Late 19th century boxwood netsuke of a seated puppy. Very nicely carved, great depiction of its chubby body and pensive facial expression. Very pleasant wear and patina, old stable shrinkage lines as seen on photos. Length 1.45 inches.

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.

This small Japanese case was most likely used for eyeglasses by a wealthy woman. The fine cloisonne work on both sides has slightly differed medallion patterns. Bird one one side butterfly on the other...There is s small sing (with lose on the bird side towards the edge...and the ding goes through to the inside of the case...piece is priced considering the damage...

Late Meiji (1890s - 1910s) marine netsuke of a standing tanuki (badger) holding some huge unspecified part of its private parts in its paws. In Japanese folklore tanuki is a notorious trickster: he drums with his paws on his large belly (tanuki no hara tsuzumi), imitating the sounding of gongs in temples and inns, and leading tired travelers astray in the darkness...

Early 19th century staghorn netsuke of a a group of seashells, including a clam, an abalone and a turrid. Good design utilizing natural properties of the material, nicely carved, superb wear and patina from 200 years of use. Length 1.59 inches.

An attractive Japanese blue and white porcelain soba choko with banana leaf, fence and chidori in mist decoration supported by single blue line all over double blue line. The inside rim with blue and white fret band and the bottom inside with a single flower within double blue line. The glazed foot ring surrounding a wide, unglazed band centering a recessed, glazed center. The white glaze very slightly blue tinged...

A fine Japanese blue and white porcelain soba choko with decoration of prunus blossoms on branches rising above an active with breaking waves all over a comb pattern on double blue lines above the foot. A fret band decoration appears inside the foliate shaped rim and a flower head within double blue ring adorns the bottom inside...

Japanese Cast Iron Tetsubin, Tea Kettle, tea pot signed by "Ryobundo", "as is" condition, Meiji period, 1910, 8 1/2" high include handle, 7 1/4" wide include spout, signed under the Bronze top, the top knob is damaged. The surface finished with raised circles on the upper section and sandy finish.

Unusual 19th century Japanese ceramic Kuro Oribe guinomi - a sake cup, can be used as a small yunomi - a tea cup. Comes with very well made shifuku (silk brocade storage bag). Superb free potting, the foot shows grey stoneware body, beautiful patina. Characteristic kuro Oribe (“black Oribe”) beautiful dark brown to black glaze enveloping most of the sides with one open area painted with underglaze black flower and a distant mountain, great patina...

19th century miniature Hirado porcelain sculpture of a karako (Chinese boy) lying on his stomach, the upper part of his body raised, his gaze is part way up. Could have been used as a brushrest. Excellent crisp modeling with incised details - see his wonderful face, well defined hand and clothing details. Beautiful glaze with numerous tiny bubbles giving it depth, unglazed bottom, in excellent condition (no chips, cracks or repairs), very pleasant to the touch...

Japanese Meiji period Arita Imari porcelain pedestal bowl decorated in underglaze blue and brilliant overglaze enamel with gilt highlights. The interior holds a scene with two figures standing with rakes beside water in a landscape with birds flying overhead among pine branches. A tortoise is at their feet. The interior and exterior edges are decorated with two abstract bands. On the outside edge, the lower band sports a row of hanging tassels...

A pair of Japanese Hirado porcelain candle holders. Chrysanthemum theme repeating on the rim, through the column, the base, and in decorative embellishment depicting the stems and leaves in blue and the finely detailed blossoms in white. There is small chipping throughout - on the rim of one holder and in the finely detailed stems and blossoms on each. Offered in as found condition. Height of each about 6 inches (15.24 cm)

An unusual shallow Japanese porcelain plate (#1) decorated with confronting dragons, one in blue and gold, the other gold and red. The plain back with 5 neat spur marks.

Arita porcelain, circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 18.7 cm diameter...

