Early 19th century netsuke of Chinese official, poet and calligrapher Toba with a bundle of books on his back riding on a mule accompanied by an attendant. Toba was removed from his post and sent into exile as a result of intrigues against him. Wonderful unhappy face, nice flow to his clothes, beautiful wear and patina turning yellow on the back where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono, compressed dust in crevices...

19th century Asakusa school staghorn sashi type netsuke carved in a shape of a stem of Immortality Fungus with 3 heads. Elegant carving, beautiful rendition of fungus head textures, very pleasant staining typical for the Asakusa School pieces. Very clever design, himotoshi is formed by natural opening between stems, excellent wear and patina on the surface. Length 6 1/8 inches (155 mm).

Extremely rare cloak pin cast in silver, Ancient Near East, 'Luristani', ca. 1200 to 800 BC...

Handmade White Slip II ware bowl of deep, hemispherical body. With round base and wish-bone handle.
Made of red-brown clay covered with white slip (bluish tint) and decorated with brown ladder pattern. Hooked chain at the handle level, dot rows.
Old inventory number (161) written beneath the handle with ink. Museum card joined.
For an example from the same workshop, cf. reg. no...

Beautifully shaped oinochoe covered with a black metallic glossy varnish of excellent quality.
The flat shoulder decorated with radiating strokes in applied red. The body with a meander and a wavy line with circles in the interstices. The handle area framed by vertical lines.
The high swung handle arching from the trefoil mouth to the shoulder.
The concise modeling orientates on jugs made in metal.
For a closely related vase, cf. acc. no...

Stunning C.1910 ceramic tsubo from the Aomri region in Northern Japan. Most likely used as a storage vessel. Rich, thick overglazes. Magnificent. 24cm tall by 20cm in diameter. Great condition. Ask for shipping quote.

A very attractive pottery bowl, in a very original state for type with caligraphy, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca. 9th.-10th. century.

A larger rounded bowl, decorated with wonderful caligraphy in black on cream glaze.

Size: 23 cm. wide and 8 cm. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine for type. Original crackled glaze with much patina...

A very attractive pottery bowl, in a nice fairly original state for type with caligraphy, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca. 9th.-10th. century.

A larger bowl both wide and tall and decorated with wonderful caligraphy in black on cream glaze with red drops added.

Size: 24 cm. wide and 9 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice for type with original crackled glaze with much patina...

A choice and beautiful pottery bowl with torquoise glaze, black markings and a finely decorated pattern on the interior. Seljug period, 11th.-12th. century, likely Kashan.

The bowl is covered with fine silvery iridescence on the surface of the interior. Very beautiful colours.

Size: 15,5 cm. in diameter and 8,5 cm...

A lovely and very impressive pottery bowl with caligraphy, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca. 9th.-10th. century.

A conical bowl wide and tall and decorated with superb style caligraphy in black on white glaze.

Size: 28 cm. wide and 10 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice for this rare type and large size. Restored from only a few larger fragments repainted in the joint-areas, perhaps some strengthening, but much original crackled glaze...

A very fine pottery bowl with nice simple design, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca...

Tall, ovoid shaped vase with broad rounded shoulder and a very short neck, decorated with an abundance of frolicking karashishi (Chinese lions) between blue and pink peonies. Three large shishi in green, white and yellow command the overall space. The in-between space is filled with small shishi in different colors and peonies. Shishi and peony together symbolize princely power.

The vase is heavy Imari porcelain, decorated on shoulder/neck and above the foot with flower motifs and treasure...

Small stemmed bowl made in grey bucchero. Shallow bowl with incurving rim, set on a flaring foot.
Rasmussen’s vase no. 275. Close in shape and size to Beazley Archive vase no. 9035479.
Ceramic, grey bucchero ware
Etruscan, 600-550 BC
D. 10.3 cm (4.1 in)
H. 5.6 cm (2.2 in)
Excellent quality and condition, with finely smoothed and shiny surface. Reconstituted from two fragments. Tiny rim chip mended, small shard out of the foot restored.
Ex German...

