Very Old Edo Period (circa 1720) Extremely Rare Set of Three Female Musicians for Hina Matsuri (Girls Day Festival) Almost all musician dolls were male, making this group highly unusual, especially from the 18th century. They have the most wonderful features painted on carved wood covered with burnished gofun (oyster shell lacquer). The textiles are chirimen silk. 8.75 inches (22.5 cm) tall...

Early Meiji Period (circa 1870) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) of Emperor Ojin, Japan's first historically verified emperor. He has been deified as Hachiman Daimyojin, regarded as the guardian of warriors. This boys day figure is gorgeous in every way. The brocades are so sumptuous and the face is magnificent. He is wearing a Kabuto (court hat) and holding a long battle baton complete with a sword. The figure is 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, and the overall height is 24.5 inches (62cm)...

Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) depicting the Legendary Toyotomi Hideyoshi, seated in court position wearing dramatic brocades and gold lacquered armor, a gembun fan in his right hand and wearing a classic winged cap. His face is finely carved with a regal expression. This Ningyô is Meiji craftsmanship at its best. 14.5 inches, 37 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Extremely Rare 18th Century Edo Period (circa 1780) Musha Ningyô (Japanese Boys Day Figures) representing the famed brave warrior, Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He is gloriously represented here, along with his attendant holding a banner of a Buddhist prayer, in this spectacular Ningyô. Kato is wearing sumptuous brocades, a black velvet trim robe with gold trim and is holding a spear with a sword at his side...

Edo Period (circa 1820) Japanese Daki Ningyô (Hugging Doll) standing at the unusual height of 27.5 inches (70 cm), making him a very rare and striking figure. It is most uncommon to see this type of Ningyô outside of Japan, for they are highly prized by the Japanese. A widely held theory has it that these dolls were commissioned by patrons of Geisha as presentation gifts. This one is outstanding in every way. It has a wonderfully expressive face and conveys a very happy spirit...

Extremely Rare 18th Century Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day) Dolls, Samurai Set. Ningyô this early almost never appear for sale, much less with all of its original accessories, as we have here with this very fine, scarce, museum quality pair. We are very proud to offer this set. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of Gofun (Oyster Shell). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and silk armor, indicative of mid Edo Period Ningyô artists...

Meiji Period (circa 1900) Japanese Satsuma Vase. A very beautiful example of Satsuma ware, featuring a spectacular eagle on a pine tree, both Japanese symbols of dignity, in thick gold and color enamels on a cream field. A classically shaped vase with a rich image. 10 inches, 25.5 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Rare, Early Japanese Satsuma Censer. A fine example of Satsuma ware with beautiful complex underglazes of gold, red, blue, green and white, and featuring auspicious Crane and Floral motifs, creating a beautiful design on a gorgeous shape with stunning handles and cast silver top of raised flowers. A great find for the Satsuma collector. Late 18th Century Edo Period. 3 inches (7.5cm)h, 4 inches (10cm)w...

Important Japanese Arita Charger with complex glazes, featuring a performance of Okina by a Noh actor set into an extraordinary design. Okina was traditionally performed for a royal audience. This piece was most likely made for royalty or aristocracy. There are many interesting motifs and intricate patterns in this wonderful work of art. Different from Noh and Kyogen, Okina is a performing art patterned after an ancient ritualistic ceremony...

Japanese Kamakurabori Lacquered Box by Kasen, with a design of Peony and Shishi, Buddha's Guardian Protector. Gorgeous rich red lacquer intricately carved in high relief. A superb example that is rare for its size, quality, and superior technique. Meiji Period, circa 1890. 13 inches x (33cm) long x 11 inches (28cm) wide x 6 inches (15cm) deep. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

A unique early Japanese Ikebana Basket with a rich camel colored bamboo entwined with Wisteria vines with a single, beautifully twisted and gnarled Wisteria branch. Highly sought after by the discriminating basket collectors. Edo Period, circa 1850. 14 inches (35.5cm) tall x 12.5 inches (31.5cm) wide. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Pair of Important 18th Century Edo Period Cricket Cages of museum quality, made for upper class or royalty. They are exceptional in every way. The Bamboo bars and Mother of Pearl inlay are of the finest Japanese craftsmanship, as are the Wisteria wood cases and red lacquered feet. Work like this is extremely rare and highly treasured in Japan. This is a unique opportunity to own an extraordinary work of Japanese art. 9 inches (23cm) tall x 8.25 inches (21cm) wide x 5.75 inches (14.5cm) deep...

Beautiful Japanese Bonbori lanterns for hina dolls. Hand painted on silk and it is indeed one of a kind. The bonboris are placed on each side of the Emperor and Empress hina dolls during the Hina Matsuri Festival, Girl's Day, in March.

We have not seen this type of lantern until now. The silk is lifted here and there and detached from the frames with some deterioration (probably a reaction to the glue or metal). The amazing thing is how the original colors maintained without fading...

Bamboo Vests were used as undershirts under silk garments. They served the duel purpose of allowing some air circulation and protected the silk garments from body oils. These vest were fragile and they have become very rare and hard to find. They were made with small pieces of bamboo which are literally strung together to form a garment. This bamboo vest is a particularly nice one. It was constructed of very small bamboo pieces, the edges of the garment are bound with a thin band of linen fab...

A Very Fine Bronze Mirror: Korea, Koryo dynasty, 12th-14th century The design is a fine cast in high relief on the obverse of this Mirror depicts a ship sailing on a stormy sea. A large dragon arises from the upper left and right with clouds of spray cap the surging waves. At the top, above the ship’s banner, are four character inscriptions in archaic seal style script: Huang Pi Chang Chon (clear, vast, luminous heaven) with a good silver-greenish and dark brown patina on the face an...

A Very Fine Imperial Court Traditional Dancer Scroll Painting by Gyokuto: Japan,19th Century, The artist is not identified, but his work is so impressively done in this painting with ink, water colors and gold. This painting was executed with such detail of this portrayal of a traditional imperial court dancer wearing a brilliant colored court costume dress. This type of dress is typically worn with various heavy hair ornaments and her hat is painted with gold very intricately. She is pose...

A Very Rare Pair of White Glazed Two Ear Wine Cups: Korea, Choson Dynasty, 15th Century This pair of wine cups is an extremely rare and unusual shape of two ear handle attached white glazed stir-up wine cups, the deep and wide cup set on a high ring foot and molded with two flat and tangle formed with carved notched comb handles with one hole on each side. It is covered overall with a creamy white crackled clear glaze with salmon-pink blushes on the interior and exterior. The first one ha...

Late 1800s

White glass made to imitate jade, good condition.

Diameter: 3 3/8 in. ext., 2 5/8 in. int.