Antique Japanese Carpenter Reel, Sumi Tsubo, Ink Line. 8.25 x 3.5 inches, 21 x 9 cm. It is rare to see sumi tsubo (Japanese carpenter's reel or inkline used for layout) fully intact with all its parts, including line and original stick pin, like this one. The Japanese word for tools is Dogu, which was originally the word for an itinerant monk's belongings. It alludes to the spiritual value which craftsmen put on their tools...

Japanese Nanga sumi-e ink scroll painting on silk depicting a scene of two men in a boat entitled "Water Cloud Mountain Pavilion". A scholar and a young man sit in a boat, the scholar has an open book, the young man, a pole. Between them is a handled box. A jagged out cropping of rock rises from the water where stunted trees stretch their branch over the water...

Finely painted with ink and colors on silk depicting a crouching tiger, lurking ready to pounce on the pray; the striped fur neatly rendered with needle-like brushstrokes, signed Ganku and sealed. ********Kishi Ganku (1749-1839) was a leading Japanese painter of Kyoto and founded the Kishi school of painting; became famous for his meticulously brushed paintings of tigers...

Late Qing Dynasty (1880s - 1911) Chinese export brooch / pin with brass frame and carved cinnabar lacquer center with decoration of a scholar meditating among rocks under a tree. Very nice work, in excellent condition, marked CHINA on the back. Length with frame 1.85 inches.

Rare and beautiful Japanese gyosho bako (merchant's box carried on back) with three sections. It is made of a kiri (paulownia) wood with original dark finish, the front of the box has ornate bronze hardware in the shape of chrysanthemum petals, locks and extensive back bracing all made out of iron. It features a top drawer with a kakute handle and two hinged doors opening to five smaller drawers with ring shaped pulls...

Chinese antique jade necklace made of a string of 101 green and white jade beads, strung in graduating size and knotted in between each bead, hung from the center is a large silver filigree cross inset with seven green jade cabochons, the back is marked "sterling", circa 1900. Length of necklace: 31" long. Size of cross: 2 3/4" high x 1 7/8" wide

Antique Japanese small ko tansu (chest for personal use). Made all of kiri wood. 7 drawers of various size, each with a bronze hirute shaped drawer pull. Two of the drawers have round lock plates. Nice overall patina.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 18 3/4" high x 28" wide x 12 1/4" deep

An incredible Japanese antique Kanazawa kaidan staircase, with hand quartered sawn keyaki drawer fronts and black sliding door framework. Mixture of sliding compartments and pullout drawers. Attached original hand rail that is very unusual. Stunning original lacquered reddish orange coloration. Overall the chest is in excellent original condition with everything working just as it should.

Early Meiji Period (1868-1912), circa 1880s...

Chinese jadeite pendant/toggle, carved with a dragon head along with a chilong, coins and ruyi scepter which has two splashes of green in contrast with the white matrix, the back carved with scrolls in low relief. Size; Height of pendant is 2 inches, in excellent condition.

19th century Chinese soapstone seal carved on the top with a crouching rooster, its head turned right. Wonderful carving, beautiful patina and obvious wear attesting to the age of the object. The bottom is carved with four sunken characters that can be translated as THE HALL OF THE COLOURFUL AND THE EXQUISITE, red seal paste in the grooves - the impression of the seal is shown on Enlargement 1...

Vibrant yellow enameled porcelain 'Birthday' plate inscribed "wan shou wu chiang" in circular reserves. Underside bears six-character iron red Guangxu period (1875-1908) with "CHINA" export mark. In excellent condition, it measures a little over 8" (20.32 cm) diameter.

An intricately hand carved wooden opium den lamp in the shape of a chair. The carving on the front bottom panel is a scene with 3 people. The central character seated at a table appears to be of the scholar class. The brackets on each side have a guardian figure. Used to illuminate Chinese opium dens, lamps like this were often their only source of lighting. The lamp’s burner bowl is stoneware is most likely a replacement...

Length: 3.8 cm (1.7 in)
Height: 2.3 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 2.6 cm (1 in)

Fine Japanese carved netsuke of a rat gnawing on his tail; natural material; honey-coloured patina; two age lines present; excellent hair work and inlaid horn eyes; signed with the mark Kaigyoku

Chinese antique bronze oval shaped censor, handles in the form of two chimera appear to slink around the rim on either end, standing on four small feet, signed with Xuande mark on the bottom. A very special piece of true authenticity. Size: 3 1/2" high x 7" wide

Eye-catching gold gilt Meiji Period C.1900 sake shop sign. Kanji characters read `Kiwami no Kotobuki` sake or Ultimate Happiness sake. The carving is in the shape of a sake keg. Excellent condition with minor lacquer wear. Old iron clamps were added in the back. See pictures. Size is 15" tall and 13" wide. Ask for shipping quote.

A Japanese porcelain blue and white decorated flower pot, setting on three legs, and with a drainage hole. The pot is from Arita or Imari and was made during the Meiji Period. The pot measures about 9 3/4" high x 12 1/4" in diameter, and is in excellent condition. There are water and dirt stains that can be removed. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

Jade water bucket in form of amusing toad.Inlaid with yellow metal. It is impossible to check if it is gold because it would be necessary to tear off encrustations to test ,however the object has not been cleaned for several years and only gold can remain shiny, bronze or brass would have oxide. The metal wires in some places are split in half lengthwise, which is probably due to a certain technique? The work is very neat, underneath there are traces of tools which should help a specialist...

