Wooden nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) scepter, an implement used by Buddhist priests during a ceremony or during formal preaching. Carved naturalistically in the shape of a lotus bud on a long stem with a lotus leaf wrapped around the stem. Rose wood or sandal wood. Made in two pieces.
Japan, 19th century.

Length 13-1/8 inches

Tiny chip at leaf edge. Fine condition.

Tall Japanese sectional patinated bronze tripod censer, or incense burner, on a pedestal base decorated on the vertically ribbed body with a relief motif of birds perched on blossoming, leafy branches. The lid has a Buddhist lion-dog (shishi) finial and there is an elaborate animal mask form handle on each side. The base holds a square apochryphal Chinese Ming dynasty Xuande reign mark. Late 19th century. 19 1/2” high x about 10 1/2” diameter...

A splendid antique Japanese usubata or flower vase used in ikebana. The surface of the piece is covered with a red coating to mimic cinnabar lacquer. The images of pheasants and peacocks surround the body of the vase. The sides are elephants and the legs are formed from a mythical beast. Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: Diameter 13" Height: 11.25"

19th century netsuke of seated Kanzan with a wide grin on his face as he holds an open scroll in his hands. Kanzan (Hanshan in Chinese meaning "Cold Mountain”) is believed to have been an eccentric Zen poet from the Tang Dynasty (618–907) who lived on the Tiantang Mountain in Zhejiang Province. According to a legend, Kanzan and his friend Jittoku, who was a kitchen worker at the nearby Guoqing Temple, talked nonsensical language, which some took as a sign of them being enlightened...

Mid-19th century wooden netsuke of a rat catcher trying to trap a rat on top of goban (Go board) with a box, but his charge escaping and climbing on the clothes of the man. Superb carving with great face, excellent rendition of his muscles. Beautiful patina, fantastic sheen to the surface, obvious wear. Signed MASAKATA on the bottom - the artist is listed on p. 706 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Strong piece, wonderful feel of age...

18th century netsuke of a lying dog with the front part of its body resting on a squished cloth ball. Superb early piece, powerful carving, wonderful face with large horn inlaid eyes, great depiction of its bone and muscle structure, excellent hairwork. Beautiful warm patina turning yellow, old age lines, no breaks, losses or repairs. Excellent sculpture. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Early 19th century netsuke carved as a Japanese martial arts MEN (kendo helmet) resting on a DŌ (breast protector) surrounded by a pile of seashells. Unique subject, a bit of a zen puzzle waiting for an answer. The helmet with a metal grill (men-gane) is used to protect the face and has a series of hard leather and fabric flaps to protect the throat and sides of the neck and shoulders...

A fine deep grey Saji river stone in the form of a miniature mountain landscape with high peaks and deep ravins; looking from the front and back sides there is a long passage in between the peaks, completely natural! The stone has a perfectly fitted rosewood base, daiza. Suiseki are highly appreciated for their aesthetic or decorative value in Japan but also by collectors in the western world...

Superb Edo Period C.1860 bronze incense burner with silver repair on bottom. The incense burner rests on tripod legs with elephant head motif as well as two elephant handles with rings. The relief work on the rim is superb as well as the body relief. The best feature is the Edo Period repair with real silver on the bottom. Comes in original 'kiri' paulownia box. H:5" x Diameter: 9". Ask for shipping quote.

A delightful Japanese wood tray in the shape of a lotus leaf. Chiseled Katabori with raised veins and stem and stippled leaf rolled back on sides. The back of the tray is as detailed as the top with an intricate pattern of veins and curved stem. The tray is used in the tea ceremony.

Date: Meiji Period circa 1890

Dimensions:12" X 9" X 1"

Antique Japanese reclining black bull, wonderfully sculpted in Ceramic. Painted low-fire ceramic in good condition. Very heavy and charming. Great life like detail. Meiji Period (c. late 1800's). Size: 11" high x 23" long x 11" deep.

