A voluminous ink landscape built around two scholars viewing the cascade dropping into the canyon on this huge scroll by Tanaka Hakuin enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated Meiji 45 (1912). Performed with rich black ink against the sheer white paper, the mountainous crags and leafy forms built up in layers of gray and black. The scene is mounted in patterned silk with white piping in the Mincho style popular among literati painters in the era, and features huge bone rollers...

A full 7 piece Steeped Tea Sencha Tea Set by Kiyomizu Rokubei enclosed in the original age darkened wooden box titled Seika Sansui Chaki. There are five cups, a teapot with lid, and a cooling dish. Each piece is decorated with a unique scene and poem, no two are alike. They show the mastery of brushwork this important potter, originally trained as a painter, possessed. The cups are 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter and all is in excellent condition...

Fine Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bowl with Floral Pattern

This fine-quality porcelain bowl was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279). The inner surface is skilfully decorated with an incised floral pattern, most likely the peony. The bowl is coated in a finely-crackled translucent greenish-blue qingbai glaze of good colour. Further decoration is provided by six "V"-shaped "notches" spread equidistant around the rim...

Fine Chinese Qianlong 18th Century Imari Porcelain Dish

This fine-quality porcelain dish with attractive floral pattern in underglaze blue, red enamel and gilding, was made during the 18th century, most likely during the Qianlong reign (1736 - 1795). The underside has a simple underglaze blue decoration and there is a brown iron wash around the rim edge to prevent "fritting" of the glaze during firing...

Japanese Meiji Cast Iron Tetsubin with Signature - Hailstone Pattern

The cast iron tetsubin (teapot / kettle) is of course the central feature of the tea ceremony. This example was made during the Meiji period (1868 - 1912) or possibly a little later, the pattern to the upper part of the kettle known as the hailstone or nail head pattern. It has a copper cover that is a perfect fit. There is a signature to the right of the spout and there also appear to be seal marks to the base...

Koi frolic, splashing gold and silver waves as they leap and battle for the top of this stacking food dish dating from the later 19th century. The design is striking! Outside is polished black loaded down with gold and silver maki-e with applied kirigane cut gold squares. Inside is festive red. The box (assembled) is 25 x 23 x 38 cm (10 x 9 x 15 inches). Some minor dings but overall, very nice condition for something which has seen use.

Maki-e Cranes soar and a gilded tortoise takes refuge on a rock on this magnificent sake set made of wood covered in lacquer with elaborate maki-e and applied gold designs. About the edge of the stand is a solid silver rim. The scenes are depicted with powdered gold and applied gold kirigane on red and black grounds. This is of the highest quality. The largest cup is about 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter...

A sake set in the shape of a cha-usu tea powder grinding stone consisting of 7 pieces, each uniquely decorated with various creatures. The widest is a large sake cup decorated with cranes upon which rests the hai-dai stand, forming the base of the grinding stone. The cover is in the shape of the grinding stone itself, and forms a deep cup decorated inside with a hawk. Inside this are found three concentric cups decorated with crows, a carp and sparrows...

The comic-strip dog character Norakuro waves from the cockpit of this ceramic water-dropper (for grinding ink) in the shape of a war-plane. A waterdropper (suiteki) is filled with water and used to drip water onto a stone when grinding ink. This Suiteki has a wingspan of roughly 9.5 cm (just less than 4 inches). Norakuro is a black and white dog enlisted as a private in the “Mokenrentai” (Fierce Dog Brigade), an Imperial army of white dogs fighting in a war against the Monkey Army...

A fine rare three color lacquer box with cover of irregular form. Showing two pomegranate fruits borne on a leafy stem, in carved cinnabar, ochre and green lacquer, on a carved floret-swastika diaper ground. The sides of the box with hexagonal floret diaper. The base and interiors lacquered in black. These boxes are dated to the 18th century, Qianlong period...

A water bucket shaped earthenware vase finely painted with micro calligraphy in Kanji (Chinese characters), paper slips and chrysanthemum flowers in moriage technique. Base with "Kutani" mark. Dating to Taisho period or later. Condition: minor wear to gilding and colors, interior with few traces of usage. Dimension: c. 22.3 cm high, diameter: 8.2 cm, weight: 500 g.

Chinese Song Dynasty Carved Qingbai / Dehua Porcelain Bowl

This porcelain bowl was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) at one of the Dehua kilns in Fujian province. The underside is decorated with a carved lotus petal design. It is coated in a very pale greenish qingbai glaze apart from the base where the white body is revealed...

