A namasu of slightly flattened form with an inturned rim. Decorated in nishiki-de style with a combination of underglaze blue, gilding and gilt outlined enamels typical of the late Mid Edo period c.1750-80. The central mikomi incorporating auspicious peonies painted in underglaze blue with two eliptical reserves containing a beached boat and elements of a landscape. Framed by a band containing two partially obscured dragons chasing flaming pearls...

A pair of lacquered iron abumi (Japanese stirrups) decorated in fine gold and nashiji (pear skin) lacquer on a roiro urushi, black lacquer ground. Each carries a Tokugawa aoi crest (three hollyhock leaves in a circle) within scrolling leaf background, the bottom constructed with wood pieces within an iron frame which made it lighter, thus gave a better control. Edo period (17th/18th century).  9" high, 5 1/4" wide.

Antique Japanese 4-panel small screen painting of landscape. Mountain landscape with rocky outcroppings, huts and trees on the edge of a wide expanse of water. A group of scholars contemplate a water fall. More figures sit outside waterside huts. A lone figure fishes from a boat. Painted in ink and light colors on paper. Signed Unkoku Toeki (1591-1644).
Unkoku Toeki was the second son of Unkoku Tōgan...

A shallow dish of octagonal form decorated with a design based on the so-called mesiande grid painted in reverse style, kakiwake, with a central motif of a stylised viewing rock and chrysanthemums, bordered by a series of eight tab like reserves containing further stylised vegetal motifs, apparently fusions of shida and warabi fern croziers and fronds with pine branches, matsu, and flowers, each framed by a stylised wave border...

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles and the Sakata lock plates. Two side by side drawers with a pair of sliding doors below that hides 3 drawers to the right and a merchant books and records storage space to the left. Secret hiding space behind the lower right drawer accessible by way of the left drawer cavity...

An interesting and rare dish, something of a homage both to Nabeshima ware and root vegetables. The central motif is a Daikon painted in underglaze blue, following a similar motif found on Nabeshima porcelain, see Les Cadeaux au Shogun page 155, plate no 28, for a large Nabeshima dish decorated with a similar representation of a daikon set against a repeating wave ground,...

18th century netsuke of a reclining monkey, its front paws and upper body resting on a large chestnut. Very strong early piece, great thoughtful face, excellent incised and etched hair, wonderful detailing of its fingers and toes. Netsuke of characteristic 18th century triangular section, warm yellow patina (darker on the bottom where netsuke was touching the silk of kimono), large and deep himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time. Length 1 15/16 inches.

Attractive and lovely netsuke carved from ivory. A puppy lying on the carpet, with a decorated collar around its neck, and inlaid with brown horn in its eyes. Beautiful work of the fur. Length : 3,8 cm. Japan Edo (1603 - 1868) end of 18th, very early 19th century.

A symbol of longevity and hope for happiness Minogame temple party headpiece. Gilt gold embossed details over leather hide. The detailed head resembles on of a dragon. Horsehair depicts the long flowing seaweed from the back of the turtle. Condition consistent with age...

A dish and cup with a stylised suhama, shore-line, rim decorated in somenishikide style with a pair of lively galloping horses in a sansui, water and rock, landscape, with mountains in the background and a stream in the foreground. The dish dates to the late Mid Edo period, and probably the Meiwa era...

Height: 7.5 cm (3 in)
Width: 1.6 cm (0.7 in)
Depth: 2 cm (0.8 in)

Early Japanese antler netsuke of a Sennin; fine old patina; good condition

Japanese Edo Tsuba w Flying Dragon

Description & Size: 7.87 x 8.38 x 0.58 cm (3.1" x 3.3" x 0.23") height & wide & thickness

Age: Edo Period; Material: Iron, Silver & Gold; Production: Handcrafted & Forged

This is an a nice & hand forged Japanese Edo Tsuba with a flying dragon. The dragon has gold inlaid on the eyes & whiskers, it's also dotted with silver around on both side of the tsuba. The tsuba has a silver cover fukurin...

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...

18th century or earlier iron sukashi Japanese sword tsuba with pierced decoration of bamboo and plum flowers. They represent two out of the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo and plum) celebrated for the fact that they do not wither as the cold days deepen into the winter season unlike many other plants. Wonderful design, in great condition. Height 2.73 inches.

Very small double side zushi with inside the images of the Buddha Amida Nyorai and on the other side a Bodhisattva holding a covered jar. All doors painted with lotus flowers in water on a golden back ground. The zushi itself made of kiri-wood (Paulownia), which is known and used for its fire resisting qualities. Very special piece. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.

H 2 ¾ inches

Few age cracks (see photos), paint on doors a bit rubbed, otherwise excellent condition. Beautiful details.

A Superb, Rare Pristine 18th Century Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Ko-jo, an elegant old man in Noh Drama. This mask is of the highest quality carved to dramatic perfection. Finely lacquered over wood. A magnificent addition for the serious Noh mask collection. 8 inches (20.5 cm) height x 5.5 inches width. Height with beard is 14.5 inches (37 cm). From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Zushi, shrine used in Buddhist temples, containing a statue of Aizen Myoo. He sits on his typical lotus throne carried by a vase full of jewels, surrounded by a circular, red, flaming nimbus. He has six arms and on his head he wears a crown in the shape of a lion’s head flanked by two gilded sharito reliquaries. In his lower hands Aizen holds a ghanta and a bell, the secondary hands hold arrows and formerly held a bow, the upper pair of hands used to hold probably a rope and a jewel...

18th century decent size wooden netsuke of standing sennin (Chinese sage) wearing a robe and a leaf cape robe and stroking his long beard. Very strong early carving, wonderfully captured facial expression, beautiful flowing lines of the robe, superb sense of volume. Does not stand of flat surface, large differently sized himotoshi in accordance with the habit of the time, superb patina. Excellent netsuke. Height 3.55 inches (90 mm).