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...

Pair Chinese boxwood carved scroll weights in rare wood bundle motif, 9.5"Lx2.3"x1.8", 9.4"Lx2.1"x1.8"

A very unusual pale yellow-green (kiji) porcelain vase in the shape of a Chinese Gu by Seiji Celadon master Suwa Sozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Fretwork and a roiling dragon body have been softly engraved into the sides; the slightest variation in tone the only hint to the subtle design-work. The vase is 11-1/2 inches (29 cm) tall, 6 inches (15 cm) diameter and in fine condition...

A nicely carved jade pig done in the Han style.Pigs represent prosperity and jade pigs were were placed in the hands of the deceased. Many jade pigs were used for this purpose in later times and are sometimes mistaken for Han pieces. Size: L.10cm. H. 2.8cm. W. 2.3cm. Condition: No chips. Some calcification.

Enameled brilliant red kimono with lotus flowers in yellow and white, the shaped leaves in tones of turquoise and green. Obi is larkspur blue, black, turquoise and pink; folded fan has green flowers and gold clouds. Inner kimono collar is also gold.

The lady is 10 1/2" high, probably dates from the Taisho period (1912-1926)

Wild roses blossom on the rich tea green sides of this cloisonné vase by the Ando studio enclosed in a custom silk lined padded wooden box with a separate compartment for the rose wood stand (included). The base color is that of maccha green tea, making it doubly Japanese. Each leaf, each thorn each petal is wrapped in a thin silver wire frame. The vase is roughly 10 inches (25 cm) tall and in excellent condition.

18 cm long set of Kanzashi with five Bira dangling from a branch to which is caught a court cap, possibly dragged from the wearers head during a horse race, or perhaps flung off in a passionate moment. For someone interested we have a museum quality collection of combs and hair pins which I would prefer to sell together in accordance with the previous owners wishes. Birakan (bira Bira Kanzashi) were hair pins used by all classes of society and were one of a woman’s most prized possessions...

With deep sides rising from a tapered foot to an everted rim, decorated in delicate familie rose colours with a bird perched on a branch of wisterias beside flowering branches of poeny and seal mark " spring-time for the whole family of heaven earth" and the characters Daya Zhai (studio of Great culture) all reserved on a turquoise ground...

A pair of Wooden doors dating from the later Meiji to Taisho period of fine clear grained panels hand-painted with butterflies, birds, and floral dials in brilliant color by Maruyama Oyo in red lacquered wooden frames retaining the original brass hardware. They are made for an opening 141.5 x 180 cm (55-3/4 x 71 inches). They are in overall fine condition. These were acquired from a large estate along the Kamiyagawa River in Kyoto’s posh Kinugasa district...

An early snow covers the branches of a ragged pine, the clutches of autumn still evident in the red tinged leaves of ivy clinging tremulously to the limbs. This is a spectacular large Kyo-yaki work signed on the base Seifu and enclosed in a period wooden box. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, it is nearly 10 inches (25 cm) diameter, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) to the top of the lid and in excellent condition. This is the work of Seifu Yohei I.

Birds in white plumage decorate the shadowed raw clay of this vase by Miyagawa Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 21.5 cm (8-1/2 inches) tall, 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.　
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 Kyoto pottery family Miyagawa Chozo...

Interesting boat-shaped water vessel with birds-like spout, standing on four feet. Made of brass with brown patina and decorated with floral motifs in relief. Similar examples of this type of kendi in the "Tropenmuseum Amsterdam". Condition: traces of usage. Dimension: 33.4 cm high, 34 cm long.

Large Tibetan wooden prayer beads from Lhasa with nine glass bead spacers and two leather counters with ten silver rings each ending with silver inlaid coral and turquoise, the wooden ones are made from the wood of the Bodhi tree where Buddha received his enlightenment. Total length 66cm. Condition: No repairs all original.

