Rare Tibetan hand-painted lacquer altar cabinet. Original finish with patina. The front three panels depict three faces. The left face has red skin and green hair with eyes opened wide. The middle face is upside down with eyes coming out of its skull, representing the kapala or skull cup used in sacred Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies. The face on the right is called citipati, representing both the eternal dance of death as well as perfect awareness...

Chinese monochrome porcelain brush pot in a Turkish blue color underglaze, with reticulated carved scenes of cranes and pine branches against a ground of stylized lingzhi clouds and ocean waves. The base with six character Qianlong cartouche.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 7 1/2" w x 7 3/4" h

A terracotta figure of the Three Wise Monkeys - Mizaru who is covering his eyes, Kikazaru who is covering his ears and Iwazaru who is covering his mouth. All three embody the proverb "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". The figure is combed terracotta with blue, black and brown paint. The robes of the monkeys are painted with Japanese symbols on the back. Provenance: A Pvt. San Franciso Collection

Date: Meiji (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" X 5.5" X3.5"

Antique Sino-Tibetan cloisonne enamel bronze container in the form of a kapala or skull cup. The lid has a four prong vajra finial, and is decorated with intricate enamel design of floral scrolls, lotuses, waves, and four points around the vajra finial. The container's interior is done in red enamel, and the base is done in white enamel with a red cranial fissure line to emulate a skull...

Large flat figure wearing a skirt, a turban and appliques. Condition: damage to the appliques, left arm repaired. Provenance: Arte Primitivo, New York, September 2005. H. 19 cm.

Rare Japanese Yonazawa Keyaki (zelkova) burl front tansu with original golden honey lacquer finish. The round lock plates on each drawer feature the emblem of the Taira clan, whose mon is the swallowtail butterfly or ageha...

A fine Kakiemion dish painted in sometsuke style with a Fuyo-de pattern with four landscape vignettes in European style adapted from a Delft original attributed to Fredrick van Frytom (see image no 6) which in turn provided elements of the so-called Deshima or Scheveningen with contrasting panels of stylised Peonies, Botan karakusa. A central motif of wreath form composed of Pomegranates...

A nagazara or long dish of bean-pod form, a very unusual shape, decorated with auspicious un-ryu, dragons and clouds, in its central reserve, surrounded by Matsu-fuji, entwined Pine branches and Wisteria vine, a traditional Japanese motif associated with longevity. The reverse decorated with further auspicious Dragons and precious objects, cash and scrolls with flaming pearls...

A good Kakiemon long dish, nagazara, of a wide boat, sanpan, shaped form decorated with stylised lotus karakusa. The reverse decorated with Karakusa motifs and a Fuku in seal characters within a double square. An identical dish is illustrated in the Shibata Collection, see volume 5 no 154, there dated 1690-1710. The dish is in good condition no cracks, chips or restoration. It measures 20.8cm long and is 14cm wide, standing 3.8cm at the rim. It weighs 365 grams...

A rare Ancient Near East Bronze short sword or large dagger dating to 1st-2nd mill BC.

Commonly termed Luristani by dealers and collectors.

Fine style weapon with square shoulders and a flat central midrib. As a rare feature, on this short sword the lower part of the hilt is intact, which is seldom seen on this type of bronze age weapon.

Size is 42,7 cm - 16,8 inches.

Condition: A very nice ancient bronze...

A wonderful boxed set of six 800 silver Jugendstil (“Art Nouveau”) demitasse or chocolate spoons, each featuring a scene from different Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The tales include “Bremen Town Musicians”, “The Frog Prince”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Hansel & Gretel”, “Sleeping Beauty”, and “Puss in Boots”. Bruckmann, one of the most important Imperial German silversmiths of the Jugendstil period, worked with many leading designers...

Intricately carved mask for the Nuo esoteric theater, representing the legendary character of Bao Gong, or Judge Bao, wearing a formal hat, his face in relief with a fierce expression, with bulging eyes, open mouth revealing fangs, and a stylised beard. Wood, with traces of the original polychrome colouring. China, 18th century. Height: 29.6 cm. Very good condition despite signs of old insect infestation (no danger).

An Arita porcelain small bowl with barbed lotus style lobed rim, a namasu, typically used in Japanese cuisine to serve various pickles. Potted in mid 17C transitional Chinese style without a foot-rim as such, but an unglazed ring, kodai. The interior of the bowl painted in ko-sometsuke style. One half painted with Su Shi’s “First Ode to the Red Cliffe”, divided into twelve columns reading from right to left...

The small size of the figures (23-29 cm) makes this an interesting and rare group. The moulded figures still have much of their painting intact. The come in different sizes with different faces. Originally they carried wooden attributes or weapons. Condition: normal age wear, a few repairs (one arm and some toes, see pictures), overal in very good condition. Every figure comes with an acrylic stand H. ...