This is a Boro Thick Instep cover (akudokake)of indigo dye cotton Sashiko from the Meiji era. It is intended to protect and keep your feet warm during farm work on cold days. The change in color over time of indigo dyeing and sashiko stitching is beautiful. Size:Length:31 cm (12.2inch) / 　Width:８cm (3.14inch) Length:32cm (12.5inch) / 　Width:８cm (3.14inch)

1900's Japanese Sumida Gawa Pottery Vase By Inoue Ryosai with Monkey

It is 11.6 inches (29.5 cm) tall by 10 inches (25.4 cm) wide. It is 4.7 Lb.

It has chips at the monkey's hand and rocks, skip glazes, rubbing of paint, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

A similar vase can be seen in the book "Sumida According To Us" by Herbert Karp & Gardner Pond, page 187.

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if y...

Terracotta head of a slave or peasant with coarse and asymmetrical features.
The man shows a wide face, short chin, and small ears set at the level of the temples. The almond-shaped eyes are raised, one of them with slight outline of the eyelids. The knobby nose is very close to the full lips underneath.
The bald head is covered by a cloth cap.
The head belongs to a figure that is clad in a cape and holds a fluted staff decorated with a rosette.
For a figure from th...

Terracotta female head of an Orans or Baubo figure. The broad nose is abraded and flat. The swung lips contrast with the white coat that used to be overpainted. The eyes are almost completely covered by the white pigment. The woman shows a broad forehead, curly hairdo and a stippled wreath over her head. The earlobes pierced to wear earrings.
Moldmade of two halves. Abrasion to the high points, and remains of the white coat in the cavities. Terracotta
Egyptian, Roman Period, 250-3...

Anatomical votive offering in the form of an ear. Frontally molded and reworked with the modeling tool.
The Etruscans knew a great variety of votive terracottas, which they placed in their temples as thanksgiving offerings or wishes for healing.
Votive ears referred to diseases of the ear, but may have also been a request to the god to hear the prayers of the supplicant.
Terracotta
Etruscan, 4th-2nd century BC
H. 5.2 cm (2 in)
Intact and fine. Coarse te...

Anatomical votive offering in form of an eye. Frontally molded and reworked with the modeling tool.
The Etruscans knew a great variety of votive terracottas, which they placed in their temples as thanksgiving offerings or wishes for healing.
Some of the votive eyes found appeared with eyelids and the periocular tissue, while others just showed the eyeball. The first may have referred to disorders like conjunctivitis, the other to myopia and cataracts.
One-eyed owner Moshe D...

A nahi-ji and maki-e decorated wood lacquered lidded sake pourer (Hisage). The interior is in red lacquer. It is equipped of a sheath for the spout. Tokugawa and Daigo mons (emblems) are represented on the lid, the extremity of the sheath, the handle and the two sides of the pourer.

Sakes pourers (Hisage) are traditional pitchers intended for sake (“rice beer”) service. Contrary to the tokkuri, a ceramic bottle also destined to the sake se...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden.

This print depicts Kaoshô Rochishin (formerly call...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden.

This print depicts Chûsenko Teitokuson driving his...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden.

This print depicts Gyôja Bushô of Seika-ken, kill...

Antique Chinese Guan Style Ware Plate. Shallow bowl form with decorative foliate rim. Pale celadon glaze with traditional and highly prized crackle. The foot on the underside has been left unglazed but the inset area of the bottom is treated with the same pale celadon crackle glaze.

Dimensions: 6" wide x 1 1/4" high

Chinese heavy thick Elmwood Merchant's or Vender's Bench. Ca. late 1800's to early 1900's, 9 3/4" high, 4 1/2" wide-top, 8 1/2" wide-bottom, bold thick Elmwood grains are noticeable, merchants carry this type of stool with graduated drawers with Brass Teardrop pulls for storing necessary items. The condition is original, no damages, shows old patina and age.

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon lock plates and the Kakute style handles. The backplates of the handles feature the auspicious Sho Chiku Bai (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom) motif. Side carrying handles to each section with rare connecting pins to secure both sections together. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Age: M...

