19th century Japanese copper and brass keman in a shape of a rounded fan (uchiwa) with pierced low relief decoration of two phoenixes confronting each other in flight above lotus flowers, buds and leaves rising from a pond, and an elaborate knot in the center. Hanging pendants representing the Wheel of the Buddhist Law and lotus flowers, old glass beads...

Early 19th century netsuke of two crabs crawling about a woven basket containing hamaguri (clams) with more shells thrown around it. Subtle elegant piece in Japanese taste of implied shunga character - clam shells customarily carry erotic connotations, and crabs seem to be aware of it. Beautifully carved, excellent detailing (see the legs and pincers of the crabs as well as clam and woven basket textures), great patina turning darker yellow on the bottom. Length 1 1/4 inches.

19th century marine material netsuke with engraved decoration of a crane taking off by pine saplings and mist. Very nice quality work, beautiful patina, characteristic marine sheen to the surface. Central peg with a horizontal hole in its back part serves as himotoshi. Length 2 3/16 inches.

An antique Japanese Choba Kuruma Tansu (wheeled merchant chest) made fo Keyaki (Zelkova), Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Drawers were made using Kakute handles. Lock bar added additional security for the 2 full width center drawers. Sliding doors open to a spacious storage area and the hinged door secure 2 small drawers behind. Side slats add strength and support...

Edo Era, circa 1850s-1860s, Japanese red lacquer over wood Japanese Bento Box in 5 sections. The exterior features Shibayama style of inlay on a red lacquer ground with the interior and underside being black lacquer. The Shibayama design has several types of stone inlays including MOP with branching, cherry blossoms, leaves, buds and rockery all done in raised work. The workmanship is very good...

19th century decent size Japanese champleve vase with high shoulders and two black and white enamel registers consisting of repeating characters FUKU (happiness), ROKU (wealth) and JU (longevity), and two registers of intricate scrolls, pendant leaves on the shoulder. Essentially the vase is a wish for happiness, prosperity and long life. Very powerful design, awesome presence, in excellent condition...

Original Japanese woodblock print by Kitao Masanobu (1761 – 1816) from the “Eastern Tune Koyka by Fifty Poets”, date 1786. The color woodblock print depicts an image of a seated warrior with a poem above. Print has toning, spots, and marks throughout, fading to inks, loss of red ink stripes on face, abrasions to lower right corner. Not examined out of frame.
Measures:
Sight size: 8.5” high x 6” wide
Framed size: 10.75" high x 8" wide x 1" deep

Late 19th century game counter with rosewood body and 8 marine material tabs, each carved with a monkey in a different attitude. Excellent quality carving - see their fine hairwork, expressive faces and dynamic postures. Counters like this one were used to keep score in the game of whist and became a popular export item to the West in the late 19th century. In excellent condition, tabs lift and go back down perfectly, no cracks, losses or repairs. Counter size 3 5/8 x 2 x 3/8 inches.

A Japanese cast iron tetsubin or water kettle with an undulating rim. The sides are cast in relief with a temple compound amid pines in a generic landscape, the reverse with sparrows in flight, all above a key-fret band. The kettle has a typical stubby "S" spout, wrought iron overhead swing handle, and is fitted with a bronze lid having "garlic clove" knop...

19th Century Japanese Satsuma Earthenware Vase

It is 8.3 inches (21.1 cm) tall by 5 inches (12.6 cm) wide. It is 1.4 Lb.

It has rubbing gold and paint, repairs at the feet, a small chip at the bottom rim, stains and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

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Antique Japanese suzuki-bako, calligraphy box. Lacquered with a profusion of wildflowers in gold maki-e technique on black lacquer ground. The underside of the lid is beautifully preserved with more wild flowers growing near a swirling stream. This scene is also rendered in maki-e but includes some flashes of red leaves and a silvery moon on a black lacquer ground with clouds of nashiji...

Antique Japanese mounted carving of a group of 6 flying bats. Sculpted with detail and lacquered gold, the group moves together through the air like a small cloud. Mounted and framed in a plexiglass shadow box. Bats are symbols of prosperity and good luck. This carving was most likely part of a larger temple decoration.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Carving alone: 9" wide. In frame: 12 1/4" wide x 9 1/4" high x 5 1/2" deep.

Cotton cloth with tsutsugaki flower motifs which is hand-spun and vegetable indigo dye. Originally it might have been used as 'yutan' (cover for drawers or a chest) with crests, however this one is used for futon cover as it has cotton dusts in the back. In excellent condition except for a minor beige stain in the white part. The second half of the 19th century. 160cm x 65cm

Tenuki is depicted standing, his head covered by his huge scrotum. It is carved in a wood that seems to me to be cherry. The sculpture is simple and vigorous. The netsuké is ideally compact in shape. The patina of the wood is very old and beautiful. There is a 2 characters signature which I have not translated but can do on request. It is probably a well-known artist. I think beginning of 19°, but maybe before. Height: 55mm Very worn.

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles and the full moon lock plates. Handle back plates feature a stylized Shimizu clan family crest. 4 drawers for spacious kimono storage and a hinged door behind which are 2 small drawers where valuable fashion accessories were stored...

Rather unusual 19th century netsuke carved as a mixture of manju and ryusa shapes. The front depicts a boy with a flute sitting on the back of an ox wading through a shallow stream. This seems to be a variation of bokudo - a theme of a perfect peace of mind, and one of the stages of a journey towards Buddhahood. The back part shows two egrets looking for fish and frogs in a stream...

19th century netsuke of a baying stag with its head turned back, its upper front teeth bared. Elegant carving with pure clean lines, excellent hairwork, wonderful depiction of volume of the deer body and his antlers, eyes inlaid in black horn, beautiful patina. Himotoshi is formed by its feet. Wonderful sculpture. Height 1 3/4 inches.

18th century netsuke of a dog sitting on a tied bag. Strong early piece with nice patina, of characteristic 18th century triangular section, differently sized himotoshi consistent with age, wear to its muzzle, old age lines. Height 1 7/8 inches.