Intricately decorated snuff bottle of baluster shape, with a detailed decoration in relief representing, from top to bottom, a geometric design around the neck, a monster on both sides holding a lozenge frame containing a lapis lazuli on one side and a coral on the other side, the foot representing a stylised lotus. The stopper is also made of silver with a lapis lazuli on its top, and a silver spoon. A small silver chain links the stopper to the body of the bottle...

Snuff bottle of flat circular form, the body itself made of ivory. The bottle has a silver neck with an intricate decoration affixing it to the body. It also has an opening at its center with round silver relief decor mount, the lid ending in a coral top. On one side, another relief decoration representing a four sided dorje with a loop for attachment to a belt. Tibet, 19th century. Diameter: 5 cm. Stopper and spoon missing, otherwise very good condition. Provenance: Old French collection...

Long Japanese half section Mizuya or buffet cabinet, constructed with Hinoki and Sugi wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 57 1/2" x 16" x 30 1/2" H

Long Japanese half section Mizuya or buffet cabinet, constructed with Hinoki and Sugi wood. The piece holds a large upper and lower storage compartment with four sliding door panels.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 57 1/2" x 16" x 29" H

Well hollowed shadow agate snuff bottle, of classical shape, with a "tao tie" mask in relief on each shoulder. The stopper is made of coral, turquoise and silver with a felt base. The spoon is made of iron. The piece dates back to the Qing Dynasty, 19th century. Its height: 6.4 cm without stopper. Its total height: 8.2 cm. Excellent condition.

A Song - Yuan dynasty longquan celadon vase with two ears, flower motif at the center, vase is in good condition no damage please see picture for detail size: 15 cm height.

During the Meiji period there were only five potters ever to be awarded the prestigious designation of Imperial Court Artist: Ito Tozan, Seifu Yohei III, Miyagawa Kozan, Itaya Hazan, and the artist whose work is featured here, Suwa Sozan. This mizusashi for tea ceremony is made of the finest “kinuta” celadon that Sozan was well known for—having recreated and perfected the technique used by the Chinese Song Dynasty potters...

Height: 13.4 cm (5.3 in)
Width: 6.7 cm (2.6 in)

Fine quality Chinese Hongxian Period famille rose vase; features figures in a rural setting; Hongxian mark; minor flakes near base; good condition

Fine Qing Dynasty jade carving of a figure in overall good condition. High resolution images by email on request.

Fine Song Dynasty celadon jar with lovely color and crackle glaze. In overall good condition except for small chip on glaze visible in one of the images (image #8). High resolution images of item can be emailed to you on request.

Large and only slightly distorted full cylinder shaped Tsutsu (hight is bigger than diameter) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of reddish, unrefined Mino clay with clearly visible finger marks on the wall.

The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife around the regular food ring. In the style of Seto-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a black glaze.

On three sides a round space was spared from black glaze...

Slightly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Ao-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a green copper oxide glaze...

There are only few opportunities to find antique Chosen Karatsu chawans - collectors know of what I'm talking about. Here is the second one of our collection:

Chosen Karatsu chawan from the Edo Period. The grandiose embellishment of color creates a sublime sense of tension between the dark glazed and color infusion...

A charming pair of Japanese porcelain satsuma vases. The panels on each vase tell a story of ghosts and demons escaping from a woven basket. One vase shows a scene of court performers in a traditional lion dance, used to repel evil spirits. In another panel is a scene of kneeling courtesans with worrisome expression and a shrine maiden attempting to purify the area. The final panel shows a golden box, with a large clawed oni forcing the lid shut to trap the evil spirits within...

Japanese temple carving depicting a dragon (Ryu) and a tiger (Tora), with background of bamboo forest and blossoming plum branches. The dragon is a sacred creature representing great power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy. The imagery of the dragon fighting the tiger is symbolic of the opposing forces of yin and yang.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" H x 16" x 2 1/2"

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 17th or 18th century and comes with a box that looks to have been furnished within the last 100 years. Over the long history of tea practice in Japan, at varying times, Korean-ware came into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics were brought over to Japan...