Japanese Buddhist scroll painting of Eight Armed Kannon , the bodhisattva of compassion, seated in a lotus position...

Statue of Buddha, in meditation posture ("dhyana mudra") sitting cross-legged on an elevated throne. Bronze, with green patina. Thailand, Dvaravati period, 7th-9th century. Height: 12.9 cm. Good condition.

An elegant Chinese Qing dynasty Cizhou black glaze meiping vase. Ht. 20 cm. Condition: old chips to the foot rim, no restore as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platform, please ask before ordering.

Set of five Burmese bronze opium weights in the form of a “Toe,” a mythical creature with a lion face and horse tail and hoofs believed to inhabit the Himalayan forest. Each is on a sloping rectangular base. The larger two have a nine-star flower seal on the side of the base. The largest has a curved handle attached to the back of the head and top of the tail. Generally referred to as opium weights, they were used to measure all types of food and raw materials in the conduct of commercia...

A classic 19th century French silver tastevin of traditional form and the bottom inset with a silver jeton the reign of Louis XV. The sides of the tastevin are decorated with the traditional raised “perles,” recessed “cupules,” and elongated “godrons” for assessing the depth of color and concentration of a wine. The jeton, dating to 1773, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the Latin inscription “Louis XV, Christian King” and is signed by the engraver, Pierre-Simon-Benj...

Japanese iron tsuba, or hand guard for a samurai's sword, with openwork motifs of peonies and scrolling leaves, with silver and gilt inlay pollen, detailed on the reverse, with signature.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3"

Chinese jade boulder, carved with al old scholar and child in front of a viewing pavilion under a pine tree, the central openwork carvings a pale jade green with a deep russet exterior color.

Provenance: from a Beverly Hills, CA estate

Dates c1920 Dimensions: 6" x 5 1/2" x 2 3/4"

Japanese tachi-kake or samurai's sword stand, black lacquered and rich intricate shell inlay work, with a reishi mushroom shaped finial.

Late Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 10 1/4" x 8 1/4" x 25" H

A pair of wood sculpture of Ebisu and Daikoku which are two of seven gods. Ebis is for good business and Daikoku is for luck with money. They are put on the ouse shrine. In good condition but some parts are missed in Ebis (left). Late 19th to early 20th century. Base:15cm x 5cm, Height:12cm

Japanese circular jingasa with a gradual domed top, rough textured to simulate leather. The composition is of bamboo, paper, layers of Urushi lacquer work with green lacquer, the edges decorated with two gilt mon of the Mori Clan. The interior is finished in green textured lacquer with red lacquer accent. Mounted on steel plates for presentation.

The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron,...

Early edition Japanese Edo period woodblock print titled “Snowfall at Shimasaku in Iki Province." The image is No. 68 from the series “Views of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces” by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) dated 1856. Signed within a red cartouche at the left. The title and subtitle cartouches are at the upper right. The seal of the publisher Koshimuraya Heisuke is at the lower right. This is one of Hiroshige's most sought-after snow scenes with a bokashi cloud in the sky...

A large Chinese Eastern and Western Jin (256-420 A.D.) Yue ware celadon basin with handle. Dia. 23.6 cm including handle. Condition: no restore, glaze crack, firing fault in the middle as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platform, please ask before ordering.

A fine Ming dynasty underglazed blue and white jar with lid, Yuxi kiln Yunnan, China. Total Ht. 8 cm. Condition: no chip, no restore. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platform, please ask before ordering.

A classic 19th century French second standard (800/1000 pure silver) silver tastevin of traditional form and the bottom inset with a silver coin from the reign of Louis XV. The sides of the tastevin are decorated with the traditional raised “perles,” recessed “cupules,” and elongated “godrons” for assessing the depth of color and concentration of a wine. The coin, dating to 1732, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the Latin inscription “Louis XV, by grace of God, king of...

Antique Japanese bronze sutra container of a pagoda form with very tall finial and calligraphy inscription. The bronze shows beautiful green patina inside and on the foot and the lid shows old corrosion. The burial of sutras in sutra mounds began in 1007 when Fujiwara no Michinaga had a gilt bronze sutra container inscribed upon its burial at the Kinpusen sutra mound in Yoshino. It is apparent that a variety of reasons lay behind the creation of these sutra mounds. Clearly these mounds wer...

Antique Japanese 3 drawer gyosho bako or merchant's box, with original red lacquer finish. The top of the box has a carrying handle and the 3 drawers are opened by hirute shape iron pulls with square locks and corner hardware.

Dates Edo age c1800 Dimensions: 17" x 14" x 15 1/2" H

Antique Chinese hardwood altar table with hand carved lingzhi spiral apron joined in upturned flanges. The feet are spanned by an openwork of hand carved panels with drapery motifs. Original warm finish. Very sturdy, condition consistent with age.

