An ancient pine and youthful bamboo rise in gold against a striking red background on this scroll set by Hirai Chokusui dated Mid-summer of Taisho 2 (1913) an enclosed in the original signed double wood box titled Ro-matsu Fu-chiku (ancient Pine, Wind in the Bamboo) Kindega Kenpon Sofuku (Gold Painted Silk Pair)...

A cleverly made functioning 14Kt yellow gold charm is an hour glass, in a protecting gold frame that is filled with white sand and turns. The white sand flows from the top to the bottom when you turn the glass. The height of the charm is 1” with the bail and the width is 3/8”.

An original Edo period kōsatsu public proclamation dated Tenwa I (1681) detailing the laws against Christianity, rewards for turning in a Christian to the authorities, as well as punishment for the offenders. Of cypress wood with sumi ink, and a hand-forged iron loop for suspension from a post or gate. The signboard has a shallow peaked “roof” to protect the calligraphy from the rain...

Early Edo Myochin Signed Nimai Do with Nanban influence featuring gilded kusazuri and sode laced with blue chord dated Genwa 3 (1620). There are rows of Prominent rivets all about with nobori-kiri crests on the top of the munaita. Comes with an old wrapping cloth dyed with the same crest. The Hon-kozane Kusazuri are removable, attached to two leather belts suspended from iron tongs about the waist. The takahimo shoulder straps are wrapped in leather...

Massive Qing dynasty Chinese polished bronze tripod ding censer with compressed body, two arched loop handles at the rim, and tapered legs fitted on a custom hardwood stand. Cast in a Ming dynasty style and bearing a six-character apocryphal Xuande reign period mark within a rectangle on the base. Believed to date as early as the 18th century. Censers of this size and form were typically used in temples. Censer: 11 1/2" diameter (10 3/4" diameter at the rim) x 8” high (to top of handles)...

This necklace is comprised of 31 stone pre-columbian beads, in varying shapes, sizes and colors. The necklace measures 19 1/2" long. Between 15 and 20 beads have a green color, the others are faded into cream and beige, a few are brown or black. The flat disc shaped black stone in the center measures roughly 26cm across and is backed with a green speckled disc. The large tubular beads measure between 7/8" and 1 1/4" (33cm)...

Fine Limoges enamel heavy copper plaque with image of Virgin Mary and Christ Child, in medieval style...

Centerpiece slatted bowl on four tapered feet, of Jacaranda Rosewood, with brass straps and rivets. Hand crafted, beautiful shape and details. It measures 21 1/2' long, 6 1/8" wide, and 4 1/4" high. Comprised of 12 hand made wood slats, each bent carefully to fit the overall shape, the slats are bound with 4 brass bands, all fastened to each wood slat with a brass domed peg...

Extremely rare bronze Lobi 3 legged stool, in antelope form. Measures 10" high, 18" wide and 5 1/2" deep.. Lobi stools are always a lovely form, sometimes with figural designs, and bronze stools are very rare. Such examples were always made for a chief or other high ranking member of the community...

The disk that comprises the top of this sterling silver ring has a lot going on. Its highly textured design evokes basketry that is visible underneath as well as from above. It's a bold, dynamic design supported by sturdy construction and expert workmanship. The inner ring bears the sterling mark of 925 and a maker’s mark composed of two captial Gs, the second one upside-down. Unfortunately as of this writing the maker is unknown, so we can't give the credit due this talented metalsmith...

Following in the tradition of Mexico City “jeweled” jewelry closely associated with Matilde Poulat, this Mexican Deco silver and amethyst cross pendant necklace is not signed for maker yet its rich patina, beautiful stones and exceptional chain more than compensate for the absence. I could hardly exaggerate how rare it is to find a repousse chain of this beauty, let alone one adorned with richly colored amethyst cabs...

Working out of San Miguel de Allende, Carmen Beckmann is one of the “second generation” (if I may be allowed the term here) designer / silversmiths who contributed to Mexico’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance. In her work, Beckmann is often inspired by ancient Maya and Aztec motifs to which she adds her unique modernist “twist” - quite successfully in my opinion at least. The ring at hand, however, habitually referred to as a “cha cha” ring, I always associate with the roaring epoch of C...

Rare Chinese Warring States / Western Han Glazed Stoneware Jar

This rare and unusual jar dates to the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC) or possibly the early part of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from high-fired grey stoneware of the type sometimes called "proto-porcelain". The glaze, a dark green ash glaze, is quite patchy and its thickness varies. The shoulder and waist are decorated with bands of lightly incised wavy parallel lines. The body is wide and it has a c...

Referred to as the “shells” or sometimes even “snails” bracelet, Margot de Taxco’s des. 5104 is a series of fleshy, perfectly swirling repousse links that feel so comfortable around the wrist, you might take them as an extension of your body. The example at hand vibrates with that warm light only well-aged, well-loved silver acquires and the thick sterling sheet used to craft the bracelet has allowed it to mature without burdening it with the scars and blemishes of age. Measuring a wea...

This is a vintage 14Kt yellow gold functioning pinball machine charm / pendant. The movable lever is spring loaded and ball is a small cultured pearl that can be shot into the machine with four indentations for the ball to lend in. The pinball machine is 5/8” long ¼” wide and 11/16” high without the jump ring on top.

