A very unusual set of three scrolls depicting the women of Shimabara looking down with trepidation at a Fumi-e (a Christian symbol) before lotus enclosed in a wooden box titled Shizan Shimabara-me Sanpuku Tsui (Shizan, Women of Shimabara Three Scroll Set). The Fumi-e was a bronze or wood placard embellished with a Christian symbol upon which people were forced to step to prove that they were not Christians during the ban on Christianity throughout most of the Edo period...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 17". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan was Moriya Kazuo, who was born on Septemeber 4th, 1928 (Showa 3.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Description: A white jade pendant was carved by a Chinese character-Suan Xi( double joys). By another motif in good metaphor-a butterfly being carved as decoration on top, the pendant was an elegant hanging piece in good nephrite Houtien quality. Qing Dynasty. Dimension:7.2cm x 4.2cm x 0.6cm

Ink on paper image of a skull befitting one of the most well known and outspoken Samurai/swordsmen of the 19th century, Yamaoka Tesshu, remounted in an olive grey border patterned with vines with wood rollers. The scroll measures 15 x 75 inches (37.5 x 190 cm) and is in fine condition but for some minor staining below the signature.
Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1889) was a student of military arts and famous calligrapher...

Blue & White bowl, decorated outside with four Phoenix on flight and flower scroll inside the center, mark on base. Early Ching Kangxi Period (1622-1722). Condition is good except one very fine hairline visible on the last enlargement, no chips, no other crack found and free from restoration as well. Diameter: 16.6 cm and High: 8.6 cm.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant with one bat and leaf design. The bat represent longevity and happiness. The bat and happiness sound is in the Chinese language is similar - both pronounced Fu. Size: L. 2.4cm. Condition: No repairs, cracks or chips.

This is a fine 19th century Chinese Export blue and white bowl; the everted rim has a raised edge and a floral border; the interior is painted with flowering branches and a stylized landscape; unglazed bottom; Condition is very good having no chips or paint flakes, small shallow hairline on back; Measurement: diam 10 1/4 in.; height: 3 in.

 

A lovely small b/w stem cup, decorated with bird among floral scroll. Late Ming Jiajing period, Fu character mark on the base. Condition is good excepted two chips to the foot rim and polished to tiny flake chip on the inner rim, no crack and free from restoration. High: 7 cm and mouth diameter: 6.8 cm.

Longquan plate/bowl covered with guan type - crackle celadon glaze. Glazed Base. Southern Song 南宋 (1127–1279). Measurement : Diameter: 21.5cm. Condition : frittings on the rim, no chips, hairlines or restorations.

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...

Golden celadon glazed with moulded floral scroll decoration. Unglazed base. Height = 6.5 cm Width = 9.5 cm. Yuan Dynasty 14th Century. Condition : Good no hairline, crack or restoration.

Oarsmen battle Tempestuous seas to carry safely home their cargo of courtly women in this vivid scene signed Hakushun dated 1932. The oars bend under the strain of the ferocious seas, the oarsmen pull with all their might. Behind bamboo curtains the young women huddle together, their courtly robes flowing about like the oceans mad waves. A very powerful scene supervised by a noble seated at the back of the small ship, witnessed by a gaggle of cormorants resting on a jagged rock cluster...

When carefully examined, the shaped body of this antique ceremonial Tibetan snuff container appears to be animal horn. Decorated with silver and bronze fittings, coral, turquoise and agate beads, this snuff bottle or more accurately, snuff container would have been worn suspended from a chain as a costume ornament by a shaman. It was purchased in Kunming from a Tibetan woman who was there selling her family treasures...

This is a bee hive shaped waterpot. It is sometimes referred to taibo zun or qizhao zun(chicken coop) in Chinese because of the shape. The domed shaped body has a countersunk base, with three incised roundel of scrolling kui dragons just about visible just beneath the beach bloom glaze accented with splashes of pink and a minute sprinkle apple or lime green...

A male back Mandarin square with a leopard, denoting the 3rd military rank. Silk tapestry (kossu, k'o-suu) with metallic threads and painted details. The animal is standing on a rock above deep water, the ground with Taoist longevity symbols. The background was probably covered by peacock feathers, rarely survived to the present days. Reference: "Ladder to the Clouds" by Jackson & Hugus Berkeley 1999, page 192 - No. 13.011: very similar badge...

Chinese 17th Century Dehua / Blanc de Chine Porcelain Lion-Mask Censer

This censer was made in the 17th century (c. 1650 - 1700) at the famous Dehua kilns in Fujian province. It is "heavily-potted", the outer surface and inner mouth coated in an ivory-coloured glaze. The inner surface and base remain unglazed.

Diameter 15 cm. There are a couple of firing fissures to the thickly-cut foot, no doubt caused during firing due to the thickness of the clay...

Crackle porcelain vase decorated with chilongs and floral sprays on the body and lotus petals on the neck. Glazed base. Ming Dynasty, late 16th Century. Height = 21.5 cm Condition : part of the top is missing and repairing, other is very good condition.