KARUTA

Remains of the 18 old paper picture cards (with no cards to be read) in a game of Japanese card game called 'karuta' (ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuta), early 20th century, Japan, 5.5 x 8 cm (2.16 x 3.14in) each...

Signed in 3 places with early marks is this rare Matilde Poulat necklace. The Matl's center is a tulip with turquoise and coral stones. The bird of choice is the turkey which I believe is the best I have seen turkeys displayed by Matl. The flow into the tulip is majestic. Finger coral adorns the birds along with the tiniest turquoise beads. The length is 18 inches and the drop measures 5.5in. across. It is hard to measure the height of the drop to be exact but I see it closest to 2.75in...

This is a beautiful old Japanese Shusu (lustrous Satin-weave) obi with the finest embroidery work. Condition of the silk is excellent. It feels so soft, totally different from the newer obis. Color is a shiny deep blue. There is one seam in the center of the front and two in the back. Converted from Nagoya style obi to a flat obi of 11 1/8" wide x 80" long, all the works are done profesionally by hand. The design areas are balanced on each end of the front side this way...

A superb three dimensional sterling and amethyst hinged cuff by Taxco silversmith Margot De Taxco. A bracelet in constant motion with curling and swirling forms edged in silver beading and 8 teardrop shaped cabachon amethysts budding forth from silver stems. It is exquisite in every way and a Margot piece that I have never seen before. It is 3 3/4" long in the front and 7" around in the inside. Beautiful original condition, warm patina, weighs 105 grams...

Amathyst glass open-back stones with gold plated flowers form this clip. Very elegant. Can be worn in many ways: plunging neckline, hat, belt, pocket, purse. Ornate single clip attachment.3" wide, 2" high, 5/8" thick.

One of the best William Spratling bracelets. Heavy thick silver that is deeply chased and tipped with open backed repousse puffy designs. 1.50in. in height and the gap is 1.25in. The diameter is 2.25in. which fits most. It can be warmed and made smaller to fit if needed. The hallmark is first phase and properly marked as shown. This will become your go to bracelet.

Sterling vermeil pendant-tassel necklace and clip earrings, Nettie Rosenstein from the 1930's or early 40's. Pendant has oriental feeling in a bird cage effect complete with ruby rhinestone flowers and turquoise colored beads. Simulated seed pearls form the border. The twisted rope chain is thick and works well with the pendant. Oval earrings match the pendant design. Chain is 15" long, 1/4" thick. Pendant is 2" long, 1" wide, 1/2" deep. Tassel is 1 1/2" long. Earrings are 1 1/8" by 3/4"...

A sterling bird Southwest poison ring with turquoise eyes from the 1930s. This unusual and vividly depicted ring is in the form of a bird or owl's head; it has two turquoise cabochon eyes, one green and one blue. It measures 5/8 x 1/2", it is hand made and engraved and it has cutout shoulders. The top opens to reveal a poison compartment (in this case it has an instant relative's photo which can be removed). It is unsigned and it has native American symbology on the shank...

A large and stunning vase by Nakamura Shuto made for the Shobido Art Company enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) across the base and in excellent condition.
Nakamura Shuto I (1865-1928) was born the son of famous Kaga potter of Daishoji Temple Nakamura Shigeichiro from whom, along with Takeuchi Ginshu from the age of 12, he initially studied pottery and painting techniques...

A rare and spectacular handwrought sterling repousse cuff by silversmith Peer Smed. He was trained in Denmark, came to the U.S. and worked for Tiffany & Co., then later opened his own shop in New York. The workmanship of this bracelet is superb.The flower and leaves look alive...

This is William Spratling's River of Life cuff which is one of several versions of his design. This is a first phase design and properly hallmarked as shown. The weight is 84 grams and the gap in the back is 1in. The diameter is 2.25in. and the width at the highest wave is 1.5in. There are some streaks of tarnish and glare, however there are no dents or damage. The piece is hand chased and the balls are heavy repousse with a warm, natural patina. This piece is sized for a woman's wrist or small ...

This is a change of pace from 16in. necklaces. The Quetzalcoatl necklace is super long at an overall length of 28.75in. with the drop being 3.75in. tall and 3in. across. The silver is hand carved into 980 silver and it is silky soft to the touch. You can see the work marks on the back of this very early piece. This weighs a remarkable 128 grams heavy and the silver is 3.5mm thick. This has such presence to wear alone or add other silver with it for even a greater effect. 980 Taxco signed with co...

Very early, c. 1930, silver fish pin with a turquoise cabachon eye by Taxco artist Fred Davis. This pin is featured on page 80 of the book SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill. One of his most famous pieces, this pin measures 3" by 1 1/8" and is in fine original condition with a great patina. It is signed for Fred Davis as shown in the photo. A wonderful pin!

This summer obi is made out of soft "Ro" silk with a gold tint. The silk on the front side is in mint condition (never been used) with an antique looking silk liner. Soft and high quality obi. It comes with basting stitches all around. The design on the silk is a picture of Karuta cards with beautiful calligraphy of old “waka

This sculpturally beautiful design is signed with Spratling's earliest hallmarks dating the piece to c. 1933-38. Each hand forged link is made of solid sterling silver giving the piece a hefty, yet wearable weight of 170 grams. The necklace is 15 3/4" long X 7/8 of an inch wide. Excellent condition with a gorgeously aged patina. The design is pictured on Phyllis Goddard's spratlingsilver.com.

Koma Inu Shrine guardians decorate this unusually vivid Ako carpet dating from the early 20th century. The color combination is quite striking, especially when held up to the more standard subdued works typical of Ako. It is 95 x 195 cm (37-1/2 x 77 inches) and is in stunning condition. We found this wrapped in paper in the attic of a Kyoto home which had been sealed off during renovations in the 1950s. With a relatively small quantity produced within the rather short history of Japanese car...

A rush of water descends into mist between the rocky crags tinted with autumns color on this superb silk scroll by Ochi Shokan enclosed in the original signed double wooden box (niju bako) titled Shusei (Voice of Autumn). Top quality, it is mounted in striped silk extended with green and has large solid ivory rollers. The scroll measures 55 x 213 cm (21-1/2 inches x 7 feet). It is in fine condition. Ochi Shokan (1882-1958) was born in Ehime prefecture on the island of Shikoku and studied p...

Beautiful Eisenberg. Creamy faux pearls with small rhinestones. Note the chain with dangling pearls that move as you do. Old block-letter Eisenberg signature. 2 1/2 wide, 2" long including fringe.