A raw-clay-bodied globular vase decorated with comic deer in overglaze enamels by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Akebononoiro-do Shika no zu Kabin (Vase of Sunrise-colored Clay decorated with Deer). The farcical creatures are punctuated by the fellow caught in the act of chewing his hoof (or was he having a scratch?) He looks back at the viewer with wide eyed and sheepish. The vase is 24 cm (9-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition...

A museum quality koro covered in soft pink glaze decorated with chickens in raised relief surmounted with a woven silver lid by Kiyomizu Rokubei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 4-1/2 inches (11 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. For a piece decorated in the same style see the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.
Kiyomizu Rokubei V (1875-1959) began by studying painting from the age of 12 under the 19th century master Kono Bairei...

 

This small intricately carved stone shoes were probably given as a gift of well wishing. 3 inches in length, they were carved from unidentified soft stone, not hard jade. There are numerous cracks and chips from age, but the shoes retain their original carving detail.

Ryugu-jo Castle is depicted in gold couched thread on the blue silk field of this superb Fukusa gift cloth dating from the turn of the 19th century. Frothing white waves surround the mythical palace, and the four corners of the cloth are secured by long-tailed minogame turtles, befitting the scene. It measures 25 x 32 inches (64 x 82 cm) and is in excellent condition but for some wear on one side of the red silk-crepe backing (see close-up photo)...

A rare example of the wellknown Tibetan cups, with high quality repoussé silver depicting Buddhist symbols and a mask at the bottom.. H. 5,5 cm. Diameter 12 cm. This piece dates from the 19th to early 20th century. Made of high grade silver. Good age wear.

An interesting eskimo miniature canoo, made of wood, seal skin and bone. The figure is wearing cotton clothes. Age: early 20th century. L. 50cm, H. 9 cm. Condition: Expected age wear, several cracks in the seal skin, peddle is missing.

This pair of handmade woman's shoes were made with cotton vamp and satin stitched embroidered flower motif. The exaggerated upturned front toe was used as a decorative element by several minority groups but from the detailing, I think that they are most likely Miao ethnic minority. They are small and narrow, and probably belonged to a young girl. The Miao, like most minorities, did not practice foot binding. The walking sole measures 6.5 inches long and 2" at the widest part.

This is a set of traditional lacquer bowls from Thailand. There is a single gold mythical animal, balu-gwin, at the bottom of the inside and a three balu-gwin spaced around the outside. The gold rim with key design surrounds the rim of each of the 5 bowls.

In wonderful condition, each bowl is approx 5 inches wide at the rim and 2.5 inches high.

A good Japanese studio porcelain celadon censer (after Chinese Song dynasty examples), of kinuta color, by Suwa Sozan. Seal impressed on the bottom between the three legs with unglazed feet. With an even more extraordinary, finely worked silver cover with gilt highlights (eyes, beak, comb, feather details, hollyhock blossom stamens.) The treatment and the details of the hollyhock leaves down to the veining and insect nibbles is sublime...

A well painted pair of Kangxi style rouleau shaped vases decorated in underglaze blue with branches of prunus blossom. These items were made, circa 1880 - 1920, during either the late Qing or early Republic periods. Condition - each has a small hole drilled 1.5 inches (3cm) above the base. One vase has a chip and associated crack to the footrim. No further damage and no restoration...

A pair large Chinese silk kesi tapestries, once mounted as hanging scrolls with silk brocade border and backed with paper. Showing immortals and gods of the Daoist Pantheon in a landscape setting. Made of a two colour silk tapestry with painted areas. Dating to the late Qing dynasty. Condition: please look at the photos carefully - they make part of the condition report - the brtittle mounting is damaged and only partially preserved, the wooden bars of the top and one of the bottom are lost...

