Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (1215)

Late Meiji period (1890s to 1912) Japanese buffalo horn kushi (hair comb) with lacquer decoration of a small bird in flight by bamboo. Beautifully made, excellent lacquer work, wonderful piece in Japanese taste, some insect damage to the teeth as can be seen on photos. Length 3.32 inches.

Late Meiji period (1890s to 1912) Japanese wooden kushi (hair comb) with lacquer decoration of cranes in flight on the background of pine branches. Beautifully made out of dense wood allowing for fine teeth, excellent lacquer work, wonderful piece in Japanese taste, some losses as can be seen on photos. Length 4.06 inches.

Very unusual 19th century netsuke in a shape of an old cherry trunk with a newly blooming branch. Extraordinary elegant design in Japanese taste, mother of pearl inlaid flowers with use of lacquer at their bases, excellent patina. Length 3.9 inches (99 mm).

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke of a standing shishi (Buddhist lion), its mouth open in a snarl, the back arch and tail raised. Perfectly captured essence of the beast, fantastic depiction of its fur with different curls on different parts of its body, great patina with characteristic ebony sheen. Signed in 2 reserves on its behind - the most probable reading is SOSHIN. Extraordinary rendition of a beast. Length 1.28 inches.

19th century netsuke of a bronze fly on a boxwood pumpkin. Elegant clever design in Japanese taste, wonderfully rendered texture of the pumpkin skin, himotoshi (cord opening) is formed by the stem, great patina. Diameter 1.31 inches.

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke, its top with Shibayama inlay of a mosquito. Very rare creature in Japanese art, possibly unique unique subject in netsuke. Very well made, inlays include 2 types of mother of pearl and brown buffalo horn. Beautiful patina, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 1.6 inches.

19th century wooden netsuke in manju (rice cake) shape with pewter, mother of pearl and lacquer decoration of ivy leaves on vines. Wonderful design, beautiful work, fine wood with dense texture. Diameter 1.5 inches.

19th century Chinese scholar’s bronze seal, its top in a form of a scholar riding a horse. The impression of the seal is shown on the first photo (image is flipped left to right to present the image as it will print on paper). Very well cast and finished, beautiful patina, has good presence. Marked with the maker’s seal on top of the base. Height 1.9 inches, base 1.3 x 1.28 inches.

Vintage Chinese silver pin in a shape of a mythical animal. Judging by the flame like mane it is possibly a huodou - a large black dog that can emit flames from its mouth. Very good crisp work, in great condition. There is no hallmark, but I am confident that the metal is silver. Weight 5.7 grams, length 1.25 inches.

19th century Japanese sword menuki of Benkei carrying a huge temple bell on his back, currently mounted as a pin. Benkei was a famous 12th century yamabushi (warrior priest), and one of his daring exploits was the theft of the bell of Miidera which he carried to his monastery on the top of the hill.. Very clever design, wonderful detailing, metal appears to be silver with gold wash (worn). Height 1 inch.

19th century Japanese silver and Satsuma obidome (sash ornament) with various blooming flowers with stems and leaves. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Excellent quality painting, numerous color and gold enamels, in excellent condition, metal fitting on the back for an obi cord. Back is stamped with a single character GIN (silver). Diameter 1.48 inches.

1930s Japanese carving of an ivory bird floating on a wooden pond. Wonderful crisp realistic carving, excellent painted highlights, very nice stand with wave patterns. Old stable crack along its side, otherwise in great condition. Bird length 2 inches, stand length 3 inches, total height 1.6 inches.

19th century repousse Chinese silver hat ornament in a shape of a Foo lion on a hollow base, its front paw on a free spinning filigree ball. During Qing Dynasty silver figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto hats for decoration. Beautifully made, crisp detailing of the beast and different plants around the base, will look much better once tarnish is cleaned. Weight 6.1 grams, height 1.37 inches.

19th century repousse Chinese silver sew-on clothing ornament in a shape of a Chinese sage riding a mythical qilin. During Qing Dynasty silver figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto clothing and hats for decoration. Nicely made from low grade silver, small holes around perimeter for sewing onto clothes, will look much better once tarnish is cleaned. Height 1.83 inches.

19th century repousse Chinese silver sew-on clothing ornament in a shape of a Chinese sage riding a deer. During Qing Dynasty silver figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto clothing and hats for decoration. Nicely made from low grade silver, small holes around perimeter for sewing onto clothes, will look much better once tarnish is cleaned. Height 1.78 inches.

19th century repousse Chinese gilded copper sew-on clothing ornament He He Twins, also known as the Heavenly twins, or the Two Saints of Harmony. During Qing Dynasty such metal figures of traditional mythical characters were sewn onto clothing and hats for decoration. Nicely made, small holes around perimeter for sewing onto clothes. Height 1.57 inches.

Vintage Japanese bracelet consisting of 14 rudraksha prayer beads (dried stones / seeds of Elaeocarpus tree which grows in Himalayas and South East Asia) used for meditation by Buddhists and Hindus. The beads are old, their beautiful deep patina testifying to long use. Must have been restrung recently with a stretchy cord allowing for a very convenient way to meditate by putting the bracelet onto 4 fingers and using thumb for moving them and counting...

Unusual 19th century Japanese bronze scroll weight in a shape of a crouching toad. Very nice work, wonderful rendition of its warty back, eyes are lacquered in gold and black giving it lifelike quality. Appropriately heavy as a scroll weight, beautiful patina. Length 2.67 inches.