Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (239)

An actor portraying a samurai admiring himself in a mirror in a scene from the kabuki theater by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada). Signed "by special request of the publisher." Published by Kinjudo between 1847-48. Standard "oban" size panels measuring roughly 15"V x 10"H. Possibly from a triptych. Excellent color with vibrant yellow and green in the background. Good overall condition with no tape stains, toning or tears. The baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back...

13"H buff-colored earthenware Yangshao type funerary urn decorated on the shoulders with bold black and red geometric designs. The symbolic significance of this decoration is apparently unknown. Ovoid form with a wide body extending to its widest girth at the mid-section and tapering to a narrow base. Two strap handles at the sides. Neck ending in an everted rim with evenly spaced tiny holes. Machang type (circa 2200 B.C.) of the Majiayao culture, Gansu Province...

Large Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) stoneware jar with two loop handles incised with a leaf pattern. Above each handle is a rectangular appliqued ogre mask cartouche. Circa 1st century B.C. Measures about 9"H x 9 1/2" diameter. Above the waist, the vase is decorated with three sets of three raised incised line bands running around the circumference. A mottled olive green glaze accents the upper section of the vase...

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child from a series depicting powerful individuals by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Hayashiya in 7/1852. The image is signed at the right side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (used circa 1850) within a gourd shaped cartouche. The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. Vertical oban size measuring 14 1/2"V x 9 5/4"H. Fair impression quality. Very good overall condition with minor soiling...

An actor in street attire standing in front of a row of shops and tea houses by Osaka artist Sadahiro (active 1830-1851) dating circa 1845. A pupil of Kunisada, Sadahiro's woodblock prints were published in Osaka in the 1830's and 1840's. The seal of the publisher Iseya Sensaburo appears on the actor's head. The artist's signature is in black ink at the lower left. Exceptional color and impression with lacquer highlights on the edge of the inner kimono and mica in the background...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting the actors Seki Sanjuro III and Ichikawa Danzo in the role of old barefoot monks holding fans. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo 9/1862. The cartouches at the upper left and upper right bear the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's seal are located at the lower right. Measures 14" x 9 3/8"...

Japanese woodblock print quadriptych (four panels) by Osaka actor Yoshitaki (1841-1899) dating circa 1860's. Each panel features an actor standing against an embossed, checkered background. The black ink signature of the artist is in the lower section of each panel. Each chuban sized sheet measures 9 1/2"V x 6 7/8"H. Excellent color with extensive gauffrage and lacquered highlights. The panels are trimmed and Japanese mulberry paper album backed...

Authentic Japanese Meiji period woodblock printed "mitate banzuke" dating from the late 19th century. Banzuke prints were designed to compare or rank virtually any subject, ranging from popular actors and sumo wrestlers to the best spas and restaurants. The banner at the top, which is being held by two winged cherubs, reads "Comparison of Good and Bad Housewives." The title in the middle translates "Women's Domestic Instructions," a phrase commonly used in materials intended to instruct girls...

Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a samurai by Kuniteru II (1829-1874), published by Daikokuya Heikichi (Shojudo) in 1867. The paper measures about 14 5/8"V x 10 1/4"H. The print is in very good overall condition with good impression quality and color. There are lacquer highlights in the black areas and mica at the top. There is an ample margin on the left and top. The paper is fine, the print is not backed, and the image is clearly visible on the reverse. There is no ta...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting kabuki actors dating 1865. The cartouche at the upper left bears the title of the series and the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's/date seal are located at the upper right. Measures 14 1/2"V x 10 1/8"H. Very good overall condition. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains. There is a thin fade line around the...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Bando Mitsugoro III in the role of Kumagai Jiro Naozane. This image is Station 23 from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke in 1852/3. Very nice impression quality with mica highlights. The black robe is overprinted with patterns using lacquer highlights. Signed "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow). Measures 14"V x 9 1/2"H....

Japanese Meiji period Imari porcelain 7 1/4” diameter x 3” deep bowl. The center of the bowl holds a central circular medallion with a stylized floral pattern pattern in underglaze blue (sometsuke). The interior and exterior sides are decorated in underglaze blue and overglaze polychrome enamel with gilt highlights and features three cartouches with flying phoenix birds on a white ground separated by rust-red and gilt medallions holding an animal motif set against a cobalt ground. Late 19th...

Japanese woodblock print depicting a beauty lighting a floor lamp titled “Kakinomoto no Hitomaro” (image no. 3) from the series “One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets” (Hyakunin-isshu Emyo) by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) published by Sanoya Kihei in 1844. The image is signed “Kunisada changing his name to Toyokuni II” with the red Toshidama seal below. The two cartouches in the shape of playing cards at the upper left hold a picture of a poet and his poem. The scroll-shaped cart...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting an actor portraying a samurai standing in a garden under a blossoming cherry tree, published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. Signed "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow). Measures 14 3/8"V x 9 5/8"H. Very good color and overall condition with embossed and mica highlights. The actor's entire kimono is highlighted in lacquer. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible o...

Chinese two-drawer elmwood coffer from Shanxi Province with a dark lacquered original finish and brass drawer pulls. Dates circa 1900. Measures 33"H x 37"W x 23"D. Very good overall condition. There are some losses to the finish and characteristic separations and cracks in the wood. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s. Please contact us for out-of-state shipping quotes.

19th century Japanese single-section lacquered wood merchant tansu with black iron hardware and locks with floriate buttons, bronze hirute handles, and featuring fourteen drawers of assorted sizes. Each side has one iron side lift carrying handle. 36" wide x 30 3/4" high x 16" deep. Very good overall condition with the original lacquer finish and intact hardware. There is a separation in the wood along each side, the drawers do not close completely flush with the case, and there is a faint semi-...

“Kinokuni Hill and Distant View of Akasaka Tameike” from the series “One Hundred Views of Famous Places of Edo” by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) dated 9/1857. The print depicts the forward guards of a daimyo procession with the houses of Akasaka district in the background. The print measures 13 5/8”V x 9 3/8”H (image: 13 ¼”V x 8 5/8”H). Signed within a red cartouche at the left. The title and subtitle cartouches are at the upper right. The seal of the publisher Uoya Eikichi is...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Iwai Hanshirô VII in the role of Koman from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido." This image is Station 48: "Seki" published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro in 1852/3. Very good color and impression quality, with fine delineation of the hair not apparent in the images. The date and censor's seals, carver's seal, and signature of "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow) ...