Antique Japanese two section Kiri (paulownia) wood clothing tansu. The piece holds 4 drawers, with heavy, square iron pulls, and large round lock plates incised with 3 circle mon. Original, natural finish wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35.5" L x 16.5" D x 47.5" H

An interesting Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue and white Bowl. Note there is some fritting, chipping and wear to the rim, but otherwise in good condition. High resolution images may be emailed on request.

Japanese single section clothing tansu, with Kuri burl hardwood front drawers, iron lock plates with foliate edges, warabite pulls, fan-shaped iron corner hardware. The bottom corner has a safe door with round lock plate and ring pull. Inside are the two smallest drawers in the chest.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 34 1/4" x 15" x 18 3/4" H

Japanese bronze vase with a wide, flattened body shape, the tall cylindrical neck rendered with bamboo stalk texture. The handles of the vase are a pair of leaping rabbits over low relief waves. The foot of the vase is imprinted with the artist cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7 1/2" x 7" x 6"

Elegantly shaped Ki-Seto Chawan from the Edo Period, early 19th century with a rarely seen gold rim. Precious metal rings were added when the chawan was made for the aristocracy and for the high nobility.

The beautiful and glossy glaze (guinomi-de) has a fantastic crazing. The bowl has also a decoration with vivid tanpan marks ( copper green marks ).

This Ki-Seto tea bowl is in very good condition, very unusual for a chawan of this age...

Relics of the Nile is pleased to offer this brown flint curved blade knife with chipped tail style handle. This knife was created from one large piece of flint; using localized pressure (as opposed to striking the blade with a hammerstone), a craftsman precisely removed small flakes of flint to produce the ripple-flake on both sides and serrated cutting edge. This bade is typical of the Naqada II to 2nd Dynasty style, ca. 3,500 - 2,686 B.C....

Relics of the Nile is pleased to offer this rare flint mace head...

A hirado ware porcelain figure of the mythical creature baku, the dream eater. This beast is a chimera with the features of an elephant, an ox, a rhinoceros and a tiger. The expert artist hand-carved every detail of the figure with fine lines, the flames and spines along its back carved in high relief. The glaring eyes are left bare with black pupils while the rest of its body is glazed white.

A similar Baku is in the Lawrence Collection, Published in:
"Hirado: Prince of Porc...

Japanese hirado ware porcelain figure of a tiger. With fully hand-carved fur pattern, whiskers, a wide grin with front fangs exposed. The tiger is glazed in white with the pupils of the eyes left buff. The four paws of the tiger have been hand-sculpted with the toes and claws on the bottom of the figure. The bottom and nostrils of the tiger are pierced through for air to escape during firing.

Published in:
"Hirado Ware, by C. Philip Cardeiro, pg. 75, published by Art Asia Muse...

Thangka of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri, the central figure holding her flaming sword. Depicting the five peaceful manifestations of Manjushri, including the wrathful Mahakala as protector deity of the thangka. There are five monasteries depicted in the painting, each with title describing their identity. WuTai-shan, the five-peak mountain, is shown which contains the five monasteries. At the top of the thangka is Tsongkhapa, the Wisdom manifestation. Painted with mineral pigments and bl...

Maeda Toshinaga was a Japanese daimyo, who was the second head of the Kasa Domain. He was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Oda Nobunaga's daughters, Ei-Hime. He supported Tokugawa Ieyasu and, after receiving his brother Toshimasa's lands (Noto, 215,000 Koku), controlled a total of 1,250,000 Koku, an amount exceeded only by the Shogunate. Toshinaga built and resided in the Kanazawa Castle. He had no children and adopted his brother Toshitsune as his heir.

2-panel s...

