19th century small Hirado porcelain sculpture of a Japanese man wearing official kimono and a court hat. Like any white object does not photograph well. Excellent crisp modeling with incised details, wonderful thickish glaze with slight blue tinge and tiny bubbles in it. Unglazed bottom, in excellent condition, very pleasant to the touch. Height 2 3/8 inches. See the companion piece in my catalog.
Pair of 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting two branches - one with a perched owl, the other a crow with young. Superb quality work to the last detail - see their feathers and inlaid eyes. Shakudo with silver and gold, in excellent condition. Signed with single characters NAO and MASA on the sides. The best piece of Japanese metalwork that I have ever had. Length 1 11/16 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting resting horses with spotted coats. Superb quality work to the last detail - see their manes and gold inlaid eyes. Shakudo with silver inlaid spots, in excellent condition. Fantastic example of Japanese metalwork. Length 1 1/16 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting two groups of boys at play. Superb quality work - see their faces, detailing of clothing and toys. Gold, silver and copper inlays, in excellent condition. Fantastic example of Japanese metalwork. Length 1 1/2 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting egrets wading in a stream with swirling water, grasses and flowering water lilies. Elegant design, bronze with silvering and gilding, overall in very good condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.
Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting blooming peonies with stems, branches and buds. Excellent design and detailing, flowers and buds are silver, gold highlights. Length 1 5/8 inches.
Single early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fitting - depicting a cherry branch with leaves and flowers. Did not photograph well. Great design and superb detailing, silvering and gilding, beautiful patina. Length 1 3/4 inches.
Single early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fitting - depicting a horse grazing among flowers and grasses. Did not photograph well. Great design and detailing, beautiful dark patina, wear to gilding. Length 1 5/8 inches.
19th century Japanese iron kanemono (tobacco pouch clasp) depicting a scene of a samurai procession performed by six rats in different attitudes. Iron is notoriously difficult to work with. Excellent design, funny topic, superb crisp detailing, gilding to the eyes. Length 2 1/8 inches.