A hand carved antique wooden mask of Tenko or the nine-tailed Kuuko, heavenly White Fox (kitsune) which do good, wrapped in a modern silk bag and enclosed in an antique black lacquered wooden box. The mask is roughly 21-1/2 x 17 x 20 cm (8-1/2 x 7 x 8 inches) and in excellent condition. A cartouche bearing the artists signature can be seen inside the black lacquer within. The Fox has many roles in Japanese Folklore. First it is a symbol of fortune and bounty, and guards Shinto Shrines as Ina...

A well crafted Montagnard hardwood crossbow with subtle attention to detailing and with oxbone release mechanism. The wood (a resource of interest to Chinese occupiers since the Ming dynasty) appears to be a good quality tropical hardwood (broadly referred to as rosewood - we cannot be certain of the variety.) As is typical with Montagnard (as the Hmong [or "Hill Tribes"] vicinity mountainous regions of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were called by the French occupiers), the form resembles a gunstoc...

An elegant rendition of the famous Rimpa Crane standing alongside a swirling river of silver created by Shoun for the Shobido Art Studio enclosed in the original wooden box. Extremely well crafted, the creature stands 11 inches (25 cm) tall and is signed Shoun Saku. The black lacquered table is 18 x 13 inches (45 x 33 cm) and is in fine condition.
Shobido has been commissioning works with first rate artists and craftsmen for its own facilities and top Department stores since 1900. Found...

A large basin in striking cobalt designs by Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan enclosed in an unsigned wooden box. The central figure is a soaring phoenix spiral n elaborate plumage surrounded by clam shaped scallops in which leaping carp vie for the prize. About the rim 3 dragons battle for the flaming pearl. Outside serpentine vines intertwine about voluptuous flowers over phoenix. All together a sumptuous and royal aura. It is roughly 32 cm (12-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. A si...

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. When the birds dive for and down a fish, they cannot swallow it, and...

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.
Ikeda Keisen (1863-1931) worked initially under his father Iked...

Pierce-work combined with over and under glaze decoration create the perfect picture of spring on this bowl by Takahashi Dohachi enclosed in the original wooden box signed Kachutei Dohachi and titled Kenzan Yo Tsubaki Bori Hachi (Kenzan style Camelia patterned Carved Bowl). It is 20 cm (8 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
The Dohachi Kiln was established in Awataguchi by the retainer of Kameyama fief, Dohachi I around 1760, and the name Dohachi was brought to the forefront of ...

A Japanese blue and white koro with all over cartographic decoration of the Japanese Islands, with provinces labeled, and other bodies including seas and land masses with countries labled. The name used for Korea uses the name Joseon which dynasty (established in 1392) ended by varying accounts between 1897 and 1910. The censer could be later still. The cover with Shishi lion pierced finial over the compressed spherical tripod censer with stylized handles. Four character mark centered within rec...

SOLD, no price, no info. Hand Painted Japanese Dark Cobalt Blue Porcelain Button w Pink Peony motif and fine gold paint to show off on your favorite hat or collector's tray. Unglazed self shank and just under 1" across. Super condition! Sold, no price, no info

Indonesian, or more specifically West Java, stick puppet - Wayang Golek. Familiar with these from an exhibition at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco some years prior, we acquired this puppet, from a Maryland antiques market, due to its apparent character and whimsical decorative quality. Not our usual interest, we recognized the obvious hand craftsmanship and age. There is some wear to the puppet's garment (including some small holes and tears to the robe) and some distress to the face (some...

Burmese silver ceremonial or monk's begging bowl. The exterior is decorated in repousse with a wide band of five mythological scenes with one figure and an elephant between foliage. Apparently unmarked. Condition: fine. Dimension: 13.8 cm diameter, 9.8 cm high, weight: 352 g.

Large wooden prayer beads from Lhasa with nine glass bead spacers and two leather counters with ten silver rings each ending with silver inlaid mountain coral and turquoise.The wooden ones are made from the wood of the Bodhi tree where Buddha received his enlightenment. Total length of the beads 76cm. This does not include the counters. Condition: All original.

