19th century Chinese scholar’s rock / brush rest in a form of a piece of malachite perfectly resembling a range of hills covered with green vegetation. Also resembles a snail or a traveling caterpillar, can be viewed from two sides. Shape and colors may suggest a characteristic Guilin landscape of limestone peaks. Excellent natural stone with pleasant patina, fixed in carved fitted rosewood stand. Wonderful object for contemplation on scholar’s desk. Height with stand 2 7/8 inches.

Japanese late Meiji to Taisho period Kutani okimono of a seated bijin reading a horizontal scroll finely executed in overglaze polychrome enamels with gilt highlights set against a finely crackled white porcelain ground. The beauty is dressed in an elaborate kimono and her hair is adorned with gilt hairpins. 8 3/4" high. Late Meiji to Taisho period (early 20th century). Very good overall condition with some wear to the overglaze pigments...

Five assorted old Chinese beads. Four glass and one (large) stone bead. Size in cm: see last photo.

Needles were a valued woman's sewing tool and were carefully secured in a special case hanging from the belt. This Chinese silver needle case has 6 sides, each with a delicate repousse floral design. The bottom is weighted with a small turquoise and larger amber bead.

An Unusual Japanese Porcelain Kensui, late 18th Century.

A kensui is a pot in which the water is poured after rinsing a chawan during the tea ceremony. The enamelled design is unusual especially the bold use of iron-red. The base has a variation of the spiral fuku mark, used in the 1780’s. It is uncommon to find ceramics associated with the tea ceremony that can be safely dated to before the 19th century.

5 inches (12.7cm) diameter, 3.3/4 inches (9.5cm) high...

Very charming three figure ensemble of a king with two female attendants. One attendant holds a fan that moves. The male figure's head nods. They wear white and pink clothes with gold details. Measures 8" wide at base.

A Japanese porcelain steep-sided dish depicting a traditional zashiki room or perhaps a temple interior. The plants seen through the windows are banana and cycad, both common in warmer climates as experienced in Kyushu or Okinawa. Arita 1730 - 1750. Two plates with similar central designs are found in ‘The Story of Imari’, Goro Shimura. ‘The Story of Imari, The Symbols and Mysteries of Antique Japanese Porcelain’, Ten Speed Press, Toronto. 2008. Items 61, 62...

Japanese Hirado-ware porcelain dish with blue and white design of Mount Fuji and pilgrim hiker gazing from the mountain path. Meiji period (1868-1912). It measures 6" diameter.

A Hirado blue and white porcelain bowl. Dragon decoration on the interior center. Flowerhead in mokkogata reserves decoration along the interior below the rim with pale iron oxide wash. Intricate dragon and phoenix decoration around the exterior. The unglazed bottom and foot with the smooth biscuit characteristic of the kiln. Taisho period. Good condition. Diameter, 5 1/2 inches. Height, 2 1:8 inches.

This miniature Japanese blue and white Imari vase is an early 20th century product. It is 3 ¾” high and 2 ¼” at its widest part. A fan shaped design painted with a landscape and tree adorn the neck of the vase. Morning glory, chrysanthemum and unknown flowers are painted on the body. Though small, the painting is very well presented. Aside from two cracks, one on the bottom and one on the side of the fan due to firing, it is in excellent condition.

A pair of attractive brass figures of female dancers with musical instruments, Nepal, c. late 19th. century.

Each sealed with a cobber lid in the base.

Size: c. 15 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice Very fine, evidence of polishing but still retaining old patina.

Provenance: Collection of Gunna Munkvad, Denmark, aquired from the 1960s-1980s.

Late Meiji (1900s - 1910s) Japanese scroll painting in ink and colors on paper depicting 16 arhat - the original disciples of the historical Buddha - in different attitudes, most of them recognizable by their attributes. Excellent quality eccentric painting with wonderful half-mad faces, beautiful use of colors. Paper mounts, wooden scroll ends, in great condition. Exceptionally striking painting. Signed DOZO HIROKAMI FUDE (Treasury of Tao painted by Hirokami) followed red seal of the artist...

17th century Indian bronze votive sculpture depicting Vishnu in his avatar of Narasimha (the Man Lion) with his consort Lakshmi sitting on his left knee. Demon Hiranyakashipu could not have been killed neither by a man, nor an animal, so Vishnu took the above form to slay it. The main emphasis of this image is upon lion characteristics of fierceness, bravery and independence, while the presence of Lakshmi is a reference to more common Lakshmi-Narayana images...

19th century wooden mask netsuke of an oni. Covered with gesso and painted with layers of red and black paint. Nice presence, obvious wear to paint. Height 1 1/2 inches.

