An iron mokogata form iron tsuba with surface and patina indicating significant age. Some folds apparent in the iron, tekkotsu ("iron bones" describing irregularities in surface resulting from gradual wearing away of softer iron, leaving more refined, harder iron), rim slightly raised around the hammered plate. The raised decoration of the hare and vine in quintessentially Japanese taste - thick gold overlaid details. This would work nicely on a Yamashiro or other slender, old blade...

A rare dated mid Ming dynasty bronze archaic style tripod altar vessel - Jue. The Jue originated during the Shang dynasty in the Chinese bronze age and was used, probably in ritual, for heating alcohol over fire. This item was commissioned as a Confucian temple dedication and bears the inscription - "Shun De County (Guangdong), Xue Wen Temple Altar Vessel, Hongzhi (1488-1505) 1492, County Magistrate Wu *** Ju ask workman to cast"...

A Bronze Vase with lobed rim and base. The central tree trunk section with applied branches and flowering magnolia. A good dark patina. Chinese 17/18thC. Height: 7″ (17.7 cm). Condition: light wear, slight depression to rim.

This Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368~1615) bronze temple guardian is 13 ½ inches tall. The halo is a replacement and part of the mirror in his hand has been repaired. The weapon he carried is gone. Over all, it is in pretty good condition.

Ca. late Ming Dynasty, 1600-1650

This square form wine cup is lined with silver with a silver rim, now darkened from tarnish. The sides and foot are lacquered black and inlaid with abalone mother of pearl. The sides of the cup flare outward from the square foot and each displays a stylized scene of rocks, people and seascapes. There are some minor age cracks to the lacquer and a few pearl losses...

Very rare lacquered wooden box, inlay of the "hundred precious items" type. The decoration represents sages and animals in a landscape, antiquity and friezes of stylized dragons. The inlays are mainly in mother-of-pearl, but also in stone, steatite and above all a superb lapis lazuli of a rare blue stained with green, details are in sculpted cinnabar lacquer and also inlaid, others are in tinted bone and horn, and finally details are painted with gold powder. Chinese work from the Ming period...

Antique Chinese large 12-panel Coromandel screen with sweeping scene of palace life. Inside the palace the emperor attends to royal business while he and other noblemen are waited on. To the far left, the empress sits in her pavilion while court ladies attend her and children play in the gardens. Outside the palace walls on the far right, a procession and military exercises are observed by noblemen...

A 16th century Yoshiro Zogan tsuba. The type is named for a Kaga province artist considered to have advanced the late Onin period brass inlay art to that of hira-zogan - flush with the iron surface. The school also took hold in other provinces, most notably Bizen. The mokko-gata form of this tsuba would appear to be uncommon for Yoshiro Zogan tsuba particularly of katana size. Eight ka-mon are inlaid in open work fashion...

Decorated with flying horses. H. 7 cm, D. 14,5 cm. No damage or repair, only firing flaws, normal for the period.

This is an awesome Eisho Era Signed and Date Long Wakisashi (Almost Katana length) Sword in Shirasaya fitting, made by SADAHIRO 貞弘 (1505 -1521) Eisho, Muromachi Period, Iwami Province, Japan. SADAHIRO 貞弘, as listed in page 99 of the Index of Japanese Swordsmiths by Markus Sesko, and shown as SA 23 in "Japanese Swordsmiths by W. M. Hawley...

Four Japanese Tsuba dating from 16th/17th century with display stand.
-iron circular tsuba with gold incised patterns on edge with interior incised groves.
-iron clover shaped tsuba with interior heart shaped openings, applied gold groves of trees.
-iron persimmon shaped tsuba with moon showing through a cherry blossoms and leaves. Back side has bamboo with gold leaves. Overlay uses silver, gold over raised iron bamboo and cherry tree...

Of Hon-kozane Ni-mai-do type composed of thin bands with multicolored silk lacing. A 62-plates Akoda-nari suji-kabuto in brown iron, signed Myochin Yoshihiza. A finely chiseled bronze and gilt brass tehen with 5 levels. The golden brass kuwagata dai is carved with a floral decoration. The fukigaeshi are covered with leather and 6 rivets...

16-17th century
Late Ming Dynasty
Khotan jade of grayish white or light celadon
Width: 7.2 cm / 2.83 in, length: 4.6 cm / 1.8 in, depth: 0.7 cm / 0.3 in
Weight: 35.2 g
From a Frida estate, brought to the United States in the 1910s by a couple that had been missionaries in China.

