Vertical oban depicting a fox attacking a man and child by Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833-1904). A three-eyed ghost gazes menacingly at the scene from the upper right corner. The banner at the top, which is being held by a flying angel, reads "#445 from the Tokyo Daily News." The date of "8th month of Meiji 6" (1873) appears in the right portion of the calligraphic description of the scene taking place. Newspapers, which were introduced into Japan in 1870, became very popular in the Meiji Period...
Fine quality square Japanese lacquered wood serving tray illustrating a Noh theater performance of the "lion dance" executed in gold lacquer against a black ground. An aristocrat is seated in an outdoor setting with pine sprigs in the foreground observing a performer with long flowing deep coral-red hair dancing with a fan. The back is entirely covered in "nashiji" lacquer. Dates from the early 20th century to possibly late 19th. Stored in a wood presentation box...
A snow-capped Mt. Fuji viewed through clouds from Nihonbashi (Japan Bridge) from the series "Famous Views of Edo" by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858) published by Sanoki circa 1840. The print depicts a lively scene with workers carrying merchandise by foot across the bridge in Edo (now Tokyo). Boats are docked before warehouses in the background. The colors are exceptionally fresh and vibrant. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige...
"The Tamaya Restaurant," subtitled "The Back Gate of Kameido Shrine" from the series "Collection of Famous Restaurants of Edo" by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858). Circa 1840. The print depicts beauties standing in a snow-covered courtyard under umbrellas. Three small dogs circle in the snow at the lower left. The colors are exceptionally fresh and vibrant. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige...
Rare first state impression of "Nihonbashi (Station 1) Morning Veil" from Ando Hiroshige's ((1797-1858) first series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Hoeido circa 1833-1834. The print depicts a daimyo and his attendants crossing the Nihon Bridge in the early morning hours. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige. Standard horizontal oban print measuring 9 3/4"V x 14 5/8"H (image: 8 3/4"V x 13 3/4"H)...
Ming Dynasty (1368-1643) Chinese blue and white porcelain baluster form vase with wide trumpet mouth decorated with a blue prunus motif. 9 1/2"H. Excellent condition. The irregular edge of the base is the typical result of the removal of the vase from the kiln. It is not a condition problem.
Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-906) Changsha ware pale yellow glazed ewer decorated with light brown-splashed glaze over relief molded leaf-form foliage designs on opposing sides beneath each of two loops. 9 1/4"H. This particular shape first appeared in China in the 8th century and was used for hot water. Very good overall condition. A few small glaze losses to one handle and a few small, fairly unnoticeable repairs to the body...
Large 17 1/2"H lidded jar finely painted in the Kangxi style in sapphire blue on a white porcelain ground. The decoration features a pheasant on a rocky outcropping surrounded by flowering plants which extend around the circumference of the vase and up to the neck, where a second bird perches on a flowering branch. A blue foo lion finial tops the domed cover. The base is encircled by a band of crested waves. The shoulder panel decoration features lotus flowers on a mosaic ground...
Tall (17 1/4"H) Chinese transitional period wucai gu beaker vase decorated around the circumference in underglaze blue and overglaze polychrome pigments and black outlined highlights with figures, phoenix birds and a crane in a garden setting. Three continuous vignettes are interspersed with flowers, rockery and clouds. The top rim features a "cracked ice" motif in underglaze blue within a decorative band. Excellent condition...
Chinese yellow crackle-glazed pear-form porcelain vase with an everted rim and an underglaze blue double-ring at the base. Dates from the 18th century. 9 1/4"H. There are small scattered green glaze spots and interesting irregularities of the glaze application at the neck. Fine quality restorations have been made to the neck which are not visible to the eye. The vase was acquired from a Southern Arizona estate.
Kangxi Period (1662-1722) Chinese blue and white porcelain export covered jar decorated on one side with the "one hundred antiques" motif and on the opposite side with figures in a landscape. Auspicious symbols decorate the lid. The 4-character hallmark on the base appears to translate "record of beauty, benevolence and profit." 8 1/2"H and diameter. Finial replaced. Numerous old chips to the cover and base.
Chinese Qing Dynasty solidly potted baluster-form vase decorated on the body with patterns of rosettes and vines incised into a thick, white glaze (with a faint ivory to grayish tint, depending upon the lighting). The neck features geometric and leaf patterns created with a combination of incised and relief techniques. Two finely detailed, moulded lion's mask handles are at each side of the shoulder. 12 1/2"H. 18th to early 19th century. What resembles a crack in the interior neck is actual...
Old Japanese theater mask of "tengu" in a fierce grimace sporting a prominent proboscis. The "tengu" were mythical creatures, half-bird and half-man, who were tricksters living in pine trees in the forests. I am uncertain of the dating of this mask but estimate it was crafted in the early to mid-20th century. It may be older. It has signs of age and use. There are scattered chips on the underside of the chin and nose and at the edge of the mask and eyes. The chips reveal plaster or gesso b...
Large Chinese Jin Dynasty (1125-1234 AD) Honan brown glazed truncated meiping vase decorated with cut glaze concentric circular designs on the shoulders. Two strap handles flank both sides of the short neck. 11"H x 11 1/2" diameter. Very good overall condition. There are a few scattered small pit holes, which are original production imperfections (see enlargement 3). Some scratches in the glaze are evident as is typical for a piece of this age.
Large Chinese Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) high-fired gray-black pottery bottle-form vase with geometric incised designs of unusually fine form. 11 1/2"H. Very good overall condition with minor wear. One thin old chip to the foot.
Qing Dynasty Chinese Manchu style summer silk gauze robe decorated in copper colored metallic threads with a brocade pattern featuring 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. The dragon's eyes are accented in black and white. An embroidered panel surrou...
Extraordinary 19th century (Qing Dynasty) Chinese Manchu style silk robe embroidered in polychrome and gilt metallic threads with 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. An embroidered panel surrounding the neckline is filled with additional dragons runn...
19th century (Qing Dynasty) Chinese Manchu style robe embroidered in gold couched threads highlighted in copper and blue-grey metallic threads with 8 visible 5-clawed dragons, plus one hidden dragon on the inside flap, depicted in full-face and profile poses against a blue ground. Each dragon is chasing a flaming pearl (symbolizing the Buddhist notion of enlightenment) and is surrounded by clouds and various auspicious symbols. The dragon's eyes are accented in blue, black, and white polychrom...