A Chinese Imari saucer Dish. Decorated in the typical palette with panels of precious objects on a floral ground. C1730. Diameter 8 7/8" (22.6 cm). Condition; excellent, slight firing flaws in biscuit

Size : 11cm wide, 7cm high. Teapot in good conditions except small chipped at inside the lid and base rim.

A large, Korean, faceted brown jar; C18-19th, Joseon dynasty. This eleven-sided jar is unevely covered, all over, with a lustrous glaze, which pools to dark brown colour...

A large kitchen storage jar that was made in North Korea. The Jar is an example of Korean folk art, and it has hand painted blue and green designs on a white base. There is brown staining to the exterior and interior surfaces, where the contents (probably soy sauce) bleed into the stoneware. There are two side handles for carrying. The jar measures about 16" high x 12" in diameter, and dates to the late Chosen Dynasty...

19th century staghorn netsuke carved as a cluster of all 7 masks of shichifukujin - Seven Gods of Good Fortune: Ebisu - god of fishermen and merchants, Daikoku - god of wealth, commerce and trade, Bishamonten - god of warriors, Benten - goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, Fukurokuju - god of happiness, wealth and longevity, Hotei - the fat and happy god of abundance and good health, and Jurojin - god of wisdom. Essentially the netsuke is a wish for good luck and serves as a talisman as well...

This is a large ceramic pillow in the form of a cat, done in cream and brown colors, in old Cizhou Kiln style. The ceramic cat pillow measures about 13" long x 7" tall, and dates to the turn of the 20th Century. There is a Chinese "Cultural Properties" wax stamp on the cat's back. The pillow is in excellent condition. Free shipping within the USA.

A very warm and appealing Chinese porcelain blue and white jar with swirling leaf and vine decoration similar to those produced during the Kangxi reign. This example dates to about 1880, late in the Qing dynasty.

The cobalt is fine quality and the design will bring pleasant moments of contemplation.

The foot has old felt pads, and a somewhat ill-fitting lid (not shown)...

Unusual 19th century Chinese scholar’s brush rest / scholar’s rock giving a perfect impression of a craggy mountain range with overhanging peaks, and with the bottom carved as a seal with red seal paste in the recessed area. Somewhat unusual material - bamboo root - with twisted stems and crevices adding to the wild energy of the piece. Enlargement 5 is a photo of the bottom flipped left to right to show how the imprint will look on paper...

Decorated with shou character in the center and abstract decoration on the outside. W=10 cm. Early Ming 1368-1398. Condition : a tiny fritting and imperfection of glaze, no cracks, hairline or restoration.

Attractive round Qing Dynasty polychrome porcelain cricket box with marking on base, China. Good condition overall, a small chip on lid has been restored, no hairlines or cracks. Size: H. 2" (5 cm.) x 3.5" (9 cm.) diameter.

18th century Jakushi school of Nagasaki 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 iron body and multimetal decoration of scholarly landscape with figures, rocks, trees, huts, boats, bay and distant mountains. The school founder Jakushi I (Kizayemon, second half of the 17th century) of Nagasaki in Hizen, was originally a painter, chiefly of Chinese scenery, who later translated his graphic...

Many Chinese would "grind" a day's supply of ink in advance and store the liquid ink in a metal "inkbox". According to the calligraphy on the top of this inkbox, it was a gift in the year of the goat, to a medical inspector upon completion of his 3rd year of work in Yuncheng city, Shanxi province. The inkbox is 3 inches in diameter and has an dried ink in the bottom and a built in inkstone inside the lid.

Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a seated samurai. The image is signed at the left side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (1797-1861). The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. The print was published by Ibaya Senzaburo between 1847-1848. The paper measures 14 1/2"V x 9 7/8"H. It is most likely a panel from a triptych. Very good overall condition with excellent color. The print is not backed. No tape or tape stains. There are a few tiny pin holes and a very small loss t...

This lovely small woman's purse was made from silk satin fabric and embroidered with silk thread useing the satin stitch. The purse still has the original silk ribbon attached to the bottom, and belt loop attached at the top.

A hand thrown porcelain vase (originally of Yan Yan or 'phoenix tail' shape) attractively painted in shades of under glaze blue with a prunus blossom pattern against a 'cracked ice' ground.

This item was made in China in the late 17th or early 18th Century during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662-1722).

Condition: the top section of this vase is missing and there are minor hairline body cracks (barely visible on the outside) and two small burst bubbles with associated brown discolorat...

This set of Chinese dolls were made with wire bodies covered with fabric padding and then silk clothing. Their heads, lower arms and feet are made from some kind of composition material and then painted. Because of their wire construction, their arms, legs, and bodies etc can be carefully repositioned. The feet are wired together to provide a more stable base...it is a theory which frankly does not always work well.