An expertly carved late Ming jade plaque, the stone of a grayish white or light celadon, which has been hollowed out to form a reticulated scene of deers amongst curling trees and fl...

Cup with handles cut from white Celadon jade. Decorated with “nails” in relief in the archaic style. The two handles stand out widely from the cup. The handles of this type of cup were most often damaged and restorers have partially reduced or even completely eliminated them. The one presented here has exceptionally preserved its handles in their entirety. One of the two has probably been slightly damaged and ground as we can see in the photos. The studding design appears simple but is techn...

A rare 17th Century (probably late Ming) carving of the Hehe Erxian - the Twin Immortals of Union and Harmony - in typical pose, one holding a basket and the other holding its 'contents' - a bat a symbol of happiness. Condition - good - there are natural cracks and flaws to the stone but no damages or losses. 6.5 inches (16.5cm) long; 4.5 inches (11.5cm) high.

稀有17世纪寿山石雕刻“和合”二仙摆件

Probably Echizen province, late 16th or 17th century. Bizen province artisans also took up Yoshiro zogan inlay work in the Kinai (ancient provinces and surrounds) manner. Brass (valuable in the period) and silver inlay flush with the iron surface was thought to have been introduced by an artisan named Yoshiro, for whom it is named. Slightly earlier, Heianjo school work tends to rest atop the surface into which it is inlaid. Late Muromachi or early Edo period. Length, about 12 inches. More pictur...

Small light celadon colored jade cup of classical shape. China, Ming Dynasty period. Height: 1 5/16" (3,3 cm). Traces of long stay underground (small stains), otherwise very good condition.

A Very Rare Pale white Nephrite Jade Carved Finial: China, Ming Period or Older. This is an almost transparent pale white nephrite jade with red-brown russet on around phoenix long neck final or top decoration on a wooden or ivory staff for ritual ceremony or other events. There are a total of 5 different dragon, mythical birds and elephant head depicted on this final end. It is so delicate carving of the figures, especially birds’ beaks, and archaic forms and etc. It is in very fine cond...

A relatively small nephrite "bi" with mottled brown and cream tone, nice patina. Ming Dynasty or earlier. Small chips and dings, please refer photos for details of condition. Diameter: 1-7/8";

This is an awesome Gunto Imperial Japan Military Katana Sword in Black Koshirae fitting, made during the Showa period (1926-1989), by the Gunto swordsmith KANEHARU 兼玄: (Index of Japanese Swordsmiths by Markus Sesko), from the Seki School (Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths, by Leon and Hiropo Kapp). The sword's nakago has been marked as shown in the photos. The blade has a bright and clean polish, and it is in excellent condition. It has no flaws, other than a very tiny sumi-gomori ...

Good Qing Dynasty, Chinese nephrite jade carving of a lotus seed pod. In Chinese culture this symbolizes fertility and a desire to have many children on another level the lotus reflects purity, strength and rebirth- as it rises from the mud and blooms into something beautiful. H: 3.5cm/1.4in and W: 4.2cm/1.6in x 3.1cm/1.3in. Good condition- no chips or cracks. 61grams.

Genuine 17th Century Early Edo Period (possibly Momoyama Period) Japanese Floral Rimpa Painting made from Pigments, Silver and Gold. This is not a print or reproduction. Authenticity is absolutely guaranteed. Custom mounted for display. Painting: 17.5 x 12 inches, 44 x 30.5 cm, Mounting: 21.5 x 16.25 inches, 55 x 41 cm.

This Chinese ivory court tablet is an extremely rare piece. It is a late Ming Dynasty (1368~1642) product. It is almost 19 ½ inches long, ¼ inch thick, 3 inches wide on one end and 2 inches wide on the other end. There are quite a few hairline cracks, several small chips and one repaired split.

Description: An ivory niche was kept in very good condition. By an enduring old patina, the lovely niche was carved exquisitely in the front for decoration. Intriguingly making use of the original hole of the ivory tusk for hanging, it was obviously used as a portable niche for devoted people. As a charming piece and a very old one, the ivory niche would be a sought-after piece in your Chinese ivory collection. Date: Ming Dynasty(AD1368-1644), Dimension: 6.9cm x 4.7cm x 4.3cm

A large and very rare lead glazed earthenware roof ridge tile sculpture depicting a civil official riding a celestial horse with flaring nostrils,bulging eyes and flowing mane. This item was made in Shanxi province, northern China, during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). There is a very closely related example on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Architectural section of the new ceramics display on the 5th Floor (No.2) - Museum no. C.13,14 - 1910. (We acquired this item in early 2...