Rare Finely Detailed Chinese Song Dynasty Incised Celadon Porcelain Bowl

This very attractive porcelain bowl was made during the 12th or 13th century at one of the kilns in Fujian province, where such wares were made for export around south-east Asia; indeed the silky-matt feel and appearance of the glaze suggest this bowl has been recovered from a shipwreck.

The incised pattern is particularly fine and well-executed. In the centre is what appears to be a lotus flower surrounded by flor...

Chinese Kangxi Blue & White Porcelain Box - Eight Treasures

This fine quality blue & white porcelain covered box was made during the Kangxi reign (1662 - 1722) of the Qing Dynasty. Both cover and box are attractively decorated in underglaze blue. The cover pattern features a spray of chrysanthemum, representing friendship and a life of ease, surrounded by "eight treasures", all representing good fortune. Interestingly, the lower box shows only seven "treasures" suggesting they were not spac...

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,...

At least two stories are forwarded to describe this ritual phurba -1 they are as protector of crops stored in granaries. 2- they are used during funerals , the bird is supposed to take away the souls of dead people during cremation or other burial ceremonies These type of phurba seems peculiar to Gurung priests or shamans. Important soot patina indicative of an important age , at least early to mid 20th. H 28 cm ,

An ancient pine and youthful bamboo rise in gold against a striking red background on this scroll set by Hirai Chokusui dated Mid-summer of Taisho 2 (1913) an enclosed in the original signed double wood box titled Ro-matsu Fu-chiku (ancient Pine, Wind in the Bamboo) Kindega Kenpon Sofuku (Gold Painted Silk Pair). The elegant scene is painted with gold on the finest red silk with gold border extended above and below with a deep solid Ichionji of burgundy wine wrapped in a field of azure washed ...

An original Edo period kōsatsu public proclamation dated Tenwa I (1681) detailing the laws against Christianity, rewards for turning in a Christian to the authorities, as well as punishment for the offenders. Of cypress wood with sumi ink, and a hand-forged iron loop for suspension from a post or gate. The signboard has a shallow peaked “roof” to protect the calligraphy from the rain. However decades in the weather have caused the original surface to wear and bake away the surface, leavi...

Early Edo Myochin Signed Nimai Do with Nanban influence featuring gilded kusazuri and sode laced with blue chord dated Genwa 3 (1620). There are rows of Prominent rivets all about with nobori-kiri crests on the top of the munaita. Comes with an old wrapping cloth dyed with the same crest. The Hon-kozane Kusazuri are removable, attached to two leather belts suspended from iron tongs about the waist. The takahimo shoulder straps are wrapped in leather. The shaped horn clasps are extant but on...

Massive Qing dynasty Chinese polished bronze tripod ding censer with compressed body, two arched loop handles at the rim, and tapered legs fitted on a custom hardwood stand. Cast in a Ming dynasty style and bearing a six-character apocryphal Xuande reign period mark within a rectangle on the base. Believed to date as early as the 18th century. Censers of this size and form were typically used in temples. Censer: 11 1/2" diameter (10 3/4" diameter at the rim) x 8” high (to top of handles). ...

This necklace is comprised of 31 stone pre-columbian beads, in varying shapes, sizes and colors. The necklace measures 19 1/2" long. Between 15 and 20 beads have a green color, the others are faded into cream and beige, a few are brown or black. The flat disc shaped black stone in the center measures roughly 26cm across and is backed with a green speckled disc. The large tubular beads measure between 7/8" and 1 1/4" (33cm). Smaller beads are at the end near the silver colored S hook. They wer...

Extremely rare bronze Lobi 3 legged stool, in antelope form. Measures 10" high, 18" wide and 5 1/2" deep.. Lobi stools are always a lovely form, sometimes with figural designs, and bronze stools are very rare. Such examples were always made for a chief or other high ranking member of the community. The Lobi culture is located primarily within the current country of Burkina Faso. The elegant antelope shape with curved horns and subtle detail is a tour de force in African artifacts, obviously ...

Rare Chinese Warring States / Western Han Glazed Stoneware Jar

This rare and unusual jar dates to the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) or possibly the early part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from high-fired grey stoneware of the type sometimes called "proto-porcelain". The glaze, a dark green ash glaze, is quite patchy and its thickness varies. The shoulder and waist are decorated with bands of lightly incised wavy parallel lines. The body is wide and it has a c...