Late 18th to early 19th century netsuke of a recumbent cow with a boy climbing on top of it while holding a rat by its tail. The netsuke is a reference to a Zodiac pairing of animals with an unusual addition of a human. Finely carved, its hooves bent beneath its body, wearing a halter with a length of rope lying across its back, eyes of the cow inlaid with black horn, rat’s eyes are brown horn. Beautiful wear consistent with age, yellowing on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of k...

19th century netsuke of a reclining deer with its head turned back, hooves bent beneath its body. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, excellent hairwork, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body, excellent head with finely carved antlers, eyes are inlaid with dark horn, beautiful patina. Old replacement to its right ear. Signed RANICHI in oval reserve on the bottom - this excellent carver is discussed in detail on p. 860 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by Geo...

18th century netsuke of a sennin Chochu enveloped in his robe and holding his most important attribute - a hossu (fly whisk) - across his shoulders. Very rare subject, wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful flowing lines of the robe, superb sense of volume. Old age lines, beautiful wear to the surface from more than 200 years of handling, superb patina turning honey color on the back from wear against the silk of kimono, of characteristic 18th century triangular section, deep himotosh...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Locking bar secures 3 drawers behind it and the center design is the family crest of the family who commissioned this chest to be made. One large full width drawer, a small drawer and a hinged door that secures three drawers behind it complete this beautiful tansu.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensi...

A fine deep grey Saji river stone in the form of a miniature mountain landscape with high peaks and deep ravins; looking from the front and back sides there is a long passage in between the peaks, completely natural! The stone has a perfectly fitted rosewood base, daiza. Suiseki are highly appreciated for their aesthetic or decorative value in Japan but also by collectors in the western world. It comes with an old collector storage box with a Japanese label: Old stone; three Famous Sto...

An elegant double-bell shaped Indian spitoon made of zinc alloy, decorated with poppy motifs, inlaid in silver. Condition: few inlay losses (see first and photo No. 11 and 12). Dimension: c. 15.3 cm high, diameter: c. 12.1 cm, weight: 1020 g.

Antique Chinese bronze censer (incense burner) in the form of the tripod vessel Li Ding with cover and rosewood stand, Ming dynasty (first half of the 17th-century).

The compressed globular body with a waisted neck and everted rim flanked by a pair of beast masks, set with upright bail handles, supported on three tall tapering conical legs.

The rounded sides are adorned with two panels; one is engraved on a punched ground with a horned qilin, birds, and two Lohans within the floral patt...

Very unusual 19th century multi-metal netsuke in a form of a locking box opening to reveal a portable sundial in one half and a compass in the other, both working. The compass has 12 sections around it, each section is inscribed with a name of a different zodiac animal. The body is bronze, the outside it is delicately chased with scrolling foliage on the front, with constellation points and stars and a swinging loop on the back for hanging. Inserts on the inside are made out of pewter, and needl...

Late 18th to early 19th century boxwood netsuke of a turtle hiding in its carapace. Excellent detailing - see the incised patterns of the carapace, its legs with scaly pattern leathery skin and horn inlaid eyes. Large deep differently sized himotoshi typical for the period, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant to the touch. Signed SHOYU on the left side of his lower back - this rare early carver is listed on p. 982 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. L...

Unusual 19th century netsuke of a floor screen with pierced decoration of a dragon in flight among clouds over cresting waves. Appears to be a reference to the Chinese legend of a artist painting a dragon so realistically, that it came alive and flew to heaven. Carved on both sides, the scaled body of the dragon showing through breaks in the clouds, beautiful light staining, pleasant wear and patina. Himotoshi goes through the back down to the bottom of the screen. Open center of one of the flo...

19th century Japanese netsuke of Chokwaro sennin reading an open scroll as he rides his magic horse coming out of the double gourd. According to a Japanese legend Chokwaro sennin (Chinese sage) could summon the magic horse out of his gourd to be transported wherever he wanted.. Beautiful carving, great faces, nicely rendered mane of the animal. Expert light staining, wonderful warm patina, very pleasant finish to the surface. Signed NAOMITSU on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 822 of NETS...

