This is a striking Japanese Imari porcelain hexagonal plate boldly decorated with an underglaze cobalt blue large scale design reminiscent of a textile pattern, having a broad scalloped border rim, wavy potting on top of plate, very heavy, greige ground color, the base having a single spur mark, measuring 10 in x 11 3/4 in; Original condition, several rim chips.

This kura (saddle) was used in the rituals which took place on the first day of rice planting. The day is called hana-taue (daue), "the flower-rice planting" and it has been practiced in the southern part of Japan. The links to today’s hana-taue is listed at the end...

Late 1800s

Bubble-suffused apple green glass made to imitate jadeite, good condition.

Diameter: 3 ½ in. ext., 2 ¾ in. int.

Late 1800s

Bubble-suffused yellow glass in good condition still attached to original paper backing that reads: “Kwan Yick, Canton China.” Some minute speckled inclusions.

Diameter: 3 3/8 in. ext., 2 ¾ in. int.

Late 1800s

Turquoise blue glass in good condition still attached to original paper backing that reads: “Kwan Yick, Canton China.”

Diameter: 3 3/8 in. ext., 2 ¾ in. int.

Late 1800s

Deep, translucent cobalt glass in good condition.

Diameter: 2 7/8 in. ext., 2 ¼ in. int.

Beautifully carved powder horn from Chinese Miao ethnic minority over 90 years old from Guizhou Province. The underside of the horn is full of old writing. Unfortunately, no one can read the old writing. Around the turn of the century the forests around the Miao villages were full of game and the men would frequently hunt for game to provide family meals. Unfortunately, most of the game has diminished and many of the hunting skills are forgotten.

Ming Dynasty, 1500s

Male attendant figure made for interment to assist with the afterlife of the tomb’s upper-class occupant. Earthenware with glassy, low-fired glaze on the garment portion with some patches of silvery iridescence that have developed over time due to burial in damp tombs over long periods. This figure has an unglazed head that was originally detachable but is now fixed in place with recent adhesives...

Antique aizome (traditional Japanese indigo dye) cloth taken from a Japanese bed comforter, thick cotton, circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). Excellent tapestry material. The condition is excellent; it was in new condition when we purchased. This was just washed (twice by mistake) prior to when the photos were taken. There are minor holes (shown in photo) concentrated on the top right side. Because of the size (62 1/2L x 58"W), the photos were taken from the bottom and sides.

Ca. late 1800s

Earthenware pair with mirror-image decorated overall with figures of Buddhist Arhats (enlightened followers of the Buddha). The Arhats are depicted in various enamel colors wearing brocade robes picked out in gold enamel. A dragon writhes among them, painted in slightly raised enamel and stylized rocks surround the vases beneath the Arhats’ feet. The Satsuma crest is seen in gold enamel on the shoulder of each vase...

Ca. early 1800s

This unusual vessel consists of a tall footed bowl of conical form and a ring-shaped stand encircled by carved ocean waves. The bowl is carved with characteristic Hirado key and triangular fretwork and is heavily potted for the necessary stability of its function to hold the tall branches of a flower arrangement. The interior of the bowl is set with a cylindrical collar 2 ¾ in...

Meiji period, ca. 1880

The bronze disk forming the base is decorated with an evening floral scene with an inlaid silver moon with incised stylized clouds. The incised plum branch is set with inlaid gilt copper flower blossoms. The large blossoms in high relief are overlaid with silver and have inlaid gold leaves and copper leaves in relief...

Choson period, 1800s

Covered entirely except for the footring in a clear glaze with a bluish tinge. Open to the base to accommodate a stemcup. Very good condition. No cracks or chips. Some sand adheres to the foot and base.

Diameter: 4 5/8 in.; Height: 3 ¼ in.

Classical laos silk, hand woven and hand dyed. This silk comes with the feeling of subtlety found only in old textiles.

Age: Laos, circa early 20th century
Measurement: Length 276 C.M. / Width 78 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall (some expected degradation due to its age). 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.

Koryo Dynasty, 1100s

Glazed entirely including the foot and base with a pale greenish-grey glaze, and decorated on two sides with bold stylized calligraphic designs. Good condition except for a small chip to the mouth rim. The foot retains evidence of at least eight spurs on which it was fired and possibly a dusting of wood ash from the firing adding character and a bit of visual texture to the upper body.

Diameter: 3 ½ in.; Height: 2 ¼ in.

Choson period, 1800s

Scene of three sailing boats on a sea surrounded by mountains and a rocky shore. The two curving sides have a line of stylized brushwork. The flat base has sand and kiln grit adherence. Very good condition, with only very minor wear.

Length: 3 in.; Height: 1 in.

Acquired in Osaka, Japan in mid 1970s.

Late Choson period, ca. 1900

Decorated in cobalt blue with a design of chrysanthemum and bamboo, stoutly potted and glazed with a clear glaze of faintly aqua tint. Very minor glaze pitting and surface scratches, slight wood ash dusting seen mostly on the shoulder of one side, small amount of sand adhering to the foot, otherwise very good condition.

