A handsome silver-plate magnifying glass has been fashioned with an antique Japanese cloisonne pommel as its chief ornament. The design of colorful five-petaled florets it set off against a background of silver foil-backed (gin-bari) transparent scarlet enamel. Of approximately 8-1/2 inch full length, the pommel is about two inches long. Meiji Period, Japan, Nineteenth Century. Excellent condition.

The central part of this extraordinary watch fob consists of graduated handmade chainwork in gold, silver and that special Japanese dark-brown alloy, shakudo. Approximately 4-1/2 inches in length, the elegant item is is excellent, unrepaired condition. Japan, Nineteenth Century.

Together for more than a century, these mated gourds were used for generations of the same family in Japan. The gentleman's gourd is approximately 14 inches long and the lady's is about 8-1/2. (The latter one has a fine lacquer repair that shows in the close-up photo. The stoppers are carved persimmon wood, the lady's has a brass ring and a bone ring for hanging the two gourds.

Elegant and dramatic, this lacquer shrine (butsudan) is easily dissembled put together by one person. It is in excellent condition and retains several hidden drawers and compartments, as well as its gates, doors and slides for offerings and flower arranging. Urushi lacquer and kinpaku gilding are employed in great detail. Meiji Period, late Nineteenth Century. Approximately 44 inches by 20 inches by 16 inches deep.

A very charming Japanese "gobaku" (incense box) of fine, subtle quality. The design is two overlapping fans depicting the moon over waves and a pair of cranes in flight. Circa 1900, 3-7/9 inches by 5 inches by 2 inches.

A fine example of an Imari serving dish with fine blue-painted underglaze designs decorated with overglaze enamels in red, blue and green highlighted in gilt. Arita, circa 1840, approximately 4-3/4 inches by 6-1/2 inches by two inches.

A very bold scene of peonies being visited by a butterfly, fills the center of this excellent Japanese porcelain 15-inch charger. It dates from the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century and is in superb condition.

A finely composed scene of flowers and a bird fill this superb Japanese porcelain charger. Dating from the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century, it is 16-1/4 inches in diameter. The condition is excellent.

Following the forced opening of Japan to world trade in the mid-Nineteenth Century, there was a great rush by the Western Hemisphere to enjoy the goods of this graceful and productive land. There was also a great curiosity on both sides to portray and understand the customs and effects of the foreigners...

On a very simple covered cylinder of highly polished bone are engraved in minute detail a couple of face cards and replicas of the contents: six bone dice. Japanese, late Nineteenth Century or early Twentieth, the little set is in mint condition and measures about 1-5/8 inches high and 1-1/4 inches in diameter.

An elaborate design of a fan, a banner, a saki keg, etc., floating in swirling seaweed and Buddhist symbols covers the sides of this dramatic hibachi, or Japanese brazier. The top bears an equally elaborate design of ho-o birds and flowering kiri (paulonia) branches, symbols of the female principle and the Empress...

This elegant tripod incense burner in fine Kutani porcelain is cylindrical in form and has cloud-form handles with detached rings. The straight-sided walls are reticulated to show the double-wall construction, both sides showing a fortuitous phoenix alighting on a fence. The top is a reticulated double dome. Brilliant glazes of rouge-de-fer, turquoise, blue and mustard are enhanced with fine gilding. Height is approximately four inches and full diameter about 4-1/2 inches...