A water bucket shaped earthenware vase finely painted with micro calligraphy in Kanji (Chinese characters), paper slips and chrysanthemum flowers in moriage technique. Base with "Kutani" mark. Dating to Taisho period or later. Condition: minor wear to gilding and colors, interior with few traces of usage. Dimension: c. 22.3 cm high, diameter: 8.2 cm, weight: 500 g.

Chinese Song Dynasty Carved Qingbai / Dehua Porcelain Bowl

This porcelain bowl was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) at one of the Dehua kilns in Fujian province. The underside is decorated with a carved lotus petal design. It is coated in a very pale greenish qingbai glaze apart from the base where the white body is revealed. Although perhaps a little lower fired than some porcelain, the body is translucent...

Rare Finely Detailed Chinese Song Dynasty Incised Celadon Porcelain Bowl

This very attractive porcelain bowl was made during the 12th or 13th century at one of the kilns in Fujian province, where such wares were made for export around south-east Asia; indeed the silky-matt feel and appearance of the glaze suggest this bowl has been recovered from a shipwreck.

The incised pattern is particularly fine and well-executed...

Chinese Kangxi Blue & White Porcelain Box - Eight Treasures

This fine quality blue & white porcelain covered box was made during the Kangxi reign (1662 - 1722) of the Qing Dynasty. Both cover and box are attractively decorated in underglaze blue. The cover pattern features a spray of chrysanthemum, representing friendship and a life of ease, surrounded by "eight treasures", all representing good fortune...

The time of Obon is upon us, the middle of August when the spirits of the dead return to visit their families. A lantern is hung so the wandering souls may find their way. And on the last day of Obon (August 16), in Kyoto, is held perhaps the most famous of all the festivals, commonly referred to as Daimonji-yaki, when 6 massive characters are lit on fire in the mountains surrounding the city to light the way home for the ancestors...

At least two stories are forwarded to describe this ritual phurba -1 they are as protector of crops stored in granaries. 2- they are used during funerals , the bird is supposed to take away the souls of dead people during cremation or other burial ceremonies These type of phurba seems peculiar to Gurung priests or shamans. Important soot patina indicative of an important age , at least early to mid 20th. H 28 cm ,

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)...

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)...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Incised & Painted Pottery Dish

This dish was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery, quite "heavily-potted" and relatively highly-fired, having a distinct ring when tapped. Its flat base is fairly small compared to its overall diameter. The lower body is of a shallow cone shape with a flat wall and rim above. To the inner surface are good remains of the original geometric and cloud p...

Descriptions:
A Song Duan Inkstone was well preserved from excavation.

Date :Song Dynasty, 12th century.

Length :14cm, Wider Width:8cm.

Rare Chinese Cast Iron Feng Shui Disc - Ming Dynasty or earlier

This very rare item dates to the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) or possibly as early as the Song or Yuan dynasty. It is a cast iron feng shui, or geomancy, disc. On the upper surface there are Chinese characters and the eight trigrams of the I Ching within circular bands. In the centre are raised dots, presumably relating to geomancy. We do not know if this item was a tool that was regularly used or if it were perhaps placed in the ...

No discussion on 20th century Kyoto ceramics can skip over the importance of the Kyoto Shi Tojiki Shiken-sho ceramics research facility at which all the luminaries studied and laid the foundation for a number of the early Living National Treasures. Here is a delicate vessel with elegant curves decorated with poppies dating from the early 20th century enclosed in an age darkened wooden box titled : Kyoto Tojiki Shikensho-sei (Made by the Kyoto Ceramics Research Facility) Keshi Moyo Kabin (Poppy ...

Gold glimmers on the rim against pale concrete tones on this rare mid-Edo period tea bowl from the Utsutsugawa kiln in Nagasaki prefecture, late 17th to early 18th century. Waves of brush strokes decorate the outside, while the white slip cascades from the rim in withering streaks within. A kutsuki on the side testifies to some event which happened during the firing, where another piece of pottery collapsed against the side, fusing and causing the bowl to deform. This force created a crack wh...

Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Zodiac Figure - Horse

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It takes a human form, other than the head which is of the zodiac animal represented, in this case the horse The figure stands upright with hands clasped together against its chest under a flowing robe. It is made from a reddish pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of white on top of which are traces of red pigment.

Height 29 cm (11.5 inches). ...

Tall Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Zodiac Figure - Rabbit

This pottery figure was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It takes a human form, other than the head which is of the zodiac animal represented, in this case the rabbit. The figure stands upright with hands clasped together against its chest under a flowing robe. It is made from a reddish pottery that has been cold-painted in a base coat of white on top of which are traces of black & red pigments.

Height 31 cm (12...

Very Rare Chinese Liao Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ewer with Oxford TL Test

This very rare and unusual (possibly unique?) ewer was made during the Liao Dynasty (AD 907 - 1125). The body is decorated with moulded leaf and floral designs, and coated in an attractive amber glaze. The mouth opening has been formed into the shape of an opening leaf or blossom and is glazed in green. To the shoulder, opposite the handle, is the short spout. The glaze falls short of the flat base revealing the pale pink...

Rare Large Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bottle / Vase - Lotus Flowers

This porcelain vase was made during the 13th - 14th century, during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368), or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). It is unusually large for its type and its moulded decoration is very interesting: between bands of geometric patterns, are four lotus flowers in various stages of blooming. The outer surface and inner mouth are coated in a finely...

Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Bottle / Vase

This porcelain vase was made during the 13th - 14th century, during the latter part of the Song Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368), or possibly the following Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Its moulded decoration is most unusual with two bands of raised studs surrounding the body at its waist. Around the shoulder is a more conventional floral scroll. The outer surface, as well as the inner mouth, is coated in a finely-crackled pale green ...