This is an old Yogi, a futon/blanket for the colder parts of Japan. It is a thick cotton dyed in the "Japanese blue", ai/indigo with a tsutsugaki (freehand painted rice paste resist) family crest on the back and stuffed with a cotton inside. The whitle little spots that you see are cutton balls from inside. The condition is excellent; some faint brown stains on the right side bottom and the lower left side bottom of the inside which is giving a charactor to this beautiful piece. Small cuts a...

 

A turned kiri-wood kogo incense case decorated with painting of plums and camellia with a silver rim. Inside wide leaves in god outline underlie the artist’s signature and stamp. The piece is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter.
Sekka (1866-1942) is known as the last great Rimpa Master, an artist of many talents who worked in painting, wood and lacquer. Taken from Wikipedia (they say it so much better than I) In 1910, Sekka was sent to Glascow to study Western art and craftsmanship. He s...

 

A pimpled toad looks to the sky exhaling a clouded spirit, a truly superb version of this theme in deep caramel bronze dating from the Meiji period. It is an interesting theme, the ugly creature elevated to the status of saint. Judging by color and quality, we attribute this as the work of Kanaya Gorosaburo (1836-1890), a bronze artist of Kyoto fond of this color and known for his superb modeling and detail. Not always signed, Gorosabutro was often known to sign only the box. This piece is u...

Pair of Chinese Republic period porcelain vases densely decorated in famille rose enamels with a continuous central figural panel holding scholars playing wieqi (go) in a garden setting. The shoulder, neck, and base are covered in a dense pattern of lotus leaves and scrolling foliage. The high recessed base bears a square iron red apocryphal four-character Qianlong mark. Two coral-red pierced lingzhi spray handles flank the neck which rises to a trumpet mouth bordered by a pattern of ruyi head...

A pair of spectacular Mino Yaki Porcelain vases from the studio of famed artisan Kato Gosuke decorated with clusters of grapes under drying late summer leaves. It is 32.5 cm tall, 21 cm diameter and both are in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden collectors box titled Mino Yaki Kabin Ittsui, Kato Gosuke Saku (Pair of Mino Yaki Vases by Kato Gosuke). Each bears a signature in overglaze on the base, along with two impressed seals. The square seal reads Kato Gosuke.
Kato Gosuke (183...

Description: An elegant Ru-Yi was rarely made of iron. Casted in a beautiful shape and preserved very well. Dark russet paint were reserved sparsely on the surface which reflected with good old black patina. Date: 19th Century Length: 34cm

The time of Obon is upon us, the middle of August when the spirits of the dead return to visit their families. A lantern is hung so the wandering souls may find their way. And on the last day of Obon (August 16), in Kyoto, is held perhaps the most famous of all the festivals, commonly referred to as Daimonji-yaki, when 6 massive characters are lit on fire in the mountains surrounding the city to light the way home for the ancestors. Unlike the Gion festival or Aoi Festival, made for tourists,...

Not quite the Easter Bunny, but perhaps close to an Easter Egg, the design on this vase is both classical and modern, reminiscent of Kenzan and his use of patterns and colors, surmounted by a sometsuke underglaze blue dragon among roiling cobalt clouds. The pot dates from the late 19th to early 20th century, classic Meiji period but for the unusually bright and cheerful rows of yellow, blue and green florals on red. The dragon blends with the clouds, with a single gold line delineating his bod...

Six different antique ceremonial spoons used during Hindu worship for offering holy water to deities, from Maharashtra. Made of brass or bronze, the largest spoon in "ganga-jumna" technique (brass and copper). Three with cobra, two with lotus bud and one with dancing Krishna final. One with short inscription. From a Swiss lady's private collection. Condition: traces of usage. Dimension: 13.6 cm to 16.2 cm long.

Old three paneled wedding bed cover from the Zhuang ethnic group Southern China- silk floss weft embroidered pattern on hand woven cotton field. Good condtion- some minor loss to edge of head end edge. L: 138cm/54in and W: 105cm/41in.

