A cormorant cries out to the sea on the lid of this fantastic suzuri bako writing box enclosed in a red lacquered kiri-wood box. Inside the birds mate looks up from among gold flecked lotus leaves growing wild along the waters edge. The box contains the original tray with stone, the edges of which are flecked with gold. It is in excellent condition but for on ding to the inside of the base, lower left, and one in roughly the same position on the lid...

A set of scholars desk items, including a Chinese Qing dynasty crystal brush rest in the form of two mountains, Chinese crystal stamp carved with four characters between dragons, and an unusual obelisk written with the Nichiren Buddhist epitaph Na-mu Myoho-ren-ge-kyo in radical script over textured surface, glass or crystal. We have been unable to find a single inclusion in the obelisk, making it either a perfect crystal, suiting a religious object, or glass...

Description: An ancient wood sculpture of a Buddha was done in Yuan Dynasty. With tauted posture, serene facial expression, the religious image was still imposing even after 700-800 years of enduring age. Defected on the face, lost of the limbs and decays and frets on the surface, the wood piece was very light due to long time of exposing to the dry air of northern China. A precious ancient Chinese religious sculpture was kept partially with old blue pigment and gold leafs...

A nice stoneware plate in off blue and white with two fish swimming among water plants. Probably from Northern Thailand or Vietnam. Size: Diameter. 31cm. H. 7.7cm. Condition: Some of the glossy is gone and there is one chip on the rim. See photos.

Four gilded wooden statues comprising of two Buddhas,a Disciple and a Monk. Sizes: Length, 9.4 to 7.6 cm. Condition: Perfect.

Description:A unique blue and white inkcake holder was in flat drum’s shape. Painted on the surface with Buddhist diagrams and floral patterns,the basin was decorated with round dots on the upper and lower rim as drum’s nails. In the center, the small circular brush-lick pool was unglazed and stained with some old ink. As to the painting, cobalt blue was concentrating within the flowing brush strokes. The darkened blue suggested that native Chinese ingredients were used...

Forty sections of various antique katana scabbards have been set about the circumference of this antique suiban basin for use in Kado and Keido (flower arranging or bonseki sand gardens). Striped, mottled, textured, engraved and polished; covered in sharkskin, snakeskin or lacquered cloth. All lie between belts of tiger striped ebony-like hardwood around a removable copper basin. The handles (on each end) are the actual tie points of the scabbard...

Question:Ever wonder what the Chinese wore on their feet while working in a flooded rice field? The answer: Large high leather boots with knobbed soles. I have 2 of these but I suspect they they are not really a pair, so I am selling them separately. Obviously, they have had a long and useful life. Considering the amount of the dried dirt that fell out of the inside when I turned them upside down, I doubt that they are still water-proof...

This Chinese ethnic minority hat was worn by child and is heavily laden with silver ornaments. The lower border of the top section of the hat has a band of stars. The traditional eight immortals with the god of longevity grace the front of the hat. And there are lots of bells and butterflies hanging from silver chains. The embroidery represents various animal characters...

Description: A Temmoko tea bowl from Song Dynasty was found in rare opportunity. As a typical decoration of streaking and mottling of Temmoko wares, the surface of this Temmoko bowl was uniquely fired in silver effects. With bluish tint yielded under the light, the irregularly formed silver streaks engraved into the black surface of the glaze. The unglazed foot rim was in black and had some star like reflection due to being tinged with some of the glaze...

A well carved jade frog that can be used as a pendant. Actually is was worn on the belt.It has two holes under the chin that do not go all the through. It probably had some metal clip attached to it. The color is a little lighter then appears in the photos. Age: Early 19th or late 18th century. Size: L.5cm. W.3cm. Condition: no chips or repairs. Nice smooth finish from being fingered a lot.

A beautifully carved jade using the natural colors of the piece to represent Han style dragons. Size: W. 7.5 x 5.5cm. H. 2cm. Condition: Perfect except for a minor chip on the tail of one of the dragons that can easily be filed off. See last photo.

