Late 19th century boxwood netsuke of a catfish doing a bit of an acrobatic exercise. Catfish (Namazu) is believed to cause earthquakes, so this one looks to me at about 6.9 on Richter scale. Excellent quality carving, great face with finely carved numerous teeth, wonderful attention to details such as fin and tail textures, beautiful patina. Signed SHUNZAN on the belly - the artist is listed in NETSUKE by Neil Davey (p. 529, number 2618). Height 1 3/4 inches.

Very unusual largeJapanese rope embroidery on silk, the image is a pair of phoenixes, male and female, with the moon waxing and waning (full and crest). This is a privileged image made specially for the court. The pagoda shrine is central to the image centered around the imperial Tokugawa crest symbolizing the divine rule from heaven.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40" W x 62 1/4" H (entire frame), 36 1/2" W x 58 1/2" H (embroidery without frame)

1920's Japanese Jungin Silver Repousse Bag Shaped Vase with Flowers Konoike zo (of Yokohama)

It is 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall by 4.25 inches (11 cm) wide. It is 201.8 gram.

It has tarnished silver and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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Meiji (1868-1912) Japanese Shofu Katei Studio Moriage Porcelain Vase with Mt. Fuji

It is 9.25 inches (23.4 cm) tall by 5.5 inches (13.9 cm) wide. It is 2.25 Lb.

It has manufacture defect of dark spots at the inside and inner rim and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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Tall late 18th to early 19th century wooden netsuke of a standing emaciated sennin wearing a tattered robe and leaf skirt and cape and holding onto a very long staff with gnarled top. Awesome face, wonderful knobby scull, beautiful rendition of his hair, ribs and limbs. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - gold lacquer over red, so as the netsuke wears the color of a lower layer starts showing. Very beautifully done himotoshi on the back, superb wear and patina, very impressive sculpture...

Massive Meiji period Japanese Satsuma globular form tripod jar or “koro” (incense burner) in the form of a gathered pouch (Daikoku's bag), the bulbous body elaborately decorated in overglaze enamels and gilt highlights with “karako” (Chinese children) and other figures engaged in various leisure and scholarly activities in a garden setting. Late 19th century. 17” high x 16 1/2" diameter. Good overall condition with some typical rubbing of the enamels and gilt...

18th century netsuke of a seated mother monkey patiently suffering the indignity of her young grabbing her ear as it climbs onto her head. Fantastic expression of existential contemplation on her face, excellent incised and etched coat, beautiful wear. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, superb honey colored patina. Height 2 inches.

Cup Height: 6 cm (2.4 in)
Width Including Handle: 9 cm (3.6 in)
Saucer Width: 14.2 cm (5.7 in)

Japanese Satsuma cup and saucer; fine gilt panels with figures; intricate diaper work throughout; very good condition

19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with wooden bowl and metal top depicting a not-so-repentant oni with a Buddhist gong on its chest and a striker in its hand as he follows a beautiful maiden who holds a branch of flowering wisteria in her hand. A subtle shunga piece alluding to a good intention and a worldly temptation ruining the attempt. Excellent quality work with copper, silver and gold inlays, in great condition...

Japanese Paulownia or Kiri wood small Tea, Cha Tansu, Ca. Meiji period, late 1890-1900, 24 1/2" high, 24" wide, 12" deep, 2 sliding doors on top inlaid with Mother of Pearl Plum flowers with low relief Lacquered tree branches above 3 small drawers, one large drawer above 2 drawers in lower section, black iron mounted around corners, leaf design on handles. The condition is as used condition directly imported from Japan, no restoration work was done on this small Cha Tansu.

Japanese Imari Porcelain Barber Bowl, or Shaving bowl, Ca. Edo period, between late 1700's to early 1800's, 10 5/8" diameter-top rim, 2 5/8" high, typical Imari color of underglaze blue between three(3) cartouche of Japanese garden fence scene decoration around wide rim in overglaze iron red, blue urn filled with bouquet of flowers in the entire center, some of the iron red enamel is worn in the middle caused by many years of usage. Gold highlights on the leaves on the wide rim is somewhat worn...