Height: 17 cm (6.9 in)
Width: 10.5 cm (4.2 in)

Fine Japanese Satsuma vase by Hododa; depicting the Seven Lucky Gods known in Japanese folklore; mounted in silver, gilded on the base; signed Hododa; very good condition

Antique Japanese cast copper jizai okimono of an articulated cricket. Small, articulated metal figures of this type are called jizai okimono (literally "free decorative object"). They typically have moveable bodies, arms, legs. Each copper section of this okimono is finely cast, depicting a natural realism, a style that was prominent during the Meiji Period. All six legs, wings and both long antennas are movable...

19th century netsuke of Hotei wading through a swirling water as he carries a boy in a woven straw high rain hat on his back. The subject is a wonderful mitate (humorous reference) to Ikkaku Sennin crossing a stream with the Lady of Benares. Nicely carved, wonderful smiling faces, beautifully rendered robe lines and incised textile patterns, wear consistent with age, great patina. Signed TOMOYUKI on the bottom - the artist is listed on p...

A unique Japanese artistic creation of a Geisha Looking in a Mirror. She is set inside of a glass enclosed presentation box The two sides are beveled glass creating an arresting design of multiple images. From the front she catches her reflection in the mirror. This is the only image we see of her face. She is so interesting in her creative style. Height: 12.5 inches, 32 cm.

Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box). Rectangular form with rounded edges and decorated with Chrysanthemums on the lid. The whole box is covered inside and out with a dense gold nishiji background. The rim of both the lid and the body of the box are edged in bronze.

Edo Period (18th century)

Dimensions: 2 1/8" high x 3 5/8" long x 3 1/8" wide

A pair of Japanese Keyaki hibachi vessels with black lacquered.

Hibachi is a traditional Japanese heating device.

Age: Japan, Showa Period, Early 20th Century
Measurement: Height 23.1 C.M. / Width 40 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

19th century Japanese Asakusa school staghorn kiseruzutsu - tobacco pipe holder - carved in a shape of a stem of Fungus of Immortality with five fungus heads. Could serve as nyoi, or Ruyi scepter - traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Elegant carving, excellent rendition of fungus head textures, superb staining typical for the Asakusa School pieces. Very clever design, excellent wear and patina on the surface. Length 7 1/2 inches.

Extraordinary and more than one hundred year old water jar Mizusashi. It is signed by an unknown artist on the bottom.

This Bizen ware Mizusashi has a breathtaking shape and very good yellowish natural glaze called Goma. Great!

Mizusashi are containers of fresh water for replenishing the pot and rinsing bowls in the tea ceremony.

No chips or cracks, heavy weight 2,2 kg. Size: 5.5'' height, 7.92'' width.

Shipping included

Kogo box in maki-è lacquer, with a rounded lid depicting a naturalistic scene. The gold decoration depicts the Japanese pine, known as Matsu, and a typical house with a thatched roof along the banks of a waterway. Sold with its tomobako. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 3.5 x 7 x 8 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Fine iron jizai of a butterfly with articulated wings.

The butterfly (choho) in Japan is perceived as "the soul of the living and the dead", the spirits of the dead taking the form of a butterfly on their journey to the other world. The butterfly spreading its wings is a symbol of femininity. It can also symbolize joy and longevity. This last motif is taken up by the samurai, seeing in its twirling figure a motive of good omen allowing them to reach immortality...

A Japanese lacquer bowed top box with portrait of a Kabuki actor - presumably named in gold lacquer and the role of Daihachi named in a lustrous iron color. All slightly raised work, the portrait is in gray, black, red, flesh tone, browns and gold. Lines including pattern and folds in the figure's attire and hair in his coiffure and sideburns cleanly defined with raised work. Metal along the facing edges of the top and bottom have no doubt contributed nicely to the preservation of the box...

Bronze okimono from the Tokyo school, depicting a farmer with a basket, which contains seeds. The farmer is represented in a working position, intent on sowing seeds. Signed Seiya six within square reserve on the relief base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji end of 19th century. Dimensions: 26.5 x 13.5 x 13.5 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box) decorated with a design of wildflowers that wraps around the sides of the box. Gold maki-e lacquer with fine detail and a mist of gold flecks on a black lacquer ground. The entire interior as well as the underside of the box is covered in a dense gold nishiji.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 1 1/4" H x 2" W x 2 3/4" L

A nahi-ji and maki-e decorated wood lacquered lidded sake pourer (Hisage). The interior is in red lacquer...

