DESCRIPTION: A rare and quite old Japanese lute, or sanshin, originating from the island of Okinawa. The sanshin (literally meaning "three strings") is an Okinawan musical instrument, and the precursor of the Japanese shamisen. Often likened to a banjo, it consisted of a snakeskin-covered body, neck and three strings, and was known for its calming tune. This sanshin, dating from the late 18th C...

A hair ornament made of gilt silver, showing a vase with flowers. Reverse with Chinese character hallmark. Condition: fine, little wear to gilding. Dimension: 11.5 cm long x 2 cm wide, weight: 8 g.

Antique Japanese imari vase with a rounded middle and fluting mouth and foot. Two small grey and yellow fu dogs serve as handles. The body of the vase has bright yellow enamel background with scrolling vines, and images of fu dogs playing with each other. The bottom of the vase is marked in red. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 12" height, 7" width

Powerful Buddha image from the Tai Lue ethnic group from the Burma, Lao, Thai border region AKA “Golden Triangle”. Superficially these “folk images” lack the grace and serenity of the urban classical styles, but speak more from the heart of the people, as personal devotional merit making acts. This piece dates to around the 18th century; the “waisted” pedestal is typical of this period...

Beautiful Chinese famille rose butterfly pattern export porcelain cup and saucer with hard-to-find fluted edges. In excellent condition, no cracks, no chips, no hairlines, etc. The set measures 3" high with the saucer measuring 5.5" diameter, cup 3.75" diameter. Circa 1850

We have a pair of these, 10% discount if you want the pair. Both in excellent condition.

Chinese 19th century bronze censer with dragon ears, Xuande mark. 14 cm wide, 9,3 cm mouth rim diameter. 8 cm high. 461 gram weight.Censer has flake colour at the patina and smooth dent at the body. (please see at the pictures).

Beautiful Japanese antique 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Nihonmatsu area of Japan, made with nice keyaki (elm) wood on drawer fronts, safe box in lower right hand corner opens to two small interior drawers, there is a key for the safe, lovely iron hardware includes large warabite shaped drawer pulls with separate small butterfly details, Meiji Period. Size: 45 3/4" x 43" wide x 17 3/4" deep.

A Finely Molded Shallow Celadon Dish: Korea, Koryo period, 12th Century, This is a fine celadon glazed shallow bowl with a six lobed rim, the interior rim incised with a single line and finely molded with a large peony on the interior well, applied overall with a clear greenish blue celadon glaze with three spur marks on the base. It is in fine condition but a tiny chip,a short glaze crack and scratches on the well in use. It measures 7” d. x 1 7/8” h,

Shigenobu (Hiroshige II) 1826-1869. The oban tate-e triptych depicts Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Sakata no Kintoki and Watanabe no Tsuna entering the mountain home of the demons. Circa 1851-1853. Shigenobu was a pupil of Ando Hiroshige and adopted his name to become the second generation after his master's passing in 1858. Condition of these prints are faded, wrinkles - some creased, margins trimmed and uneven, light wormage and pin holes, light foxing and soil...

This is a rare Japanese cloisonne vase from Kato. In all my years I've come across far more signed Hayashi, Sosuke and Namikawa pieces than I have Kato. This vase has stamped silver rims and is 6 inches tall. There is no damage other than a few enamel pits. It was probably made during the 1920's.

Antique vase with a long, elegant neck, white base with allover design of flying dragons with a green glaze. The vase mouth is lined with gold, and the vase bottom has rolling ocean waves in a green glaze, with raised white dotting. Mark on bottom that reads "Da Qing Jiaqing Nian Zhi - "Great Qing Jiaqing period (1796-1820) made" 19th century Size: 10.25" height, 5.5" width

Fine Chinese enameled porcelain brush pot, decorated with landscape design, from late 19th/early 20th century period, this item has height of 5.25 and diameter of 3 inches, condition consistent with age, no issues.

Belt hook nicely carved in the shape of a dragon. Light green jade. China, 19th century or earlier. Length: 9,2 cm. Remnants of soil encrustations suggesting a rather long stay underground, otherwise very good condition.

A delicate little porcelain wine cup with butterflies. The enamels are just beautiful, precise, not grainy, etc. It has an iron red Tongzhi mark on the bottom. Except for a little wear to the gold on the rim, it is in excellent condition measuring approximately 2 5/8” wide and 1.25" high.

White ground lekythos decorated in black-figure with two quadrigae at full speed to right, one overlapping the other by about a horse's length.
The charioteers lean forward in their chariot boxes and hold goad and reins.
The artist creates a mix-up with the different teams – the leading horses appear on the foreground while their charioteer is hidden behind the following team.
The frieze with a band of checkerboard pattern above and of enclosed dot rosettes below.
F...

The front of this Tibetan Flint Pouch is decorated with silver and bronze ornamentation and an inset coral bead. The back is decorated with bronze buttons to protect the leather from excessive wear. The pouch still has its original leather strap which would have been used to secure the pouch to the wearers belt.

Flint was an essential and valuable item for nomadic and indigenous cultures and as such was frequently carries in pouch specifically designed for its use.

An unusual 18th century Canton black and white enamel miniature square tea kettle with lid. Supported on four bracket feet and finely enameled on each side with a group of Precious Objects with gold gilt accents. The lower half with scrolling foliage has an occasional crescent flowerhead in blue enamel which is repeated on the square section spout, top, domed lid and loop handle. The base bottom is white enamel with a central blue daisy in blue enamel...

A fine antique Japanese scholar rock. The patterns seen on the rock appear like the jagged rocks seen in Northern style Chinese landscape paintings. These rocks were often used for contemplation and promote the ideals of the literati. Age: 20th century Size: Length 7" Width 1.75" Height 5.5"