KURAWANKA SAKE FLASK

Japanese Hasami ware kurawanka*-type white porcelain tokkuri (sake flask), mid-late Edo period, mid 18th – early 19th century, approx. H 19.7 x D 10.5cm (7.75 x 4.13in). Characteristically calm and refined white texture with such pale blue-gray reflection. (Those photos are shoot in natural daylight.) Aged crack/chip at neck as is, but in practically and aesthetically usable condition.

*Reference: https://hotoke-antiques.com/kurawan...

Antique Chinese bronze incense burner censer in the form of the Buddhist Guardian Lion - Foo Dog, Qing Dynasty (1644 -1912 AD).

The lion is seated with the left paw raised on a brocade ball, and its scrolling tail flicks upwards.

Well cast in bronze and hand finished with fine details, the body is applied with swirling locks of hair and smaller curls.

Since reproductions of Chinese Bronzes flood the market, we would like to inform our clients that this is a 100% authentic a...

Antique Chinese small bronze tripod Incense Burner-Censer with Xuande seal mark, Qing Dynasty (1644 -1912 AD).

The censer was cast and then hand-finished with various tools, including files. The perfectly composed oval body is raised on three feet, surrounded on both sides by softly curved handles.Censer has beautiful lines and proportions.

CONDITION: In good condition considering its age, showing its age and use.

MEASUREMENTS:Width across handles: 7 cm (2.8 inches).He...

18th century netsuke of a lying dog with the front part of its body resting on a squished cloth ball. Superb early piece, powerful carving, wonderful face with large horn inlaid eyes, great depiction of its bone and muscle structure, excellent hairwork. Beautiful warm patina turning yellow, old age lines, no breaks, losses or repairs. Excellent sculpture. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Somewhat unusual late 19th century Japanese katsubera (shoehorn) with the handle section carved as 3 wise monkeys in their habitual "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” attitude: Mizaru covering his eyes, Kikazaru covering his ears, and Iwazaru covering his mouth. Wonderful work (see the rendition of their fur), clever functional design, beautiful patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUSHO on the front - the artist appears to be the netsuke carver listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 462...

19th century Japanese bronze netsuke representing a Noh theater mask of Buaku used for demonic roles such as Kaminari, Emma-O or any nameless demon or scary devil. Very nice casting, wonderful patina, overall in excellent condition. Signed SEKIZAN (alternative reading is Ishiyama) in oval reserve on the back. Height 1 9/16 inches.

A stunning lot of 3 very attractive larger silex axes for the period, dating to the Singlegrave and Daggertime periods, 2400-2000 BC.

All three axes with highly attractive brown and orange patinations, all three also well-knapped!

Size: ca. 15,4 cm., 13,7 cm. and 13,5 cm. long each.

Condition: Very fine, with minor and mostly ancient chips to the edges.

Ex. Danish Collection, comes with COA.

This item comes with a standard export license, w...

A lot of 4 very nice to choice silex axes, dating to the Singlegrave and Daggertime periods, 2800-2000 BC.

Mostly polished axes with a attractive brown and grey patinations and in choice conditions with only minimal edge damage.

Size: ca. 9-10,5 cm. long each.

Ex. Danish Collection, comes with COA.

This item comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license will be issued after sale - estimated delivery of the item with of...

A pair of attractively patinated and larger axes, both dating to the Time of the Great Burielmounts, 4th. millenium BC.

The lot includes larger axes, sizes are 18 cm. and 17 cm. in length respectively

Condition: Nice, average for type with minor chips to the edges, exceptional marsh patina on both - brown and amber colours.

This lot comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license will be issued after sale - estimated delivery of th...

A near superb condition silex axe, dating to the Singlegrave period, 2800-2400 BC.

A partly polished axe with a very attractive patination and in near mint condition with a razorsharp edge.

Size: ca. 15 cm. long.

Ex. Danish Collection, comes with COA.

This item comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license will be issued after sale - estimated delivery of the item with official license is 2-4 weeks after the sale.