Unusual Japanese stacking box comprised of 10 shallow compartments for the storage of important documents or calligraphy implements. The edges of each compartment are reinforced with hand-forged iron plates. The tall box is held together by a long cord.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 9.5" : x 14" D x 16.5" H

Antique Japanese bar tansu with dramatic natural Keyaki burl front hardwood. The locking bar has hand-forged iron bamboo motif plating; Its handle is a 16 petal chrysanthemum Imperial seal mon. The piece has 4 large drawers and a safe box containing 2 smaller drawers. Original condition lacquer finish.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24" x 12" x 24.5" H

Unusual Japanese single section kannon biraki tansu. This safe chest holds an open top shelf and 2 drawers behind the front hinged locking doors.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 27.5" x 14" x 13.5" H

The pistol has an octagonal russet iron barrel with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. Good condition.

Dimensions: 16" L x 3" x 2"

Japanese 2 section kimono tansu. Made with Kiri (paulownia) wood, all natural finish. The upper section holds 8 drawers, which is considered an auspicious number. The bottom section contains 2 drawers with warabite pulls mounted on pierced metal plates. The piece also contains a secret hidden compartment beneath the bottom drawer.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 39.5" x 17.75" x 66.75" H

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempts to reach out to all those...

A kartika referred to in Tibetan as a "trigug" or "drigug" is a small crescent-shaped handheld ritual flaying knife, used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartika is said to be one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful tantric deities. It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis". While the kartika is normally held in the right hand of a dakini in Vajrayana iconography and spiritual practice, occasionally it can be seen being held by esoteric male deities, su...

A Rare Group of 6 Korean Monster/Dragon/Louts Petal Roof Tiles-6th C.: Korea, Silla dynasty, 5th to 7th century. A rare three monster faces, two dragons and one lotus petal roof tiles from the Silla period, appear natural patina with old dark clay due to age. it’s in fare condition in their ages but one has a small chip on the edge, it measures 15.2cm d. and 15cm d. around each

This is a Chinese antique brocade dragon costume of blue and gold satin silk, which draws five nail dragons on the front and back featuring Chinese treasure, longevity sign. In a very good condition No stain, no damage, yarn is not loose. Almost perfect condition. This was brought to Japan in the Qing Dynasty era. It was rarely used c1890. Height about 129 cm Width of a garment - From sleeves to sleeves 199 cm (78.3 "50.7").

House-shaped box with copper hinged lids. Open frame design with copper hard mounts, handles, and Keyaki wood construction. The Kandouko compartments hold the copper rectangular brazier and a square copper water container with lid, spout and a handle. Fitted with the essentials of travel for a hot drink and food. The brazier has a vent hole in the Sakura motif. The brazier devise heats the water for warming the sake and it can also be used to grill food; The warmer has a spout to let out the wat...

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout. The box interior is black lacquered with copper sprinkle...

The forked arrowhead (karimata) was named after its resemblance to the V-formation flight of wild geese. Such arrows of different sizes were highly prized on the battlefield and for hunting large game. The Japanese arrowheads, many resembling miniature spears, were made in hundreds of varied shapes of folded, tempered steel.
They were attached to the bamboo shafts by means of long, thin tangs (Nakago). The most common were narrow, roughly-filed, pointed arrowheads used to penetrate armor...

The three-sided style of the phurba comes from an ancient tool used to pin down sacrifices. The phurba has 3 segments to represent its power to transform negative energies. These energies are known as the "three poisons" and are attachment, ignorance, and aversion. The 3 sides of the phurba also represent the 3 spirit worlds and the phurba itself unites those worlds. The handle of the phurba represents "wisdom" while the blade represents "methods".

The phurba symbolizes stability and...

Architectural element --- probably the end of a beam --- carved in the shape of a stylized lion. Wood, with fine dark brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 22 cm. Height: 10.5 cm. The back of the element was partly attacked by insects, but there is no more danger. The element is nicely counted on a custom stand. Good condition.

