Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (5000)

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top and bottom drawer are decorated by large iron lock plates, incised with a bamboo forest, blossoming cherry trees, and small flying birds. The corner hardware on the face of each drawer also show floral motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 15.5" D x 18.75" H

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top drawer's iron lock plate is incised with the image of a flying crane and pine branches; The bottom drawer's lock is incised with an ancient turtle with many tails. This imagery represents good health and longevity. Key is included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 32.75" L x 15.75" D x 20" H

Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers), from the Kyoto area. The chest is made with Sugi (cypress) wood in the original glossy red lacquer finish a lacquering process know asiro-urushi (色漆), literally "color lacquer"and has 11 drawers with charming heart-shaped keyholes and black iron warabite pulls. The top section houses a large open compartment behind two Keyaki (elm) sliding panels in a dark finish, with black lacquer frames...

Antique Japanese small merchant's box. Although this tansu has the appearance of a gyosho bako (peddler's box), it does not have loops for carrying straps. It was probably custom made for a merchant's raised platform area. All of the drawers feature hand forged iron lock plates and mounts. One of the smaller drawers is stained with ink meaning it would have stored an ink pen for receipts and accounting...

Antique Japanese choba-ko tansu (small merchant's chest), made of natural Kiri (paulownia) hardwood (original finish). The chest holds a large open compartment with a single shelf behind two large doors, lined with 7 outer drawers. Each drawer opens by a squared, black iron handle. The smallest bottom-left drawer acts as a money collection box, with a coin slot right above it.

Edo Period (1680-1868) c1800

Dimensions: 23" L x 8.75" D x 20.5" H

Pair of antique Chinese hardwood oxbow arm chairs, made of Jumu (elm) wood. The backrest of each chair has been carved with a coiled dragon, facing opposite to the other. The front apron of each seat is carved with a nice sloping outer edge. The legs are connected on all sides by a stretcher.

Early 20th century

Dimensions: 24" L x 19" D x 40" H

Antique Korean pair of bedside chests on stands, with natural burl front panels. Both chests have book-matched front doors, meaning each door mirrors the other, creating symmetry. Original finish wood.

Chosun period

Dimensions: 29.25" L x 14" D x 24.75" H (on stands)

Japanese 6-Panel byobu folding screen, with painting of a flowering wheat field under the full moon. The screen's paper hinges are done in gold gofun paper. Excellent condition, very presentable well suited for the times. The screen bears elements related to the Shijo School, hand-signed signature, with two red chops, attributed to Shiokawa Bunrin (1808-1877).

Taisho Period (Early 20th Century)

Dimensions: 150" L x 68" H

Antique Chinese hardwood buffet cabinet, with two sets of front swinging doors, each with round lock plates and hinges. The interior of each side holds a single middle shelf, with two small drawers below.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 69” L x 18” D x 34” H

A large Chinese gongshi, or scholar rock, highly appreciated as a contemplative viewing piece by literati. The piece is formed by natural elmwood root that has been lacquered, entangling a lingbi stone, originating from the Anhui province of China. Inset within a wooden base.

19th Century

Dimensions: 16" x 20.5" x 35" H

Antique Japanese pair of abumi (samurai stirrups for horse riding). Made of iron and lacquered black with red lacquer foot. Each abumi is decorated with designs of kiri blossoms in gold lacquer. The buckle of each stirrup has an intricate pierced design and mon in gold lacquer. (Mounted on matching stands made of metal with wooden bases.)

Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 16 3/4" high (10 3/4" high without stand) x 12" long x 5 1/2" wide.

Antique Japanese ikebana basket, for display of flower arrangements. The piece is all hand-woven with bamboo with a wide rounded mouth, and squared base. The handle is made with braided thin sections of bamboo, secured at the sides with knots. The basket interior holds a striped bamboo vase.

Dimensions: 8" x 17.5" H

Japanese antique choba tansu (merchant's chest) with kannon-biraki cabinet doors (opening outward on hinges). The doors open to reveal one interior shelf. These door panels as well as the safe box door are both removable. (The hinge pins are built into the door side of the lock and slot into the hinges on the tansu frame.) There are 6 drawers of various sizes. The safe box on the lower right hand side has two additional small interior drawers...

Antique Japanese ko tansu (small chest of drawers). The piece is made with Sugi (cypress) hardwood top and sides, while the front is made with Kuri (chestnut) wood, with the original red lacquer finish and black lacquer frame. The piece holds five drawers of various sizes with heavy iron lingzhi form lock plates, and warabite style handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25" L x 9" D x 22.75" H

Large framed Chinese painting on silk ground, of two white herons crouching beneath lotuses and reeds, as a small hummingbird flies into frame from the top lefthand side. The painting is displayed within a bamboo style gilt hardwood edge frame.