Mid 19th Century

Dimensions: 63 1/2" L x 15" D x 33 3/4" H

Unusual Japanese Kiri (paulownia) tansu with 8 drawers and a lift away panel opening to a shelved interior with spacious room. The 8 front drawers feature small round locks and warabite pulls. Original finish and condition.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25" L x 12 1/2" D x 19 1/2" H

A set of Chinese Liao to Jin dynasty gilt bronze costume accessories. Dimension please refer to the enlargement. Condition: no restore in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platform, please ask before ordering.

Japanese lacquer suzuribako or calligraphy writing box. The box is wood with lacquer, gold gilt sprinkled lacquer, and inlaid shell on the lid, adorned with scrolling leaves, floral medallions and motifs of sparrows. The box interior is red lacquer with gold lacquer patterns. The inside box contains an attached inkstone, a brush, and a small brass water dropper. Underneath is a shallow compartment for the storage of calligraphy papers.

18th-19th century Edo Age

Dimens...

Antique Chinese porcelain serving vessel with green and blue enamel dragons accented by gold and red fireballs and floral motifs on the outer and inner rim. The handle has a braided form with gold enamel design. The foot is slightly recessed and outlined in green enamel.

Dimensions: 7 1/4" x 4" x 3"

Buddhist statue of a guardian deity ("dvarapala"), standing on clouds, in martial posture. Bronze, with fine dark green and reddish patina. China, Tang Dynasty. Height: 5.7 cm. The statue is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Left arm missing, some abrasion, otherwise very good condition

Fine Tibetan "damaru" (ritual drum), made of silver and leather. The silver part is in the form of two "kapala shaped" parts, separated by a central silver belt, decorated with several turquoise and coral inserts, to which the handle is attached. This silver part is lavishly decorated with an embossed relief design representing foliage and Buddhist symbols. The leather part is painted in green. Two cotton cords, ending in two small balls are also attached to the drum to strike it. The damaru da...

A superb Rococo-style first standard (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin by the master silversmith Marc Parrod. This large example retains the round shape of a traditional tastevin but replaces the usual bowl decoration with ornate bunches of grapes tied with ribbon bows and a remarkable handle treatment illustrating a young couple stomping grapes while holding hands. Parrod created excellent classic Burgundian tastevins, but his fantasy pieces stand apart from all the other Dijon masters. The taste...

A fine pair of gilt bronze appliques, possibly belt or harness fittings, of square shape, with well cast relief decorations of musicians sitting cross-legged and playing the flute and what seems to be a lute. China, Liao Dynasty (916-1125). Height:3.1 cm. Very good condition.

Japanese small Kiri (paulownia) tansu, with pair of sliding panels concealing a shelved interior compartment, and five drawers of various size with metal pulls and locks. Original condition and finish.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 24" L x 12" D x 19" H

This phenomenal 7 3/16" Llama Bone Flute is highly engraved with human effigy carvings with crown or headdress and was recovered in Pisac, Peru near Machu Picchu. It is highly polished. It is so translucent that when backlit with a flashlight, light passes through both sides of the bone. It has beautiful patina. A lot of work and pride went into creating this beauty. I purchased it from Jim Bennett who has written several books on detecting fakes and reproductions.

Matching pair of Japanese scrolls. Seed syllable depictions of the Womb World (Taizokai Mandara) and companion Diamond World (Kongokai Mandara). Beneath the 8 Patriachs. 150x50.5 cm. Paints on paper with silk borders. Undated, estimated to be late 19th/early20th century. Repairs to border. Can be viewed in central London and shipped worldwide.

Japanese carved wood Natsume tea caddy, with high relief lacquer imagery of ripened peaches growing on a branch, and a flying hornet on the top of the lid in lacquer. The side of the box is signed with red lacquer cartouche.

Meiji period (1868-1912) c. 1900

Dimensions: 2 1/2" W x 2 3/4" H

Beautiful hand carved Japanese wood panel with stylized openwork carvings of various scrolling chrysanthemums and peonies. Each flowing one to the next layer out longitudinally on a single slab of wood. Hand chisel marks visible on the reverse of the panel. Ready to be wall mounted. Very good original condition. Natural finish consistent with age.

Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 39" L x 4" x 6" H

Antique Chinese bronze incenser of a cylindrical form on tripod feet, standing on a carved wood base. The interior of the censer has natural green patina indicative consistent with age. The base is impressed with a six characte Xuande cartouche (1426-1435).
The Xuande Emperor, personal name Zhu Zhanji (朱瞻基), was the fifth emperor of the Ming dynasty, ruling from 1425 to 1435. His era name "Xuande" means "Proclamation of Virtue". Zhu Zhanji was the eldest son of the Hongxi Emper...

