A rare very well carved soapstone sculpture of Lui Hai in traditional pose ensnaring the three -legged toad with a string of cash. This item was made circa 1750 - 1800 during the reigns of either the Qianlong or the Jaiqing Emperors. The tip of one finger is missing and there is an old glued repair - most visible on the upper foot. Little of the original paintwork is now visible. Height - 7.5 inches (19cm)...

Japanese Buddhist Temple Carving of a Stylized Cloud Formation. This very early 16th to 17th Century carving is the oldest one we have seen, possibly from the Momoyama Period. Carved of poloma wood. A rare early work of art. 40 inches (101.5 cm) long x 12 inches (30.5 cm) high. Fine Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Ca. 1700s

These two vases were mostly part of an altar set that included an incense burner and circular box, all in cast bronze and having similar Koranic inscriptions. The vases are heavily cast as are most of these types of inscribed utensils. The calligraphy is raised from the background and is framed by a lobed cartouche surrounding a ring-punched background that helps to accentuate the inscription...

Important pair of very large Late Edo Period (19th Century) Japanese Carved Lacquered Panels. This work of art is of the highest museum quality. Works like these are usefully found in only in major museums and prominent private art collections. We are proud to offer this spectacular masterpiece. They feature four mythological and historical figures in relief, lacquered in the most amazing techniques. Framed with beautiful red lacquer that is part of the panel...

18th Century Japanese Two Panel Painted Screen. All four seasons are represented here, with the background representing Winter and the kimono patterns representing Spring, Summer, and Fall. This is an unusual and creative take on the tagasode (whose sleeves?) genre of screen painting that usually depicts interiors. The pair of kimono poetically speak of a romantic liaison. The colors are breathtaking and the painting technique is pure master work. 68 inches (173 cm)w x 60 inches (152.5 cm)h...

19th Century Japanese Cloisonné Vase of the highest quality in the style of Ando (one of the most famous Cloisonné masters whose works fetch the heights prices). This vase is a masterwork, set in silver wire featuring multicolored flowers, foliage, branches, and birds. On a rich dark emerald green glaze with foil inlay in a design of bamboo trees. This exceptional Cloisonné is a gorgeous addition for the finest collection. 12.5 inches (32 cm) tall. Excellent Condition...

Antique Japanese Ikebana flower arranging basket made of bamboo with an unusual sculptural image. It features large pieces of bamboo joined together to create the container, with a wonderful handle. 19.5 (50 cm) tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

An exceptional Edo Period Ikebana flower arranging basket. A wonderful addition for the collector of important baskets. This work of art features a monumental handle and wonderful shape. 33 inches (84 cm)h x 23.5 inches (60 cm)w. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

This signed Meiji Period (circa 1880) Japanese Theater Mask of Tengu by the artist, Kogyo is an extraordinary example of the character, with its dramatic and spectacular face. The most fabulous one we have seen. This mask represents the mischievous Forest God seen in Kyogen plays performed between Noh Dramas. It is for the most discerning collector. Lacquer over wood with silk hair. 9 inches (23 cm)h x 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)w, 21 inches (53.5 cm)h with beard. Excellent Condition...

Edo Period (circa 1850) Japanese Noh Mask of Shojo, representing a happy, merry soul. He has a reddish complexion from drinking sake. This mask has a wonderful, happy presence. Beautifully carved to create a compelling expression. Lacquer over Paloma wood. 8.5 x 5 inches, 21.5 x 13 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Rooster and Hen Sculpture, wonderfully and finely detailed bronze over white metal with accents of red lacquer. This Art Nouveau pair is from a London collection. Japanese Art Nouvaeu flourished in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th Century. The Rooster and Hen is a popular subject in Japanese art. Symbolic of Yin and Yang, male and female. Rooster: 8 inches, 20.5 cm tall. Hen: 4.5 inches, 11.5 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Japanese pair of very large gold lacquer on carved wood Lotus Flowers, 11 flowers in each pair for 22 all together, of them fully bloomed Lotus Flowers. Edo Period, Early 19th Century. They were likely used on the altar of a Buddhist temple, representing the full cycle of life. They have a rich gold patina. This size and condition are extremely rare and almost never found. Height of the tallest: 41.5 inches, 105.5 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection...

Antique Japanese Okimono Bamboo Sculpture of a Snow Monkey Holding a Peach. Unique master carving of wonderful charm and presence with a fine patina. A must for the monkey and Japanese enthusiast. 12 inches, 30.5 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Japanese Imari porcelain figure of a seated girl. Beautifully done in a blue, yellow, green, and red under glaze. A wonderful, fine example for the discerning collector. 9 inches, 23cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Fine example of a Jomon Period Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased in Japan and belonged to the renowned Japanese art historian, Shirley Day. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract...

Pair of Exquisite Gilded 18th Century Japanese Angels Wood Sculpture. One angel has her scarf unfurled and caught in a tree. The other is up in the clouds in heaven. Legend has it the angel’s scarf is caught in a tree and did not allow her to heaven. A young man passing heard her and fell in love with her, but was distraught at her sadness and released her scarf so that she could fly back to heaven. Angel with scarf: 5 inches (13cm) long, Angel on clouds: 6 3/4 inches (17cm) long, height of bo...

Late 1800s

Patterned after a Chinese Kangxi “Hawthorn” design. This bottle is delicately and rather thinly potted with a long, narrow neck rising from a bulbous body. It is painted in underglaze cobalt blue with a “cracked ice” pattern scattered overall with plum buds and blossoms—a design known among English connoisseurs in the early 20th century as the Hawthorn pattern. This piece is identifiable as Hirado from the unglazed base which shows the very distinctive vitreous paste c...

1800s

Elegant pear-form vase with a gracefully tapering neck is raised on an elongated and subtly flaring foot. It is covered overall in a medium-blue robin’s egg-type glaze mottled with lighter and darker blues that drains toward the foot with violet-toned mottling. The base and interior are both glazed with a clear glaze that is tightly cracked. The footring is unglazed exposing the buff-colored china-like soft paste porcelain. Though similar to the robin’s egg glaze seen on hard por...