Made of iron, this antique Japanese mobile candle stand, known as a teshoku, dates from the Edo period. So typical of the old Japanese ethnographic objects, the design of this single candle holder is totally simple and wonderfully functional. With a lighted candle, this candlestand could be easily carried about the house by use of long very gently curved handle. When set in down, the placement of the 3 legs makes it very stable to minimize chances of it being accidentally knocked over. It is ...click for details
This old Japanese Noh theater mask has the expressive face of an old man. The mask is carved from paulownia wood and dates to middle Edo period, around 1750. The patina is wonderful.
Mask measures approx 8 inches high and 6 inches wide
This Edo period Japanese weaving tool was obviously made by the original owner/user or made by a close male relative. The tines are wood and the cord holding them into place is also hand-made. The "peanut" knot at the end of the cord is very typically a sign Japanese folk art craftsmanship.
This old tool had wonderful age and use patina.
Called a "comb" by Western weavers, this type tool is us ...click for details
This old Japanese hook would have been suspended over the hearth and used to hang cooking pots over the fire. Obviously carved by the original owner/user, this pothook or jizai kagi is heavily grooved from many years of use. The attached rope is probably a replacement to the original rope. It has been knotted into place for some years and I decided not to attempt to remove it.
This homemade Japanese tool was used in rural areas for cutting the groove in the tree to release and collect the sap which was harvested for the lacquerware. The wood handle is smooth to touch and has years of patina. The cutting blade is heavily aged but is in good condition.
The tool is about 9" long and at least 150 years old.
This pair of Japanese handmade long square cut nails are 5" long and appear to have never been used. The nail heads are solid and shaped into a hemisphere. The silver colored decorative metal escutcheons have scalloped edges and markings to represent a flower. The escutcheons are just under 1" in diameter and have a squared center hole which exactly fits the nail shank.
This 8" high wooden figure of the sitting Tenjin was carved during the Edo period, the mid 19th century (1850). Tenjin is the Japanese "god" name name given to the Japanese statesman and scholar, Sugawarea Michizane, the 9th century poet and writer of Chinese prose and verse.
Possibly carved from cryptomera wood and darkened with age, this carved figure has both a simplicity and elegance which are, fo ...click for details
This wonderful Edo period antique Japanese tobacco box is made of wood and covered with lacquer which is now seriously aged. In the middle of the lid is small sculptured detail. The box has the original cord and horn tip toggle, and still contains tobacco.
Circa 1860's this box is 4.5" x 2.5" x 3" high. It is truly a piece of old ethnographic folk art from Japan's Edo period.