Height: 10 ¼ in.

Japanese antique Zuishin dolls (Ningyo). This set of dolls are often called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually the imperial guardsmen and escorts for the Heian court (794-1185). A beautiful quality set in the perfect size to decorate Hina Goten (Imperial Palace). Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approx. 5” tall, 4 ½” in width.

Enamel on copper, ca. late 1800s.

Although this item could have been used as a sauce pot, it was probably intended for replenishing water for grinding ink on a calligrapher’s ink stone The interior and base are both enameled.

Good condition, no dents or losses however there is some characteristic pitting to the enamel.

Height: 3 ¾ in.

Ink and pigments on paper with gilding, ca. early 1600s

Originally mounted as a fan and later remounted on a fusuma sliding door or folding screen...

Ink and pigments on paper with gilding, ca. early 1600s

Originally mounted as a fan and later remounted on a fusuma sliding door or folding screen...

Japanese Takeda Samurai doll from late Edo to early Meiji, 1800s. Takeda dolls were made to model Kabuki actors and puppet dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The doll is possibly Benkei, a faithful retainer to Yoshitsune (Minamoto).

Many stories were written based on Benkei and Yoshitsune (Minamoto, Genji family). They first met on the bridge of Gojyo in Kyoto when Benkei challenged Yoshitsune...

A Leaf from the album “Keinen Kacho Gafu” issued 1892

Published by Unsodo Co., title and printer’s name on left margin, very good impression and color, margins somewhat trimmed, light soiling, slight creasing in margins and wear to two corners, dated in Arabic numerals for export

Overall size: 9 ½ x 14 ½ in.

A Leaf from the album “Keinen Kacho Gafu” issued 1892

Published by Unsodo Co., title and printer’s name on left margin, good impression and color, margins somewhat trimmed, minor wear, very slight wrinkles, dated in Arabic numerals for export

Overall size: 9 ½ x 14 in.

Album leaf depicting an antique textile fragment, issued ca. late 1800s

The artist skillfully illustrates the fabric dyeing techniques of stencil printing and tie-dyeing (shibori) using the woodblock print medium

Very good impression and color, centerfold, some thinning of paper on margins

Overall size: 9 ¾ x 14 in.

Sen Sha Fuda—Pilgrim’s temple charm placard, issued early 1900s

Produced by the Tokyo Nai Fuda Club, Very good impression and color, good condition, light center crease, light glue residue on verso

Overall size: 6 ¾ x 8 ¼ in.

Sen Sha Fuda—Pilgrim’s temple charm placard, issued early 1900s

Very good impression and color, light staining in margins, light staining on verso

Overall size: 6 ½ x 8 ½ in.

Sen Sha Fuda—Pilgrim’s temple charm placard, issued early 1900s

Five individual “fuda” pasted side by side on a backing

Very good impression, good condition

Overall size: 6 ¼ x 10 in.

Various designs for textiles, issued late 1800s

Good impression and color, center fold, wrinkle to lower right corner, minor stain on center of upper margin, not backed

Album leaf: 9 ½ x 14 in.

Design for woodblock print or a preliminary sketch for a painting, ca. mid 1800s

Ink on thin paper mounted on an old backing, centerfold, light toning, generally good condition

Shita-e: 10 ½ x 15 in. overall; drawing size: 9 ½ x 12 ½ in.

Illustration of ceremonial flower arrangements, issued early 1900s

Very good printing and color, very heavy paper with remnants of thin backing, very minor soiling overall

Overall size: 9 ½ x 14 ¼ in.

Illustration of a sculpture of the Wind God from the Sanjusangendo in Kyoto, and a design of a lacquer box, issued ca. 1890

Good impression and condition

Album leaf: 9 ¼ x 12 in.

Flowering branch in spring, issued ca. late 1800s

Very good impression and color, original album backing, center fold, minor wrinkling to lower corners Album leaf: 9 ¾ x 14 ½ in.

Illustration of an early textile fragment, of the Tang Dynasty, Chinese, one of the Shosoin treasures, issued late 1800s

Very good printing (to simulate age and wear), color and condition

Overall size: 8 ¾ x 14 in.

Woodcutter pausing for a drink of sake, issued ca. early 1900s

Hirafuku Hyakusui was a noted painter and illustrator in Nihon-ga style, and was a professor at Tokyo School of Fine Arts and a member of Imperial Fine Arts Academy.

Publisher’s information on lower left with the number 21, good condition

Shikishiban: 9 ¼ x 9 ¼ in.

Kabuki actor portrait of Ichimura Uzaiemon VIII, issued 1861

Signed Toyokuni Ga (Toyokuni III) on lower right, very good impression and color, repaired hole on upper left margin, light soiling and wear, penciled on verso (incorrectly), “Toyokuni II 1785-1864”

Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.