Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Pottery Figure - Female Cook

This large and impressive pottery model was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is a model of a kneeling female figure holding in one hand a knife, and in the other a fish that lays on a chopping board. It is made from a particularly red pottery that is relatively low-fired...

Fine Korean Koryo Dynasty Bronze Bowl, Spoon & Chopsticks

This fine, high quality bronze bowl and utensils were made during the Koryo Dynasty (AD 918 - 1392) but more specifically during the 13th century. The wall of the bowl is particularly thin as it was made by the spinning technique as opposed to having been cast (see below for more information). The foot of the bowl has been made separately and is joined by two rivets...

Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tile - Ox / Moon

This fine pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made of a dense grey pottery and have been painted in black pigment. Each tile features, in high relief and in good detail, a recumbent long-horned ox, or cow, looking up at the moon...

Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Horses

This fine pair of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made of a dense grey pottery and have been painted in black pigment. Each tile features, in high relief and in great detail, a flying horse surrounded by clouds. Mounted and lit well, these tiles make superb decorative items. 

The total length when both tiles are placed together is 51.5 cm (20.25 inches), height 25.5 cm 10 inches)...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar - Liuwan Type

This large pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is relatively highly-fired and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It has an unusually small neck compared to its large body size...

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Sheep Jar

This large and unusual pottery vessel in the form of a recumbent ram was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It has a thick cylindrical neck on its back quite a wide opening. Possible this vessel was used as base for the pole of a banner or screen support. Traces of the original "cold painted" coloured pigments can be seen.

Length 41 cm (16 inches), height 18.5 cm (7.25 inches)...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar (c. 2300 - 2000 BC)

This large pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It is of quite an unusual form, a wide body with two sturdy loop handles, a tall narrow neck and a flared mouth...

Set of Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Lotus Blossoms

This highly decorative set of pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). They are made from a dense, quiet highly-fired grey pottery and comprise three tiles, the left and right tiles being very elaborately decorated with lotus buds and blossoms in high relief, together with a central spacer tile...

Large Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Tripod (206 BC - AD 8)

This fine example of a painted pottery tripod, most likely a steamer, was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is a large example of its type, made from a fine-grained grey pottery and relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring when tapped. The body stands on three long curved legs that have been luted to the surface...

Rare Chinese Northern Wei Dynasty Painted Pottery Pack Horse (AD 386 - 534)

This very rare pottery model of a pack horse, or pony, was made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386 - 534). It is made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" with traces of red and white pigments remaining. Note the detail of the saddle bags and pack...

Chinese Tang Dynasty White Pottery Horse & Rider

This unusual model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a creamy-white pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. Note the detail of the overweight rider's clothing and hairstyle.

Height 33.5cm (13 inches)...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider

This attractive pottery model of a horse and rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been applied various coloured pigments. The rider is a musician, a drummer, and is in the act of beating his drum. Interestingly in his left clasped hand can be seen the faint remains of rusted iron, the remains of a miniat...

Fine Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Figure (206 BC - AD 8)

This tall pottery figure was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It represents a male servant or attendant. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, much of which still remain. There is a purpose-made hole, where the would-be hands are clasped together under the robe, where originally would have been placed possibly a banner of some so...

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse & Rider with Oxford TL Test

This very rare pottery model of a horse & rider was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). The body of the horse, complete with the rider, has been made in a two-piece mould. the join running along the horse's neck and back and the sides of the rider. Note the detail of the rider, his clothing and his hands. Note also the sturdy legs of the horse and the way the tail joins the cut-out base to give extra strengt...

Fine & Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Granary Jar with Cover

This rare pottery model of a granary was made some 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is coated in a very attractive amber glaze that varies slightly in colour around the vessel. The unusual shoulder and top presumably represent a two-tier tiled roof. It has its original cover with moulded floral pattern and two purpose-made holes. We know from two other similar examples we have from the same excava...

This Toba-e E-maki appears to be a 19th century Gi-ga follower of the later 18th to early 19th century Osaka "Manga-ka" Nichosai (Matsudaira Heisaburo). His humorous images of Hell were quite popular, known as Kakuyu painting.　Overall the genre has many names, Gi-ga being all encompassing, Toba-e being descriptive of this particular style, and Kakuyu-fu being the style of Nichosai. It ends with a simple stamp which reads Fish (Gyo/Sakana). It is 11 by 174 inches (28 x 442 cm). Very interes...

A comic scene in ink on paper of boys herding oxen by Nagasawa Rosetsu spreads across these two low screens. The central characters, one in the lead the second astride one of the behemoths crossing a bridge is distracted by a butterfly floating by above while the beast in front steps on its own rope, pulling his head back to the viewer with a quizzical expression. Other oxen and boys populate the background. All is performed in very soft gray tones with abbreviated detail as if viewed through...