18th/19th Century

Dimensions: 37" W x 60" H

Small Japanese antique jewelry box, decorated all over with scenes of tiny chrysanthemums made of gold and silver mixed metal inlay on a gold lacquer (kinji) ground. The tiny safe box door is hinged and opens to reveal a scene of a golden bird on a blossoming plum branch near a fence. This scene spans both the interior of the door and three tiny interior drawers. The blossoms are made of gold and silver lacquer and the ground is a lovely dense and fine nishiji (gold flecks)...

Antique Japanese sword tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) hardwood, all original finish. The piece holds two large drawers and two small corner drawers, accented with heavy iron handles, lock plates, and corner hardware. The sides of the piece feature long iron fittings for carrying.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 45.5" L x 15.5" D x 16" H

Antique Japanese ikebana basket, all hand-woven with sections of bamboo. The body is a cylindrical shape, narrowing towards the bottom four short feet. The handle is made with natural Wisteria branches. The interior holds two small wooden containers to hold beautiful arrangements of flowers.

Dimensions: 7" L x 6.5" D x 17.75" H

Japanese antique apothecary (medicine) chest for a merchant of herbs. Made of 100% hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with 35 drawers of various sizes. Hand forged Iron hardware includes hirute and ring shaped drawer pulls. From the Kansai Area.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 28 1/2" high x 35 3/4" wide x 11 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese zenibako, or money box, made of heavy Keyaki (elm) wood. The piece uses a funnel top lid for collecting temple offerings, secured with a very large iron front lock. Original condition. With mortis and tenon joinery.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10.75" W x 17" D x 12.5" H

A traditional pair of Korean hand-carved wood clogs, or Namakshin. This type of footwear was originally introduced to Korea by shipwrecked Dutch sailors during the mid 1600s. Similar to the Japanese geta, Namakshin have two stilts beneath each shoe, designed to protect one's feet from muddy, wet ground.

Chosun Period

Dimensions: 10.5" L x 3.25" W x 6.5" H

Unusual Japanese small gyosho bako (merchant's box) made with Kiri (Paulownia) wood in all original finish. The box holds four drawers, with decorative black iron plating and handles. The top 3 drawer interiors have been lacquered in black while the bottom drawer has also been lacquered in red. With original keys included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16" L x 9.5" W x 10.5" H

A Japanese Buddhist temple wall carving / transom, with red and gilt lacquer pigments. Carved with the image of an instrument against a ground of heavenly clouds. Professionally framed to be mounted and displayed on the wall.

Dimensions: 42.24" L x 27" H

A framed pair of Southeast Asian palm leaf manuscripts, each side covered in gold leaf, with ornate filigree in red, and scenes of dancing people and beasts. With lines of text written in black lacquer pigment. These manuscripts have two holes each to be strung and bound together as a book. Professionally displayed suspended in glass and framed.

19th Century

Dimensions: 21.25" L x 23" H (entire frame) 22.5" L x 5" H (each manuscript)

Antique Thai/Burmese Sanskrit book fragments, called a "parabaik", which were once majorly used to document societal information through text and drawings. Made from thick sheets of paper, either blackened for text or whitened for colored drawings, which were then glued and folded together. This book fragment has a central black panel, with religious Sanskrit text in gilt, and gilt pigment figures kneeling in prayer on either side...

Antique Japanese framed pair of Manga book covers. The woodblocks show artwork of a beautiful Yoshiwara district courtesan, offering an ornate opium pipe to a gentleman while her attendant sits beside them. Displayed within a high quality custom frame.

Edo Period (1615-1868)

Dimensions: (entire frame) 15.5" L x 12" H (each book cover) 4.5" L x 6.75" H

Antique Japanese kuruma tansu, or wheeled chest, made of solid Keyaki (elm) wood. This chest features a large iron Phoenix lock plate with beautiful flowing tail feathers on the topmost drawer, as well as the bottom wheeled area. Themes of chrysanthemums, peonies, lotuses, and kiri leaves are incised into the decorative iron plating, with side locking box for small valuables.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: x 49" L x 24" D x 47" H

Antique Japanese natural burl root stand or stool. Interesting natural burl form shape with bold woodgrain surface.

