Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (242)

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting a street scene in the Yoshiwara at dawn with two cats playing at the lower right. The print is the right panel of a triptych titled "That Romantic Figure (referring to Prince Genji) in the Licensed Quarter at Dawn" (aka "A Related Dawn at the Pleasure Quarter") published by Hiranoya Shinzo in 1863. The print is signed at the lower right "Itto Kunichika ga" and bears the Hori Ota Tashichi carver's seal...

Chinese late Tang dynasty to Five Dynasties period stoneware ewer with high shoulder tapering down to a slightly flared foot and flat base, the short neck ending in a slightly wider rolled mouth. A double-strand handle connects to the neck and shoulder, and a short straight spout is opposite the handle. The ewer is covered overall in a thin, splotchy golden glaze with olive green touches that drips down and ends well above the unglazed base. 7 1/8" high...

Pair of late Qing dynasty Guangxu period circular form lidded seal paste boxes, each decorated in two underglaze blue relief dragons chasing a flaming pearl on a white porcelain ground. An undulating wave pattern extends around the bottom. An apocryphal four-character Qianlong mark is on the base. 3 3/4” dia. x 2 1/4” high. Circa 1900. Very good overall condition. The interior edge of one box has a pinhead-sized frit (see image)...

Chinese Han dynasty lidded gray earthenware hu-form jar with globular body and slightly flaring neck divided into horizontal grooved bands holding incised decoration of various animals. Two opposing applied taotie mask handles are at the shoulder. The circular domed lid has three loops at the edge. 14 3/4" high. 206 BC – 220 AD. This form was designed to imitate the shape of a bronze hu vase...

Japanese Kutani porcelain bowl decorated in gilt and overglaze polychrome enamels with a scene depicting two figures seated outdoors conversing under a tree. A geometric band interspersed with white flowers decorates the interior rim. There are fine "ao tsubu" (green dot) accents. The exterior is decorated on opposing sides with a prominent yellow flower and ribbon pattern. The base is signed in red "Kutani made." Believed to date from the early Showa Period (circa 1926 - 1935)...

First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "Otsu Inari" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 7th month 10th day in the left margin and the artist's red seal at the lower right...

Two antique steel-line engravings drawn by Thomas Allom (1804-1872) and engraved by Arthur Willmore (1814-1888) titled “Chinese Boatman Economizing Time & Labour, Poo-kou” and "The Fortress of Terror, Ting-hai" from “China in a Series of Views” published in London in 1843 and reprinted through 1859. The images were derived from sketches executed on the spot by Captain Stoddart, R. N. Purchased from Teresa Coleman Fine Arts in Hong Kong, with the certificate of authentication included...

Chinese transitional period compressed ovoid form jar decorated in underglaze blue with birds and insects flying among bamboo and flowering plants emerging from rockery set against a white porcelain ground. The upright glazed neck is decorated with downward pointed leaves. Glazed interior and flat slightly recessed unglazed base. 17th century. Measures nearly 12" high. Very good overall condition. There is a fine old brown chicken foot crack in the interior (see image)...

Chinese Qing dynasty Kangxi marked baluster form cabinet vase densely decorated in underglaze blue on a white porcelain ground with four vertical rectangular landscape panels surrounded by a background of flowers floating on water. Geometric bands at the top rim. Slightly flared base and unglazed stepped foot. A robust and well executed six-character kaishu Kangxi period mark in a double ring is on the glazed base. 6 3/4" high. Possibly of the period and no later than circa 1900. Very good...

Chinese Qing dynasty Yongzheng to Qianlong period deep dish decorated in underglaze blue on a white porcelain ground with a long scaled four-clawed dragon at the center front extending over the rim from the reverse to chase a flaming pearl among clouds. According to Wang Qingzheng in “A Dictionary of Chinese Ceramics,” this style of decoration where the design begins in the interior and wraps “over the wall” to continue onto the exterior (or vice versa) emerged in the Ming dynasty and f...

Large Chinese Qing dynasty oval form lidded jar densely decorated on the front in underglaze blue on a faintly celadon tinted white ground with a phoenix bird among peonies. Three blue clouds are on the lid. The base and interior are glazed while the foot is unglazed. Late 19th century. 12 1/2" high. Very good overall condition. The unglazed mouth rim has tiny imperfections. There are a few glaze losses to the tip and side of the finial that might be from the original production. From th...

Chinese Qing dynasty Tongzhi mark and period (1862-1874) cylindrical food container decorated around the circumference with four overglaze iron-red five-clawed dragons in profile above a band of underglaze blue waves. Each dragon is among underglaze blue clouds and separated from each other by a pair of vertical blue cloud bands shaped like opposing bats. A geometric blue band extends along the top. Each side has twisted metal handles supported by two animal mask lugs with gilt highlights. W...

Chinese Qing dynasty pewter-encased rectangular form “san ke zhu” (three pearl) lidded Yixing pottery teapot incised to one side in bamboo, the reverse with a calligraphic inscription signed Chun Quan. The inscription translates roughly as: “Sitting quietly [under] a bright moon [occupying] half of a window, with a book [in hand] and a fragrant incense [burning].” The top edge holds an applied coin and mixed metal strips. Flat, rectangular lid. Jade spout, handle, and square finial. The ...

