine-skin-tokkuri.) A rich, dark brown glaze decorates the neck. Similar wares were also produced around the same time in Fukushima Prefecture...

This water jar, "mizugame," stands 60cm (23.5") high with a mouth diameter of 55cm (21.5".) The rich brown glaze is decorated front and back with freely poured ladle splashes of black slip. A band of 5 incised lines runs about 7cm below the rim of the jar. The decoration is similar to Tamba wares at first glance, but a look at the unglazed bottom reveals not the red clay of Tamba, but a yellowish-light brown clay from Seto or elsewhere...

This is one of three Edwardian sterling souvenir spoons, each with London hallmarks and makers’ mark for Wakley and Wheeler; two are date stamped 1913, the third, 1915; each richly cast with rope-twist and foliate handles with heraldic shield terminals engraved "B&H" and "I.R.C." Condition: very good, bowls have some surface scratches, hallmarks crisp and clear. Measurement: 4 _ in long.

This is a small and charming child's gameboard, measuring 13 3/4" long by 10 3/4" wide by 3/4" thick. It was found in Vermont, and most likely originated there. It is made of maple, with bread-boarded ends, affixed with square nails. The dry paint surface, with its red and black checkerboard, outlined with green stripes, is in superb condition, with no overpainting or areas of loss. The wood itself is in excellent shape, with 2 minor age cracks, and a knothole in the back which fell out...

An American Hand Wrought Iron Candle Stand on a Tripod Base. Brown paint. Circa 1890-1915. Dimensions; 50" high x 20" deep x 13" wide. Very good condition.

A striking quilt in a deep red and black. Most importantly the quilt has, stitched on its reverse, "Sarah amd Anne Hoit, Burlington, VT 1838". It also has, stitched at a later time, "A Present to O. Sherman 1881". It is very uncommon to find a quilt, especially such an early one, with such complete information as to the maker, place and date...

A stunning pair of elaborately metal-worked brass candlesticks in superb condition with removable bobeches. 9 3/4" tall

One of the largest and best tinsel paintings we have seen, depicting a large urn of various flowers, with other blooms scattered about; original frame; 28" by 24"

Most tinsel paintings have suffered a fair amount of paint lifting or loss, whereas this example only has a few spots of very minor age loss in a couple of small areas in the white background, making the overall condition excellent

A reverse painted tinsel painting, unusual for its combination of geometric and floral elements, and for its forceful colors; period gilded frame; sight size 9 1/2" by 7 1/2"; framed size 12 1/2" by 10 5/8"

An extremely fine set of 6 antique wine glasses, double series opaque twist (DSOT). Rare because of the triple knop and the fact that it is a true set of 6. Round funnel bowls. 6 3/8 inches tall, 2 7/8 inch diameter foot, 2 5/8 inch diameter bowl

A single series air twist (SSAT) stem, much less common than the normal multiple spiral air twist (MSAT); a pleasing glass with a trumpet bowl; 7" tall, 3.3" diameter foot, 3.1" diameter bowl

A multiple spiral air twist (MSAT) glass with an uncommon waisted bucket bowl and a shoulder knop; 6.3" tall, 2.6" foot diameter, 2.4" bowl diameter

A tall and beautifully proportioned Newcastle baluster, but not a Newcastle Light Baluster, as this glass dates about 15 years before the NLB were widely available; stem with well developed shoulder, central, and basal knops; pointed round funnel bowl with engraved foliate band with two birds; 8.3" height, 3.3" bowl diameter, 3.6" foot diameter

Pair of mustard yellow Peking glass vases. flared mouth with straight neck baluster-shaped. Early 20th century. Good condition. Size: 8-7/8" high, 3-1/2" wide.

