Yoshimoto Gesso
Cherry Blossoms
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 10 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Kaoru Kawano (1916-1965)
Two Kittens
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower right and on verso.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape residue at back margins and top front margin.

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...

Victorian Classical sterling silver loving cup, ca 1890. Baluster bowl with flared rim and raised foot. High-looping capped double-scroll handles. Exuberant embossed and cast ornament with scrolling leaves and scallop shells contained by fluted frames. Fully marked including maker’s (Frank W. Smith) and retailer’s (Theodore B. Starr) stamps, no. 1334B, and volume (6 1/2 pts). Very good condition with deep patina.

Overall dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 10 x D 6 in. Heavy weight: 46.8 troy ounce...

Pair of Old Country sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Elgin Silversmith Co., Inc. in New York, ca 1950. Each: Bellied socket on baluster shaft; domed foot with three embossed scroll supports. Naif-style pointille ornament. Marked “ESCO / Sterling”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 13 1/8 x D 5 7/8 in. Total weight: 18 troy ounces. #BY595

Pair of Lancaster sterling silver ice tongs. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. U-form with beaded stem and floral terminal. One jaw ovoid and scalloped with ornamental piercing; the other a cast claw with five talons. A nice early piece in this pattern, which was first produced in 1897. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Shreve & Co.) stamps. Condition: Nice definition. Taut and springy.

Height: 6 1/2 in. Weight: 1.8 troy ounces. #BY812

Maintenon sterling silver serving tray. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1923. Oval with leaf-capped and -mounted c-scroll side handles. Well has engraved beaded oval frame (vacant) in garland surround. Tapering shoulder with chased scrolls and flowers in alternating wide and narrow curvilinear frames. Imbricated leaf rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, pattern name, no. 10217/1, and letters “CCQ”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 25 x D 15 5/8 in. Weight: ...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver sugar caster. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1909. Upward tapering bowl with reeding; stepped and spread foot. Cover domed with vasiform finial; top has ornamental piercing. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 17583 (first produced in 1909), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 x D 2 5/8 in. Weight: 6.6 troy ounces. #BY560

Pair of Repousse sterling silver ice tongs. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore. U-form applied with dense flowers and leaves in crisp relief; leaf jaws. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1932-61). Condition: Strong definition. Taut and springy.

Height: 6 1/4 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BY816

English Edwardian Classical sterling silver tray, 1908. Rectangular with tapering sides and everted rim. Scroll and flower border applied to well and rim. Corner ball supports. Fully marked including London assay stamp and stamp for New Bond Street retailer Finnigans Ltd. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/8 x W 12 1/8 x D 9 1/8 in. Weight: 28.8 troy ounces. #BY945

Super luxurious Modern sterling silver colander. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Round bowl with two bracket side handles and 3 scrolled supports. Four pierced stars. A practical kitchen accessory wrought in precious metal. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp and phrase “Hand-Made”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x W 14 x D 10 1/2 in. Weight: 45 troy ounces. #BY860

Edwardian Classical glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by La Pierre Mfg. Co. in Newark, ca 1910. Faceted cone with scalloped rim; round flat foot with star cut to underside. Overlay in form of garlands threaded through interlaced arches (body) and star (foot); scrolled frame (vacant) also on foot. Marks include maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 11 1/8 x D 5 in. #BY773

Edwardian Classical glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by La Pierre Mfg. Co. in Newark, ca 1910. Faceted cone with scalloped rim; round flat foot with star cut to underside. Overlay in form of garlands threaded through interlaced arches (body) and star (foot); scrolled frame (vacant) also on foot. Marks include maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 11 1/8 x D 5 in. #BY772

Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Watrous Mfg. Co. (part of International) in Wallingford, Conn. Rectangular window in clean and unadorned flat surround. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including Watrous and International stamps and no. 30. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/4 x W 7 1/2 in. Window: H 8 5/8 x W 6 in. #BY262

Kawase Hasui
Dawn Over Lake Shoji
Size: Approximately 8.75 x 7 inches.
Date: 1935. First and only edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo for a calendar commissioned by Japan Government Railways. Please see the included original Japanese Government Railways tag.
Reference: Hotei #370.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margins trimmed. Back has areas of paper residue and slight thinning.
Note: Not many examples of this woodblock print have survive...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Redstarts on Flowering Cherry Branch
Size: O-tanzaku. 13.5 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910s
Koson signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: K26.5 in Koson catalog.
Condition: Top back corners have paper residue.
- This print features lovely woodgrain.

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can incorporate centuries of experiential knowledge and technique into producing new and interesting forms are oh so valued. Though this Bizen jar fits into the category of mizusashi, a vessel central to tea ceremony that holds fresh water, it seems to transcend this narrow category and stands as an independent art object all its own....

Japanese inlay ceramics (zōgan) are created by making incisions on the surface of a clay body which are then filled with various colored clays, creating a pattern. After the pattern is finalized, an overglaze is applied and the piece is sent to the kiln to be fired. As can be seen here, the results are quite striking and produce unique patterns that cannot be replicated through painting alone. Inlaying as a technique is thought to have originally derived from practices in metal and ...