Edo period Japanese lacquered leather covered munitions box for gun powder. The leather hinged top has a gilt edge, on center is a copper metal clasp closure, and an iron chain handle. Double stamped in red lacquer with the Omodaka mon, which belongs to the Mizuno family clan. The box is in good condition.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8.75" x 2.75" x 4.5" H

Japanese Negoro lacquer (red over black) shrine table with squared slated legs detailed with brass hard mounts. The table expresses wear true to its age.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 20 ¼” x 9” x 10 ½”

The Japanese tantutu pistol has a octagonal russet iron barrel, with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". A stock dai of Keyaki wood and brass plate jiita of the arquebus's firing mechanism. Mounted for display on a custom museum iron mount.

Exhibition at the 2018 San Francisco Tribal Art & Textile Show

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8"L x 1.5" (5.25" H on stand)

A pair of Chinese famille rose bowls, decorated with gourd and butterfly motifs on green grounds. Gourds and butterflies together have an auspicious hidden meaning of "Guadie Mianmian (瓜瓞绵绵)” - may there be ceaseless generations of sons and grandsons. There are six character "Daqing jiaqing nianzhi" marks inside the foot rims, and of the period. Condition: nearly perfect condition,the only flaw is one tiny chip on the rim. Please refer photos for details. Diameter:7"; Height: 3-1/2".

Relics of the Nile is proud to present this large and exceptional Egyptian wood and polychrome anthropoid mask. The face is carved with fine detail and is painted with red pigment over gesso with black eyebrows. It is important to note that this mask is complete with intact ears, which is rare to find. The cosmetic lines around the eyes, details in the right ear, and jawline from the right cheek to the chin are presented in a carbon-based black pigment. In addition, red, green and blue pigme...

Relics of the Nile is pleased to present this very large and impressive Ptah-Sokar-Osiris figure. The figure features much of the original white gesso as well as facial features detailed in black. The eyes as well as the chin strap to hold the Osiride beard to the face are painted onto the gesso using a carbon-based black pigment. The figure measures a very large 17.25" in height and is presented on a wooden base for ready display. The horns are ancient from the same period, however they com...

A very fine Chinese Imari saucer dish decorated with elaborate sprays of Chrysanthemums and Irises with a central motif of a Chrysanthemum all richly gilded with a minimum of underglaze blue elements in the design. The edge of the dish with a gilded brown glazed rim. The reverse painted with two prunus sprigs in iron red and underglaze blue. The dish dates to the early 18th century; late Kangxi to Yongzheng. The dish measures 22cm in diameter and 4cm high at the rim and is in excellent conditi...

A Chinese porcelain moulded dish of sixteen petaloid form, (chrysanthemum form, kikugata) decorated with panels of flowers, Chrysanthemums, Plum Blossom, brocade bands and Tea flowers to the centre. The reverse painted with sprigs in iron red and underglaze blue. The dish dates to the late Kangxi circa 1700-1720. The dish measures 18.5cms in diameter. There is some as to be expected fritting to the rim with a shallow chip visible to the reverse related to one of fritted areas, and a difficult t...

A decorative and colourful Arita nagazara or long dish decorated with a central botan-mon, double Peony motif with alternating panels of Chrysanthemums and under-glaze blue Chrysanthemum leaf arabesques, and Shishi, lion dogs, set against an iron red Peony Petal ground. The dish is good condition, with the exception of a small shallow flake to the top left hand corner of one of the dishes. Dating circa 1760-90, Horeki to Meiwa, late Mid Edo, a similar dish is illustrated in the Complete Catal...

A finely painted Kakiemon dish of scalloped form painted in under-glaze blue with a pair of auspicious Hoo birds amongst clouds, harbingers of good fortune, with stylised Peony branches. The reverse painted with a classic lotus scroll and a square fuku seal. Dating circa 1680-1700 and a product of the Kama-no Tsuji (Kakiemon) kiln in the Nangawara valley, note the fine pin point spurs and carefully trimmed footrim. The dish measures approximately 21.5cm in diameter, seven suns. There is a fille...