A nicely carved Qing jade thumb ring with a stylized cloud carving. Size: Inside diameter.2.3cm. Outside diameter 3cm. W. 2.5cm. Condition: No repairs or chips.

The 100 Bird Cape is sometimes mistaken by Westerners as a Miao baby carrier. In fact, the 100 bird cape is a man's garment. It would be worn on the back, over the 100 bird coat for special festivals. They are somewhat rare. Not all men could afford (actually the wives) the time and matterials to make such a garment. It takes over a year to collect the feathers for the cape because the feathers must come from birds which were ritually sacrificed. This is a particularly rare cape...

A RETICULATED PORCELAIN DISH, JAPANESE IMARI, LATE 17TH / EARLY 18TH CENTURY.

A very rare dish for this early period. The centre is decorated with typical Imari enamels in a most striking design set off by the reticulated border of interlaced circles. On the back can be found a very unusual border design of two gilt dragons. Within the foot-rim are four unevenly spaced spur marks...

A very rare Ming hair ornament made of four jade goldfish and a cicada held together by gold wiring made up of a butterfly and floral design. It originally had turquoise colored king fish feathers inlaid in the design.It also has the original metal wiring holding it together. Size: H. 5.5cm. W. 5cm. Jades average 2 cm. Condition: Normal ageing on the metal parts.

An unusual pair of huanghuali plates with writing on the bottoms of each plate. Age: 19 century. Size: 13 - 13.2cm. Condition: Perfect.

An intriguing lidded bowl patterned with soft blue red and white in the style of traditional hand made temari balls (multicolored silk thread balls) by modern ceramic artist Sato Kazuhiko (b. 1947). The piece is signed on the base and dated 1992, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Inside the dish is pebble textured stone gray, with a silver tablet fired into the top. A perfect jigsaw cut separates base and cover. Certainly a representative work by the artist, it measures 6...

Description: A charming nephrite white jade bracelet was from mid-Ming period. With beautiful hairy black and gray incursions, the bracelet was preserved in very good condition. An old jade piece told it's age by itself when greasy retrospective patina was naturally reflected. Date: mid Ming dynasty(15th-16th century) Inner width: 6.2cm Outer width: 8.2cm

A very unusual Kutani vase showing strong Art Deco influence, signed on the base and likely dating from the revival of that style seen in the 1950s. The white porcelain ground is decorated with four stylized tree trunks in overglaze enamels of white, black and various browns, with scattered gold flake between. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 5 inches (12 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. Truly a rare find!

An exquisite Murashi-Do Bronze vase signed Shuho and enclosed in the original wooden box. The baluster form is interrupted by three ribs starting at the shoulder and running partially down the sides. The vase is otherwise entirely undecorated, leaving all impression to shape alone. A fantastic piece, it is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) diameter and in fine condition. It dates circa the first quarter of the 20th century.

Description: A boxwood figure was vividly carved as a shepherd boy by mastery craftsmanship. Holding a pipe (which had been lost), the shepherd boy stands step-forwardly in a animated posture. A nice boxwood carving with nice patina was preserved good with only one small defect on his left foot(loss of two toes) and a minor crack at the rim of his straw hat. A newly made stand was included.

Date: Qing Dynasty (18-19th century).

Height: 11.3cm-not including stand.

A CU...

A very large natural wood and carved scroll pot that has used the natural contours of the wood with some carvings to finish it. Scroll pots are not as common as brush pots. Age: Early 19th century. Size: H.28.8cm. W.35.5cm. Condition: No repairs. Normal wear.

 

Description: An exceptional Zitan wood incense utensil holder was carved in elegant wood trunk shape. Preserved in very good condition, the aged black purplish patina reflects the retrospective atmosphere. A Zitan incense holder in quite good size can be a curiosity treasured in your cabinet and a display item with sculptural profile as well. A custom-made silk box is included. Date: Early Qing Period(17th century) Height: 16.5cm

An unusual double headed silver dragon bracelet with both dragons chasing the elusive pearl connected by alternating bands of plain and textured links. Age: Mid 19th century. Size: Inside diameter. 6.5cm. Condition; No repairs. Normal wear.