This rare Edo period (江戸時代 1603~ 1868) silk covered accordian-fold book is hand painted on rice paper. The title and artist's seal appear on the cover. It is 9 5/8" long, 7 1/4" wide and 1" thick. The opening pages (both verso and recto) from either direction are blank, gold flaked rice paper; the end pages (bother verso and recto) are plain rice paper. The book contains 12 paintings, 6 paintings on each side...

It was carved by a late Meiji period (1868~1911) artist Tozan (東山). It depicts a smiling wood cutter taking a break and tying his straw sandal lace. A sparrow is resting on his straw hat. It is 6 1/5" high, 3 7/16" wide (from the bottom) and 3" thick (from the bottom). Aside from two hair line cracks; one on his back head and one on the bottom, it is in great condition.

Antique Japanese kesa, Buddhist monk's traditional outer garment. Made from rich fragments of silk donated by wealthy devotees, kesa are traditionally made of square and rectangular swatches of material symbolizing the Buddha's patchwork garments. In contrast with this idea is the material itself, made of fine woven silks...

19th century wooden netsuke of sitting Okame snickering as she fondles a long stem of a mushroom in her hand. The netsuke is definitely of shunga type with not so subtle sexual connotation. Wonderfully carved (see her endearingly ugly face, hair arrangement and flowing lines of her kimono), beautiful patina, little nicks here and there. Height 1 13/16 inches.

A good quality Japanese vase and cover decorated with scrolling Octopus-vine patterns almost entirely covering the body of the vase and cover. Probably Arita in origin. The vase dates to the early 19th Century and the late Edo period. The vase stands 26cm high, including the cover, and has a diameter of 15cm. The foot-ring measures 8cm. The vase weighs 1445 grams in total. The condition is good no cracks, chips or restoration to the body...

A bag made of deer skin with indigo dye hemp rope. It was used for coins which were distributed among citizens in Edo period. Paper moneys were issued later, in Meiji period (1868~1912). The first half of the 19th century. 26cm x 62cm

Japanese bronze incenser in the form of Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune. Hotei is clothed with open robes, holding a gunbai fan, seated on top of his large sack. Hotei's name literally means "Cloth Sack", for he can be attributed by the large cloth sack he carries with him during his travels. He is also known as the Laughing Buddha due to his carefree happy nature despite being a wanderer with few material possessions.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions:...

This is a very rare and wonderful Japanese Cloisonne box. There are a wide variety of enamel colors and designs making this a very unique piece. The designs, mottled and translucent enamel colors strongly suggest that Honda is the artist. The rims are also Bronze and appear to have never been silver plated. Condition is excellent. There is minor scuffing to the bottom corners. The box measures 5 1/4 inches by 4 1/4 inches and is 2 1/4 tall

Antique Japanese choba tansu made of solid quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova) wood with burl wood front. The upper portion of the tansu has a large full-width drawer and another full-width drawer on the bottom. The right hand side has three small exterior drawers. The middle section has sliding panels with unusually fine vertical slats. The interior has 3 small drawers in a vertical row. All original lacquer finish and iron hardware including square drawer pulls and elaborately cut out lock pl...

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 3 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 3.7 cm (1.6 in)

Fine example of the work of Gyokkei; a stone lifter, masseur or a man attempting to lift his distended scrotum?; a tumour is also present on the back of his head; the poor fellow also has a wall-eye; signed on an inlaid tablet; good condition

Very unusual and rare early 19th century Japanese cloisonne plate with flowers in the center surrounded by a border of stylized clouds in cavetto and 3 dragons chasing each other along the wide rim, flower design on the bottom and 3 scrolled feet. Superbly made in creative imitation of Chinese Ming Dynasty cloisonne (see the mischievous faces of the dragons), very rich visually, all metal wires and surfaces including feet were gilded (expected wear), beautiful enameling, some original pitting to...

19th century Japanese wooden nyoi - a Buddhist scepter - with scrolling finial. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Dense fruitwood with beautiful texture, simple elegant carving, wonderful patina to the surface from being handled, old ink spots in places, very pleasant to the touch. Great subtle piece for scholar’s table, or a practicing Buddhist. Length 12 1/4 inches.