Chinese Qing dynasty wucai baluster form porcelain jar painted with two large phoenix birds in flight among peony flowers and leafy scrolling foliage. A narrow border holding two qilong among flowers and leafy vines is at the high shoulder below a band of scrolling foliage at the neck. Brown dressed rim. Glazed interior and flat unglazed base. 17th century. 11 1/4" high. Weighs 5 1/2 lb. (2.5 kg). There is wear to the overglaze pigments. A brown kiln kiss is on one side. Two brown hairline cra...

Chinese late Qing to Republic period guanpixiang table-top chest with a mansard-style hinged top that lifts to expose a single shallow tray above a pair of doors opening to five drawers with metal pulls all upon an attached base. A circular lockplate with ruyi-form clasp is on the front. Two side carrying handles. These chests were typically utilized by men to hold seals and related accessories while women were known to use them for cosmetics storage. Early 20th century. 15” high x 14 1/2” ...

Chinese Qing dynasty circular form lidded cinnabar lacquer box, the lid well carved in relief with scholars and attendants under lush trees in a landscape setting with mountains in the background. The convex sides are decorated in floral reserves interspersed with scrolling foliage. The interior surfaces and base are covered in plain black lacquer over the wood substrate. 10” diameter by 5 1/2" high. Very heavy for its size. Weighs 4.4 lbs. (2 kg). There is an area of damage on the edge of ...

Chinese late Qing dynasty Guangxu period rectangular form porcelain plaque painted in famille rose enamels and gilt highlights with a crane on a pine branch above thick leafy flowers. A poem at the upper left is dated in Chinese cycle years to winter of 1902 and signed Jiang Yongyuan (active circa 1899-1919) at Zhushan, a district of Jingdezhen. A raised rim frames the composition. 15 1/4" long by 9 1/4" wide by 7/8” deep. There is a fine old brown hairline crack extending down from the top....

Chinese Qing dynasty Kangxi marked monochrome beehive form water coupe (taibo zun) covered overall in a copper red glaze. The slightly recessed flat base and interior are white. The base holds an apocryphal underglaze blue six-character Kangxi reign mark written in three columns. This type of water pot was used to refill a low flat brush washer. 5 1/8” diameter by 3 1/2” high. Guangxu period (late 19th century). The neck and mouth have been carefully ground down. The pot is otherwise ...

Chinese Qing dynasty low circular form porcelain brush washer covered overall in a monochrome oxblood red glaze holding a partly submerged moulded recumbent water buffalo at the center. A brown wash was applied to the low flat foot and slightly recessed base. 7 3/4" diameter x 2” high. 18th/19th century. A few thin glaze losses in the bottom reveal the white porcelain body. A small production flaw to one horn looks like a chip but appears to be glazed over. From the estate of Gerhard Loh...

Chinese Ming dynasty Wanli period guan form jar with wide shoulders tapering to an unglazed foot and glazed, slightly recessed base decorated in underglaze blue with lotus flowers and scrolling foliage on a white ground. Short cylindrical neck and fully glazed interior. Measures 6 7/8” high. 16th century. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Minor scratches to the glaze are visible under magnification. From the estate of Gerhard Lohmeier, a Diplomat at the German Embassy in Beijing from 1985 to ...

Chinese Qing dynasty baluster vase with long neck and wide dish-form mouth decorated on the front in underglaze blue and white with two birds perched on a tree branch among flowers and rockery all set against a golden-tan colored geyao style crackle glaze background that extends into the interior mouth. Brown dressed rim. The foot rim and base are unglazed. 9 3/4” high. 19th century. Very good overall condition with one small fine hairline at the edge of the mouth (see close-up image). F...

Pair of small Ming dynasty Longquan celadon vases of compressed pear-form with flaring foliate form mouth decorated on opposing sides with low moulded relief leafy floral decoration. A pair of s-shaped handles are on each side of the neck. The celadon glaze with olive tint ends at the slightly flaring unglazed foot which has burnt orange from firing. The recessed base is glazed. Each vase stands 4 1/2" high. Circa 1st half of the 15th century. Very good overall condition with typical produ...

Chinese Yuan dynasty flattened rounded form twin-handled moon flask covered in an amber-brown glaze, each face with moulded relief figural decoration possibly depicting dancers and musicians. The high foot with unglazed, recessed base has two typical pierced holes. The shape was derived from flasks carried along the Silk Road by West Asian merchants. The loop handles allowed the flask to be secured to a saddle. 8 1/4" high x 7" wide x 3” deep. Circa 13th/14th century. Very good overall c...

Chinese Jin to Yuan dynasty Cizhou oval form stoneware wine bottle with four lug handles below the short, everted rim. The upper body is covered in a creamy white crackled slip and is separated from the lower iron-brown section by a narrow horizontal band. The unglazed base is covered in grit from the kiln. 11 3/4” high. Circa 12th to 13th century. Very good overall condition with typical wear and production flaws. There is a small glaze loss to one lug handle and burst bubble on the mou...