A vintage gold field scarab bracelet from the 1960-s is set with seven 14 X 10 millimeter oval cabochon semi-precious stones: rose quartz, blood stone, tiger eye, carnelian, green onyx, rhodochrosite and blue onyx. The length of this very affordable bracelet is 7 ¾” and the width at the widest part is 11/16”.

Rare Chinese Eastern Jin / Southern Dynasties Celadon Glazed Chicken Head Ewer

This stoneware ewer was made during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317 - 420) or possibly the Southern Dynasties period (AD 420 - 589). Its form, body and glaze characteristics suggest it was made at the workshops in Jiangxi province. It is "heavily-potted" with two sturdy loop handles on opposing sides of the shoulder, pouring spout in the form of a chicken's head, and a decorative chicken's tail. It is coated in a...

Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Kraak Porcelain Dish - Wanli

This very attractive "Kraak" porcelain dish was made at the Jingdezhen kilns during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. The pattern, in underglaze blue of good colour, features in its centre a tasselled double-gourd vase and an artemesia leaf (one of the "eight treasures"). Surrounding this are ten roundels containing peaches and flower blossoms. The underside is more simply decorated with basic floral patter...

A rare and stunning set of Kinrande sake cups by the elusive Nakamura Shuto I enclosed in the original compartmentalized signed wooden box dating from the late Meiji to Taisho period. Crisp designs of shishi lions frolicking among peonies in genuine gold are expertly applied to the brilliant red outside, while inside landscapes of plum, pine and bamboo blossom in minute detail in Sometsuke blue on white. The artists seal is deeply impressed inside the foot ring. Each cup is 5.5 cm (2-1/4 inch...

Golden cranes soar among clouds etched into the surface of this solid silver Japanese hanging incense burner (Tsuri Koro) dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. Inside is an ash-cup suspended in a triple-hinged gimble which keeps the ash pot upright no matter the angle of the ball itself. On the side is impressed the official Kokuin which reads Jungin (pure silver). The cranes have a soft golden sheen and are likely gilded or damascened with gold. It hangs from three silk chords ti...

Chinese Qing dynasty blue and white porcelain dish decorated at the center with five immortals and a young boy all surrounded by a band of bats at the rim. 8 5/8” diameter x 1/2" high. 19th century or possibly earlier. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is kiln grit adhering to the center of the base and to the foot rim. From the collection of a former American expatriate to Guangzhou and Beijing from 1983-1987.

First edition pencil-signed Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Takeji Asano (1900-2002) titled "Rain in Shinnyodo" in the lower margin and dated Showa 28 (1953) in the lower left margin. The artist's black ink signature is at the lower left corner of the image and the artist's name/signature is in pencil at the lower right. The left margin also bears the seal of the publisher Unsodo, the carver Okura, and the printer Shinmi. The "gei" watermark is at the lower left margin corner. This is a f...

A bronze bell dated Kanbun 10 (1670) which would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. Inscribed in the surface around dials of lotus flowers is: An auspicious day in the 7th month of Kanbun 10, followed by the names Honda Yasutoki Ko and Hiramoto Sukeyuki opposite a dedication to the god of water the Hachidairyu-jin followed by a place name near Awazu in modern day Shiga prefecture. The Hac...

Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Camel

This small and very attractive pottery model of a camel was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a reddish pottery and has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments, a base coat of white with yellow and reddish-brown pigments on top. Note the sculpted details on its humps and long neck.

Height 20.5 cm (8 inches). It is in very good condition (some restoration or repair should reasonably be expected but none is o...

Fine Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Male Courtier Figure

This impressive pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It represents a courtier and is of particularly elegant form. He appears to be holding an audience tablet. Note the detail of the clothing and headgear. The figures stands on an integral plinth. It is made from a buff-coloured pottery that has been cold painted in various coloured pigments, much of which still remain. Interestingly, to the front of the plinth is...

Carved in translucent amethyst the “mask” adorning the Piedra y Plata silver ring presented here bespeaks Felipe Martinez’s talent as a sculptor. His jewelry, always combining sterling with the most amazing stones, showcases some of the best lapidary work in the world of vintage Mexican jewelry and his “masks”, I consider some of the most evocative, spiritual examples in the field. And even though Martinez’s creations are usually rooted in Mexico’s rich archeological past, he is un...

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed & Painted Pottery Horse

This large and impressive pottery model of a horse was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). The horse stands upright and alert. It is "heavily-potted" and made from a pinkish pale-brown pottery that has had the saddle and details of the horse's fittings coated in yellow and green glazes. The remaining unglazed surface has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which further details have been picked out...

Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Oil Lamp in Human Form

This pottery oil lamp was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is "heavily-potted", made from a reddish-brown pottery that is relatively highly-fired and is coated in a greenish-brown glaze that is very finely-crackled. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery iridescence, a reaction of the glaze to long exposure to moisture. This oil lamp is in the form of a kneeing human figure, its hands clasped together across its c...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Hu Jar with Animal Frieze (with Oxford TL Test)

This tall pottery jar (hu) was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. The neck and shoulder are decorated with deeply incised bands but the main decoration is around the waist, a moulded frieze of a hunting scene including a man on horseback, dragon and leopard.

Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the f...

Fine Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Ding Tripod with Twin Fish Pattern

This fine example of a ding tripod was made during the middle of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8) from a fairly high-fired pale reddish-brown pottery. The green colour of the glaze varies according to its thickness, the thicker the glaze the deeper the colour. In places the glaze has acquired a silvery and golden iridescence, a result of exposure to moisture during its very long burial. The body is almost "semi-spheric...