Bronze dropper (suiteki) representing a chubby guardian lion, called komainu in Japanese or shishi in Chinese.

The komainu is inspired by the Chinese guardian lion shishi, which dates back to the Tang dynasty (581-618). Supposed to repel evil, it appears on both sides of the entrance to the doors or gates of shrines and temples.

The suiteki is a small container used to hold water that is added to the ink stone during the grinding of the ink stick, used for calligraphy...

Box in gilded bronze, in the shape of two superimposed fans finely decorated with lake landscapes, flowers and birds. The shape is complicated and rare. Inside very beautiful gilding, carved with birds and plants. The black patinated underside bearing the workshop's signature in gold. The box rests on three short legs. There are 2 shades of gilding, yellow and greenish. Good condition, no repairs. 62mm x 28mm

Beautifully encapsulating the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi, this cast iron tea kettle has an elegance that far outshines more ornate versions of this ceremonial implement. Likely from Meiji, the craftsmanship is excellent, the overall proportions ideal, and the texture of the metal very pleasing...

An antique Japanese bronze Mongoose pair standing beside three Peony blossoms as they protect the prosperity the flowers embody. Originally a cherished fragment from a bronze vase, it was professionally museum mounted to showcase its beauty and refinement.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions with stand: 12 1/2" Wide by 8" High by 5" Deep

An antique Japanese bronze Kirin standing over a Peony blossom as it protects the prosperity it imbues. Originally a cherished fragment from a bronze vase, it was professionally museum mounted to showcase its beauty and elegance.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions with stand: 8" Wide by 6 3/4" High by 4 1/8" Deep

A rare iron hanging censer in the shape of a Mongolian Saddle Stirrup (Abumi) with silver mesh lid covering half the top. It comes in an age-darkened and worm-eaten kiri-wood box titled simply Tsuri Koro. The receptacle is 13.5 x 7 x 15 cm (5-1/2 x 3 x 6 inches) and is in excellent condition, dating from the Edo period.

Cigarette holder that can be used as a card holder in steel inlaid with gold and silver. The technique used is that of damascene (nunome zogan) in the style of Komeï. Japanese work around 1900. On the front are represented in gold a temple and a pagoda dominating a lake landscape; on the back is Mount Fuji dominating a lake. In the foreground an amusing retail fishing boat, indeed a tiny bird is perched at the top of the mast, probably a cormorant which would confirm the function of the boat...

A beautifuly formed iron sake kettle known as a Choshi with a solid silver lid and featuring sliver inlay designs on the handle enclosed in an age darkened kiri-wood bos titled Tetsu Choshi Jungin-futa. It is 8 cm (just over 3 inches) diameter, 16 cm (6 inches) to the top of the handle, and is in excellent condition.

An exquisite dark bronze image of the deity Benzaiten playing a four stringed lute known as a Biwa signed in a cartouche inset into the base and dating from the early 20th century (Later Meiji to taisho period). The figure is 20 x 16 x 18 cm (8 x 6 x 7 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Benzaiten (or Benten) is the Japanese embodiment of Saraswati, the hindu god of the arts. Benzaiten is depicted a number of ways in Japanese art...

Keman in cut, chiselled and gilded copper alloy détails in shakudo. The keman were suspended from the ceilings of the temples and replaced the baskets of real flowers. This model already existed in the 13th century at the time of Kamakura. It is therefore difficult to date them, I think this one is Japan Edo period. The inscription in Chinese characters should give us a precise date. Good condition, gilding a little worn. 44cm x 31cm.

High level Antique Japanese bronze vase with a water dragon coiled revealing itself around foliated neck. The vase has a squat body and elongated, fluted neck with open foliated mouth, revealing excellent original condition and beautiful patina. Dramatic lifelike waves crash on the vases shoulders just below the dragon, spraying outward. Highly detailed and signed.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 14 1/2" high x 8 1/4" wide

Antique Japanese group of 3 bronze vases. The smallest is gourd shaped, the medium vase has an hourglass shape and the tallest vase has a long neck, a round base and a reddish finish.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 9 3/4" high, 11" high, and 12 1/4" high

Antique Japanese bronze shokudai (candle stick for a Buddhist shrine) in the form of a crane standing on a turtle's back. In it's beak, the crane holds a lotus stem with blossoms, buds and unfurling leaves. The different aspects of a lotus symbolize the stages of the Buddha's life. The crane and turtle together symbolize longevity as well as the opposites of Heaven and Earth. This shokudai has especially intricate details...

Black-patina bronze hare standing on its four legs.

There is only one Japanese word for both hare and rabbit : usagi. Hares hold an important place in Japanese myths and superstitions. As many other animals, they were believed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912) Height : 4.9 in. (12.5 cm) - width : 2.8 in. (7 cm) - depth : 4.5 in. (11.5 cm)

Antique Japanese bronze bowl in the form of a large, round lotus leaf. The bowl is raised on it's coiling lotus stem and another unfurled leaf. A tiny frog perches on the edge of the bowl.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 8" wide

An antique Japanese 2 part Usubata in bronze featuring a Minogame (age old turtle) base. Mounted to the shell is a flanged cloud rendering with four terminating columns that undulates to a removable wide rim water receptacle. Artist signed at the base of the receptacle. Beautiful craftsmanship including the fine stimple work to the underside of the turtle.

In Japan, the turtle is a good luck animal symbolizing 10,000 years of long life...

An antique Japanese bronze Buddhist temple bell called Bonsho with a carrying handle depicting diverging dragon heads called Ryuzu. The upper protrusions called Chi or Nyu improves the resonance of the sound when struck. Two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za is the point on the bell where the best and longest sound is achieved. A bell of this size was hung in a small temple to summon the monks to prayer...

Tall dark bronze vase decorated with a bas-relief depicting irises (hanashobu) ; the rim with an openwork border with maji-motive.

Bottom marks : Kakuha-Sei, the mark of Sano Takachika, Kakuha Kanzaemon IX (角羽勘左衛門 - active early Meiji period). In 1869 he started a bronze-ware business in Yokohama.

Japan – Meiji (1868-1912)

Height: 15.7 in. (40 cm) – Diameter: 7.9 in. (20 cm)
Netherlands Private Collection