This extraordinary cha-ire (powdered tea container) displays an excellent glaze that appears to have only grown more intricate and rich with time. Contrasting against a reddish brown background are flows and pools of darker glaze along with lighter textured speckles...

Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research...

Japanese two section mizuya (kitchen tansu for storage). Constructed of Hinoki (cypress) wood frame with Sugi (cedar) wood, original dark finish. The top section holds a compartment behind pair of sliding panels with Keyaki (zelkova) wood details, open work carving and wire for ventilation. Next to this is a larger compartment with sliding panels with vertical iron studded slats and Keyaki hardwood insert...

An oak leaf shaped moulded dish of six-sun size in “Ko Sometsuke” style decorated in underglaze blue with three seated figures sitting around a low table with a typical Chinese style landscape of mountainous islets in a costal setting with a Ting, small pavilion in the foreground. The reverse decorated with prunus blossom sprigs and a seal for the Kameyama kiln in the centre of the foot-ring. Dating late Edo, Tenpo era...

Unusual Japanese single section isho tansu from the Sendai region, made of solid Keyaki (zelkova) hardwood with burl front panels. The iron hardware and mounts have floral motifs throughout. The corner plates have scalloped edges, the drawer pulls are mokko (melon) shaped with chrysanthemums mounts, the round lock plates are incised with Kiri leaf mon and two are outlined with scrolling vine motifs. The safe door opens to reveal three inner drawers for small valuables...

Antique Korean low table, of a rounded form with raised, scalloped flower petal edges. The apron below is openwork carved with scrolling vine motifs and double happiness symbols. The table's top is highly decorative with fine inlay work of brass, shell, and shagreen, creating a depiction of a phoenix and a serpentine dragon. The edges of the table top are decorated with various scholar's objects, such as a gourd bottle, an endless knot, and a gunbai fan...

Antique Japanese 2-section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing) from Yonezawa Area. Drawer fronts are made of kiri (paulownia) wood, frame is made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. 4 large drawers and 2 small drawers. Iron hardware includes round lockplates with butterfly mon (family crests) of the Taira Clan.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 35 1/2" wide x 15 3/4" deep.

A Japanese copper writing box used for paper and writing supplies. The lid is engraved with grape leaves and grape clusters. The border is nail studded. The interior is beige velvet.

Date: Taisho c1920

Dimensions: 11" X 9.25" X 2.75"

A Nihon Matsu tansu with hinoki (cypress) wood drawers. The round lock plates on each drawer feature a bird and bamboo leaf motif. There are 4 large drawers with spacious interiors and on the right lower side is a safe box door with key with two interior drawers.

Date: Meiji c1900

Dimensions: 51" X 45" X 17.5"

A large round Ottoman Empire hammered copper tray with verdigris patina throughout. The Qajar-themed artwork depicts various men, women, and animals. Figures are shown playing music, some on horseback in battle skirmishes or hunting with their swords, bows and arrows, and spears. The figures are shown in a repeating pattern against a floral scroll ground...

Chinese blue and white porcelain planter, decorated with cobalt blue underglaze designs of scrolling vines and flowers and three round medallions depicting waterside scenes, rock formations in the background and fishermen, huts, and pine trees in the foreground. The inner and outer rim are decorated with a band of floral scrolls and flowers...

A rare, large architectural Buddhist temple carving of a Dragon (Ryu), with reverse glass painted eye. The high relief carvings show the dragon's body coiled behind clouds of smoke and waves. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The relief is solid keyaki "zelkova serrata" wood with the original red patina. The dragon which symbolizes the heavenly realm has control of rain, fire, and earth...

Dating to the early days of the 20th century, this brass spirit kettle was made by WMF of Germany, in the Jugendstil or Secessionist design. WMF stands for Wertembergische Metallwarefabrik, a German tableware company founded in 1853...

An Ai Kakiemon dish decorated with a repeating pattern of Hosoge, flowers of Precious appearance, which in this case would appear to be representations of auspicious Pomegranate fruits constructed from Ruyi, Acanthus style leaves and other disparate elements. The ring of Hosoge pierced by a circlet binding them together with a central motif of a gobenka...

Antique Vietnamese polychromed figure of a standing Buddha, with red, black, and gold gilt lacquer traces. He stands on a lotus pedestal atop a wood platform. With small losses consistent with age.

Circa 1900

Dimensions: 7 1/2" w x 6 3/4" d x 17 3/4" h

A finely potted Hirado dish featuring three figures wearing capes and carrying heavy packages upon their backs descending down a high mountain trail. Inferred by the small gnarled Pine trees on the wayside. Although no particular scene is identifiable the figures are in Hokusai “style”. The reverse is painted with a Karakusa arabesque and has a single spur mark within the base of the footring...

A finely potted six sun sized dish decorated with a traveller clutching his hat and leaning into a cold wind before a snow covered Mount Fuji. The design would appear to be derived from a print of travellers in the Mishima pass, one of the 36 views of Mount Fuji. The reverse painted with a Karakusa arabesque with a single spur mark to the base. The dish dates to the late Edo period and the middle of the 19th century. The dish measures 18.2cm in diameter and stands 3.4cm high at the rim. It we...