A very rare and fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Terracotta Plaque of a Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased from the H. Taneguchi Gallery of Kyoto in 1985 by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune...

Gorgeous Italian 800 silver repousse wall plate, finely crafted hand hammered decor. The back of the plate contains a hanger for wall hanging. 19th Century.
Measures: 12.20" (31 cm) diameter.

A fine first-standard (950/1000 pure) silver tastevin, the bottom inset with a silver 5-franc coin from the reign of Louis Philippe. The coin has good detail, the front showing a bust of the king in profile, while the bottom shows a laurel wreath enclosing the words “5 Francs/1846”. The coin is surrounded by repousse decoration of angled godrons, small convex perles and larger concave cupules...

Up for sale is this special example of the beauty of Raku ware, a pottery tradition born more than 400 years ago in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto, from the collaboration between great tea master Sen Rikyu (1522-1591) and a potter named Chojiro ( - 1592), the forebear of the great Raku family of potters.

This particular chawan (tea bowl) was made by the 12th bearer of the Raku name, Raku Kichizaemon Konyu (1857-1932), whose works are not very diversified but who created seren...

Very fine and extremely rare Japanese Haniwa sculpture of a farmer with a charming expression, pointed hat, large hoop ear jewelry below a butterfly hairstyle, arms held to the front, 3rd Century AD (Kofun Period) created for a rice farmer to represent wealth. Rice farmers were among the most prosperous of Japanese society in the Kofun period. Provenance: Property formerly owned by the Honolulu Academy of Art. Collection Number is on the bottom of the piece...

An Italian "800" Silver Ewer and Underplate (or basin) with Mounted Carnelians on Each Piece. From Milano, Italy, late 19th century. Excellent condition and Very elegant. Dimensions; ewer 4.5" high, underplate 5" in diameter.

An absolutely stunning Edo period (1700s) Kuro Oribe Chawan covered in thick, ink-black crackle glaze and some fine cream colored decoration.

The slightly irregular kutsu-gata form settles easily into the palm of the hand, with the built up rim resting lightly on the fingers. A high quality box called Shiho-zan is part of the offer. The four sides of the box are surrounded.

No chips or repairs...

Spectacular Early Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Lion Mask used on the head of a float for the Gion Festival. This huge mask is an arresting image to behold. This fabulous carving is heavily lacquered in red, black and gold. The head can be raised to show his open mouth, creating a very impressive and imposing presence to behold. 38 inches (96.5 cm)w x 25 inches (63.5 cm)h x 24 inches (61 cm)d...

Edo Period Kyogen Theater Karura (Garuda) Mask, donated in the 19th Century by the prominent collector, Dr. C.G. Weld to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Karura is a mythical fire-breathing bird-human creature from Buddhist-Hinduist mythology. A fine and rare example. Wood with lacquer. 8 x 6.25 inches, 20.5 x 16 cm.

A Continental Silver (800)Pair of Grape Shears, circa 1880, with curved handles. Dimensions; 6.25" in length. Excellent condition.

Antique Thai bronze deer sculpture. Very feminine form with neck arched over the shoulders, and intricate adornments on the back, neck, and forehead. Beautifully shaped with stunning design. Size: 11" L x 3.25" W x 9.25" H

In the style of Enku (1632-1695)

This tall, slender figure is carved from cedar in Enku's so-called hatchet style. Enku was a yamabashi, or traveling priest, whose mission was to serve the remote villages of rural Japan-- particularly those in the more northern parts. As acts of devotion, he produced thousands of Buddhist carvings over the course of his life-- many of which were given by him to the temples he served as well as the parishioners...

16th Century Japanese Momoyama Period Wood Sculpture of Nyoirin Kannon, widely worshiped by those who hoped to gain riches and fulfill requests, seated on a lotus flower on rocks. Nyoirin's pose was appealing to devotees: his relaxed pose is inviting and the hand raised against his leaning head, which signifies a meditative state, adds a human touch. The bodhisattva's pose, in fact, indicates that he is resting in his personal paradise on Mt...

A classic 19th century French silver tastevin of traditional form by master silversmith Alexandre Vauger. This example is of small size, intended for use in evaluating cognac, Armagnac or calvados instead of wine. Unlike the “perles” and “godrons” found on the walls of a wine taster, a cognac taster more accurately reflects the liquid’s color using a smooth surface...

A very pretty early 20th century French silver tastevin in the style typical of Dijon in the Burgundy region of France. This style retains the usual convex base surrounded by a wreath of “perles”, but the gadrooning (“godrons”) along the side have been replaced with a decoration of very finely worked grape leaves and clusters of fruit. The handle, also in typical Burgundian style, represents two snakes with the heads of ducks grasping the forbidden apple between their beaks...

An exceedingly rare ancient Japanese Heian (794-1185) or Nara Period (710-794) Engraved Bronze Tortoise. The entire shell, front and back, has engraved artistic images of the people and symbols of the era. The tortoise is a symbol of wisdom, and is able to defend itself on its own. It personifies Water, Moon, Mother Earth, Time, Immortality, and Fertility. Creation is associated with the tortoise and it is also believed that the tortoise bears the burden of the whole world...

A classic 19th century French silver tastevin of traditional form by master silversmith Alexandre Vauger. This example is of small size, intended for use in evaluating cognac, Armagnac or calvados instead of wine. Unlike the “perles” and “godrons” found on the walls of a wine taster, a cognac taster more accurately reflects the liquid’s color using a smooth surface. Similarly, cognac tasters are smaller than wine tasters because the alcohol is considerably stronger and a smaller ta...

Here we present our second Hagi Chawan from the famous Koraizaemon family. We already offered and sold a Hagi Chawan made by the first Saka Koraizaemon some month ago, please see item number 0211 on our website.

This chawan was made by the 6th. Koraizaemon Shinbei Saka (1739 - 1803), accompanied by a wood box with the certificate and appraisal of the 11th Saka Koraizaemon.

Toujin-bue (Chinese flute) flat shaped tea bowl made of coarse, unfined clay with a high content ...