Chinese Qing dynasty natural root form scholar’s bitong, or brushpot. 7 1/2” high. The base measures about 6” diameter at the longest part. The rim is about 4 5/8” across at the widest part. Late 19th to early 20th century. Very good overall condition. There is a short crack at the inner rim that extends to the interior of one thin concave area on the exterior. This piece is from the private collection of former American expatriates to Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s.

Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Horse & "Fat Man" Rider with Oxford TL Test

This fine pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Sitting on the horse is a male courtier, often referred to as a "fat man", the male equivalent of the "fat lady"; note the clothing and hairstyle. It is made from a relatively high-fired buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments.

Height 31 cm...

Pair of Chinese early Republic period baluster form porcelain vases covered overall in a flambé transmutation style glaze (referred to as "san yang kai tai") of oxblood red and green that darkens to nearly black. The glaze drips down into the flared mouth and stops short of the unglazed base. 8 3/4" to just under 9” high each. Early 20th century. Very good overall condition...

A large glass vase of emerald green reflecting the ancient glass works found in the Shosoin Imperial repository by 20th century pioneering glass artist Iwata Toshichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Flecks of various colors and air permeate the glass, accentuating the fact he is duplicating the ancient glass works, long before techniques had been perfected and material purified. It is quite large at 15-/2 inches (40 cm) tall and in excellent condition...

A large ceremonial whale tooth pendant from Fiji Island, Polynesia. Both ends with drilled holes for suspension. Collected by the Swiss ethnologist Charlotte von Graffenried, author of the book "Akan Goldweights". Dimension: c. 14 cm long x c. 5 cm wide.

Iyashiku mo tsune areba
hisashi hisashikereba onozu kara yoi kaori wo harau
If you perservere (with proper living), the years will grant you success. This was a famous last line from a treatise written by revered Han Dynasty scholar Cui Yuan (Cui Ziyu, 78–143). These same words were famously written by Kukai (Kobodaishi 774-835) the founder of Shingon escoteric Buddhism in Japan...

Chinese glove puppet depicting a man with bright opera face paint and long beard that appears to be horse hair dressed in a heavily sequined pale yellow robe with red fur accents. The legs are covered in red and white checkered trousers. Painted wood face, shoes, and hands. Measures about 18" long. Possibly dates from the early 20th century. Very good overall condition with minor wear and soiling from use...

Japanese limited-edition mezzotint depicting a traditional village in snow by Koichi Sakamoto (b. 1932) titled “Enduring Village No. 1.” The print is pencil-signed, titled in English and kanji, and numbered 68/100 in the lower margin. Dates circa 1982. The artist’s watermark is in the lower right margin. Paper size: 9” x 11” (plate about 5 1/2” x 6 1/2”). The white archival mat folder measures about 12 1/2” x 13 1/2.” Excellent overall condition...

Japanese limited-edition copperplate etching and aquatint by Tanaka Ryohei (b. 1933) titled “Tree of Mandarin” dated ‘08. Pencil-signed, dated ’08, and numbered 20/100 in the lower margin. Paper size: 10 1/2” x 11 3/4” (image: 6 1/2” x 8”). Never framed. Excellent original condition.

A pair old jewelry ornaments attached in the coiffure, near the ears by Tibetan women. Made of metal alloy and set with turquoise stones. The reverse with a later added silver stick pin. Condition: few traces of usage. Dimension: c. 9.9 cm long x 3.9 cm wide, weight: 66 g.

Measuring 16" in diameter and roughly 5" deep, this Abyssinian shield was intended for high ranking warriors, and is decorated with rust colored fabric over a heavy molded shield of animal hide. The hide is tough, strong and thick, and is usually that of water buffalo or giraffes, as they had the heaviest and strongest hides available. The back has leather over the hide, a curved hide handle, and edging of metal...

A pair of powerful Shishi guardian carvings dating from the later Edo period, 18th-19th century, in the Ah-Un expression (Exhaling and inhaling). Ah-Un has many allusions, it is the beginning and end of the alphabet, summarizing all in between, and is said to be inhaling good fortune, and exhaling bad. Glass eyes inset into very human faces. They are 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches (24 x 14 cm)...

Delicately crafted, in perfect proportions, this Chinese vessel sits on four feet, flares slightly to the rim which is decorated on the top with flowers and scrolling elements, and has blue enamel inset into the Greek border on the edge of the rim. The body is heavily decorated with flowers, butterflies, and scrolling foliate designs, all in shades of red/rose/pink, blue and green over a dark bronze/brass background, with a solid blue enamel on the bottom...

Measuring 7 1/4" high and roughly 3" wide, this Japanese cloisonne vase is of exceptionally high quality, with very fine detail and shading, all with silver wire. Against a smooth black background, a group of irises is depicted on the front, with a single iris and leaves on the back. The irises are white, purple with blue and yellow details, and the leaves are all done in shaded hues and different colors...

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Kanetsuki Hall Bell Tower, Okayama" by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 22 (1947). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the lower left corner of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower right corner. Paper size: 15 1/2" x 10 1/4" (image size: 14 1/4" x just over 9 1/2"). Excellent condition. Never framed. There are two tiny pinholes...

Made for the traditional Argentinian and South American drink, yerba mate, this cup and bombilla are silver, both stamped with an 800 silver standard. The cup is nicely repoussed with floral and foliate elements on a cast silver serpentine base. The cup measures 5 1/4" high and the bombilla is 8 1/4" long. Together they weigh 6 troy ounces. While the majority of mate cups are fashioned from gourds, many were made of silver, dating back to the early Spanish Colonial era when fine silver was ...

Gentlemen glide through the open “ma” staring up at the moon on this serene work signed Joun (One of many names used by the priest Hashimoto Dokuzan). Ink on paper in superb Shunpodo Silk mounting (THE preeminent scroll hangers in Kyoto) enclosed in a signed double wood box (niju-bako) dated 1935 with solid ivory rollers (They will be changed for export). The scroll is 28-1/2 x 53 inches (72 x 134 cm) in excellent condition but for scattered foxing.
Hashimoto Dokuzan (Gengi, 1869-19...

A cascade of flora drapes from the neck of this gorgeous piece by Seifu Yohei IV. It is 31 cm (12 inches) tall and in perfect condition. Quite large for a work by Seifu, it is marked on the base with an incised signature.
Seifū Yohei IV (Seizan: 1872-1946) was born the second son of Seifū Yohei III (1851-1914). He studied literati-style painting under Tanomura Shōsai (1845-1909), a son of Tanomura Chokunyū, in Osaka for three years. In 1914, he succeeded to the head of the family an...