Chinese Northern Song (960-1127) dynasty qingbai (yingqing) porcelain glazed bowl with relatively straight sides and slightly flared rim decorated on the interior with combed abstract swirling floral patterns. The smooth, thin, crackled olive-green glaze pools in the center and accumulates at the exterior foot. The low foot is unglazed, revealing a gray-white body. 10th/11th century. 7” diameter x 2 3/8” high. Very good overall condition...
A rarely encountered limited edition Japanese woodblock print over gold leaf depicting a solitary blue, white, and gold tree set against a barren foreground titled simply "Tree" by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979) dated 1974. Pencil-signed "J. Hoshi" and dated '74 at the lower right, with the artist's square red seal above. Pencil-titled in kanji at the lower left and marked with the edition number 6/95. Paper size: 10"V x 13"H (image: 7 1/4" x 10 1/2"). Very good overall condition...
Matching pair of Japanese Imari porcelain jars of inverted pear form covered with a high domed lid topped with a round chrysanthemum bud form finial. The vertically ribbed body is decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze rust-red enamel and gilt highlights. A large panel on the front features two shishi on opposing sides of a prominent floral pattern while the back holds a smaller cartouche with a bird and flower motif...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting a kabuki actor portraying a samurai. His sword rests on the ground and his matchlock musket leans against the wall. Firearms were introduced to Japan by foreign traders in the 16th century. The maru-ni-chigai-Takanoha family mon is on his kimono. This crest, which consisted of two crossed hawk feathers, was used by two Edo period samurai families. This image was published by Maruya Seijiro in 1854...
A rarely encountered Japanese "shin hanga" woodblock print titled "Sunset Glow at the Skirt of Mt. Fuji" by Ito Takashi (1894-1982), published by Watanabe in the second month of 1952. This print is from an old Tucson, Arizona collection and was purchased in the mid-20th century. It is not a recent Heisei edition. This standard sized horizontal oban print has full margins and measures 10 3/8" x 15 1/4" (image about 9 1/2" x 14 1/4"). Very good color and overall condition...
Pair of 19th century Chinese paper fans very finely and densely painted in extensive detail with figural scenes. One fan painting features beauties at a temple surrounded by clouds holding celestial maidens and a deer. A monkey is paying homage to a female who is seated on a lotus throne. The second fan painting depicts a scene with beauties engaged in various scholarly leisure activities. The fans date from the 19th century...
Chinese Ming dynasty (16th century) blue and white porcelain meiping vase with bell-shaped cover decorated overall with classical lotus flowers among scrolling leafy stems, separated into three layers. The shoulder features the lotus-filled ruyi collar motif. 11 ¼” high (9 ¾” high without the lid). Very good overall condition with typical flaws, small areas where the glaze did not completely cover, and microscopic scratches to the glaze. The vase is slightly misshapen...
Large and heavy mirror pair of Chinese bronze Mandarin duck-form censers, or incense burners, with lotus stems trailing from open beaks and bodies decorated with molded lotus flowers and etched feathers. A removable pierced cover in the form of lotus flowers and stems is integrated into the feathers of the back. Each duck rests on a custom wood stand carved with water ripples...
Japanese sagemono (hanging object) tobacco pipe set consisting of a wood kiserutsuzu (pipe holder), kiseru (pipe), and wood tonkotsu (tobacco box) in the form of a humorous yawning Daruma with arms overhead grasping the two cords with his fists. The cords hold an ojime (sliding bead), which is attached to the pipe holder. Daruma’s body is kiri (pawlonia) wood and his eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl. His face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box. A badger (tanuki) standin...
Rare set of six Burmese bronze opium weights, or cock weights, in a Brahmani duck type hintha (also called a hamsa) bird form with upturned tail sitting on a round base. The largest two have handles attached to the back of the head and end of the tail feathers. There is a metal support under the V-form tail. The largest weight has an old tag taped to it that reads “1513 grams” (3 lbs. 5.4 oz.). I confirmed this weight on a scale at the post office. This corresponds to the Indian unit of...
Japanese tabako-ire (tobacco pouch) decorated with an embroidered dragon chasing a flaming pearl. The dragon's body extends around the front and back of the pouch. The fierce head with open jaw is located on the front above the silver alloy dragon-form kanemono (clasp). An ivory accent adorns one of the two interior compartments. A circular ivory and repousse metal dragon kagamibuta netsuke is attached by 10 strands of metal chains secured by a dragon decorated squared silver guard. These h...
Oban diptych by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) titled “The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Province” from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures." The print depicts Takashima Oiko leading Saeki Urinaga home in an effort to strengthen him for a wrestling match. The artist's signature and Taiso seal are at the lower left. The lower left margin contains the date of "Meiji 22" (1889). The title cartouche is at the upper right. Published by Tsunashima Kamekichi. T...
Unusually large Tibetan copper and silver or silverplate mihrab form reliquary, or portable shrine box, decorated in repousse on the cover with a pattern of abstract scrolls. The back, sides, and side handles are copper. Also called a “gau,” these prayer boxes were used to hold protective amulets, personal deities, and written prayers. A strap or belt could be attached to the side handles when traveling. Otherwise, they were usually placed on the home altar. 9” high x 8” across at t...
Japanese cloisonne vase decorated with two cattleya orchids set against a green ground. The interior counter enamel is black and the rims are chrome. The Ando Cloisonne Company seal is on the base rim. Measures 8 1/2" high x 4" diameter at the mouth. Dates from the Showa period (mid-20th century). Very good overall condition.
Unusual Chinese late Qing dynasty to possibly early Republic (late 19th to early 20th century) hardwood stand used to hold opium pipe dampers. A single drawer with brass pull is used for the storage of smoking accessories. The back is nicely carved with a bamboo motif. 13"L x 2"D x 3"H. Very good overall condition with some minor stains to the wood consistent with its age and use. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s...
Chinese late Qing blue and white porcelain moonflask, or pilgrim vase, of flattened globular form decorated with a cracked ice and prunus ("bingmei") motif, which is also known as the Hawthorne pattern. Two writhing qilong handles are at either side of the cylindrical neck. There is some kiln grit adhering to the recessed base. Late 19th century. 10 1/8”H x 6” across. Very good overall condition. There are some tiny burst bubbles at the rim and along the chilong’s back (see enlargeme...
Pair of Chinese Tang (618-907) to Five Dynasties (907-960) olive-gray glazed Yue ware 10-petal foliate lotus-leaf shaped shallow bowls with flat bases. The characteristic spur marks are in the interior of the bowls. Circa 9th/10th century. Each measures 1 5/8” high x 5 ½” diameter. There is a small rim chip and an old repair or firing imperfection to the side of one bowl and two small chips to the outside rim of the second bowl. A similar bowl is illustrated in the Shanghai Museum coll...
A rare Japanese oversized limited edition "sosaku hanga" woodblock print titled "Black Cat, Three Kittens & Butterfly" dated 1967 by Tokuriki Tomikichiro (1902-2000). The artist's black seal is at the lower left and his black ink signature is at the lower right. The print is titled and dated in kanji in the upper right margin. Numbered 14/200 in the lower right margin in pencil. The paper measures 16"V x 21 3/8"H (image size: 15"V x 19 1/2"H). Very good overall condition. This print was prev...