Japanese lacquer tray with a mountain stream and cranes in a raised landscape scene. This small/medium tray is about the best as they come in displaying many types of lacquer techniques including Maki-e, Hiramaki-e, and Takamaki-e with superb colors and fine gold nashiji work having shaped corners with concave edges. The cranes, pine trees, and mountains are all done in raised relief with the cranes showing incredible details...

Kushibako (comb box) in black lacquer with gold lacquer decoration of arrows and my in the shape of three assembled commas " mitsudomoe " (Okabe; Itakura; Kuki; Hijikata; Arima families)

Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Height : 4,5 in – 11,5 cm Length : 6,3 in – 16 cm Width : 5,1 in - 13 cm

Japanese inro with 5 compartments decorated all around with a scene of a mountain stream running down hill through rocks and low tree branches. On one side of the inro, the stream falls over rocks and continues on the other side of the inro in a striated current. Various trees including blossoming fruit trees and pines spring from the rocks. Pine saplings emerge from a gold mist in the foreground. Created with a fine raised gold maki-e lacquer technique and inlaid with gold metal flecks...

This rare Edo period antique Japanese round box has 3 tiers, lid and plate. There is a column of small Gosan kiri family crests down one side and another column of small family crests on the other side. The inside is of each piece is red orange lacquer. The box fits into the rim of a plate which was use for serving. The gold lacquer paintings designs are all very fine.

The box on the plate stands approx 9.5 inches tall. and is approx 5.5 inches in diameter...

A wonderful and rare late Edo Period Musha Ningyo (Warrior doll or Boy's Day doll) of a seated Empress Warrior Jingu. She has an unusual and striking presence. She is seated (most are standing), and she has all her accessories, wearing sumptuous silk brocade textiles. She has a beautifully carved face and hands of varnished gofun. 20 inches (51cm) high and 16 inches (40.5 cm) wide.

Make-up plays a vital roll in a Kabuki play because it is dark in the Kabuki Theater (especially in 17th century Edo period without light bulbs). It was sometimes exaggerated, along with their costumes, to let the audience know right away who they were and also their emotional stages. You might have seen the elaborate (very beautiful), flashy Kabuki costumes. They certainly were not daily wears...

Antique Japanese kogo box (for incense). Round in form and made of lacquered wood. Decorated with a scene of a garden gate and a wild thicket of grasses, vines and flowers under a full moon. The gate and flora are made with maki-e lacquer and shell inlay while the full moon is made of silver. The interior and bottom of the box is covered with gold nishiji on a black lacquer ground.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3" wide x 1 5/8" high

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...

Antique Japanese large lacquer document box decorated with a design of climbing clematis vines in full bloom. Gold maki-e lacquer with details in gold nishji lacquer on some of the leaves. All on a black lacquer ground. The sides of both the lid and body of the box are carved with a recessed area where reddish orange lacquer has been applied over a loose material, creating a woven texture. Hardware rings on the sides...

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons...

Edo Period, Late 1700s / early 1800s

This lacquer box of square form has three slightly raised gold lacquer family crest designs on the lid. The well-polished black lacquer covers the interior and exterior of the box which is of a finely constructed wood core. The lid has a slight lip extending from the lower edge. The crest designs are very well painted and incorporate a very fine raised gold stippling in areas...

A pair of hirobuta or trays used to place kimonos in, made from Cherry bark and paulownia. The style of using cherry bark to produce various objects is a distinct style seen in the Akita- Kaunodate region, where they are famous for the art. One piece contains a motif of deer and autumn grasses, while the other is a woman preparing silk fabric while staring at the moon. The motifs are done in cherry bark and mother of pearl.

19th century

Dimensions: (Deer motif tray): 3.25"...

Antique Japanese small kobako (incense box) with inside tray. The outside is decorated with a scene of a garden fence, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas and daisies in gold lacquer on a nashiji ground. The interior is covered in fine nashiji. The small tray stands on tiny feet and has a pavilion scene with twisted pines all in gold lacquer on a matching nashiji ground.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4" high x 6" wide x 4" deep.

Munga Ningyo of a Samurai in Court Attire by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Late Edo Period. Height: 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Japanese Isho Ningyo of a Noh Actor, Meiji Period, late 19th Century. Height: 13.75 inches, 35 cm.

Japanese Meiji Period Gosho Ningyo of Jimmu, the First Emperor of Japan. This is a wonderful ningyo, in great bright condition. Every aspect is of the highest quality. He has a gorgeous face, beautifully rendered. He is wearing sumptuous silk brocades, stretched on a carved wood body (kimekomi). He holds a bow and arrows. There are arrows in the quiver at his back, and a sword at his side. He is presented on his original lacquered stand. Height: 8.5 inches, 21.5 cm.

This assortment of cosmetic brushes along with the small container was originally part of a large cosmetic set which would have been commissioned for the a wealthy Japanese bridal trousseaux. Many layers of the rich black roiro-nuri lacquer was applied and polished to achieve the deep lusterious tone. The brushes are accented with a 2 and 3 tone golden floral motif. None of the brushes show any signs of use. Though such sets were common among high-born Japanese women of the Edo and Meiji p...

Antique Japanese Bizen ware ceramic sculpture of a pair of puppies. Each beautifully sculpted with charming features. Bizen ware pottery is made of the reddish brown clay with high iron content that is found in the area around the village of Imbe in Bizen province. Fine signature on base.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

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