Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.25". This is an example of "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. It is signed "Tatsuko", the artisan (Ms. [rare in the mostly male world of kokeshi artisans]) Takahashi Tatsuko. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

A superb later 19th century (Bakumatsu-Meiji period) celadon image of a Rakan enclosed in a high quality wooden display box. The rather brutish features harken back to older styles seen in Korea and early Edo Japan. A stand has been carved to fit the base of the deity and slides into the box, and the figure stands6-3/4 inches (17.5 cm) tall. It is in excellent condition...

 

A pair of ceramic Cormorants by preeminent early 20th century Master Miyanaga Tozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The cormorant has a special place in Japanese art. Like the hawk is a bird used in hunting, the cormorant is a bird used in fishing. A rope would be tied around the long necks of any number of the birds, them then taken out into the water with huge torches burning on the prows of the fishing boats...

 

A rare unusual bronze mirror with two mythical animals that might be tigers. Age: Western Jin Dynasty - 265 - 316 AD. Size: Diameter - 9cm. Condition: No repairs. Natural aging with nice patina.

A stunning painting of Mt Fuji viewed from a misty sea by Yukansai (Kano Arinobu, 1605-1677) painted in 1672 at the age of 67 on silk. The image of Fuji, broken by clouds, dominates the scene, with rolling hills and sailing vessels visible in the foreground. It is mounted in a field of copper brocade extended above and below in beige silk and measures 26 by 49 inches.

Large Qing dynasty slightly tapered cylindrical form white porcelain brush pot (bitong) with a central cobalt blue band holding bats flying among clouds. The white porcelain has a faint blue-green-gray tint. 19th century. 6 1/2” high x 8” diameter. Very good overall condition with a few old browned hairlines on the base which appear to have resulted when a drain hole was added...

Plums blossom across 24 panels, harbinger of Spring and a cue to the scholars it is time to end the winter isolation and set out on journeys to old acquaintances. Ink and light color on paper dated 1913 with applied gold flake in a silk border decorated with gold designs enclosed in a black lacquer wooden frame. It retains the original backing paper. The screens are 149 x 68 inches (379 x 172 cm) and in excellent condition...

 

 

Japanese cloisonne vase decorated with two cattleya orchids set against a green ground. The interior counter enamel is black and the rims are chrome. The Ando Cloisonne Company seal is on the base rim. Measures 8 1/2" high x 4" diameter at the mouth. Dates from the Showa period (mid-20th century). Very good overall condition.

A delicate image of a Zari-gani fresh water shrimp by Oishi Junkyo enclosed in a period wooden box. The poem reads:
nanigotomo
naseba naratefu
kotono wa wo
Mune ni Kizamite
Ikite Kishiware.
Whatever happens, no matter the hardships and pain, Set it in your heart to live with Spirit! This little fellow looks up to the challenge, a stern look on his face and his dukes up, ready to battle giants. What a fitting image for this artist...

Description: The interior of this rare ware was painted with a white slip and then dipped in a dark black-brownish glaze to form a six-petal design with a central six-pointed star. A marvelous piece always fetched high price in international auctions. Date: Tang Dynasty(AD9-10th century). Diameter: 14.5cm Height: 4.0cm Condition: Glaze is beautiful except two small before- excavation chips on the back surface.

An intriguing lidded bowl patterned with soft blue red and white in the style of traditional hand made temari balls (multicolored silk thread balls) by modern ceramic artist Sato Kazuhiko (b. 1947). The piece is signed on the base and dated 1992, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the dish is pebble textured stone gray, with a silver tablet fired into the top. A perfect jigsaw cut separates base and cover...

Description:

A Temmoko shard from excavation was found as hard proof for the famous Jiangyang bowl.

Several important characteristics can be noted as follow:
1, White-glazed Jiangyang bowl have long been a mist to serious collectors. Sometimes it was a legend rather than a real product that can be easily found in the markets...

The turret of a lonely outpost rises from the mountain peak formed by this small Japanese scholar rock set into a hand carved wooden base and enclosed in a wooden box titled Ko jinkaku (Small Armored Tower). The stone is 7 inches (18 cm) tall, 5 x 3 inches (13 x 8 cm). It likely was put together in the early 20th century.

A colorful and impressive scroll featuring a bushy tailed neko-tora, or cat tiger from the late Edo period. The neko-tora is a by-product of the Japanese closed border policy, rigorously enforced during the Edo period, which eliminated outside trade and influence. Therefore, Japanese artists were forced to come up with their own ideas of what a fearsome tiger looked like based upon older paintings and skins...