This is a very finely potted Northern Song (960 A.D – 1130 A.D) dynasty qingbai or yingqing zhadou vessel with an aqua sea greenish glazed. It stands on a flat base curving towards a deep baluster or bulbous body towards an everted wide flared mouth. zhadou are commonly used as refuse vessels placed on banqueting table as receptacles for fish or meat bones. Nice pooling of sea green colour at the neck and base of the zhadou.

There is no repair or restoration, chips or glaze fritting...

A radical Iga vase by unconventional artist Kishimoto Kennin (b. 1934) enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box. The free form Terracotta image is covered in lichen-like pale green ash glaze. The vase is 10 inches (25 cm) tall, 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide and in perfect condition. Possibly better known today for celadon, Kennin went through a radical period some 15 years ago working on pieces like this unusually formed Iga ware. An artist who has tried many styles, he has been work...

Description: A beautiful Longquan bowl was kept in perfect condition. In fantastic celadon glaze, light whitish incursions was dispersed around the mouth rim and at the foot rim. When potted heavily of the body, carved motifs were in the the middle of the cavetto and around the outer surface. A good Ming ware with typical shape can be ideally used in a practical way. Date: Ming Dynasty(15th Century) Width: 16cm Height: 7.0cm

Jingu, guardian Empress of Japan, stands ready to defend her princely child Ojin held by General Takenouchi Sukune within a painted border of martial articles. Swords, armor, bows and quivers full of arrows, a horse-bit and court cap, tea bowl and other implements precious to the samurai tradition all hand-painted about the central image, laid scroll-like over top but actually all part of the same canvas. The composition has been freshly mounted in toffee colored brocade reflecting the origina...

Description: A very good example of bone carving which was imitated as an ivory piece was done in the 17th-18th century of Qing Dynasty. With image of the deity of Longevity--Soulou, the ancient piece was carved with mature craftsmanship. Dyed with warm brownish hue on the surface to imitate the patina of an aged ivory and burned the hollowed bone tunnel to imitate the ivory's cavity, it disguised the most discerning eyes. Nevertheless, after meticulous inspection, I could not find any ivory ti...

Large table top scholar's huanghuali chest with all it's original hardware. This is an early Ming piece as the huanghuali wood is quite thick. In later Ming pieces the wood was reduced in thickness as the huanghuali became scarcer. The hardware is typical early Ming. It is 100% original except for the inner tray that was probably added later. Size: L. 41.5cm. W. 24.6cm. H. 19.3cm. Condition: Normal ageing.

A very rare find indeed, two early to mid Edo period matching Kashi-gusoku Yoroi from the same armory featuring Momonari Kabuto and Hotoke-Ni-Mai Do decorated with jagged bands of gold. A very impressive set. The sleeves are patterned blue and white hemp. The thumb on one sleeve is missing and the two hinge pins. There are broken strings and damage to the lacquer consistent with age and the fact this armor was handed out to soldiers, likely often for guard duties and escorts, and so did see ...

A beautiful large blue & white charger painted in the style of early Yuan blue and white. The back of the charger has etched on it the name of a Temple that it once belonged to. Size: Diameter. 46.3 cm. W. 8.9cm. Condition: Perfect.

A very large Temple carpet with five dragon of which four are chasing the elusive pearl. Size: 206 x 123 cm. Condition: No repairs.

A very rare and unusual seal of a mythical animal made of pottery. Age; Ten Kingdoms. Size: H. 5.2cm. W. 3.5 x 3.5cm. Condition: Some loss of the white slip and a chip on the horn.

Description: An ivory pumpkin was delicately carved in Ming period (15th-16th Century). Kept with charming warm patina and obvious aged ivory tissues, the toggle was in good feel when fondling in the palm. A typical Chinese curiosity for connoisseurring was rarely found these days. Referent material can be found in the Published: Fang jing Pei, Treasures of the Chinese Scholar (Weatherhill, 1997). Some old defects like a hole and missing section of the stalk were found. Date: Ming period (15th...

