Catalog: Antiques (5186)

An antique Japanese Byosho Bako (peddler's chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware. Two loop rings where a carrying rope was once attached allowing the merchant to carry this chest on his back. The hinged door opens to 5 drawers used for the storage of wares for sale. A few small ink stains on the upper surface attests to the merchant using the top as a writing surface when writing sales...

An antique Japanese rare 2 section Butsudan (Buddhist Altar) hand made with elaborate Makie lacquerwork. Upper section has two large hinged doors decorated with a blooming Peony tree. The interior of the doors each feature a Buddhist diety, one holding a mushroom scepter with a Baku at his feet and the other studying a horizontal scroll with a Shishi (Foo dog) at his feet. Below the doors are three small drawers where Buddhist accoutrements were stored...

An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu in a narrow design made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Maru style handles. The back plates of the upper and lower sliding door handles feature incised flying cranes above the clouds...

Antique Japanese large tsuba (samurai sword hand guard). Cast in iron with an intentionally uneven surface to suggest a sandy beach or rock and further decorated with mixed metal inlay in the form of a variety of sea shells. Shakudo and gilt copper stand out against the dark iron. With collector's kiri wood box.

Age: Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

Dimensions: 3 5/8" x 3 1/2"

Antique Japanese iron tsuba (samurai sword hand guard) decorated on both sides with cresting waves. Unusual octagonal form and detail to each wave.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 2 3/4" wide

Rare Chinese Antique Monohrome Clair de Lune Vase, diamond lozenge shape with incised pattern, phoenix and dragon in clouds design with centralized shou mark. Side handles with mythical animal on edges. White color interior of vase. Inset bottom with Chien Lung mark and old age sticker. Provenance Michael Smith, New York Designer. Good condition.

Age: Chien Lung Dynasty (1736-1795)

Size: 14 1/2"High x 8 3/4" Wide x 5 3/8" Deep

Antique Japanese small zushi (traveler's shrine) with unusual scene of Buddha seated on a lotus throne which rises out of billowing waves. Below him, two lords stand on top of the water while smaller lotuses bloom around them. Carved of wood with painted and lacquered details.

Age: Edo Period (1603 - 1867)

Dimensions: 5 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide (9 1/4" wide when open) x 2 5/8" deep.

Antique Japanese cotton yogi, sleeping kimono for a woman. Thickly padded and decorated with a paste resist and red family crest. More paste resist characters on the front collar. Lined with a dark indigo-dyed cotton.

Age: early 20th century

Dimensions: 50" high x 50" wide

Japanese cotton hanten made of indigo-dyed cotton for a child. Decorated with a paste resist design of joyful, spinning pinwheel-like motifs. A large red character on the back and four more in white on the front collar.

Age: early 20th century

Dimensions: 25" high x 38" wide

Antique traditional robe of the Ainu people of northern Japan. Attush (attusi) fabric was made of the inner fibers of elm tree bark (ohyo). The bark was harvested by the men but refined and woven by the Ainu women. This robe is edged with dark indigo-dyed cotton cloth. The back of the neck of the robe is sewn with a bit of lighter blue cotton fabric with a white paste resist pattern.

Age: late 19th/early 20th century

Dimensions: 54" high x 58" wide

Antique Japanese Satsuma ware ceramic incensor. Cylindrical form standing on 3 rounded feet and with a flat, round lid. The lid is opened with a decorative tassel design with a pierced design for the incense smoke to escape. Overpainting is done in orange, green and gold over a delicately crackled cream color glaze. With antique collector's adhesive number.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/4" high x 3 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese small and exceptionally fine cloisonné vase. Four sided shaped body with a flower reserve on each side including irises, wisteria, chrysanthemums, daisies and maple. More fine details on the neck and sides.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6" high x 2 1/8" wide

An antique Japanese merchant chest called Choba Tsukue made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Two drawers used for the storage of an inkstone and brushes as well as paper for writing transaction records and receipts. The drawer interiors have minor ink stains which is a testament to its usage and function.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1920)

Dimensions: 40" Wide by 13 1/4" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Nihon Matsu Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware which includes the Warabite handles, the lock plates with auspicious symbols, and the pine and plum Atari handle back stops. The symbols on the locks feature the traveler's cape and hat, the lucky treasure bag and the lucky fortune mallet...

An antique Japanese Chobako (small merchant chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original and beautiful transparent Urushi lacquer finish showcases the underlying magnificent wood grain. Hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles on the 2 large drawers and the Hirute handle on the small security drawer. Minor sumi ink stains in the upper right drawer suggests that an inkstone and brushes were stored there for writing store records and receipts...

An antique 3 section stacking Isho Biraki Tansu (Kimono chest with removable storage trays) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Constructed using dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original nickel plated hardware with Chrysanthemum designed lock plates and angled Warabite handles. The top section features sliding doors behind which are two small drawers to the right and a shelf to the left...

An antique Japanese rare Tanuki (badger dog) that originates from the famous kiln region of Shigaraki, Japan. It was made in an Oribe glaze and it is shown holding a sake bottle in its right hand and a burl wood walking staff in its left hand. It is artist signed on the back.

The Tanuki is a shape shifter turning into various objects or people causing it to get into mischief and often comical adventures...

Antique Japanese bush holder made of ceramic with highly raised scenes of fu-dogs, one glazed a buff color, the other blue. They stand with characteristic whimsical expressions on mossy rocks out of which bloom large peony flowers in white and pale pink. There are 5 holes in the top for brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 3/4" high x 5 1/2" long x 2 5/8" wide