Incense burner carved in turquoise, relief decoration of stylized dragons. The handles are in the shape of the heads of Buddhist lions. The cover is surmounted by a socket which is fixed by a screw cut in the stone. This censer is very elegant and of beautiful proportions, the sculptures are well executed. The stone has many defects (which are natural mineral inclusions) which did not put off the sculptor, it even seems that this stained effect was aesthetically sought...

A fantastic, extremely rare and important Edo Period Daki Ningyo, with a fine shibori outer kimono, and a red chirimen silk crepe inner kimono with a fawn-spot pattern. Featuring a beautifully sensitive life-like face. Looks wonderful in a seated or standing pose. All aspects of this Daki Ningyo are of the finest quality. We are confident that you have never before seen one of this age and quality offered for sale. Height: 25 inches, 63.5 cm.

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

A spectacular 19th Century Japanese Bronze Horse, with a wonderful dark caramel brown patina, featuring a classic Japanese wave design in the mane and tail. This important bronze is a masterpiece of the finest quality. 21 inches (53.5cm) wide x 18 inches (46cm) high.

Exceptional tripod censer in hard porcelain with a polylobed shape. The censer in the shape of a flattened melon with twelve slices, each decorated with a dragon painted on top in green, manganese and yellow enamels. Below Makuzu Kozan has chiseled his signature in relief which is very important, in fact it is much more complicated to chisel in relief than in hollow...

A important Rare 18th Century Noh Theater Robe. This extraordinary silk embroidered example of a summer production Noh Robe has a design of Wisteria, Fans and Ropes, and exquisitely captures the art of Noh. 63.5 inches (161.5cm) height x 52 inches (132 cm) width. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

Antique Japanese kura tansu (warehouse storage chest). Made of keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware. The top portion has a large compartment covered by sliding panels with vertical slats. The bottom portion has another compartment covered by sliding panels with horizontal and vertical slats. Heavy wooden braces for strength on sides and back of chest.

Late Edo Period (1644 - 1868)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" high x 35 3/4" wide x 19 3/4"deep.

Antique Japanese pair of wonderful Koma Inu shrine guardian fu-dogs, carved from keyaki (elm) wood. Traces of painted details in green, white and brown. Expressively carved with great curling manes and tails. One of the fu-dogs has a single horn on top of it's head. Edo Period. Size of taller fu-dog: 19" high x 9" wide x 16" deep. Size of fu-dog without horn: 17 1/2" high x 9" wide x 16" deep.

Small octagonal hard porcelain vase. Decor enamelled with a landscape fenced with hedges of dry branches, there are a prunus, a pine and on the ground young bamboo shoots which would signify the symbolic presence of the "three friends", on the collar is represented a Ho-ho (phoenix) which in Japan symbolizes the Empress. Some details are gold. The style is kakiemon but this small vase is atypical. It is difficult to date and also to locate with precision...

Antique Japanese Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern carved of granite. The hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof has squared corners and the central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with a small round window, an opening in the front and one in the back. The tall post sits on top of a lotus base. Kasuga-dōrō like this one are named for the similar lanterns that line the path to the Kasuga shrine in Nara...

Pair of Japanese 6-panel screen paintings. Painted with a continuous scene of a rural landscape. Mountain pavilions sit atop high peaks reached by winding trails. Across an expanse of calm water stretches a long, low foot bridge occasionally interrupted by a sudden archway. Boats and tiny figures go about their business. Painted in sumi ink and with gold leaf on paper.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions of each painting: 67 1/2" high x 142 1/2" long

Black-figure depiction of naked youths with clamydes that cover their shoulders and bystanders clad in cloaks. All figures hold spears.
The scene is framed with ivy garlands on the sides and buds alternating with dots on the marked shoulder. A row of tongues emerge from the ridged junction to the neck.
Applied red on the outer edge of the rim and the sideward rotelles, the ridged junction to the neck, the garments and the fillet of one youth...

An original pair of plaster Japanese Inari temple foxes. Crushed oyster shell finish with mineral paint detailing in traditional Shinto colorways : orange, purple, green. Each of the foxes has a soft pink underbelly. Wonderful original and complete condition...

A Nepalese wood sculpture of Bhairava and his consort Bhairavi on a custom stand. Bhairava (Sanskrit: frightful) is a Hindu Tantric deity worshiped by Hindus. In Shaivism, he is a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.

Date: 15th / 16th century Provenance: Spinks London 1985, thence Handley Collection

Dimensions:18" tall X 12" wide X 4" deep with stand, sculpture 17" tall X 12" wide X 3.25" deep

Japanese inkstand (suzuribako) in lacquer (urushi). Decor on a spangled background (nashiji) of a lakeside mountainous landscape treated in relief (takamaki-e) flat silver powdered details (hiramaki-e) and mosaic (kirikane ) gold and silver. The rocks are particularly well treated. The interior is decorated with a rich nashiji background forming scrolls of mist and flowers in relief...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, an exceptional and large Transitional Period (1635 - 1650) kraakware porcelain bowl of the rare Border IX Type. The center well depicts a scholar being served tea, three trapezoidal-shaped panels on the bowl's inner wall depict figures in various landscape settings, and the outside of the bowl is decorated with six additional panels of figures in various landscape settings. All scenes are separated by narrower panels of what are alternatively calle...

Pair of Architectural corbels of mythological elephant baku’s are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese Buddhist temple and Shinto Shrines to wore off evil spirits. The baku devour dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The baku cannot be summoned without caution, however as ancient legions say that if the baku is not satisfied after consuming the nightmares, he may devour ones hopes and dreams. The open mouth is to scare off demons and the closed mouth baku shelters and keeps...