A small round heavily lacquered box made to contain incense carved with Peonies by Imperial Artist Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Layer upon layer of lacquer has been applied over time, each subsequent layer allowing for drying, then the entire is carved through with the floral motif. This would likely have been years in the making. This kogo is 3 inches (7.5 cm) diameter and in perfect condition signed underneath Sozan. Sozan was known best for his impeccable celad...

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. Kes...

A dark forest rises in a field of white, as if still covered in frost or snow, over which is draped a poem brushed in the exquisite script of the poet-nun Otagaki Rengetsu, Itsu to naki, Tokiwa no sato ha, Hototogisu shinobu hatsune ni, Uzuki wo ya shiru?
With the first cry of the Cuckoo, in this village of Tokiwa
Will the people realize, Spring has arrived?
To the extreme left, the cuckoo flies off the page. Ink on paper in forest green silk extended in a beige with black ...

The Heron Maiden coquettishly covers her face, the intimation of snow in the vacant background with large occasional flakes falling in the fore on this large work by important 20th century artist Kitano Tsunetomi. Pigment on silk in the original silk border with solid ivory rollers (these will be changed if exporting). It comes in a later collector’s double wood box. The scroll is 46 x 206 cm (18 x 81 inches) and in overall fine, original condition. There are faint scattered foxing marks t...

Kannon (Guanyin) the bodhisattva of compassion, is depicted by two of the most famous painters of the early Showa period on this pair of presentation cloths by Hashimoto Kansetsu and Tomita Keisen. Keisen’s loosely brushed image of a cherubic Kannon sits in the center of an Enso Zen circle. The calligraphy on the left reads "Entsu", a Buddhist term combining the kanji for circle and authority, loosely meaning knowledge of the circle of Buddhist Doctrine, the cycle of life and of all things et...

Japanese limited edition woodblock print by French artist Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960) titled "After the Dance" (Apres La Danse. "Celebes") published June 29, 1940. This image is illustrated on page 59 (plate 67) of “The Prints of Paul Jacoulet” by Richard Miles, 1982. It is described on pages 104-105. The print is pencil-signed and bears the red butterfly seal at the lower left corner of the image. The seal of the carver and printer (Maeda/Fujii) is at the lower right margin corner. A red...

A brush, ink stick letter knife and ink stone are set into a compartment inside this flattened bamboo shape carved from Zitan wood with a poem engraved into the lid signed on the back side Hokkyo Sessai and enclosed in a wooden box. Lifting out the lid by means of the strap, one finds the knife tucked into the handle, the brush, stone, and ink laid out and ready to use. It is 34 cm (13-1/2 inches) long. The ink stone, firmly embedded in the wood, has cracked, otherwise all is in excellent co...

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. Color illustrated as plate 170, page 369 in Volume 2 of “Kawas...

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

A pair of Helen Kalvak Inuit screened burlap hunting scene pictures. Kalvak (1901-1984) was from Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada and she was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. This was followed in 1978 by her appointment to the Order of Canada. These screened burlap pictures are framed and they measure 18-1/4 x 15-1/4" and they have a sight size of 13-1/2 x 10-1/4". The wood frames have an antiqued finish and one shows a bow and arrow hunter killing a goose (in natura...

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. It has a burn...

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. (His fa...

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. Works well. Handle rotates up and down. Entire surface decorated with geometric silver inlay, with round cartouche on lid and three sides. Joseon Dynasty, 18th or 19th century. Inlay missing in areas, visible in photos. Very lovely example of the exquisite metal work in the...

From the design workshop of Los Castillo in Taxco Mexico, this beautiful vase is hand hammered silver plate with abalone inlay in the curved petals on the lip. It measures 5 3/8" high and 3 7/8" across at the top. The body is heavily ribbed, in what seems to be called the "melon" design by Los Castillo. Signed on base with Los Castillo Taxco impressed mark, hecho a Mano, Mexico. Good heavy weight, with lovely curved petals on the vase rim. It wobbles a tiny bit, as the base is hand hammered...

Most unusual Inuit soapstone carving of two figures, one a human face in hood, and on the back, a standing owl. Good dramatic size, it measures 9 3/4" high and is 4 1/2" wide and 4 1/2" deep. Signed on the base, with the letter E, indicating that it is from the Eastern region of Inuit culture. Other incised marks may indicate artist. Striations in the rock are quite visible in the side views of the sculpture. Very striking design, and very appealing from every angle, this is an exceptional ...

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). This is 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) dia...

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. Japan Edo (1603-1868) end of 17th, early 18th cent...

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. This horse comes complete with its own c...