18th to early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba worked in low relief with a scene of a boy trying to scare an alert tiger. The subject is a legend of Yoko - one of the paragons of filial virtue. Yoko accompanied his father in the mountains, where a tiger sprang upon them. The boy jumped in front of his father, who was thus saved, but the boy was killed by the beast. Mountain waterfall and a gnarled pine on the back...

Late 18th C. Early 19th C. Japanese Iwami Kurogaki Netsuke: Gama Sennin with Toad This is a finely hand-carved netsuke in Kurogaki (Black Persimmon) wood of a Gama Sennin with a Toad on top of his shoulders, by an unknown artist from the Iwami Province carved sometime during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The carving exhibits similar material and carving characteristics of the region...

18th to early 19th century iron Japanese sword tsuba depicting a bird in flight among bamboo stems and leaves with design continuing on the back. Wonderful subject, crisp work with gilding, excellent detailing. Beautiful patina, great feel of age. Height 2 3/4 inches.

This a Kioto School Netsuke, carved in Late 18th / Early 19th centuries, that depicts a seated and laughing Hotei. His robe falling open to reveal a large hairy belly. The robe with incised geometrical patterns. Faithful time-period chimney himotoshi. Wonderful two-tone patina; a shade darker on the back and bottom. Netsuke measures 1.66 inches (4.2cm) wide, and 1.12 inches (2.8cm) tall...

Unusually long pair of early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fittings - one depicting a ferry boat among waves with a punting ferryman in wide rain hat, and the other a flock of 9 chidori (plovers) in flight. Excellent clever design, superb quality crisp work, fantastic gilding, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Lengths 1.97 and 2.2 inches.

A set of three finely executed paintings in gouache and ink, on embossed paper by the British manufacturer Henry Dobbs. Showing different plants and butterflies. Mounted in later red lacquered wooden frames. Dimension: paintings: c. 23.5 cm x 17.3 cm, frames: c. 29.1 cm x 35.4 cm. Condition: fine, frames with some wear. Please see also SK 988 and SK 989 for other Chinese School paintings on Dobbs paper.

18th to 19th century Japanese sword set of fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) and kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with relief decoration of multiple monkeys pulling a rope tied to a huge branch with fruit, all on finely punched ground texture called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Excellent quality multimetal work, gilding, overall in excellent condition...

19th century Edo period Japanese bronze kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with multimetal inlays depicting wispy clouds supporting a tiger, a shishi and a kirin, all on a punched ground texture called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Unusual combination of animals, wonderfully made piece with crisp metalwork and gilding, in great condition. Length 1 1/4 inches.

A pair of early to mid 19th C. Chinese export watercolor of botanical painting on pith paper in excellent condition. Originally came from Bonhams Auction. W:45cm H:35cm $950

Very unusual late 18th to early 19th century Japanese sword bronze tsuba with cloisonne decoration of a dragon and a tiger about to engage in a fight, the back with design of bamboo and flowering prunus. Wonderful pairing of the two most powerful animals, beautiful crisp work, in excellent condition. Comes in kiriwood box. Height 2.79 inches, width 2.77 inches.

Pair Chinese Famille Rose Rose Medallion pattern Dinner Plates, Ca. 1840, 9 1/2" diameter, with very detailed 4 separate cartouches filled with exotic birds, butterflies, dragon flies, bats in the peony floral rock garden scenery, young deer watching 3 baby bird feeding by mummy bird in a straw nest inside center Cartouche. All the detailed hand painted decorations are done by overglaze enamel and highlighted with touch of brilliant gold, and early brilliant turquoise color was used...

Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting egrets wading in a stream with swirling water, grasses and flowering water lilies. Elegant design, bronze with silvering and gilding, overall in very good condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.

Iron tsuba in the shape of a chrysanthemum (kikugata), openworked in negative with foliage and geometric patterns.

Chrysanthemum shaped tsuba were quite popular in the Edo period as the flower was considered a symbol of nobility and elegance. Kikugata are often openworked in negative. This creates intricate and delicate patterns that reflect the level of sophistication and refinement of the craftsmen.

Japan – Edo period (1603-1868)
Width: 2.9 in...

18th century iron Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid brass decoration of rice plants with seeds and leaves. Essentially the piece is a wish for prosperity. Superbly elegant design, crisp metalwork, in great condition. Height 2.9 inches.

Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki each depicting a pair of geese resting on a riverbank by a willow tree. Bronze with brown patina, overall in good condition. Length 1 7/16 inches.

Pair of early 19th century Goto School menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a bundle of rice stalks with other plant leaves and berries. Different design for each piece, very good casting and detailing, beautiful patina. Come in very well made fitted kiriwood box. Length 1.6 inches.

Exceptional fushi in shakudo inlaid with gold and sentoku ,recounting the legend of the warrior Hide Sato victorious over the giant Mokume. As a reward, the Dragon King Ryu-Jin presented him with a precious bell, an always hot cauldron and an inexhaustible sack of rice. We see these three objects carried by the servants of Ryu-Jin emerging from the waves. Exceptional quality.Important note that the gold parts are solid gold in pieces and not just gilded. 35x27mm. Sign...

Pair of early 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting lobsters on a bed of sea weeds. One menuki has Daikoku mallet on top (stands for wealth), and the other a character meaning long life. Excellent work with great detailing - see various textures of the shells. Bronze with coppery patina, gilded water drops on the sea weeds, overall in great condition. Length 1 9/16 inches.