1890s - 1910s (late Meiji - early Taisho) Japanese inkstone in simple rectangular shape with carved keyfret border and central grinding area. Used for grinding of an inkstick on the surface of the stone. Akama stone of shiunseki type with characteristic reddish brown color - Akama inkstones are quite famous, and come from the Yamaguchi Prefecture. Beautiful patina, traces of ink on the grinding surface, comes with fitted wooden cover. Very nice object for scholars table, in excellent condition. ...

18th century netsuke of a seated skinny dog wearing a collar with bell and resting one front paw on a cloth ball. Strong early piece, beautifully carved - great face with horn inlaid eyes, wonderful rendition of its spine and ribs, superbly carved paws, netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, beautiful wear and patina (some irregularities on the surface on the darker colored part of its back), old age lines. Signed MASAYOSHI on the bottom - this rare artist is listed in NETSUK...

Very unusual 19th century mixed metal and wood netsuke of a boy quietly playing a reed flute while leaning against a side of a resting buffalo, 2 baskets next to him. The subject is ushidoji (also called bokudo) symbolizing the perfect peace of mind, and is considered to be one of the stages on the way to the Buddhahood. Excellent quality metalwork of shakudo (buffalo), solid silver (boy) and copper (baskets), perfectly captured mood of the scene. Fruitwood body, some darkening to the back, very...

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. D...

19th century ichii (yew wood) netsuke of a theatrical mask of an oni - a mischievous demon. Cleverly carved in ittobori (one-cut) style characteristic of Hida school, wonderful depiction of its bushy eyebrows and toothy grin. Wonderful patina and beautiful sheen to the surface. Signed SUKEYOSHI on the back bar - the artist is listed on p. 1051 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, and was a student of Sukenaga. Height 1 9/16 inches.

19th century kokutan (ebony) netsuke representing a theatrical mask of horned demon Hannya. Wonderful crisp detailing, beautiful lustrous patina from wear. Height 1 15/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century metal and wood netsuke of giboshi - a bridge post finial. Beautiful simple object in Japanese taste, perfectly elegant, in excellent condition. Rare subject, beautiful wear and patina. Height 1 9/16 inches.

Unusual 19th century wooden netsuke carved as a head of a dragon with a Precious Gem in its mouth. Boldly carved, strong features of the creature’s face, nice wear and patina. Length 3 inches.

Very unusual 19th century square manju netsuke made out of a slab of aventurine glass with silver fitting on the back in a shape of a samurai family crest with paulownia flowers and leaves, swinging silver loop for hanging. Superbly beautiful and rare material, absolutely stunningly sparkling in direct sunlight, does not photograph well. Three tiny chips along the edges on the front and a couple on the back, do not take away from the piece. Beautiful patina, very pleasant to hold. 1 7/16 inches ...

Early 19th century bronze netsuke in a form of a temple bell of Miidera. For the legend of Benkei carrying the bell of Miidera see H. Joly LEGEND IN JAPANESE ART, p. 82. Pleasant piece in Japanese taste with nice casting, beautiful wear and patina. Very good piece for collection of various netsuke materials or for scholar’s desk. Height 1 1/8 inches.

Late 18th to early 19th century bronze suigaraake (ashtray) netsuke in classic bowl shape with cast decoration on the outside of 2 birds by bamboo stalks with leaves. Very well designed piece, good detailing, functional netsuke shape, hanged by a bronze ring. Nice old piece with pleasant patina on metal, the inside of the still containing ash residue. Diameter 1 5/8 inches.

Height: 4.1 cm (1.7 in)
Width: 3.8 cm (1.4 in)
Depth: 2 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese netsuke of a Hotei with one hand in his bag; natural material; early angular form; very good patina; good condition

Splendid and absolutely rare double vase of old Karatsu-yaki. It has a vivid Chosen-Karatsu glaze, and the grandiose embellishment of color creates a sublime sense of tension between the dark glazed and color infusion.

This very decorative vase was made around the mid 19th century (late Edo Period).

Very good antique condition with only a light crack of glaze on the back of the white top, which enforces the all over wabi-sabi look.

Size: 23 cm height x 25 cm w...