The mother and father are each approx 7 inches tall in standing pos...

Ash color SONG DYNASTY and Period Celadon with rib like ridge design from top to bottom, 2 loops, bottom/foot not glazed, small chip at lip/opening and a firing imperfection, condition otherwise good, size: H. 7.5cm x 9.5 cm diameter

18th century or earlier iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba with pierced decoration of gnarled pine trunk and needle clusters - Japanese symbol of good luck and longevity. Powerful design, overall in great condition. Height 3.18 inches.

Antique bronze pot with a flared back used for heating surfaces, with small raised diamond patterns and large oriental designs on its front and sides. It has a handle topped with skillfully carved bone in the shape of a court official with a long beard, which he twirls in his fingers. He wears long robes topped with heavy armor and a helmet. 17th/18th century Size: 2" height, 9.5" length, 4.5" width

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child from a series depicting powerful individuals by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Hayashiya in 7/1852. The image is signed at the right side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (used circa 1850) within a gourd shaped cartouche. The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature. Vertical oban size measuring 14 1/2"V x 9 5/4"H. Fair impression quality. Very good overall condition with minor soiling. The print is not backed and the image and baren m...

Kunisada (1786-1864) collaborating with Hiroshige (1797-1858)

From the series: “Kannon Reigen Ki” (Account of the miracles of Kannon) issued 1860. Main image by Kunisada depicting the miracle occurance

Signed Toyokuni (III), publisher’s seal and censor’s seal on left margin, very good impression and color, very minor wear and light stains on the margins.

Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.

Late Meiji (1890-1912) Japanese hanging scroll painted with ink on paper with classic landscape in scholar’s taste boats by low hills in the foreground and long view of an expanse of water with more boats and distant mountains with huts. Excellent spirited painting of a timeless theme, wonderful free brushwork in depicting various tree and rock textures. Paper and silk textile mounts, wooden scroll ends, very nice feel of age. Inscribed in ink, signed SHOKO followed by 2 red paste seals of the...

Late 18th to early 19th century staghorn netsuke of a rat lounging on a large abalone shell, and a small snail shell that attached itself to the larger one. Clever design utilizing natural texture of the material, nicely carved, eyes are inlaid with black horn, beautiful wear and patina from 200 years of handling. Length 2 1/8 inches.

Early 19th century boxwood netsuke in a shape of a hexagonal ema plaque with low relief carving of a horse galloping among flowers. In some early Shinto traditions of Japan, horses were seen as carrying messages from the kami (spirits or gods), and were usually used to transmit requests during droughts or famines. Ema (literally “picture-horse’) are small wooden plaques with painted images, they are commonly sold in Shinto shrines, and on which worshippers write prayers or wishes. Ema are le...

Qing dynasty blue and white porcelain ink box with two compartments with key fret design around the lid. Size:L.10.3cm. W. 7.2cm. H. 4.2cm. Condition: No repairs. Normal wear around the edges.

Old Chinese Scholar's ink box with remnants of ink inside. Mark on bottom. In very good condition, it measures 2 3/8 inches diameter. Circa 1900.

Fine Japanese engraved silver damascene cigarette case, 19th century period. Size: length of case is 4-3/4 inches. Condition Report; a few minor dings.

Rare Japanese antique box. Body of box has treebark finish. The top has 2 very fine lacquerware pieces depicting cranes and irises. The keyhole escheon is floral shaped and is incised. Sorry, no key, condition is very good. 10.5 x 3.5 x 2.5

From India, a tiny but fine and old bronze figure of Bhu Devi, the Earth-Goddess and second wife of Visnu. 17th century or earlier.

Approximately 7.7 cm high. Fine condition with a lovely old patina.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank to bank transfer is preferred.

Customers from other countries may pay by PayPal at my discretion.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by International Bank Transfer in GBP, fees...

A beautiful late 19th C. Chinese sterling silver foodog pendant with very intricate ball chain, in excellent condition.weights 68g,Foodog 7"x6-1/2",Chain 13" $275

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of three auspicious objects - a fan, a coin and a magatama. Strong piece in Japanese taste typical of Asakusa school, beautiful dark staining, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Length 1.62 inches.

Japanese Meiji period barrel form cloisonne enamel vase with three panels decorated in butterflies, flowers, and birds set against a powder blue ground. The cartouches are placed against a brown background covered in dense abstract and floral patterns. There is green counter enamel on the base and interior. Circa 1880s. 7 1/8" high x about 4 1/2" wide. The barrel form suggests it is possibly an early Namikawa piece. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is c...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting an actor portraying a samurai standing in a garden under a blossoming cherry tree, published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. Signed "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow). Measures 14 3/8"V x 9 5/8"H. Very good color and overall condition with embossed and mica highlights. The actor's entire kimono is highlighted in lacquer. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible o...