Chinese late Tang dynasty to Five Dynasties period stoneware ewer with high shoulder tapering down to a slightly flared foot and flat base, the short neck ending in a slightly wider rolled mouth. A double-strand handle connects to the neck and shoulder, and a short straight spout is opposite the handle. The ewer is covered overall in a thin layer of white slip with a wavy ribbon or rope motif that ends well above the unglazed base. 7 1/2" high. The form is consistent with ewers dating circa ...

Two Chinese Qing dynasty hardwood carved panels with tabs at the top and bottom indicating they likely were originally inset into a larger piece of furniture. Each panel features a bat above a central double-happiness symbol flanked on both sides by ruyi forms. Gourds hang from vines. The slightly smaller panel includes a deer at the center bottom. The backs are flat. The smaller panel is mounted for hanging. They measure about 15 1/4" high (including tabs) x 10 3/4” wide and 14 1/2” h...

Chinese Tang dynasty (618-907) Lushan kiln tripod stoneware coupe with two thin upright handles covered entirely in a dark brown speckled glaze apart from the lower part of the unglazed feet. A large phosphatic splash is on both the front and back. Small bosses are spread around the circumference of the widest part of the body to imitate bronze examples. 6 1/4” diameter by 4 1/4" high. Very good overall condition except for one foot which has an old repair where it was re-secured to the bo...

Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain bowl with high foot decorated around the circumference with three blue and white landscape roundels set against a robin’s egg (lu jun) ground. The unglazed slightly recessed base has a central aperture leading to the hollow interior of the foot. A luting line is evident around the mid-section of the foot. 5 3/8” diameter by 3 1/8” high. 19th century or possibly earlier. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. From the estate of Ge...

Large Chinese Qing dynasty cylindrical form lidded porcelain food container decorated on the front and slightly domed cover in famille rose enamel leafy flowers and on the back with three rows of black calligraphy holding a poem which translates loosely as: "Hundreds of grasses and thousands of plants wait for spring. The most amazing is the color of the green poplar. The rain and dew on the horizon are strong every year. The garden is green and fragrant year after year." Each side has twist...

Chinese Qing dynasty rectangular form hardwood stand with four inward curving legs resting upon small balls. The stand is carved on the curved apron with vines and lingzhi fungus. Top: 17” long (about 18” at apron) x top: 10” wide (about 11 1/4" at apron) x 7” high. Weighs 6 lbs. 19th century. The stand was more recently refinished and is in very good overall condition. A few of the balls twist a bit but are secure. From a Sun City West, Arizona collection.

Chinese Qing dynasty monochrome blue glazed censer with inward rounded rim. The white glazed interior ends at the circular unglazed center. This form evolved from a tripod censer and vestiges of the three legs remain as small protrusions at the bottom surrounding the unglazed circular base. Measures about 10” diameter x 5” high. 19th century. Very good overall condition. From the estate of Gerhard Lohmeier, a Diplomat at the German Embassy in Beijing from 1985 to 1989.

Chinese Qing dynasty Guangxu period lidded teapot decorated on both sides in underglaze blue with two figures from the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" engaged in an outdoor sword battle. The lid is decorated with a central flower. Two Metal handles connect to porcelain supports at the shoulder. The interior and base are glazed. There are three strain holes at the interior of the spout. Measures about 8 1/2” diameter x 6 5/8” high. Late 19th to early 20th century. Very good overa...

Chinese Qing dynasty Nanking ware bowl decorated around the center in underglaze blue with figures in a landscape setting of mountains, trees, traditional huts, and boats on a lake. The flaring top rim and base have brown incised bands that are characteristic of brown etched wares produced between 1880 and 1920. The brown etched decoration is believed to have been intended to imitate bronze metal elements. 10” diameter x 5 1/4" high. Circa 1900. Very good overall condition with typical mi...

Tall Chinese Song dynasty brown glazed tapering form horizontal ribbed vase. The glaze was poured into the interior while the top shoulder of the jar was left unglazed. 14” high. Circa 13th century. The unglazed base has significant grit adhering from the kiln which causes the vase to be slightly slanted and a bit unstable. There are small chips along the rolled mouth. The form of this vase would eventually develop into the better known meiping vase. From the estate of Gerhard Lohmeier,...

Chinese Song to possibly Yuan dynasty brown glazed stoneware jar with horizontal ribbed body moulded in high relief with a dragon chasing the pearl of wisdom. The glaze stops above the unglazed foot. 6 7/8” high. Circa 12th/13th century. Very good overall condition with a barely visible old break to the horns (see closeup image). The lighter areas on the surface of the glaze are burial encrustations. From the estate of Gerhard Lohmeier, a Diplomat at the German Embassy in Beijing from 19...

Large Chinese Ming dynasty wide-mouthed globular form guan jar with short, vertical collar-like neck and wide angled mouth covered overall in a dark brown/black crackled glaze that coats the interior and ends at the base. A thread relief moulded band of scrolling foliage decorates the upper section of the jar. A narrow floral band is above it. A circular trademark with four small flowers surrounding it is in relief on the flat, unglazed base. 11” high by about 11” diameter. Circa 16th/1...