Antique Mongolian tinder box leather pouch with steel blade decorated on the front with brass accents. Appears to date from the 19th century. This pouch comes with a padded silk lined presentation box. Measures 5 7/8" long at the blade by 3" wide, including the top clasp. Good overall condition with a wonderful aged patina and much evidence of wear. The top clasp has come loose on one side. These functional fire starters were often hung from belts. This piece is from the private colle ...click for details
Pair of Ming dynasty (circa 15th/16th century) white crackle-glazed meiping porcelain vases with a short waisted neck decorated with scattered underglaze blue cobalt butterflies and leafy fruited and flowering twigs. The glaze has a very faint celadon hue with tan colored crackles. The base is glazed and the unglazed foot has sand grit adhering. Each vase measures 11” high. They are in very good overall condition. There is some burial calcification adhering to a portion of one vase. These ...click for details
Pair of 19th century Chinese paper fans very finely and densely painted in extensive detail with figural scenes. One fan painting features beauties at a temple surrounded by clouds holding celestial maidens and a deer. A monkey is paying homage to a female who is seated on a lotus throne. The second fan painting depicts a scene with beauties engaged in various scholarly leisure activities. The fans date from the 19th century. They have been recently custom framed with archival materials against ...click for details
Japanese bronze two-section tripod usubata used in ikebana flower arranging. This traditional form usubata, crafted from heavy bronze, has three legs topped with ogre heads and two decorative scrolled handles at the sides of the body. Meiji period (early 20th century). The usubata stands 9 ¼” high and the removable top section measures 10 5/8” diameter. Very good overall condition with good patina and signs of use evident. This piece is from an old Tucson, Arizona estate.
Chinese Ming dynasty (16th century) blue and white porcelain meiping vase with bell-shaped cover decorated overall with classical lotus flowers among scrolling leafy stems, separated into three layers. The shoulder features the lotus-filled ruyi collar motif. 11 ¼” high (9 ¾” high without the lid). Very good overall condition with typical flaws, small areas where the glaze did not completely cover, and microscopic scratches to the glaze. The vase is slightly misshapen. The lid is possibly not or ...click for details
Large and heavy mirror pair of Chinese bronze Mandarin duck-form censers, or incense burners, with lotus stems trailing from open beaks and bodies decorated with molded lotus flowers and etched feathers. A removable pierced cover in the form of lotus flowers and stems is integrated into the feathers of the back. Each duck rests on a custom wood stand carved with water ripples. The incense smoke can exit through the opened beaks, a vent in the tail, and the pierced cover. A pair of Mandarin d ...click for details
Japanese sagemono (hanging object) tobacco pipe set consisting of a wood kiserutsuzu (pipe holder), kiseru (pipe), and wood tonkotsu (tobacco box) in the form of a humorous yawning Daruma with arms overhead grasping the two cords with his fists. The cords hold an ojime (sliding bead), which is attached to the pipe holder. Daruma’s body is kiri (pawlonia) wood and his eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl. His face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box. A badger (tanuki) standing ...click for details
Pair of Japanese Kutani foliate form export porcelain plates very finely decorated in overglaze enamels and gilt highlights. One plate features a central Hotei figure (one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck) and the second the diety Fudo Myo-o, carrying in his hand the rope with which he binds the enemies of the Buddhist faith. Two dragons among clouds encircle the exterior cavetto. Various family crests are scattered around the front and back. The bases are marked “Japan Yamashita made” (possib ...click for details
Rare set of six Burmese bronze opium weights, or cock weights, in a Brahmani duck type hintha (also called a hamsa) bird form with upturned tail sitting on a round base. The largest two have handles attached to the back of the head and end of the tail feathers. There is a metal support under the V-form tail. The largest weight has an old tag taped to it that reads “1513 grams” (3 lbs. 5.4 oz.). I confirmed this weight on a scale at the post office. This corresponds to the Indian unit of wei ...click for details
Japanese tabako-ire (tobacco pouch) decorated with an embroidered dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The dragon's body extends around the front and back of the pouch. The fierce head with open jaw is located on the front above the silver alloy dragon-form kanemono (clasp). An ivory accent adorns one of the two interior compartments. A circular ivory and repousse metal dragon kagamibuta netsuke is attached by 10 strands of metal chains secured by a dragon decorated squared silver guard. The ...click for details