A pair of attractively patinated and well-knapped axes, both dating to Daggertime, 2400-1800 BC.

The lot includes the finely knapped Daggertime types that are made as imitations of bronze axes of the period.

Size: 13,5 cm. and 13 cm.

Condition: Minor chipping to the edges othervise as made, exceptional marsh patina on both - brown and amber colours.

This lot comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license will be issue...

Height approximately 26 cm. Repaired at the neck. More pictures are available.

Height approximately 23 cm. Repaired at the trumpet. More pictures are available.

Antique Chinese pair of porcelain candlesticks in the form of two European children. The two curly blonde haired babies sit, each with a peach in one hand and balancing a candle holder on top of their head with the other. Dressed in green and pink gowns. Painted with pink cheeks and cherub-like expressions.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 9" high (including pricket) x 3 1/4" wide x 3" deep

Antique Burmese/Thai religious text in book form. Written in ink on paper, folded and and bound so that the pages accordion and are covered with writing on both front and back. The covers of the book are embossed and lacquered with red covered with gold which has gained a lovely patina over time.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 26 3/4" long x 5 1/2" wide x 3" high

Unusually large 19th century netsuke of a Nio lying on a straw sandal. Nio - one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings - is holding a vajra in his right hand, and a scarf is laid out around him. Strong bold carving, pleasantly heavy - might have been meant for a sumo wrestler to wear. Beautiful staining and patina. Signed GOTO SEIMIN TO (carved by Goto Seimin) on an oval reserve on the bottom. Formerly in du Pont collection - see Christie’s sale, New York, 1 November 1996, lot 23. Unusual object, goo...

Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a Buddhist monk (recognizable by its shaved head) fast asleep, lower half of its body inside a huge Buddhist gong. The subject is a metaphor for a failure to reach enlightenment - instead of seeking and understanding the profound power of the gong’s message, the monk uses it as a sleeping pad. Rare, possibly unique treatment of the subject - usually the gong is small and is used as a pillow by a monk. Wonderful carving, great depiction of dragons c...

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke, the top being Chinese carving adopted as netsuke, with deeply undercarved scene of 2 scholars among trees and pavilions. Beautiful wear and patina, overall in very good condition, dark rosewood bowl, swinging metal loop at the back for the cord. Diameter 1 9/16 inches.

Late Meiji wooden netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya. Cleverly carved out os soft evergreen wood in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, colors and gold lacquer highlights, beautiful patina. Height 1 13/16 inches.

An choice Silex Axe from the Daggertime, Late Danish Neolithic period, ca. 2400-1800 BC.

A nice thin-bladed axe, imitating the bronze axes that began to appear in Denmark through trade in the later part of the Neolithic period. A highly polished axe with a beautiful greyish patina and fossilmarks on the surface.

Size: 12 cm.

Condition: Choice, with minimal edge roughness.

Ex. Danish Collection, comes with COA.

This item comes with a standa...

Antique Japanese chawan (tea bowl) made in the Iga Ueno - Shigaraki area. Beautifully sculpted and decorated with natural glazes which have melted to wonderful green and brown crackled drips. Perfect example of "wabi-cha", the style of Japanese tea ceremony that emphasizes simplicity. Shigaraki is known as one of the 6 great pottery regions of Japan. With a signed tomobako.

Dimensions: 2 1/2" high x 4 5/8" wide

A pair of absolutely stunning quality smaller silex axes, from the Singlegrave period-to early Daggertime, 2800-2000 BC.

Both are expertly polished and long slender types, likley for precision work in wood. One is greyish with nice fossil-remains in the silex surface and likely dating rather late perhaps even Daggertime, the other a scarce type and likely dating earlier, with a marvelous amber-orange patina.

Size: 13,4 cm. and 11,2 cm.

Condition: Both choice, th...

A Japanese unusual stag antler netsuke depicting the head of a swan in finely carved and engraved deer horn, himotoshi under the neck. Meiji period late 19th century Sizes: 2,4 x 6,3 x 1,8 cm. Condition report: Good condition