Dimensions: 17" x 18" x 15.5" H

Antique Japanese pair of hardwood fusuma door panels with black lacquer frames. The doors are hand-painted with a rooster, a hen, and their chicks with a bamboo grove background, accented with gold flakes. Each door has wire mounts in back to be hung for a wall display.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27" L x 1" D x 68.5" H

Vintage Japanese hibachi (brazier) made of beautiful Keyaki (elm) wood, with built in stand. The front features three long drawers with incised metal pulls. The interior is copper lined with natural patina.

Showa Period c1980

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 22" D x 19" H

Antique Japanese iron tetsubin. The body is wide and short with a small water spout, its sides flared out and tapered back in at the center with flattened base. The bronze lid features a cherry blossom with decorative ball finial and tall bronze handle. The piece is in exceptional condition. Dates from Tiasho period c1920.

Dimensions: 7.5" W x 8.25" H

Antique Chinese jade toggle, hand-carved with craggy landscape scenes, scholars, willow trees, and temples. The natural coloration and form of the jade are well-utilized in the stylized carvings.

Piece dates from the 19th century beautifully carved from a jade river pebble. Dimensions: 2" W x 3"H

Incredibly charming Chinese porcelain pillow, in the form of a baby boy. He has darling features and is signed on the base with an old wax seal.

Republic Period

Dimensions : 11" L x 5.25" W

A vintage Japanese white metal incenser, in the form of the mythical creature Kirin, who has chimerical features of a dragon mixed with a horse. It is well-cast with fierce detailing. A section of its backside acts as a lid.

Dimensions: 10.5" L x 6" D x 6.5" H

Antique Japanese iron tetsubin (tea kettle) of an octagonal shaped body, with seaside village scenes, willow trees, and boats. The sides flute outward and then dramatically taper into the rounded foot. Its lid is bronze with a highly stylized signature from the artist.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions : 8” L x 9.5” H

Dehua porcelain, more traditionally known in the west as Blanc de Chine, is a type of white Chinese porcelain, made at Dehua in the Fujian Province. It as been produced from the Ming Dynasty to the present day.

This large Chinese porcelain Dehua figure is of the Goddess of Compassion, Quan Yin. Her draped robes show well rendered, realistic modeling. A willow sprig peeks out from under her headdress...

Chinese antique pair of large stone lions (ShiShi) in dramatic traditional poses. The male lion has it's paw on the embroidered ball - when placed outside a buiding, this represents protection of the material structure. The female lion has it's paw on a playful cub - when placed outside a building, this represents protection of the building's occupants.

19th century

36" high x 13" wide x 20" deep.

Antique Japanese iron tetsubin, or tea kettle, with a bell shaped body that flutes out towards the rounded base, a tall spout, archaic designs along the rim with a lid bearing the artist's signature. The handle is "mokko" shaped referring to the Japanese Quince fruit.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" L x 8" W x 10.5" H

Japanese antique 2-section cha tansu (tea chest). The frame of this chest is made of solid keyaki (elm) wood and the front has persimmon wood veneer with dramatic grain. The top section has a compartment covered with four small sliding panels and a large compartment with glass sliders for display. Inside the glass display area are stepped shelves, a smaller square glass door compartment, another compartment with batik covered sliding panels depicting Mt. Fuji...

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest), made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. The top section has two large full width drawers. The bottom section has one large full width drawer and one medium drawer. The lower right hand side has a safe box with heavy iron work on the hinged door. Inside are two small drawers. The front of the chest has beautiful heavy iron hardware including warabite shaped drawer pulls...

Antique Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket, comprised of tightly hand-woven, thin strips of bamboo. The basket has an hourglass figure with a wide mouth and slightly fluted lip. The handles is formed with gnarled wisteria and bamboo branches, tightly wound with twisted bamboo. The base of the foot is recessed, with a 3-character signature.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions : 12" x 20.5" H

Original large antique Japanese jizai, used for suspending a kettle over a fire to boil water. Made of solid Keyaki (elm) wood, carved in a hooked style, and topped with an iron hook for hanging.

Edo Period

Dimensions: 17.5" x 5" x 20" H

An unusual Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket. Hand-woven with sections of bamboo, and interesting wisteria branch accents on the front and backside. The sides are woven with "Gypsy ear" ring handles. The basket is formed with a large, rounded body, a short foot, and a wide open mouth. Full of character and charm.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 12" x 10" H

Antique Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket. Hand-woven with thin branches of bamboo, the body is tall and slender with a dramatic fluted foot. The base is has deeply recessed inner edges, with the rounded, wagon-wheel design center in high relief. The mouth of the basket has a slightly flared lip, and the handle is comprised of several twisted bamboo branches. With bamboo insert.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8" x 22.5" H

Antique Chinese silk robe, made with light burgundy silk fabric, edged in gold embroidered silk. The backside is ornately hand-embroidered with auspicious objects and symbols within flaming rings. The central image is a large yin-yang outlined by gold embroidered scrolls. With some areas of wear. Some fading and losses.