Antique Japanese tansu with 7 exterior drawers of various sizes. The lower right hand side has a safe box door with 2 small interior drawers. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Hardware includes warabite shaped drawer pulls, heavy lock plates and hinges.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 28 1/2" wide x 14 1/4" deep.

A Very Rare Korean Wood Carved/Painted Standing Dongja-18th C.: Korea, Joseon dynasty(1392-1897), 18th century. A small wood elaborate carved Dongja (Buddhist boy attendant) shown standing with his hands held together as if to clasp a ritual object, the robes painted in red, black, green and the face and hands with traces of white pigment, set on an inverted lotus pedestal. It’s in good condition with aged and patina pigments but a vertical hairline crack on the right side back, it...

Antique Korean bandaji, or blanket chest made with hardwood with original finish, iron plates and mounts on the front of the piece with floral cut-out motifs. The front has a drop-down lid with two iron pulls on decorative plates.

Dates c1900

Dimensions: 41" L x 16 1/2" D x 32" H

Jimmmie Koots(James Koots, Jimmy Koots, James Kootshongsie, James Kotshongsi, [2nd] Jimmy K., James Danaqyumptewa), 1916-1996, Hotevilla, Third Mesa, Arizona Hopi polychrome Katsina doll Koshare or clown katsina. c.1940-50, Height 7" X Width across the shoulders 2 7/8"

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes and checks (check pattern was also called "shima" before. Some has both stripes and kasuri. Mostly vegetable indigo dyed but some of colored warps are chemical and some fragments are machine woven. 40 pages with 613 fragments. In excellent condition. Meiji (1868~1912) 24.5cm x 18.5cm x 2.5cm

A large and powerful polychromed wooden carving of a Chinese demonic altar guardian figure, possibly Shun-Feng Erh, dating to the 17th century. Multiple coats of polychrome confirm the piece's great age. Intact, with, most probably, a reattached break in the figure's sash, visible in the photos. A full exposition of the role played by similar figures can be found in Arts of Asia, September-October 1998, "Demonic Images on Chinese Altars." The piece stands just over 16 inches in height. There app...

An elegant pair of Chinese monochrome yellow peking glass gu vases with relief carvings of waves, archaic scrolling serpents, one vase with a pair of flying dragons and the other vase with many auspicious Buddhist symbols - a lotus, a treasure vase, a pair of fish, the endless mandala knot, and the wheel of Dharma. The foot of each vase is marked with a four character cartouche.

Circa early 1900's

Dimensions: 5 3/4" W x 9 1/2" H

A beautiful stand mounted Japanese architectural (corbal) carving of ocean waves. One of this detail and design would have been built into the architecture of a temple. The carving is highly stylized with large openwork areas. The Keyaki (zelkova) woodgrain is visible on the reverse of the carving. Mounted on black iron plates.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 32" L x 3 1/2" D x 17 1/4" H, 13" H carving only

Shima-cho, a sample book of cotton stripes. It has more than 600 fragments, mostly hand-spun and vegetable dye but some warps are chemical dye and also some fragments have silk threads. The second half of the 19th century. In good condition but some fragments are mildewy. 38 pages. 18.5cm x 13cm x 2cm

Antique Tibetan repousse plaque depicting a flying Kinnara or Apsara, celestial beings similar to the Western concepts of angels. The high relief image is done with gold gilt over copper with natural patina from oxidation.

Late 18th Century

Dimensions: 17 1/4" L x 6 1/2" H

Japanese 3 section kimono tansu, made with Kiri (paulownia) wood in its original, natural finish. The top unit has three medium size drawers underneath two sliding panels. The left upper compartment with single shelf and the right upper compartment with the two smallest drawers below a shelf space. The two lower sections are comprised of 3 drawers each.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 45 3/4" L x 16" D x 61" H

Chinese Qing dynasty bronze censer / Incense Burner with stand, decorated with Lion or Kilin as a the handle. Xuande mark. 17 cm wide, 14 cm rim diameter. 1115 gram censer weight. good conditions.

A Very Rare/Important Map of Straits between Korea and Japan “Korea Sea” Named-late 18th C.: 1794 printed by Laurie & Whittle, The map is one of very important documents of evodence/written as “Corea (Korea) Sea” between Korea and Japan in 1794 as “Corea Sea” in the international map, but by now, the most of the world maps and the most influential world news papers or the public medias are printing/writing it as “Japan Sea”(Sea of Japan). So, this is one of the very ...

Free of any loss or repair, this beautifully enameled vase on a copper base stands some 7-1/2 inches in height. Wonderfully elegant and understated.

A charming, diminutive Ming sculpture of a musician, measuring 4 inches in height. The face has been carefully modeled, as the photos will, hopefully, confirm. The glaze is in excellent condition. Please be sure to look at the last photo, as you will see that the head has been almost invisibly reattached.