Description: A charming amber pendant was carved with Chilong motif. Silver framed with chiselled flower motif and a word " Fu " (well-being) on the reverse side though at 19th century, the carving amber piece was from 17th-18th century of Qing dynasty. Preserved in very good condition, attractive ice cracks can obviously seen under magnify glass. Aged but greasy feel looking, the hue is much more darkened in real than in the pictures. Date: Qing Dynasty (17th-18th century) Dimension: 5cm x 3.7...

18th century Chinese bronze Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) Bodhisattva figurine seated in a position of royal ease with a contemplative expression. The robe falls in elegant folds and is inlaid in silver wire with a cloud pattern. A "Shisou" two-character mark is inlaid in silver wire on the back. Measures 5" high, 4" long, 3" wide. Very good overall condition with a nice patina. An example of this type of "Shisou" marked bronze Guanyin is illustrated and described on pages 216-217 of “China’s...

Korean rice bale-form stoneware wine bottle with cylindrical body, short circular spout at the mid-section, and four raised feet covered overall in a golden olive-brown glaze. One end has the standard domed form while the opposite slightly concave end, upon on which the vessel was fired, is unglazed and has the characteristic sand grit residue adhering. Heavily potted. 19th century. 10” long x 5 1/2” diameter; weighs over 4 lbs. Very good overall condition with typical production imperfecti...

This sleeve panel is made with light green silk fabric. It is decorated with floral designs in satin stitched blue silk thread with butterflies high-lighted with white,green and purple thread. Condition is very good. Each sleeve measures 3.5" X 30 inches Embroidered section measures 3" x 20"

Description: A blue and white plate was painted with vibrant dragon amid swirling cloud. As a piece from early Qing period-the Yongzheng reign, the plate was well preserved with only minor frets on the glaze of the surface. A brush pen written inscription /Jianzenghao/ was on the un-glazed body at the bottom of the plate. Date: Yongzheng period,17th century. Width: 23.6cm

Waisted cylindrical form scholar's huanghuali wood brush pot with a slightly raised flat base and three low rounded feet. The feet, base and rim are finished with a finely executed narrow raised band. The honey-browm wood has a varied grain pattern displaying several distinctive guilian “ghost face” whorl patterns. 18th century or earlier. Measures 6”H x 5 5/8” diameter. Very good overall condition with a wonderful patina. There are small scratches, chips and signs of wear at the inner...

The wheel is covered with deep red coral beads. Additional strands of coral beads and the turning weight are attached to a narrow leather strap which bands the center of the wheel. The handle was hand turned. Almost 12" hight and 5" in diameter, this old prayer wheel has seen many turns.

Description: One prestigious and rare Jianyang Temmoko bowl was in attractive pitch-black glaze. In elegant domed shape, the luster on the surface inside and outside the bowl was introspective and charming. Under the magnifying glass, web-like thin cracks were spread all over the surface. When the average incursion was around the mouth-rim, and the touching feel was dry-some for accuracy of the authentication, the greasy skin-like glaze yielded the subtle silver streak firing effects which can h...

A

Description: One small Jianyang Temmoko bowl was authenticated by all the typical characteristics - the iron grayish body, the typical straight foot rim, the deposits in the pinpoint holes on the body , dry-feel mouth rim, crackled glaze and the foggy water scar left on the glaze. The bottom of the foot ring was uniquely shaped as a flat form. It was a lovely piece with a genuine look from first sight. There're similar pieces which in pairs were exhibited at Nan yue Won Tomb's Museum of Guanzho...

Large wood display stand carved to imitate a natural root with a flat upper surface. Root furniture was much favored by the Chinese literati. Believed to date from the late Qing Dynasty to early Republic Period. Measures about 17"L x 10 1/2"D x 3 1/8"H. Very good overall condition with some minor scratches and wear to the top. An example of this type of display stand can be found on page 76, plate 37 of “Arts from the Scholar’s Studio,” Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong and Fung P...