Splendid and majestic Japanese landscape painting showing a pavillion with a large scholar's rock and pine tree. Scroll contains a signature attributing to Sesshu Toyo but may have been added later. Age: Momoyama Period. Size: Scroll: Height: 74.25" Width: 18.3" (with roller ends): 20.5"

AN OLD JAPANESE PAINTING OF MONJU BOSATSU.

Monju Bosatsu - Manjushri Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The painting appears to have great age and even though not in the best of condition it still has a compelling presence. It is painted on a composite sheet of thin paper, the joins can be seen as angled lines across the sheet and mounted as a kakemono. The painting is signed with a single seal impression in gold.

The painted area is approximately 106cm by 40.5cm. The painting has ho...

Beautiful antique painting of Hotei (also known as Budi or the Laughing Buddha), possibly depicted in his Dharmalaya body. He is shown sitting comfortably on a wooden bridge as men and women in gold straw hats walk by. Hotei is one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese culture and is revered for his happiness and the luck that he brings. Set in glass and framed, 17th/18th century. Size: (entire frame) 19" height, 16.5" width (painting only) 9.5" height, 7.5" width

Rare and beautiful antique Chinese scholar's box, made of huanghuali hard wood with gorgeous grain, hinged top lid opens to shallow compartment for writing implements, two doors open to reveal 6 small drawers, beautiful details throughout, 17th century. Size: 12 3/4" high x 13 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" deep.

Antique 2-panels screen painting from the interior of a wealthy home in Momoyama Period Japan. Each of these two rectangular shaped panels is painted with a fan shaped reserve. The fan on the left panel is painted with a branch of blossoming white flowers, possibly dogwood and is shadowed by another blue and gold fan shaped reserve. The fan on the right panel is painted in ink with a bird on a branch and shadowed with a green and gold fan. Both fan reserves are painted over a brilliantly col...

A fine example of Edo period Kano painting, this generously proportioned hanging scroll illustrates a late autumn scene from the Japanese countryside over 300 years ago. The poem on the scroll reads:

Solitary, with the color, of nothingness
A close to autumn, on a ring of mountaintops

The painter, Minenobu Kano (1662 - 1708), was greatly admired by the Ienobu Tokugawa shogunate who eventually promoted him to the position of inner-court artist. As a result...

Third son of the director of the Kano School of painting, Yasunobu was appointed head of the Kyoto branch at a young age after his father’s death. Meanwhile, his two older brothers went to Edo to take up prestigious positions painting for the Tokugawa Shogunate. In 1662 Yasunobu gained the honorific title of “Hogen,” and near the end of his life in his 70s he wrote a treatise on the art of painting that would server as a central doctrine for later generations of painters. Here we see a str...

The large characters in the center of this scroll "南無妙法蓮華経" are pronounced as "Namu Myōho Renge Kyō” in English — a phrase associated with Nichiren Buddhism that is often recited as a mantra, expressing devotion to the Lotus Sutra. This sutra is one of the main tenants of Nichiren and is thought by devotees to be the ultimate law and truth of the universe. Commissioned in 1690, this scroll commemorates the reconstruction of the main hall of Ryuhon-ji Temple, estab...

Rare and unusual stoneware censer with brown Cizhou glaze. China, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Diameter 13,5 cm, H. 8 cm. Condition: excellent.

Composed by one of the most well-regarded and important figures within the Kanō tradition of painting, here we see a whimsical rendition of tiger and cub prancing through the forest. With its beautiful and well-preserved silk brocade to highlight the scene, the overall composition radiates a feeling of lightness and playful curiosity.

Oldest son to Kanō Takanobu, Tanyu was appointed as the first designated painter to the Tokugawa Shogunate. An enthusiast for Chinese style painting...

Ming Dynasty Celadon charger with floral/leaf and apparent bird (Bird of Paradise) pattern in center. Overall in good condition. Per images, note crackled surface, several small pockmark chips and what appears to be a hairline in the glaze. Slight warpage. Diameter: 9 and half + inches.