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 2.8 cm (1.2 in)
Depth: 1.7 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese netsuke; probably whale tooth or walrus; depicts a Hotei with his bag; early angular form; very good honey-coloured patina; good condition

Antique Japanese 2-panel screen painting of a scene with a songbird on a gnarled, moss-covered rock. A stream runs around the rock. Blue and white irises grow on it's banks. Painted in mineral colors on gold leaf.

Dimensions: 43 3/4" high x 36" wide Meiji Period c1900

Japanese calligraphy box made with Keyaki (elm) wood in original dark red lacquer finish. The lid lifts open on three iron hinges with a top iron handle to a shallow lacquered compartment for storing calligraphy papers, and closes securely with a small iron latch. The front of the box holds three drawers with iron lock plates and handles on floral shaped iron mounts.

Edo period (c1850)

Dimensions: 16" L x 12" W x 12" H

This is a great example Meiji Era satsuma. It is probably my favorite piece from Shizan. The colors are rich and the detail is fantastic. It stands 4 3/4 inches tall. This Ewer is in nearly perfect condition.

An impressive large shallow dish of foliate form decorated with a pair of auspicious Hoo birds with Kiri (Pawlonia) painted principally in underglaze blue which trail over the rim on to the reverse of the dish; an “over the wall pattern”. Set against swirling panels of various brocades, aka-e kinrande, hosoge-mon with vine in gilt inset within an iron red ground, a ground of four petal flowers, karahana, in contrasting, blue, yellow and aubergine enamels and iron red ground sometimes refe...

Japanese kogo, or incense container for tea ceremonies, in the form of a small bird with very fine maki-e or sprinkled gold lacquer exterior. Each feather of the bird is highly detailed in low relief maki-e lacquer. The pupils of the bird are done with very fine red lacquer for contrast. The interior of the box is finished in gold nashiji, sometimes called pear skin due to the resemblance to the Asian pear. The base is also finished in nashiji lacquer and has the artist's calligraphy signature i...

This is Noren used by a cotton merchant in Kyoto during the Edo period. Cotton is thick and spun by hand. It is boldly written in Tsutsugaki. It is dyed with natural indigo. It has a faint fade that is sparse in part but does not stand out.It has a small hole but is not outstanding. Size Length 143 cm / 56.2inch Width 128 cm / 50.3 inch ケースF

Finely painted Satsuma chatelaine with a silver backing and chain. The porcelain disks are tapered in size with the largest being iris, followed by a peacock, then butterflies, and finally a coiled dragon. The images are surrounded with cobalt blue and gold bands. This chatelaine could easily be made into a necklace. Measures 5.25" long with the largest tile a little under 1 inch diameter and the smallest being 1/2" diameter. Dates circa 1900.

A set of two Japanese porcelain cups and saucers with fine decoration in the Imari palette, underglaze blue, iron red and abundantly gold. Cups with a blossom mark. Condition: fine, saucers with kiln grit residue. Dimension: cup: c. 7.1 diameter, 4.6 cm high, saucer: c. 12.2 cm diameter, 2.3 cm high.

A rare pair of Japanese double gourd shaped porcelain vases, decorated with a ho-o bird flying over "prunus mume" in overglaze blue, green, yellow, aubergine, iron red and gold. Standing on a broad footrim, the rim with "kuchibeni". Condition: fine, only one vase with a short hairline ending in a tiny rim frit on the rear side (please see photo no. 12). Dimension: 19.3 cm high.

A small cast iron Japanese tetsubin of slightly flared cylindrical form, decorated in relief to one side with maple leaves floating on a stream against a textured ground. The backside is plain save for the textured ground and the foundry mark for Kinshudo. The cover is flat with a pine cone finial and the handle can be moved to either side. In excellent condition, it measures 2.5 inches high excluding the handle, diameter about 3" at widest. Dates late 19th Century.

A very lovely small Japanese teapot accented with decorative running splashes of gold against a dark brown almost black backdrop. The same color can be seen on the bottom 1/5 of the teapot just under the handle and continues to include the base bottom. The copper remaining exposed copper has a deep copper patina that comes only with age and usage. The handle features intricate basketry weaving. This was a treasured teapot and would make an excellent decorative specialist addition to your home....