A charming scene showing classical ruins; great detail and contrast in the sky; great period frame; sight size 20 1/4" by 14 7/8", framed size 26 1/2" by 21"

An exceptional American gameboard with a red wash and black painted decoration; compartments at each end for the game pieces; construction is pine with breadboarded ends and wrought nails; condition is excellent with all original surface; one small portion of a breadboarded end has been replaced at some point long ago; 30" by 17 3/4"

Boards of this type (non 8 x 8 squares) are often commonly and mistakenly called checkerboards...

A large (15 1/4" by 12") blue and white Staffordshire platter in the "Lakes of Killarney" pattern, maker unknown; beautifully bright and crisp (what appears to be a darkness on the platter in the photo is due to a lighting problem)

A wine rinser, or washer, in a deep Bristol green color; unusual in that it is the single-lipped form as opposed to the normal type with two lips; 3 1/2" tall, 4 1/2" diameter

A pair of Imari ware soba choko (soba noodle dipping cups) from the mid-Edo Period (1600-1868,) porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue painted design of "tampopo" (dandelion) and "cho cho" (butterflies.) H.6cm, Dia. 8.5cm. Each cup has the dandelion pattern on front, and butterflies on back. The painting on these cups is wonderfully playful, and a fine example of the stylized brushstrokes of mingei (folk) wares...

A pale vaseline glass miniature or crocus vase on a stemmed base; 4 1/2" tall

A wonderful PA or New England document box inlaid with various woods and elaborately painted with stars, squares, circles, etc. All original, including surface; truly minor nicks and wear; 12" by 7" by 4 1/4".

This actual box is illustrated in the book "19th Century Wooden Boxes", by Arene Burgess

A true set of beautiful Irish wine rinsers or washers with comb fluting in an extremely uncommon oval shape, comb-fluted; bearing the label of DM & P Manheim, an old time, well-known and respected New York City dealer. 3 1/2" tall, 4 1/2" diameter

Large Komai Mixed Metal Box with Temple & Phoenix Marked, Meiji Period (1868-1912)

The box is 2.25 inches (6 cm) tall, and 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in length by 4 inches (10 cm) wide.

It is in good condition with no repairs, chips, or cracks, dents, except rubbing and loss of gold, metal oxidation at the inside of the box, and unsecured hinges (as seen in the photos)...

Gilt Chinoserie decoration on a deep blue ground; 2 5/8" tall by 2 5/8" diameter; very, very minimal gilt rubbing in a few spots at the bottom, of much less import than the photos indicate

A walnut bracket and shelf intricately carved with a panoply of Masonic symbols. The shelf portion itself folds flat against the back bracket, and is supported by a swing-out brace.

Pencilled writing on the back of this item says that it was purchased in 1938 and was believed to be over 100 years old then, which is probably about 25 years on the optimistic side. The shelf has been shellaced or varnished; 19" high, 10 1/2" wide, 6" deep.

Exceptional in so many ways, including its age, its baluster form, its height of 8 1/4", and its beautiful deep cobalt blue color

A fine oil on board of Isaac Henderson, attributed to Giddings Hyde Ballou. Ballou was a highly regarded itinerant painter, born in CT, who did a good portion of his work in the Cape Cod area. Documentation relating to his work is provided with this painting.

Sight size 15" by 12"

A large, decorated, Navajo coil basket; 13 1/2" diameter, 4" tall Excellent condition with no flaws.

Two sided pine game board with strong graphics and vibrant colors, displaying an unusual variant of the common structure of parcheesi. A checkers board is on the reverse side.

All original paint, original metal corners, overall excellent condition with a minor scratch on one side, and a wood chip in the top right on the reverse side. 23" by 23"

An unusual balustroid short cordial (rarer than a standard wine) glass with a round funnel bowl; an annular knop under the bowl, a central annulated knop above a hollow stem section, and a basal knop; 5.2" tall

A beautiful cordial glass with an ogee bowl engraved with stylized flowers and foliage; rare helmet (high dome) foot; DSOT stem; 6.7" tall

A fine and small mahogany tea caddy with inlaid scallop shell, crossbanding and chequering; key; 4 1/4" by 4 5/8" by 4 1/2"