Rare Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) depicting a standing courtesan from the series "Five Islands of the Present Day" (Tosei goban shima) published by Kawaguchiya Shozo in the late 1820s. An interesting addition to the Edo artist’s repertoire was the Dutch import of a mineral pigment called Prussian blue, or Berlin blue (“berorin”), which replaced the inferior quality Japanese indigo dye. “Blue pictures,” or “aizuri-e”, became quite popular around 1829. ...click for details
Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting a beauty preparing to wash titled "Yellow" from the series "Five Colors of Ink" (Goshikizumi) by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) published by Aritaya Seiemon between 1843-1846. A pupil of Eizan, Eisen is perhaps best known for his prints of sensual women. The artist's signature, Yoshimura Gentaro censor's seal, and seal of the publisher all appear at the lower left. Vertical oban print measuring nearly 14 3/8"V x 10"H. ...click for details
Chinese mid-Qing dynasty Qianlong period Dehua kiln deep plate decorated in underglaze blue on a bluish-white porcelain ground with the “phoenix flying among peonies” motif. A band of stylized leaves encircles the back rim. An unidentified rectangular underglaze blue mark is on the base. The top of the foot rim is unglazed. 10 3/4” diameter x 2 3/8” high. Late 18th century. The dish is in very good overall condition with no chips or cracks. There are typical fine scratches in the glaze fr ...click for details
Late Qing dynasty Guangxu period joss stick holder in the form of a grimacing foo lion dog crouching on a plinth decorated in a mustard glaze with brown accents at the eyes that ends in drips at the plinth. Possibly from a Shiwan kiln. 6” high. Circa late 19th century. Very good overall condition with typical imperfections. This piece is from the private collection of a former American diplomat to Guangzhou and Beijing from 1983-1987.
Late Qing dynasty Guangxu period cylindrical form porcelain vase decorated in underglaze blue with figures engaged in mercantile activities set against an iridescent golden wash over a geyao type ground. An incised band of pale celadon waves is at the base and a blue wash is at the rim. The interior and base are covered in a creamy white geyao type glaze. The foot rim is unglazed. 9 1/2” high x 3 1/8” diameter. Circa 1900. Very good overall condition. This vase is from the private collect ...click for details
Very large Chinese late Qing dynasty Guangxu period porcelain ginger jar with domed lid decorated in the Hawthorn pattern, a style very much in vogue in the Kangxi period, with white branches of prunus blossoms set against a cobalt “cracked ice” ground. The base holds two underglaze blue concentric circles. The mouth rim is glazed. The jar measures about 11”H, including lid, x 8 1/2” diameter. Circa 1900. The jar itself is in very good overall condition. There is an original production flaw on ...click for details
Late Qing dynasty Chinese porcelain baluster form vase with wide trumpet mouth decorated in underglaze blue against a bluish-white background with six “shuangxi” symbols (indicating double-happiness and wedded bliss) surrounded by a stylized pattern of pencil style scrolling sweet pea vines (symbolizing “many children”). Two small underglaze blue Buddhist lion and cub handles are at the neck. The interior and base are glazed but the low rounded foot rim is unglazed. There is kiln grit adherin ...click for details
Early Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada, later known as Toyokuni III, titled “Station 9: Oiso” from the series “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road.” This chuban sized series depicts various beauties standing against the background of each rest stop on the Tokaido. The lower right corner contains the signature of the artist “Kochoro Kunisada Ga,” a red kiwame seal (used prior to 1842), and both red seals of the publishers Moriya Jihei and Sanoya Kihei. This identifies the image as ...click for details
Early Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada, later known as Toyokuni III, depicting the actor Bando Mitsugoro portraying a beauty under blossoming trees by the river’s edge in a scene from kabuki theater. The lower left corner of the print holds the signature of the artist “Gototei Kunisada ga,” the Daikokuya publisher’s seal (active circa 1820-1837) and the kiwame seal (used prior to 1842). Standard vertical oban size measuring 14 7/8"V x 10 1/8"H. Nice impression quality in very g ...click for details
Early Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada, later known as Toyokuni III, depicting the actor Sawamura Gennosuke II (who used the name Gennosuke through 1831) protraying a samurai oppressing a peasant in a scene from kabuki theater. The lower right corner contains the signature "Gototei Kunisada ga," the seal of the publisher Matsumura Tatsuemon (active circa 1793-1832), and the kiwame seal (used prior to 1842). Standard oban size measuring 14 5/8"V x 10"H. Very good impress ...click for details