This powder horn is dating to the 19th / early 20th century. The curved body is made from water buffalo horn, beautifully carved with curvilinear motifs, the wide end with a wooden stopper. The gunpowder was stored in the Batak house in large gourds, the chief carried his own personal supply in such containers, which he wore suspended from a chain around his neck. Condition: the spout was originally with a closing mechanism plug, now lost. The suspension lug was probably replaced, the wide end w...

An ornate tubular skirt, worn by wealthy women in Lampung, Sumatra. Woven in one piece, the striped cotton fabric decorated with couched gold-wrapped thread work and few sequins. Condition: fine, probably missing sequins. Dimension: 116 cm x 60 cm (double).

Description: A scholar item of an armrest was from early 20th century according to the inscription of date-Summer of Sinsyh. Carved with picturesque scenery of a Qing scholar floating in the stream, it was supposed used and carved by the same person named -Die Shian(fairy butterfly), an alias of a scholar. It was a recommended custom that a Chinese scholar made his own scholar items or inscribed his poetries on an scholar objects like brush pots or armrests. Date: early 20th century. length: ...

A very finely decorated cloisonne enamel bowl depicting, on the outside, two confronting five clawed dragons, over waves, in pursuit of a flaming pearl and, on the inside, an impressive Imperial style dragon. This item was made in China circa 1890 to 1920 probably during the reign of the Guangxu emperor (1875-1908). Condition - excellent - no losses, damages or restoration. 6.5 inches (16.5cm) wide; 2.1 inches (5.2cm) high.

19/20世纪精美掐丝珐...

A tripod koro with custom silver lid and rosewood stand by Miura Chikusen II enclosed in a wooden box dated early Autumn 1920 signed by Ume, the mother of the second generation head of the family who died young that year. The white porcelain is roughly 15 cm (6 inches) tall on the stand, 10 cm (4 inches) diameter. This type of Sinophile work was very popular throughout the Meiji and Taisho periods, and Sencha steeped tea had a profound impact on Japanese culture at the time. For more on that s...

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.

Flowers of the four seasons blossom in a cacophony of color over the entirety of this Kutani vase signed from the pre-eminent Kaburaki (Kaburagi) studio dating from the opening of the 20th century. The imagery is exquisitely performed with over-glaze enamels on a sheer white ground. The vase is large at 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall and is in excellent condition, with some wear to the gold rim. It comes enclosed in an old custom made kiri-wood box.
Kaburaki, along with Yoshidaya, were the pree...

A small round gourd: polished, cut and decorated inside with delicate fronds in gold on black maki-e. This is superb. It is 3 inches diameter (7.5 cm) and in perfect condition, enclosed in a quality old kiri-wood box. .

A large baluster form Sumidagawa vase decorated in slips of green and black glaze over crackled red with a three-dimensional tokage (lizard) crawling down the side. The detail on the creature is superb, from the textured body to the white claws with which it seems to grip the sides of the slippery surface. On the backside is a raised gourd shaped stamp reading Ishiguro Koko (One of the most prominent Sumidagawa potters). Sumida ware was first produced around the beginning of the 19th century,...

Hotei bows deeply, showing an unusual moment of respect from the surly sage. An unusual bronze image by Oshima Joun enclosed in the signed wooden box. The face is at once relaxed and respectful, one hand wrapped around a gnarled walking stick supporting the heavy bag on his back. All facets are rounded, with a soft, tight orange-peel surface typical of Tokyo school bronzes. The image is roughly 5 inches (12.5 cm) in all directions, and in excellent condition. Oshima Joun was professor at th...

An antique Guardian mask used to ward off evil hand carved from a rough slab of hardwood. It is 14-1/2 inches (37 cm) tall and in fine condition. Usually hung under the eaves of a house, it shows weathering typical of age. Late 19th to early 20th century.