Chinese silk embroidered "cloud collar" decorated with flowers, scrolling foliage and bats embroidered in polychrome silk on a coral silk ground. Significant use of the "forbidden stitch." Cloud collars were detachable. They presumably could be worn with different sets of clothes. The five lobed panels are embroidered in bats, so ornately rendered using the "forbidden stitch" that they appear to be butterflies. Called the "forbidden stitch," or "b ...click for details
Rare first state impression of "Nihonbashi (Station 1) Morning Veil" from Ando Hiroshige's ((1797-1858) first series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Hoeido circa 1833-1834. The print depicts a daimyo and his attendants crossing the Nihon Bridge in the early morning hours. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige. Standard horizontal oban print measuring 9 3/4"V x 14 5/8"H (im ...click for details
Rare first state impression of "Totsuka (Station 6) Motomachi Detour" from Ando Hiroshige's ((1797-1858) first series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Hoeido circa 1833-1834. The print depicts travelers stopping to rest at a tea house along the sea coast route between Kyoto and Edo. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige. Standard horizontal oban print measuring 9 3/8"V x 14 3/8& ...click for details
"The Tamaya Restaurant," subtitled "The Back Gate of Kameido Shrine" from the series "Collection of Famous Restaurants of Edo" by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858). Circa 1840. The print depicts beauties standing in a snow-covered courtyard under umbrellas. Three small dogs circle in the snow at the lower left. The colors are exceptionally fresh and vibrant. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige. Stand ...click for details
A snow-capped Mt. Fuji viewed through clouds from Nihonbashi (Japan Bridge) from the series "Famous Views of Edo" by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) published by Sanoki circa 1840. The print depicts a lively scene with workers carrying merchandise by foot across the bridge in Edo (now Tokyo). Boats are docked before warehouses in the background. The colors are exceptionally fresh and vibrant. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by H ...click for details
Rare 19th century Chinese blanc-de-chine porcelain figure in the form of a fisherman standing in bare feet on rockery over foaming ocean waves. A basket, supported by a rope, hangs around his shoulders. The tail of a recently caught fish flops out of the basket. Square impressed seal to the back. 13"H. Finely executed restorations to the rope and hat are not visible to the eye. Exceptionally fine detailing.
Fine quality square Japanese lacquered wood serving tray illustrating a Noh theater performance of the "lion dance" executed in gold lacquer against a black ground. An aristocrat is seated in an outdoor setting with pine sprigs in the foreground observing a performer with long flowing deep coral-red hair dancing with a fan. The back is entirely covered in "nashiji" lacquer. Dates from the early 20th century to possibly late 19th. Stored in a wood presentation box. The la ...click for details
Large and deep Chinese Kangxi Period (1662-1722) porcelain charger decorated in underglaze blue flowers on a white porcelain ground. The base bears an apocryphal Ming Dynasty Cheng Hua Period reign mark. It measures 14" in diameter by about 2 1/4" depth. Excellent overall condition with no chips or cracks.
A courtesan in an elaborate kimono from the series "Twelve Months of Elegant Fashions within the Yoshiwara" signed Kochoro Kunisada (1786-1865), later known as Toyokuni III. This series was published by Moriya Jihei in 1832. Kiwame seal. The courtesan sits before a lacquer writing box. At the upper left, a child stands holding two wrapped items. To the left of the title cartouche is a sake decanter and sake cup. Standard vertical oban print measuring about 14 7/8"V x 10 3/8& ...click for details
Vertical oban depicting a fox attacking a man and child by Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833-1904). A three-eyed ghost gazes menacingly at the scene from the upper right corner. The banner at the top, which is being held by a flying angel, reads "#445 from the Tokyo Daily News." The date of "8th month of Meiji 6" (1873) appears in the right portion of the calligraphic description of the scene taking place. Newspapers, which were introduced into Japan in 1870, became very popular in the ...click for details
