This large lacquered wooden shop sign (“kanban” or “kamban”) advertises a brand of Japanese sake and dates to ca. 1930. The large heavy trade sign was carved on a single wood plank and decorated with black and gold lacquer, which creates a dramatic contrast...

This delicate Japanese sake cup (“sakazuki”) is decorated with a dragon in high relief in varied shades of gold and silver lacquer on a red lacquer ground. Meiji period (1868-1912). The dragon, created in takamakie (raised lacquer) emerges from rough swirling waves done in both takamakie and hiramakie (flat lacquer). Details such as his piercing eyes, whiskers, beard and claws are finely rendered in low relief...

This large vintage round red lacquer dish in chrysanthemum form with low relief hand carving was crafted in a technique known as kamakura-bori and dates to the mid-20th century. The finely carved edges of the dish represent real chrysanthemum blossoms which surround a stylized twelve petal chrysanthemum flowerhead -- a design which originated in the late 17th century and was based on the "kiku-mon," the imperial crest derived from the chrysanthemum...

This fine vintage Japanese wakasa-nuri stand with rolled legs has a mosaic-like surface that shimmers with gold foil and tiny inlaid pieces of iridescent mother-of-pearl. Early to mid-20th century. The base of the lacquer is wood which was finished with brown, black and red colors, and the layers of these colors are revealed by polishing the lacquer finish to create this unique and complex pattern. Small pieces of mother of pearl are mixed into the finish creating a lovely overall effect...

The lids of these elegant vintage Japanese lacquer covered bowls are decorated with gold lacquer peonies on a rich black lacquer ground. They date to the mid-20th century. The peony flower blossoms and leaves have been hand painted in gold hiramakie (flat lacquer) with takamakie (raised lacquer) highlights on a glossy black roiro-nuri ground. Roiro is a technique of using the highest quality black urushi lacquer, applied and polished in several layers. The rims are finished with gold lacquer...

This lovely round red and black lacquer tray with hand carved peony blossoms and leaves was crafted in a technique known as kamakura-bori and dates to the early 20th century. The alternating layers of color create a rich effect on the low relief carving, adding to its three dimensional quality. There is a wonderful depth and patina to the richly textured finish of this tray, which was very likely a tea ceremony presentation tray. The reverse is simply finished with red lacquer...

This exquisitely delicate gold makie lacquer Japanese hair comb (“kushi”) and ornamental hair bar (“kogai”) set is decorated en suite and dates to the early 20th century (Meiji/Taisho period). The front sides of the comb and the ends of the two-pronged kogai are beautifully decorated with gold hiramakie (flat lacquer) and gold takamakie (raised lacquer) floral and leaf designs with accents of gold kirigane inlay on a gold lacquer ground...

This lovely inlaid tan and gold makie lacquer Japanese hair comb (“kushi”) and signed ornamental hair bar (“kogai”) set is decorated en suite and dates to the early 20th century (Taisho/early Showa period). The front sides of the comb and the ends of the two-pronged kogai are painstakingly decorated with gold hiramakie (flat lacquer) cherry blossoms and a wave design with bright iridescent “aogai” (abalone shell) inlay on a most unusual tan colored lacquer base...

This large red and black lacquer deep dish in chrysanthemum form with relief hand carving was crafted in a technique known as kamakura-bori and dates to the early 20th century. The carved edges of the bowl represent the sixteen petals of a chrysanthemum blossom. This design originated in the late 17th century and was based on the "kiku-mon," the imperial crest derived from the chrysanthemum. The central medallion is carved in relief with three overlapping chrysanthemum leaves...

This most unusual Japanese studio ceramic vase, which is covered with an overall ochre glaze and a rich flambé drip on the neck and shoulder, is further decorated with takamakie lacquer designs of flowers and a crab. Meiji period (1868-1912). Unidentified artist; the ochre glazed base is stamped in archaic characters inside a raised unglazed square seal in the biscuit. The decoration is boldly executed in gold and brown takamakie (raised) lacquer, giving the vase a moriage type of appearance...

This unusual black and red covered square box is most likely an incense storage container called a kogo. Early 20th century. Carved in nuri guri style, the cover appears to depict a tortoise, the symbol of longevity. The interior is finished in plain black lacquer. Nuri guri is the technique of laying down and alternating dozens of layers of red and black lacquer and then carving through the layers in intricate geometric or curved patterns borrowed from the Chinese. The deep cuts are made at an ...

These matched Japanese black and red lacquered sake containers in sleeve cask form (“sodedaru”) are decorated with the family crest (mon) which depicts a water plantain “(omodaka”) plant. Dating to the early 20th century, both are signed. Red lacquer trims the top, bottom and side edges of the container, and the mon on the front side is finished in silver lacquer. This color contrast is quite pleasing. A brass pouring spout rises from a red and black lacquer carved opening, and the facet...

This elegant and refined square lacquer tray with rounded edges is decorated with four family crests (mons) in gold makie lacquer on a rich glossy black roiro-nuri ground. Meiji period, early 20th century. Roiro-nuri is a technique wherein the highest quality black urushi lacquer is applied and polished in several layers. Round gold makie lacquer crests of noble families include the crane, melon, feathers and wisteria. The edge is finished with gold lacquer. Serving trays such as this were used ...

This most unusual elongated covered box – probably used to hold brushes or pens -- displays the typical mottled orange, gold and black lacquer technique known as Wakasa-nuri. Meiji period, late 19th century. The center of the box’s cover has an unadorned red lacquer panel surrounded by the swirling wakasa-nuri finish along the edge and on all sides, and the exterior of the lower section is also decorated with wakasa-nuri lacquer. The base and the inside of the box are finished with rich blac...

This diminutive hardwood display stand with silver mounts has been decorated overall with gold makie lacquer landscape decoration. Meiji period (1868-1912). The stand, which is made entirely of keyaki wood, has developed a rich mellow patina resulting from time. Keyaki, the most expensive of Japanese hardwoods, has a beautiful dense grain and is sturdy and long-lasting, requiring little maintenance. The lovely gold hiramakie (flat lacquer) and takamakie (raised lacquer) decoration on the front d...