A 19th C. Chinese stunning hand carved solid gem quality lapis lazuli Buddha figure, in excellent condition with original wooden stand. H:13.5cm (without stand) $2200

Unusually sculptural 19th century good size netsuke of 2 shishi fighting over a hollow pierced ball. Extraordinary carving with superb detailing and volume - see their faces, powerful paws and muscular limbs, tufts of hair and long bushy tails. Expert staining, beautiful patina, very pleasant to the touch. Equally exceptional when viewed from the back...

Antique Chinese ladies shoes made of silk and embroidered with flowers and butterflies. These shoes were worn during the 19th century by someone who would have had their feet bound in the lily style. Qing Dynasty. 19th century.

Beautiful Japanese antique scroll painting depicting a scene of two large koi fish jumping up a waterfall, the traditional image symbolizes perseverance and aspiration, painted in ink and very light color on silk, Edo Period. Size of image: 52" high x 29 1/4" wide. Total size of scroll: 76" high x 35 1/4" wide (38 1/4" wide including ends)

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant small chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute style handles. 8 drawers of varying sizes used to store merchant wares for sale. Unusual wooden lip surrounding the top where seller showcased each item for sale to the buyer...

Length: 24 cm (9.5 in)
Width: 2.4 cm (0.9 in)
Depth: 0.8 cm (0.3 in)

Fine Chinese carved page turner of the highest quality; carved from natural material, the handle is the highlight, carved on one side with very detailed and deep floral work, the other side shows hatched Chinese symbolic diaper work; good condition

Chinese monochrome porcelain brushwasher, ox-blood glaze with white rim and underside. Period: 18th century Size: Height 3", Diameter 3.75"

Epic Edo Period Ca. 1860 keyaki wood (japanese elm) money box with hand forged, thick iron metal fittings. The stamp of the maker, "Shimizu" is branded on the inside. 13" long x 5 1/2" tall x 8" deep. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Jadeite Carving Rooster with Wood Stand

They are 3 inches (7.8 cm) tall by 5.3 inches (13.5 cm) wide without stand. They are 431 gram and 2.9 lb including box.

They have inclusions, a flea bite at one rooster's tail, and missing cover and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, ret...

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. 1167 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGN...

Fine Chinese 19th century rose medallion plate, depicting typical floral design and figures common for the period, 8.75 inches in diameter. Condition Report; Great condition.

19th century Chinese export napkin ring carved on the outside with a continuous scene of Chinese scholars in different settings. Wonderful work with deep undercutting, beautiful patina, in excellent condition. Carved with a numeral 1 in raised oval reserve. Inside diameter 1 1/2 inches, height 5/8 inches.

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood with a front Kakinoki (Persimmon) trim. All original hand forged iron hardware including the full moon lock plates and the Warabite style handles. Natural wood aged patina. Security door hides 2 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails. Can be used and displayed stacked or side by side. Space permitting, these can also be used as bedside nightstand...

Elegantly decorated vase with a geometric design of 24 facets. Meiji period, late 19th century. Sparsely painted with airy flower sprigs, leaving large parts of the cream-coloured crackle-glazed surface undecorated. The mouth rim with the mon (emblem) of the Itagaki (?) family. Impressed three character mark to the base and painted signature in red. Height "6¼ / 16 cm. Condition: fine.

Antique Japanese storage tansu made with all keyaki (elm) wood on the front, sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the top and sides. The upper portion of the tansu has a large compartment opened by sliding panels with wide, horizontal slats. The lower portion has 5 drawers of various sizes. Square drawer pulls are made of iron. Original translucent, deep reddish lacquer finish. This tansu was most likely made to seat into the wall of a house.

Edo Period (circa early 1800's)
Dimens...

Unusual 19th century kagamibuta (“mirror lid”) netsuke with copper bowl and mixed metal top depicting a tiger on rocks with bamboo grass and a dragon holding a Precious Gem in flight among swirling clouds: the two appear ready to engage in a fight. Very nice pairing of the most powerful Zodiac animals, bronze disc with gilding, eyes of both beasts are inlaid with shakudo with its characteristic strong black color. Excellent crisp work, some wear to gilding as to be expected, unusual large co...

Japanese Meiji to Showa period oval form portable wood tabako-bon smoker’s hibachi with a 4 1/4" diameter recessed copper bowl for holding charcoal and smaller 2" diameter cylindrical receptacle for holding pipes and smoking tools. A fully functional lacquered wood handle is mounted at the sides. 8 1/2” long x 7” wide x 4” high (excluding handle in upright position). Late 19th to early 20th century. Very good overall condition with a nice, bold grain to the thick wood. There is typi...

Antique Japanese small table top screen painting. A scene depicting a Spring landscape of green rolling hills and trees. A red sun (also a symbol of Japan) hides behind a finger of haze. On the left side of the screen, butterflies flit over a lizard who is hungrily eyeing a bee. Painted in light mineral colors on silk.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 15 1/2" high x 38 3/4" long

This three piece Satsuma pottery vessel is enameled entirely in shades of blue with gold accents over a very fine crackle ground. The top is decorated with a fierce dragon on a field of white, enclosed in a blue border. The small inner lid bears a scattering of blossoms. Between the banded shoulder and base of the piece, the artist has painted in fine detail a fishing hamlet. Five inches in height, this is a lovely and unusual example of blue Satsuma ware.

Condition: Excellent, with no chi...