Antique Chinese densely rutilated quartz snuff bottle. Simply oval form with low foot. Subtle flashes of rainbow. Coral lid with bone spoon.

Provenance: Howard Capland Collection

Age: Republic Period (c.1920)

Dimensions: 2 5/8" high x 1 5/8' wide x 1" deep

The falcon is represented resting on a branch. His expression is attentive and we can guess that he is hunting. The artist knew how to infuse him with all the ruthless savagery in his gaze. It is signed by Haru Mitsu. It is finely carved in wood, probably cherry,the pupils inlaid in black horn.I remember having read that this artist liked to exaggerate certain parts of the body of his subjects, here it is clear that the claws, eyes and beak are strongly exaggerated...

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Covered Paste Ink Box, 2 1/4" high with cover, 3 5/8" diameter top rim, with darker blue Double Happiness design among scrolling Vines and Sweet Peas, typical Chinese Straits Culture design. There are some firing dots but no damages.

An ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907) tea bowl, dating to around 850-900 AD and excavated in the Luoyang area.

This charming bowl is well balanced and has traces of its excavation inside (please see last photo). The piece is coloured with an attractive sancai glaze of green and orange which stands out vibrantly against the ivory cream slip...

19th century netsuke carved as a cluster of eight theatrical masks, those of Okina, Hannya, Hyottoko, Bishamon, Oni, Ikkaku Sennin, Okame and O-Tobide. Excellent faces, very pleasant feel to the surface, compressed dust in crevices. Signed ISSAI on a plaque on the back that serves as himotoshi - for information on this rare artist see p. 517 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Excellent detailed carving, wonderful work by the master carver...

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with the top carved in low relief with a seated boy wearing rich robe decorated with brocade pattern and intently looking at koi fish swimming in a large bowl in front of him. Wonderful depiction of robe lines, elegantly incised textile decoration. Wonderfully depicted drops of glaze on the bowl shoulder. Beautiful patina, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

Terracotta grotesque head with typical pejorative traits of a slave.. The bearded man shows a high, furrowed brow, bulged eyebrows, and a thick, hooked nose. The thick lower lip is contoured by a moustache.
For a comparable example, cf. item no. 489 in: Eva Bayer-Niemeier. Bildwerke der Sammlung Kaufmann. Band I. Griechisch-römische Terrakotten. Melsungen 1988.
Much use of the modelling stick. Moldmade of two halves, only the front surviving...

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Double Happiness Brush Washer, Ca. 1900-1920, 3 3/4" high, 4" wide-widest middle part, 2 1/8" diameter-top rim, with underglaze Pea Flowers within scrolling vines and leaves done in very fine brush strokes, two(2) dark blue Double Happiness Characters on both sides. Stained small frit about 1/4" wide on the unglazed bottom rim, and Wax Seal for the Export purpose on the bottom, one(1) tiny frit on the side of the top rim.

A rarely seen Dorflinger Kalana Poppy cordial measuring only 3 ½ inches tall. The cordial has vertical ribbing and is perfect.

A Japanese baluster-shaped bronze vase of a rooster turning towards the chick in a chrysanthemum garden. Signed on a rectangular reserve. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 15 x 7 x 7 cm Condition report: Good condition

19th century Japanese iron mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting a scene of a samurai procession performed by six rats in different attitudes. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Excellent design, funny topic, superb crisp detailing, gilding to the eyes. Length 2 1/8 inches.

19th century Japanese bronze mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting a barrel maker working on a large barrel. Wonderful design with dynamic posture, superb crisp detailing, comes with original backing. Signed RYUMIN on a gilded strip hanging off a nearby tree. For information on this pupil of Tenmin see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 895. Length 1 11/16 inches

19th century Japanese bronze mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) in a form of a running boar. Wonderful dynamic design, great crisp detailing, gilded eye. Comes with original backing with design of a stone on it. Length with backing 1 9/16 inches.

19th century Japanese bronze mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) in a form of two sumo wrestler dolls and a fan used by the judge in sumo matches and decorated with sun, moon and a constellation. Elegant design, great crisp detailing, gilded and silvered highlights. Length 1 9/16 inches.

19th century Japanese bronze mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting chidori (plovers) in flight above and among cresting waves. Elegant design, great crisp detailing, differently colored patinas, comes with original backing. Length 1 5/8 inches.

19th century Japanese iron mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting two toys - a hobby horse and a bird on wheels. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Very nice design, wonderful detailing, gold inlays. Length 1 1/2 inches.

19th century Japanese iron mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting a vase next to a peony flower with water drops on its petal. Nice touch - a ring handle on the vase moves freely. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Very nice design, wonderful detailing, gold inlays. Length 1 inch.

19th century Japanese iron mae-kanagu (tobacco pouch clasp fitting) depicting God of Abundance Daikoku resting by a bale of rice, his hammer in his hands. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Very nice design, wonderful face with wide smile, superb crisp detailing, gold inlays. Length 1 7/16 inches.