Antique Japanese tall box made from Kiri (paulownia), natural finish wood. With 5 front drawers slightly recessed into the box, opened by round "kan" pulls with lotus pod style backplates. The edges are protected and reinforced with iron plates.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 11.25" x 20" D x 24" H

Relics of the Nile is pleased to present this lovely ancient Egyptian boat figure. The figure features all original pigment and has beautiful traits. The hair is painted in black pigment and is the classic style from the early 11th Dynasty. The boat man wears white clothing with his exposed skin presented in red. His arms remain at his side with unclogged holes remaining in his hands that once held the boat's oars. Similar examples are found in major museums, such as #21.800 at the Boston M...

The expression of this armor, with its dragon and carp maedate transformation, sets the tone of its mythological meaning. The red armor has a Zunari Kabuto decorated with a Nichirin sun motif, which supports the dragon and carp conversion. The menpo is a Reisei-men with rabbit hair mustache, rendering a fierce warrior’s expression. The menpo is attached with four Kiritsuke yodare in blue and gold silk cords. The Renzan Dou is decorated with slivers of silver in the Ronin pattern from front to ...

A diminutive carved wooden Shishi, used as architectural elements placed under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Carved Hinoki wood with glass reverse-painted eyes. Mounted on custom steel metal display stand.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.5" x 4.25". Mounted on a step metal base 5 x 7".

Qianlong Underglaze Blue & Yellow Enameled Dragon Dish (QBW121602)
1735-96
Qianlong period, Qing dynasty
Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze yellow enamel; Jingdezhen ware
Diameter: 25.4 cm (10 in)
Height: 5 cm (2 in)
From a Paris, France metropolitan area estate

A video of this dish can be viewed on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ORnPnmWoqds

An imperial circular dish, Qianlong seal mark and of the period, reserve-painted with fierc...

Daoguang Famille Rose Jardiniere (DFM071703)
c. 1820-50s
Daoguang period, Qing dynasty
Porcelain with overglaze famille rose enamels; Jingdezhen ware
Height: 36 cm (14 in)
Diameter: 40.5 cm (16 in)
Weight: 12.6 kg (27.8 LB)
From a Miami, Florida estate

A splendid and large mid-Qing Daoguang period jardiniere, sumptuously painted with famille rose enamels throughout and bearing a panoramic scene of mandarin ducks, heron, and grasshopper in an aquatic ...

Famille Verte 'Four Concubines & Sixteen Sons' Jar (GWC111709)
18th / 19th century
Late Qing, or possibly Kangxi
Porcelain with overglaze famille verte enamels
Height: 33 cm
Width (at widest point): 26.5 cm From a Leeds, United Kingdom collection

A gorgeous and extremely well painted antique Chinese baluster jar, enameled in the famille verte palette with exactly four concubines and sixteen sons, a theme especially popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, ...

18th c Jun-type Flambe Quatrefoil Vase (LQF111705)
18th century
Early-Mid Qing Dynasty, probably Yongzheng/Qianlong
Porcelaineous stoneware with jun-type transmutation glaze
Height: 30 cm
Width (at widest point): 22 cm
From a Northern California private collection

A rare and unusual 18th century 'shiliu zun' quarefoil vase, glazed in a transmutation color belonging to the Jun type. The glaze is extremely thick, luminous, and creamy. The streaks and spla...

Kangxi Dehua Songzi Guanyin (DBC061705)
c. 1690 – 1710s
Kangxi period, Qing dynasty
Porcelain with white glaze; Dehua ware
Height: 20.5 cm (8 in)
Width: 12 cm (4.7 in)
From a Maryland, USA estate

An early Qing blanc-de-chine figure of Guanyin, produced by the Dehua kilns of Fujian, well-modeled with the boddhisatva seated atop a rocky plinth, draped in flowing robes, and bearing a downcast expression, conveying the Guanyin’s role as a merciful observe...