Japanese Enamel Cloisonne pale lavender color vase, Ca. 1880-1920, Meiji period, 8 3/8" high, 4 1/2" wide-widest part, 2 3/4" diameter-top rim, with wireless decoration of snow capped Mt. Fuji, and silver wire and enamel decoration of the Shrine on the higher ground under the Cedar trees, fishing boats in the lake near the small island, with silver mounted top and bottom rim. One(1) bruise mark on enamel inside around the silver rim about 1/8" x 1/4" wide on the bottom and slight hair lines on ...

The late 19th century carved wood netsuke of a mask (Daikoku) is 1 7/8” long, 1 ½” wide and 1” thick. It is in excellent condition.

Song Dynasty, ca. 900/1000

Glazed with a clear glaze of slight greenish tone over a buff porcelanous stoneware body. It rests on a medium-tall footring with a base that is carved in the Song manner to a subtle point at its center. The interior has a carved rib design that is partially obscured by the glaze. An unglazed ring, exposing the greyish buff paste encircles the interior of the base. The bowl is in very good condition with no restorations, chips or cracks. Purchased in Japan in the...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Daiku Yoshiro. This image is Station 45: "Ishiyakuchi" from the series "Actors at the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Tsutaya Kichizo in 1852/3. Very nice impression quality and color. The date and censor's seals, carver's seal, and signature of "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with blue snow) are at the right. The publisher's seal is at the...

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 gold inlaid design of birds in flight over a gnarled flowering cherry tree. Made out of shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer. Excellent quality work, in great condition. Kashira length 1 5/16 inches, fuchi length 1 7/16 inches.

Early Showa period (1910s) Japanese mingei (Arts and Crafts) copper box with chased and enameled decoration of an ogival reserve containing a flowering tulip and a gnarled pomegranate bush with fruits by a twisted rock. Comes with a matching tray. Wonderful combination of uchidashi (hammered-out) and moriage (piled-up) techniques: metal was raised from the opposite side and raised surface was subsequently heavily enameled and fired. Crisp work with thickly laid enamel, beautifully applied multip...

An unusual divided plate with floral designs and two large bats on the underside,symbolizing fruitfulness, prosperity and happiness. Nyonya wares are over-glaze polychrome enamelled porcelains made in Jingdezhen in the Kiangsi province of China for the Straits Chinese, or Babas, whose female counterparts are called Nyonyas, hence the term Nonya ware. Nyonya wares were mainly reserved for festive occasions and special functions. Size: W.12.5cm. H. 3.5cm. Condition: No repairs. Normal wear.

19th century small Chinese scholar’s rock in a shape of a long mountain range. The piece gives a very strong feeling of weathered rock shaped by water and time, and overpowering energy of the mountain range. Beautiful black Qilian limestone (Mount Qilian, Gansu province) with rich texture, provides excellent views from both sides, great patina. Fixed on newer ebony stand, superb object for contemplation on scholar’s desk. Length with stand 5 inches.

An unusual miniature Ming Green glazed ewer with an iridescent glaze from being buried for a long period of time. Size: 11.5cm x 8cm.

A Fukagawa nine inch sauce boat and underplate fired on in the kiln. Iris decoration from Chuji Fukagawa's own 19th century design book. Blue underglaze and red, yellow and gold overglaze enamel decoration. Mt. Fuji mark in oxidized cobalt blue on the unglazed, flat foot of the undertray. Late Meiji or early Taisho. Good condition. We are happy to quote a group price or entertain an offer for all available pieces we have in this pattern.

This is one of a pair of wooden (not papermache) chinoiserie footed plates made for export. The central medallion Japanese scene is classic and the rim has ornate panels of individual woman in various poises. Each side has handle shaped and painted as an ivy leaf.

On the black lacquered back is the rement of a very old label. Plate is 10.75 inches at the widest point. Sourced from an old estate in the US, Chinoiserie of this detail and quality are rare, probably Edo Period between 1840-185...

18th century or earlier iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba with pierced decoration of bamboo and plum flowers. They represent two out of the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo and plum) celebrated for the fact that they do not wither as the cold days deepen into the winter season unlike many other plants. Wonderful design, in great condition. Height 2.73 inches.

Early 19th century Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with relief decoration of two shishi (Buddhist lions) frolicking among huge peony flowers. Superbly made piece with crisp metalwork, shakudo body with gilding, in excellent condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.