Dimensions : 58" L x 47" H

Antique Indian hardwood figure carving. Mounted on a custom high-quality iron stand for display. The female figure is in a dancing pose, with elaborate headdress and garb. Mounted on a High grade custom iron stand.

18th Century

Dimensions w/ stand: 18" high x 6 3/4" wide x 4 1/2" deep

Dimensions w/o stand: 16 3/4" high x 5 1/2" wide x 2 3/4" deep

Antique pair of Japanese shokudai (candle stands), made of bronze. Beautiful simple design with faceted stem and small chrysanthemum shaped detail where stick meets base. Each stand has a little hook and circular candle guard.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" high x 8" wide

Antique Japanese pair of shokudai (candle sticks). Made of copper repousse and overlaid with silver, these candle sticks are decorated with a intricate chrysanthemum and scrolling vine motif. The base and top of each of the candle sticks flares out and is lobed in a chysanthemum form with scalloped edges.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22 3/4" high x 9" wide

A Chinese scholar's calligraphy brush rest, composed of mixed metals, in the form of a dragon resting on clouds. The hollow underside shows patina from oxidation.

Dimensions: 7.5" L x 2.5" D x 2.25" H

Antique Korean bowl, with a rich crackle celadon glaze. Its outer edges are incised with thick lotus petals. The bowl displays small, buff areas, bare from the natural dripping of the glaze.

15th Century

Dimensions: 6.5" x 2.75" H

Unusual Japanese wood carving of a figure, appearing to be a foreign man, who wields an axe head. The figure is seated, kneeling upon a jagged throne. The patina of the carving shows remnants of old lacquer.

Dimensions: 7.5" L x 5.5" D x 11" H

Antique Thai panel with red and gilt pigments, featuring detailed hand-carvings of two dancing human figures with a monkey over a reticulated ground of various flora.

Dates from the 19th century

Dimensions : 13"L x 2" D x 16.5" H

Japanese small porcelain blue and white water dropper, of a rectangular form with four very short legs. The top of the piece features lingzhi, lotus, and tight scrolling motifs with floral medallions over waves on its sides.

Dimensions: 2.25" L x 1.75" D x .75" H

Antique Korean blue and white porcelain water dropper. The large body is rectangular with designs of scholar rock formations and a cherry blossom branch on its top surface in underglaze cobalt blue. Two small frogs serve as air holes adding a whimsical charm to the piece.

Dates from the 19th/20th century

Dimensions: 5" L x 2.75" D x 2.75" H

Antique Korean blue and white water dropper in the shape of a fan. The top surface design is of a blossoming cherry branch with fan outline in cobalt underglaze, while the foot is left bare.

Dates from 19th century. Dimensions : 4" L x 2.25" D x 1.5" H

Antique Japanese large 2-panel screen, depicting two large paintings of swimming carp and reeds in sumi ink. Gold leaf and silk borders each panel.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 74" L x 68.5" H

Unusual Japanese 2-panel calligraphy screen with highly stylized brushstrokes, bordered with silver leaf and silk. The left character reads "Gi" (or Righteousness); On the right reads "Dao" (the path or way). The inscriptions appear to mean "Righteousness must always be pursued".

Signature of a monk or a priest in his late 70s named Kakuan, appearing to date Spring 1851 with a description of the studio in which the painting was made...

Antique Japanese Buddhist Temple lantern made of gilt copper with a wooden interior armature and iron handle. This six sided lantern is decorated all over with ornate pierced karakusa, scrolling arabesque filigree. Both top and bottom of the lantern have six trapezoidal friezes, each with a three dimensional medallion in it's center depicting alternating crests of blossoms and Buddhist symbols. The interior is lined with it's original paper.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dime...

Antique Korean blue and white porcelain square water dropper, raised on 4 short L-shaped feet with artist's signature in cobalt blue on the base. Design of flowers on the top surface in cobalt blue underglaze.

Dates from the 19th century

Dimensions: 3.25" L x 2.5" D x 1.75" H

Antique Japanese ikebana (flower arranging) basket, very finely hand-woven with thin strips of bamboo. Its form is narrow towards the mouth of the basket and flutes slightly towards the squared base, with four knot-woven feet, and the frame of the basket is reinforced with thicker bamboo sections, secured with tight coils. The handle is formed by natural Wisteria burl root. With hand inscribed signature on the base.

Dimensions : 9" x 7" x 19.75" H