19th century hinoki (cypress wood) netsuke of an actor in a role of a Chinese official with characteristic tablet in his hand. Painted in bright colors in a manner of Shuzan, great quality face, wonderful rendition of Noh theater robes as geometric planes with finely painted textile patterns. Signed CHIKUJU on the back - the artist is mentioned in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 452, number 134). Height 2 3/16 inches.
Rather unusual 19th century black stone netsuke of a man wearing a grass skirt and holding a club, seated leaning on rockery. Like any dark object does not photograph well. The character represented must be one of 108 heroes of Suikoden - a Chinese book called Shui Hu Chuan (Suikoden in Japanese, The Water Margin in English) was very popular in the capital Edo. It contained numerous tales of an outlaw named Sung-Chiang and his 108 followers. Wonderful expressive face, beautiful patina, great fee ...click for details
19th century Japanese porcelain netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Okame (Otafuku). Wonderful chubby face, endearingly ugly. Crisp detailing, red and black lacquer highlights, very nice wear and patina. Height 1 5/8 inches.
Late 19th century Japanese ceramic netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Okame (Otafuku). Crisp detailing, slight darkening of protruding parts from wear, overall in excellent condition. Impressed with seal SEKIHO on the back - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 176, signatures 258-260. Height 1 13/16 inches.
Late 19th century Japanese ceramic netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Okame (Otafuku). Crisp detailing, wonderful smile, slight darkening of protruding parts from wear, black glaze to her hair. Impressed with seal SEKISEN on the back - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 177, signature 264. Height 1 3/4 inches.
19th century Japanese smoking set consisting of tobacoire (tobacco box, and a form of inro), kiseruzutsu (tobacco pipe holder) and a pipe. Tobacoire is skillfully carved out of 2-tone exotic burlwood adding very pleasant color play to the piece, excellent finish to the surface. Kiseruzutsu appears to have been made by steam bending of a wooden piece in a shape of a thread, so a pipe in a sense screws into it. Simple pipe with 2 silver pieces (both marked - see detail) joined by a reed stem. Old ...click for details
19th century Edo period (before 1867) Japanese porcelain Hirado plate with scalloped edge and underglaze blue decoration of a dragon in pursuit of Tama (sacred pearl). Excellent potting, milky white body and clear glaze. Great early painting with charming freedom, wonderful dynamic design - see the flames issuing from the body of the dragon. Some surface wear as to be expected, overall in great condition. Diameter 7 1/4 inches.
Late Meiji - early Taisho (1910s) Japanese porcelain Hirado yusamashi with underglaze blue decoration of scholars playing the game of GO on a low table, accompanied by attendant boys. Yusamashi resembles European creamer in shape, and is used to add cold water to tea in order to bring it to comfortable drinking temperature. Superb delicate potting, marked with 6 Japanese characters on the bottom. Wonderful quality freehand painting. The creamer is in perfect condition. Length with handle 4 7/16 ...click for details
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.