A pair of large Japanese porcelain dishes, beautifully decorated in five colors: underglaze blue, overglaze black, -green, -aubergine, iron red and gold. Showing an asymetrical design of a courtesan with her servant under a cherry tree, the right side with flowers. The back with auspicious emblems, the base with spur marks and an underglaze blue apocryphal "Ming Jiajing" mark. Provenance: Swiss private collection. Dimension: diameter 27.5cm, 3.5 cm high. Condition: partial some wear tho the colo...

Rare Japanese silk jacket with a woven scene from an old Edo period tale about a trickster tanooki (also known as raccoon dog or tanuki) and a nobleman or samurai who is holding a pipe. In excellent condition, the black silk is satin silk, fine and smooth.

Width: 4.5 cm (1.8 in)
Height: 2.4 cm (0.9 in)

Small Japanese mixed metal Komai box; Egyptian symbols throughout; gold, silver and brass; Fuji mark to the base; very good condition

A small Kutani porcelain pitcher beautifully painted in Mokubei style with two cartouches containing a mountainous landscape and a group of rakan among karakusa pattern. Base signed Kutani. Condition: little wear to enamels and gold, spout with a short firing crack (3 mm please see photo no. 9). Dimension: 9.5 cm high.

19th century netsuke of cut vegetables, tofu and rice cakes inside a wooden pan with handle. Superb elegant design in Japanese taste with perfectly captured mood of happy anticipation of a good meal, excellent carving, beautiful patina. Signed MITSUHIRO on the bottom of the pan. For a lengthy discussion of this first rate distinct artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, page 775. Clever and unusual object by the master carver. Length with handle 2 ...

Japanese incense box in the form of a flattened drum with realistic wood grain pattern in gold flake togidashi maki-e lacquer and high relief lacquer to resemble iron studs along the sides. The top of the box is done in low-relief maki-e gold lacquer with the image of a mother hen and father rooster pecking for food with their three infant chicks. The crest and waddle of each rooster are done with touches of red lacquer. The interior box and bottom are done in dense nashiji lacquer gold flakes. ...

Japanese lacquer incense box with low-relief designs of plum blossoms in maki-e lacquer on finely sprinkled nashiji lacquer ground. The plum branch pattern is continuous along the sides of the box. The base and interior of the box are finished in fine nashiji lacquer, and the space where the lid and base join together is done with silver.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3" x 2" x 1 3/8" H

A round moon shaped Japanese kogo or incense box with sprinkled gold lacquer maki-e motif of an anthropomorphic rabbit pounding mochi. The rabbit wears a decorative robe with scrolling vine motifs. The interior of the box and foot are adorned with nashiji gold flake on black lacquer ground.

The subject comes from the tale of the rabbit who lives on the moon and prepares an elixir of immortality with a mortar and pestle similar to those used to pound mochi. People in East Asia have l...

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke with multimetal disc worked in low relief scene of a man drawing water from a well, his wooden bucket next to him. Excellent crisp work, wonderful face, gilding, inlaid copper bucket, great patina. Beautifully turned marine material (walrus tusk) bowl with excellent patina. Disc diameter 1 5/16 inches, bowl diameter 1 7/8 inches.

Japanese gold lacquer inro with five compartments, decorated in low relief landscape scene of lakeside mountains, cottages, pagodas, pine trees, and bridges in gold lacquer and accents of silver. The reverse side shows a tiny man in a boat traversing the waters. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). Underneath the bottom compartment is an artist's signature with red chop. With some losses.

Inro (seal basket) are small decorative container...

Japanese boxwood ojime bead carving of a skull, finely detailed with realistic cranial fissures, missing teeth, pierced eye sockets and nasal cavity, with tiny handmade chisel marks visible under the jaw. The ojime is a cord fastening bead, used to secure an inro container to the wearer's obi or sash.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" x 1" x 1"

Late 18th to early 19th century wooden netsuke of seated Hotei (one of the 7 Gods of Good Fortune and incarnation of Maitreya - the Buddha of the future) with wide smile and a fan in his hand. Strong carving with wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful wear and patina. Height 1 3/16 inches.