Rare Chinese Eastern Jin / Southern Dynasties Celadon Glazed Chicken Head Ewer

This stoneware ewer was made during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317 - 420) or possibly the Southern Dynasties period (AD 420 - 589). Its form, body and glaze characteristics suggest it was made at the workshops in Jiangxi province. It is "heavily-potted" with two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides of the shoulder, pouring spout in the form of a chicken's head, and a decorative chicken's tail. It is coated in a...

Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Kraak Porcelain Dish - Wanli

This very attractive "Kraak" porcelain dish was made at the Jingdezhen kilns during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. The pattern, in underglaze blue of good colour, features in its centre a tasselled double-gourd vase and an artemesia leaf (one of the "eight treasures"). Surrounding this are ten roundels containing peaches and flower blossoms. The underside is more simply decorated with basic floral patter...

A rare and stunning set of Kinrande sake cups by the elusive Nakamura Shuto I enclosed in the original compartmentalized signed wooden box dating from the late Meiji to Taisho period. Crisp designs of shishi lions frolicking among peonies in genuine gold are expertly applied to the brilliant red outside, while inside landscapes of plum, pine and bamboo blossom in minute detail in Sometsuke blue on white. The artists seal is deeply impressed inside the foot ring. Each cup is 5.5 cm (2-1/4 inch...

Golden cranes soar among clouds etched into the surface of this solid silver Japanese hanging incense burner (Tsuri Koro) dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. Inside is an ash-cup suspended in a triple-hinged gimble which keeps the ash pot upright no matter the angle of the ball itself. On the side is impressed the official Kokuin which reads Jungin (pure silver). The cranes have a soft golden sheen and are likely gilded or damascened with gold. It hangs from three silk chords ti...

Chinese Qing dynasty blue and white porcelain dish decorated at the center with five immortals and a young boy all surrounded by a band of bats at the rim. 8 5/8” diameter x 1/2" high. 19th century or possibly earlier. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is kiln grit adhering to the center of the base and to the foot rim. From the collection of a former American expatriate to Guangzhou and Beijing from 1983-1987.

First edition pencil-signed Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Takeji Asano (1900-2002) titled "Rain in Shinnyodo" in the lower margin and dated Showa 28 (1953) in the lower left margin. The artist's black ink signature is at the lower left corner of the image and the artist's name/signature is in pencil at the lower right. The left margin also bears the seal of the publisher Unsodo, the carver Okura, and the printer Shinmi. The "gei" watermark is at the lower left margin corner. This is a f...

A bronze bell dated Kanbun 10 (1670) which would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. Inscribed in the surface around dials of lotus flowers is: An auspicious day in the 7th month of Kanbun 10, followed by the names Honda Yasutoki Ko and Hiramoto Sukeyuki opposite a dedication to the god of water the Hachidairyu-jin followed by a place name near Awazu in modern day Shiga prefecture. The Hac...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Camel

This small and very attractive pottery model of a camel was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a reddish pottery and has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, a base coat of white with yellow and reddish-brown pigments on top. Note the sculpted details on its humps and long neck.

Height 20.5 cm (8 inches). It is in very good condition (some restoration or repair should reasonably be expected but none is o...

Fine Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Male Courtier Figure

This impressive pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It represents a courtier and is of particularly elegant form. He appears to be holding an audience tablet. Note the detail of the clothing and headgear. The figures stands on an integral plinth. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been cold painted in various coloured pigments, much of which still remain. Interestingly, to the front of the plinth is...

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed & Painted Pottery Horse

This large and impressive pottery model of a horse was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). The horse stands upright and alert. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a pinkish pale-brown pottery that has had the saddle and details of the horse's fittings coated in yellow and green glazes. The remaining unglazed surface has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which further details have been picked out...

Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Oil Lamp in Human Form

This pottery oil lamp was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is "heavily-potted", made from a reddish-brown pottery that is relatively highly-fired and is coated in a greenish-brown glaze that is very finely-crackled. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery iridescence, a reaction of the glaze to long exposure to moisture. This oil lamp is in the form of a kneeing human figure, its hands clasped together across its c...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Hu Jar with Animal Frieze (with Oxford TL Test)

This tall pottery jar (hu) was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. The neck and shoulder are decorated with deeply incised bands but the main decoration is around the waist, a moulded frieze of a hunting scene including a man on horseback, dragon and leopard.

Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the f...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Ding Tripod with Twin Fish Pattern

This fine example of a ding tripod was made during the middle of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. The green colour of the glaze varies according to its thickness, the thicker the glaze the deeper the colour. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery and golden iridescence, a result of exposure to moisture during its very long burial. The body is almost "semi-spheric...