A vermilion Negoro lacquered tray with fluted corners on an elongated stem with heavy round foot in black lacquer dating from the Muromachi period with the temple name Zentoku-in written in red on the base. It is 27 x 27.5 x 25 cm tall (10-1/2 x 10-3/4 x 10 inches). Originally undoubtedly square, the discrepancy in width is due to shrinkage against the grain over the centuries. It comes in a late custom made wooden storage box...

A boxed set of fifteen unique bowls with lids for clear soup made for the Lord of the Yanagisawa family enclosed in a wooden box dated the 7th month of 1730. What makes this set quite unique is that each bowl is singular, a different design, color, shape or technique. But throughout is the one continuous symbol, the four petaled crest of the Yanagisawa clan.　The box is titled Yakatasama, Go Suimono wan, Yangisawa Shimono and on the side Jugonin-mae...

Five matching boxes covered in black lacquer decorated with togidashi feathers in silver and gold enclosed in the original wooden box signed Shunji (active Meiji-Taisho period) and titled Hane-no-zu Maki-tabaco Shoshi (Feather decorated tabaco chest). Each faceted wood box has been covered in polished ink-black ro-iro lacquer, the diaphanous feathers then created on the surface with powdered gold and silver; then all is covered again in lacquer and polished through to reveal the design...

A sheer cascade of silver mist drops into the darkness beyond a golden outcrop harboring an ancient pine laden with blossoming wisteria vines. Togidashi, taka-maki-e and kirigane, this is a breathtaking box dating from the 19th to opening of the 20th century. Inside is elegantly decorated with drifting clouds of golden mist. Overall in excellent condition, enclosed in a period wooden box. It is 23 x 21.5 x 4.3 cm (9 x 8-1/2 x 1-3/4 inches).

An Ancient wooden casket for Buddhist ritual implements lacquered black and decorated with lotus flowers in silver and gold on scrolling vines with an inscription beneath stating it was donated in the New Year of Kenmu 2 (1334). The lacquer, originally black, has oxidized to a mellow chocolate color. It is 33.5 x 18.5 x 13 cm (13 x 7-1/2 x 5 inches). As one may imagine there is a great deal of wrinkling of the lacquer from shrinkage, some losses and much wear to the edges...

Gold willows drape over the highly unusual silver-tinged blue lacquer surface of this water container by Tonami Sosai II enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Uwajima Nuri Seigin Yanagi Te-oke Mizusashi (Silver Blue Uwajima Lacquer, Willow, Bucket Shaped Mizusashi). The outside is a shimmering blue tinged with silver, while inside is black covered in powdered silver flake. A striking combination...

A fine Persian cover of rectangular form. The center with crimson velvet, voided with flowers in lozenge shaped lattice, the woven silk edging with boteh pattern on blue. The reverse with printed cotton lining and eging in woven wool fabric. The velvet composed of several pieces and apparently prior of the other fabrics, possibly of Italian origin, 17th century (please compare to 1937.1265 in the "Art Institute Chigago"). Condition: traces of usage, stained, wear, old mends. Dimension: approx...

Mother of pearl flowers rise among the large leaves of a paulownia tree on this small lacquer box and tray dating from the early 20th century enclosed in the original signed wooden box by Yoshida Rissai. The workmanship is flawless, with a fine sense of depth brought on by the mother of pearl lined with gold powder and set against a ground of golden mist on black. Inside is a rich, red tinged nashiji ground...

A 16th to 17th century (Momoyama to early Edo period) candle-stick of vine or root set onto a hollow carved base and covered in black and red lacquer with a metal stud and drip pan. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall and in overall fine condition, with wear typical of centuries of use.

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) titled "Raicho" (Thunderbird) depicting a rock ptarmigan (a type of grouse) and chicks dated in the left margin Showa 5 (1930). The artists's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower right corner. The print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. The date and kanji title are in the left margin with the English title below in the lower left margin. Paper size: 10 3/4" x 16" (image: 9 5/8" x 14 3/4"...

The rim decorated with geometric motifs, at the top a face representing Eshu, the messenger deity who acts as a medium between the human and the spirit world. H. 27,5 cm, W. 33 cm. The board has been well used and shows a good amount of wear and a great patina. Nigeria, first half 20th century. Provenance: Ursula Voorhuis, The Netherlands. She owned one of the biggest Yoruba collections in the world and did a lot of field research and collecting in the 60’s and 70’s.

Japanese Meiji period cylindrical pawlonia (kiri) wood domaru (tree-trunk) hibachi with a relief design of flowering grasses in gold maki-e lacquer and shell inlay. A gold lacquered bird flies on the back. Original copper liner. Late 19th to early 20th century. 8” high x 11 1/2" wide. Very good overall condition with only minor losses to the shell inlay.

The gist of the script is Taoist, something to the effect of: This is my life, I am neither overtly talented nor gifted with genius, like a sail boat alone tossed among the waves I drink freely of sake untouched (unfettered) by others seen only from a distance. Ink on paper in a the rough silk border preferred by Literati artists with exquisite turned ivory rollers enclosed in a period wooden box (the rollers will be changed for something suitable if exporting)...

Japanese limited edition woodblock print by French artist Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960) titled "Birds of Paradise. Menado, Celebes" (Les Paradisiers Menado, Celebes) published December 25, 1937. This image is illustrated on page 53 (plate 46) of “The Prints of Paul Jacoulet” by Richard Miles, 1982. It is described on pages 98-99. The print is pencil-signed and bears the red tea jar seal at the lower right edge of the image...

A male front Mandarin square with a tiger, denoting the 3rd military rank...

The largest vase I have ever seen for sale by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seika Sansui taki-ho-ga Kabin (Blue and White Vase decorated with waterfall Mountain Scene). It is 54 cm (21 inches) tall 36 cm (14 inches9 diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the base.
The name Kozan was granted by Prince Yasui-no-Miya in 1851 in honor of the tea ware produced during the later Edo for the imperial Court by the tenth generation head of the Kyo...

The richest blue bamboo rises majestically against the bright yellow ground of this exceptional vessel by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiyu Seika Takenozu Kabin (Vase with Blue Bamboo Design on Yellow Ground). It is 33 cm tall (12-1/2 inches) tall, 23 cm (9 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, signed on the base.
The name Kozan was granted by Prince Yasui-no-Miya in 1851 in honor of the tea ware produced during the later Edo for the imp...

Verdant foliage of the Imperial Paulownia (Kiri) tree in crisp cobalt rises majestically on this tall vase by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seika Kiri no Zu Kabin (Blue and White Vase with Paulownia Design). It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall and in excellent condition, signed on the base.
The name Kozan was granted by Prince Yasui-no-Miya in 1851 in honor of the tea ware produced during the later Edo for the imperial Court by the tenth generation hea...