Description: A beautiful and elegant jade pendant was carved in Chinese chrysanthemum's shape. By six petals, the pistil was skillfully and intriguingly carved with a movable jade ring in the middle. The jade pendant was in Houtien quality and in greenish tint. With mature double-side craftmanship, this mid-Qing period's piece can be added to your precious jade collections. Date: Mid Qing period (18th Century) Width: 5.6cm Depth: 0.65cm

A large Amber glass Mizusashi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mizu Utsuwa by Japans top-rated female glass artists, Iwata Itoko. It has a black lacquered wooden lid typical of mizusashi, but a tremendous convoluted form in rich amber which defies simple description. Itoko is one of the top rated glass artists in Japan, and heir to the legacy of Iwata Hisatoshi. The piece is roughly 1 foot (39 cm) in diameter. Work by this artist is in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Ar...

A very unusual huanghuali scholar's container made of one solid piece of wood. There is no plug at the base. These types of designs are very desirable for collectors of huanghuali pieces. It probably had a lid. Age: 18th century. Size: H. 7cm. W. 11.7cm. Condition. No repairs. Some old minor chips on the rims.

Description: A lovely blue and white plant pot was in unique hexagon shape. Painted with typical Chinese rural scenery, this small plant pot was kept in very good condition only with one almost invisible faint hairline on the rim. Date: Qing Dynasty, Late 19th Century. Width:10.9cm Height:4.5cm

Description: One celadon censer on three feet was from Longquan kiln Zhejiang of Yuan Dynasty. Crackled beautifully under introspective gloss of the glaze, patterns of Eight Diagram were decorated around the outer wall. When the steep circular foot rim was molded to support the censer, three suspended feet were used only as decoration with which was a typical Yuan ware's characteristic. Date: Yuan Dynasty, 13th century. Width: 7.7cm Height: 4.8cm

A nice jade "bi" disk carved in the Han Dynasty style with dots and "c" scrolls. Color is a transparent light pale celadon. It shows up darker in the photos. Age:Late Ming. Size: Diameter.5.3cm. Condition. Some minor chips on the rim.

Description: One Temmoko tea bowl of Song dynasty was authenticated as a Jian kiln piece. Kept with beautiful glaze condition, the clay revealed at the foot rim yielded it's black purplish tint which justify it's origin. In typical everted shape, one crack line penetrated on the upper part of cavetto and some touch-ups were made to the glaze surface. Date: Song Dynasty(AD 12th Century) Width: 12.6cm Height: 4.8cm

A lucky jade carved in the form of a lock. The front carved with a large peony and the back carved with the words for prosperity, good luck etc. Should be worn as a good luck pendent. Size: W. 5.8cm. H. 4cm. Condition. Perfect

Two round and one boomerang shape ancient glass beads. Two round ones are a pale sea green and the larger one aqua blue. Size: Small: 1.8cm. Middle: 2.8cm. Large: 3.8cm. Condition: Perfect.

This is a genuine theater puppet kashira representing the character Osome. It is not a souvenir. As you can see it is quite clean, however there are three faint vertical cracks in the gofun covering, beside the nose and up the right cheek. The gofun is stable. She wears her hair in an immaculate coiffure held with one unpretentious comb and a ribbon of chirimen silk. Two silver ornaments accent the very simple and attractive figure. The head comes with the bamboo stand shown, as well as th...

A very Large translucent pale blue-green glass earring from Southeast Asia, probably from Vietnam or Cambodia.The glass is in the form of a thick oval hoop that tapers at the ends. There is some soil encrustation on the ends from being buried. Size: Diameter 8cm. Condition: Perfect.

Description: A charming nephrite green jade bracelet was from Song Dynasty. Kept in perfect condition when incursions with brownish tint were left on the surface, the bracelet was in plain form without any motifs. An attractive piece that can add more focus to your wrist. Date: Song Dynasty(12th century) Width:(outer rim 7.6, inner rim 5.8cm)