Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Hasui Kawase (1883-1957) titled “Kegon Falls, Nikko” from the series "Collection of Ukiyo-e Designs" first published by Bijutsusha in 1927. Dated on the image above the signature. No publisher's seal. Paper: 15 1/8" x 10 1/4" (14 1/4" x 9 3/8"). Very good color and overall condition with only minor discoloration on the back and margin edges. Pencil notation on the back at the bottom...

Menuki wirh gold and silver metal, presenting an octopus with a towel-like tissue. Japan Edo (1630 - 1868) 19th century 7 x 3 cm

Fine & Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Black Pottery Censer

We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

A black pottery censer; it is quite heavily-potted with a wide flat rim and three legs...

A set of sake decanters in the shape of Split Bamboo Tea Whisks by the third generation Kiyomizu Rokubei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The artists stamp is clearly impressed into the nunome cloth-textured base. They are 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition dating from the mid 19th century.
Kiyomizu Rokubei III (1820-1883) was the second son of Rokubei II (1790-1860) and took over the family kiln at the age of 18 after his father retired in 1838...

Korean iron box with silver inlay, on brass or bronze feet, with sliding top and brass and bronze handle and lock. Measures 4" wide, and 2 1/2" deep and high. Button on one end releases lock so that lid may side open...

Bonji Buddhist characters in five rings of silver, gold and brass damascene decorate this Incense burner by Izumi Ryoichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kin-do Gorin-mon Koro. We see the number five in Buddhism and Bushido, With the elements Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Air, as well the famous treatise on fighting by Miyamoto Musashi is called the Book of Five Rings, and the stone stupa seen all over Japan called the Gorinto (Five part tower)...

A gorgeous Jubako stacking box of lacquered wood decorated with burgeoning grape vines in powdered gold maki-e dating from the 19th century enclosed in the original wooden storage box. Inside oxidized vermilion grants a sense of celebration, while the outside covered in polished black is the perfect back drop to the shimmering gold decoration. Assembled it is 24 x 26 x 31 cm (9-1/2 x 10-1/4 x 12 inches). Overall it is in very good condition, with some minor dings in the edges typical of use...

SUZURIBAKO Rare and important writing box. Japanese lacquer urushi. The exterior is decorated with two shishi carefully patterned. The interior of the lid is decorated with a steep rocky coast with a temple, in gold and silver takamaki-e, the craggy cliffs are enhanced by cavities carved. Techniques of takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, kirigane, uchikomi, kimetsuke and tsukegaki. On a nashiji ground. The rims are fundame. Empty. Size : 23 x 21,2 x 4,6 cm...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Horse & Rider

This impressive and detailed pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). It has been coated in green, amber and black glazes. The rider's head has been made separately and has been "cold-painted" in black and white pigments: the head fits into a slot in the neck of the rider. Note the detail to the rider's clothing, the various fittings and especially the horse's mane...

Rare Small Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Ding (Published)

This bronze ding was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Its form, that of a three-legged covered cooking vessel, is well-known amongst Han Dynasty bronzes. However, most examples are larger; this is a rare small example. The body stands on three legs that are in the form of bears. On either side of the vessel are square handles...

Three small Chinese Guangxu mark and period ogee form bowls with lobed rims, each exquisitely decorated on the exterior in famille rose enamels with a quail standing on rockery below bamboo wrapped with leafy vines sprouting flowers and double gourds that extend over the wall to the interior well. A single bird flies above. The base of each bowl holds a six-character kaishu form iron-red Guangxu mark and of the period (1875-1908). 4” diameter x 1 3/4" high. Very good overall condition with...

Fine Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bowl in Kiln Saggar (Study Piece)

A rare opportunity to acquire a Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1127) kiln saggar still containing its Qingbai porcelain bowl, excavated from a kiln site in the Jingdezhen area of Jiangxi province. 

Northern Song Dynasty Qingbai porcelain was fired individually in saggars (the fireproof clay case) that were stacked on top of each other in the kiln. Firing in kilns was then, of course, not the exact science tha...

Chinese late Qing dynasty porcelain bowl with a slightly flared rim decorated around the exterior in two shades of underglaze blue with four stylized lotus blossoms among leafy scrolling tendrils set against a smooth, translucent white porcelain ground. A double blue line encircles both the rim and foot. The interior of the bowl is undecorated. Late 19th to early 20th century. 6 1/4” diameter x 3” high. Very good overall condition with no chips, frits, or cracks. The rim feels a bit rough ...

Very Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Inside-Glazed Qingbai Porcelain Zodiac Jar

This extremely rare and unusual jar was made during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). It has a splayed foot and is quite "heavily-potted" with the whole of the outer body profusely decorated with what are most likely religious (Buddhist) motifs. The lower body is covered in repeated carved lotus leaves. Around the waist is a band of "pie crust" decoration on top of which stand twelve human-like figures, the bodies moulde...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Changsha Bowl from 9th Century Shipwreck (c. AD 826)

This rare decorated glazed bowl was made around AD 826, during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) at the Changsha kilns. We can be that precise about the dating because it was excavated from the "Belitung Wreck" in 1998-99, a mile off the coast of Belitung, Indonesia. Another bowl from that wreck is inscribed with a date equivalent to AD 826 and carbon 14 analysis of the wreck also confirms an early 9th century date. Al...

Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Black Pottery Horse

This small and attractive pottery model of a horse was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a black pottery with a smooth burnished surface. Note the detail to its mane. Pottery horses from the Yuan dynasty are much rarer than those from other periods.

Height 17 cm, length 20 cm. It is in good presentable condition, although there is restoration to the tail and ears, also a minor repair to ...

Massive 18” high Japanese Meiji period “cong” form Satsuma earthenware vase finely decorated on the four rectangular sides in polychrome enamel and gilt highlights with vertical scenes of figures in landscapes featuring the four seasons. The base holds a square four-character “respectfully made by Ryuzan” mark. Circa 1900. 18” high, 7 1/2" square; weight: 17 lbs. Very good overall condition with some typical wear to the overglaze pigments and gilt, particularly at the rim. There ar...

Massive Chinese late Qing to Republic period hardwood scroll pot of naturally irregular tree trunk form carved from a single piece of wood with five nearly hidden bats along the sides. Hollow interior and flat bottom with separate plug. Late 19th to early 20th century. 19 3/8" high x about 9 3/4” diameter; 16 lbs. Very good overall condition with typical wear from age and use. From the collection of former American expatriates to Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s.