For the tea and cloisonne collector: A signed totai cloisonne on Kyoto ceramic cha-ire (tea jar). Decoration in red, black rose, pink, green, blue and yellow of flowers, butterfly and other motifs on blue background. The jar with both lid and cover. Late Meiji era (1868 - 1912). Good condition. Height, 3 5/8 inches (9.2 cm)

Late 19th century Japanese ceramic statue of standing Daruma - the founder of Zen Buddhism - enveloped in monastic robe, and holding a hossu (fly whisk) in his hand. Superb sculpting - see the beautiful flow of his robe and well defined facial features. Absolutely fascinating painting of his face - staring fierce eyes with white enamel, wonderful depiction of his facial hair and excellently conveyed expression of thoughtful concentration. Bottom shows ceramic body, some expected wear to enamel...

Late Meiji Japanese Bizen pottery ware chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) with slender body of rounded triangular section and narrow mouth. Wonderful potting, beautiful patina, very nice texture and play of colors to the glaze on its surface. Inscribed by the potter on the bottom. Turned bone cover lined with silver colored foil on the inside. Great piece in excellent condition. Height with cover 3 3/8 inches.

Single 19th century menuki (Japanese sword fitting) depicting tanegashima - a matchlock gun - and a powder horn. Rather unusual subject, great design and detailing (see finely incised scrolls on the butt of the gun), gilding, overall in great condition. Length 1.59 inches.

Japanese lacquered on Ceramic No Mask Obishimi Netsuke, Ca. 1920, Meiji period, 1 3/8" high, 1 1/8" wide, 3/4" deep, reddish brown lacquer on Ceramic with painted gold bull's eye, deep wrinkles on forehead, raised fat cheeks, details are bold and deep. The condition is good.

Late Meiji (1880s-1910s) Japanese pottery Oribe ware chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) with handle. Characteristic rich green glaze, underglaze brown painting of pine saplings, wonderful crackled glaze. Oribe ware (named after Furuta Oribe - a famous 16th century tea master) was produced in Mino and Seto kilns: it is particularly Japanese in taste and was never made for export...

19th century miniature Hirado porcelain sculpture / brushrest in a shape of a karako (Chinese boy) lying on his stomach with his head and feet raised. Excellent crisp modeling with incised details - see his superb face with inquisitive look, well defined collar and knot on the back. Excellent underglaze blue (see the perfect swirls of his hair knots), brown and black. Beautiful glaze with numerous tiny bubbles giving it depth, unglazed bottom, in excellent condition, very pleasant to the touch...

19th century miniature Hirado porcelain sculpture of a reclining karako (Chinese boy) leaning on his right elbow. Could have been used as a brushrest...

Late Meiji (1890s - 1910s) Japanese ivory chashaku (tea scoop used for powdered tea during tea ceremony) of elegant slender shape. Comes in original chazutsu (inscribed bamboo case). Delicately carved, in great condition, beautiful patina, very pleasant to the touch. Chashaku length 7.25 inches, case length 9.25 inches.

An unusual shallow Japanese porcelain plate (#2) decorated with confronting dragons, one in blue and gold, the other gold and red. The plain back with 5 neat spur marks.

Arita porcelain, circa 1750 ~ 1780.

Approximately 18.7 cm diameter. Fine condition with only slight wear to the gold.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by International Bank Tr...

19th century boxwood netsuke of a theatrical mask of Hyottoko (perplexed peasant) leaning against a small drum. Clever design, nice carving, nicely incised wood grain on the body of the drum, nails on the drum are inlaid with ivory or bone. Nice wear and patina, pleasant warm staining. Signed KYOKUSEN on the back - the artist is listed in NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 686. Length 1 1/4 inches.