Nabeshima blue and white plate with plum blossoms and cloud pattern in a charming depiction. Shippo design on back with comb line foot. Perfect condition.

2 1/2" H x 8" Diameter
Edo Period, early 1800s

Sturdy storage jar for tea leaves or other goods with horizontally ribbed surface, sloping shoulder with very short neck. Coarse but dense clay with small inclusions. Outside middle brown with cream-colored and yellow natural ash glaze. Mingei.
Japan, 18th/19th century.

Height 7.5 inches, width 6 inches at the neck. Ash glaze partially rubbed off at upper edge and at the body commensurate with holding and using, otherwise very good condition.

A refined Japanese square porcelain vase decorated with grape vines, chrysanthemums, and other auspicious motifs. The images used are inspired from designs from Momoyama period works of art. The use of different colors with gold is often known as kinrande. Age: 19th century Size: length 4.75" width 4.75" Height 11.5"

19th century netsuke of carved as a group of eels, elongated nuts and chestnuts, three of which contain deeply carved village scenes. Excellent carving with deep undercutting, eyes inlaid with brown horn, wonderful mellow patina. Signed GYOKUHO on the back of the eel that forms natural himotoshi - the artist is very well known for that kind of work and is discussed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Length 1 9/16 inches.

Okimono in bronze of a frog.
Seal of the founder or of his factory on its belly, not identified.

The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A gong in the shape of a frog can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house.

Japan - Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Height: 1.4 in. ...

This very well carved ivory okimono of a Chinese merchant is a late Meiji period product. It is 5” high, 2” wide and 1 ½” thick at the thickest part. It depicts a Chinese merchant with his hands in his sleeves, resting them in front of him. The artist did a great job on his facial expression and dress which includes a typical Chinese old fashioned two piece robe and hat. His goatee and long pigtail make this merchant more interesting and realistic. The artist, Hozan, signed his name ...

19th century netsuke of carved as a cluster of 3 branches of natural fungus, seal with deer finial and double gourd with stopper and its lower end containing carved village scene. Excellent and elegant work with clever use of anabori (cavern) carving technique, wonderful mellow patina. Signed GYOKUHO on the back - the artist is very well known for that kind of work and is discussed on p. 424 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Height 1 1/2 inches.

Late 18th - early 19th century netsuke of seated Gama Sennin with his constant companion - 3-legged frog - on his head, and another standing sennin wearing a leaf skirt and leaning on the back of Gama’s toad. Unusual subject, excellent quality carving with great faces and beautifully carved leaf patterns, warm yellow patina. Excellent warm patina, old age lines, great feel of age to the piece. Height 2 3/16 inches.

Antique Japanese Buddhist Temple lantern made of gilt copper with a wooden interior armature and iron handle. This six sided lantern is decorated all over with ornate pierced karakusa, scrolling arabesque filigree. Both top and bottom of the lantern have six trapezoidal friezes, each with a three dimensional medallion in it's center depicting alternating crests of blossoms and Buddhist symbols. The interior is lined with it's original paper.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dime...

Japanese Oshi-e Ningyô of a High-Ranking Oiran Geisha. 12 x 8.75 inches, 30.5 x 22.25 cm. These were very popular during the Meiji Period; over 400 million dollars in sales (in current currency) was recorded in 1888. The characteristics of Matsumoto Oshi-e Ningyô are that the design is stuffed heavily with cotton and the faces are painted in Ukiyo-e (the floating world of Edo period) style. It is very rare to find old Oshi-e Ningyô in this quality and size today. The popularity of Oshi-e Ning...

Antique Buddhist painting depicts thirteen Bodhisattva and Wisdom Kings. Signed and sealed. Painted with ink and pigments on silk.

Some insignificant light marks, light crease, foxing and tiny insect damages are present on the painting itself, some light marks and light crease are present on the mounting itself, otherwise the piece is in fine condition for the age. It is accompanied by a paulownia wood storage box.

Painting: W10 7/8” x H25 5/8” (W27.5cm x H65cm)
Scroll: W16�...