19th century netsuke carved as a group of 12 animals of the Oriental zodiac: dragon, horse, tiger, rat, rooster, dog, monkey, snake, goat, pig, buffalo and rabbit. Clever design, excellent carving to the last detail, deep undercutting, beautiful wear and patina. Eye of the rabbit is inlaid with salmon pink coral, all the rest are inlaid with dark horn. Very beautiful wear, honey colored patina...

19th century small marine material ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved in the round with four arhat - the original disciples of the Buddha identifiable by their halos - in different attitudes. Wonderful carving, excellent detailing, pleasant patina, in great condition. Signed GYOKUICHI on the side - the artist is listed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 3/8 inches.

A large porcelain vase by) Daimaru Hokuho (Hoppo) enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yellow Porcelain Lightning Pattern Vase. The vase is a perfect example of the Sinophile aesthetic that permeated Japanese art in the early 20th century. The simplified form rises to a row of alternating concentric lines known as Lightning pattern. It is 21 cm (8-1/2 inches) diameter 25 cm (10 inches) tall and is in excellent condition...

Large and heavily potted porcelain body, decorated in an nice pale cobalt blue in Shunzui style and with medallions showing flying birds and wild gees, birds sitting on branches, sailboats and Fujiyama mountain. Japan, nineteenth century. Diameter: 42 cm. H : 33 cm. Condition: Broken at one area to the rim. This broken area would be absolutely suitable to ennoble the piece with a most beautiful Kintsugi repair ( Gold lacquer repair, please see the images ).

A rare and unusual Japanese Keyaki burl choba tansu with original dark red translucent lacquer finish. The front of the chest has two hinged doors with hand forged iron fan lock plate, with two drawers below. When the chest is opened, it reveals a spacious interior with a large open compartment, a long top drawer and three smaller all burl wood drawers along the side.

Early Meiji period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 25 1/2 x 15 x 25 3/4 h

Very unusual 19th century lacquered wood sashi type netsuke carved in a shape of a cloud dragon with its head turned back onto itself, its neck forming himotoshi. Does not photograph well, impressive when handled. Elegant and clever carving, all 4 legs are in different positions, nice rendition of its face and hair. Wood is lacquered in Negoro style - red lacquer over black, so as it wears the black starts showing, gold lacquer highlights, excellent wear and patina on the surface...

One of the best examples of Japanese bronzes we have seen in an increasingly sparse market, this beautiful piece is worth a second look. Deep, rich Meiji Period (c.1867-1912) bronze with carp swimming over waves in raised relief on one side; geese frolicing among grasses, also in raised relief on the other side. Handles come out of baku's (bad dream eaters) mouths. Absolutely stunning. c.1890. (10½" x 5½") (27cm x 14cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $90.

Jizai okimono of an articulated wooden lobster. This one is a Japanese spiny lobster (ise-ebi in Japanese), a lobster species of Pacific Ocean that grows up to around 12 in (30 cm). It is a popular item in high-class Japanese cuisine.

Wooden jizai okimono are quite rare...

Square dish with straight rims, with elegant indentation on each corner. In the center two cranes (or similar birds) walking on rocks underneath a pine tree near the sea. On the inside of the rims a continuous border of heart-shaped flowers, on the outside a border with diamond pattern, broken by one cartouche on each side, containing a house. The top of the rim decorated with a karakusa-border.

White porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration...

Late 19th century porcelain netsuke of an old woman Uba with a broom in her hand. Uba and her companion Jo are an elderly couple living as spirits in pine trees in Takasago. Wonderful expressive face with wrinkles and hollow cheeks, beautiful wear and patina. Looks like old smoothed losses to the back of her robe by the bottom. Height 2.73 inches.

19th century netsuke depicting 2 boys mimicking Sambaso and Manzai performers, with one playing a drum, and the other wearing a theatrical mask of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) and holding a fan and a rattle. Excellent detailed carving, wonderful faces, beautiful etching of textile patterns and hair tufts. Beautiful patina - mellow yellowing on the back, overall in great condition. Signed HOMIN with kakihan (monogram of the artist) on the bottom - the artist must have been a student of Hokei...

Early to mid- 19th century netsuke representing nio (one of the Buddhist Guardian Kings) sitting on a huge old straw sandal and mending it with a rope. Excellent carving, beautifully stained, wonderful wear and patina. Signed TOMOCHIKA in oval reserve on the bottom - the artist is Tomochika the First as discussed on p. 1148 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1.2 inches.

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.

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest), original dark brown translucent lacquer finish, made of sugi (cryptomeria), iron hardware, one shelf on interior of slider compartment, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 43" high x 37 1/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.

This exquisite teapot is a true masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship from the Maji period. It is a handmade miniature Banko ceramic teapot, designed in the shape of a bag and adorned with intricate hand-enameled relief work. The flying cranes and delicate flowers depicted on the teapot are a testament to the skill and artistry of the maker...

19th century staghorn ojime (slide bead for tightening the cord going from netsuke to inro) carved as a dog seated on its haunches, its front paws at its chest and wearing a collar. Excellent clever carving, great face, eyes are highlighted with ink, wonderful warm patina. Height 3/4 inches.

Antique Japanese 2-section shodana, display cabinet for heirlooms and works of art. It's rare, mostly open configuration gives a floating appearance to it's multi tiered shelves and compartments. It has intricate pierced carved details of phoenixes and curling flower vines. A rectangular compartment in the center portion has a hinged door that is decorated with blue lacquer and bone shibayama inlay of a bird in tall grasses stalking a bee...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant storage box) made of Kusunoki (Camphor) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles. Beautifully constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. The hinged front door opens to five interior doors where merchant papers, records and small valuables were kept.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1850)Dimensions: 13 1/2" Wide by 15" High by 19 3/4" Deep