Utagawa Kunisada [Toyokuni III] (1786-1864). Subject: Yakusha-e, Kabuki actor print; Kawarazaki Gonjurou (stage name of Ichikawa Danjurou IX [1838-1903] from 9/1852 to 2/1869).Signature: “ki-o Toyokuni ga” in red toshidama cartouche. Engraver Seal: Yokogawa. Censor Seal: “aratame” (examined), year of the cock (1861) 9th month. Publisher: Yamaguchi-ya Toubei. Date: 1861. Format: oban tate-e, H.13.75 x W.9". Comments: “kirazuri” mica powder giving sheen to dark blue background o...

An Early Japanese Bronze Mirror, Kagami, Circa 1600. (No.1) This bronze mirror (kagami) was almost certainly made in the Momoyama period. It has a turtle (minogame) as a central boss, pierced for a cord. It also features a pair of cranes, their beaks touching the head of the turtle as in the act of kissing. This beneath a splendid pine tree. Under the turtle is found the inscription 'Tenjō' (?) possibly meaning Heaven.

Approximately 10.4cm diameter. Many signs of wear and polishi...

Japanese Lacquered Ceramic No Mask Okame Netsuke, Ca. 1900, Meiji period, 1 5/8" high, 1 1/4" wide, 3/4" deep, smiling slender eyes with dimples on both fat cheeks, beautiful face with red small tiny lips. Nicely aged with old patina, no damages.

19th century bronze Japanese sword tsuba with perforated design of Shoki the demon Queller threatening a terrified oni with a sword. Nicely made, pleasant dark patina, in great condition. Height 2.96 inches.

The size of Bowl: 8 3/4" Dia x 4"High. Japanese Ko Imari Porcelain Deep Bowl. The bowl has very good enamel works surface as well as on the backside. Surface has the design of Eagle with Pine tree, clouds and bamboo grass. Inside rim area with blue underglaze and chrysanthemum design. Outside has a lots of enamel work with Peony flower and clouds. Very good works of blue underglaze design around foot rim. The condition of bowl is excellent, no chip, no crack and no hairline. Some wear on the gol...

Indigo dyed cotton wrapping cloth, furoshiki, from late Meiji Era. The family crest stencil dyed (katazome) into the corner is "anzu-botan" (apricot-peony). L.133cm (52.25") x W.130cm (51").

19th century kagamibuta (mirror lid) netsuke, the top being Chinese carving adopted as netsuke, with scene of 5 scholars among various trees and pavilions. Excellent quality work with deep undercarving, beautiful wear and patina, in great condition, dark hardwood bowl with old natural stable lines, peg at the back for the cord. Bowl diameter 1.76 inches.

19th century Asakusa school staghorn netsuke of obihasami type inlaid with metal tama (Precious Gem) and dots. The hooks at the top and bottom of the piece go around the edges of obi - a sash holding a kimono. Excellent clever piece typical of Asakusa school, warm patina, darker porous areas as is usual with staghorn. Metal appears to be silver. Length 4.19 inches (106.5 mm).

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.

19th century netsuke in kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) with cinnabar lacquer top carved with the character FUKU (fortune) among peony flowers. Essentially the netsuke is a wish for wealth. Very nice work, beautiful patina, compressed dust in crevices, nice old wooden bowl, with rotating peg that serves as himotoshi. Bowl diameter 1.72 inches.

18th century or earlier Japanese magatama bead made out of off-white jadeite with apple green and darker green to black patches. Magatama are curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jomon period (circa 1000 BCE), and in Korea during the Prehistoric period, mainly in the Bronze Age and Neolithic. They are found in mounded tumulus graves as offerings to deities, and continued to be popular with the ruling elite throughout the Kofun Period, and are often romanticized as indicative of ...

An attractive Arita dish made for export to Europe decorated with conventionalised panels of Hoo birds and Paulonia flowers and stylised Peony flowers inset within an underglaze blue brocade ground to the cavetto, and a central motif of Chrysanthemum. The presence of gilt outlined enamels and colloidal pink in the palette indicate that the plate is from the Kyoho period or slightly later. The plate measures 21 cm or 8.25 inches in diameter and stand 3.3cm, or 1.25 inches high at the rim. It is ...