Splashed across a beautifully textured backdrop of shimmering black, the willow leaves painted in silver bring with them a sense of calm and contemplation. Generously proportioned though not too heavy in the hand, the wide base ensures stability while the upward curvature of the sides breaks with convention and offers a unique and decidedly modern flair.

Born in Kyoto as the 4th son of a famous lacquer artist named Shogo, Banura Shiro (1941-2001) followed suit and went i...

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

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....

First presented at the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition, this fine mizusashi crafted with extraordinary precision is a testament to the generational knowledge, skill, and dedication of one of Japan’s top traditional craftsman. Its tapered polished sides have a beautiful texture and luster that compliment perfectly with the hand-crafted custom lid adorning the top. Truly an exceptional artwork fused with the aesthetics of tea culture that gives it a sense of stability, calm, a...

The artist who produced this piece, Wataru Motomura, prides himself in living a traditional life in the eastern hills of Kyoto—long known for its rich clay and idyllic pastoral lands. Though the form of this vessel appears innovative and modern, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years. Taking inspiration from the varied pottery traditions of his native Hyogo, Motomura is also known to use clay and methods from the Shigaraki region and many of...

German silver figural dog stirrup cup, ca 1920. Cast bust of spaniel with long snout, resolutely closed mouth, and direct, concentrated gaze as well as floppy ears and thick fur. Mounted to plain and upward tapering bowl. A loyal hunt companion. Marked with maker’s stamp “Föhr” (probably, Eduard Foehr) and old-fashioned “13” (that is, 13/16 loths or 812 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 3 5/8 in. Weight: 8 troy ounces. #BZ714

Swedish Neoclassical 830 silver serving bowl, 1932. Ovoid bowl with high-looping end handles and raised foot. Engraved leaf-and-dart mouth rim. Pierced colonnade foot rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (G. Graumann) and date code. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x L 11 x W 4 3/4 in. Weight: 8.7 troy ounces. #BZ125

Fine quality Japanese Meiji silver incense burner, ca 1890. Barrel-form with solid top and bottom and open sides; applied chrysanthemums heightened with gold and silver. Cover oval and flush; finial in form of big loosely-tied bow with tassels. Ends plain and studded; copper and gold ornament with central mons encircled by two scaly, taloned dragons. Scrolled cradle mounted to pillar with brackets on four scroll supports. Applied leafing and flowering tendrils.

Appears to be unmarked. Very goo...

Beautiful Art Nouveau Classical glass perfume with silver overlay, ca 1900. Globular bottle with short neck and ball stopper. Classical flowering and leafing rinceaux overlay with round frame (vacant). Glass is red. Silver has maker’s stamp (Gorham) and no. D941. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 3/8 x D 3 1/4 in. #BZ501

Austrian 900 silver tray, ca 1900. Rectangular with molded curvilinear piecrust rim. A hearkening back to Georgian England by a fin-de-siecle Mitteleuropean silversmith. Marked with Dianakopf and maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x L 17 x W 9 in. Weight: 28 troy ounces. #BY863

German 800 silver stirrup cup, ca 1910. Plain upward tapering bowl with molded rim; cast mount in form of bull head with thick, matted fur and pointy flexed ears under sharp, oversized alpha horns. Firmly closed mouth and direct stare suggest a hunched-shoulder resolve. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/2 x D 2 7/8 in. Weight: 7.3 troy ounces. #BZ593

Set of 6 Japanese Meiji silver cast figural knife rests, ca 1910. Each: A horned and taloned dragon with arched back and fan tail. Scaly, scampering serpents for the next dinner party. Unmarked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x L 2 3/4 x W 5/8 in. Total weight: 5 troy ounces. #BY235

German Rococo 830 silver bowl, ca 1900. Round well with rosebud-gathering cherubs in relief. Sides tapering with scrolled and wavy rim. Heraldic shields with more cherubs and flower baskets as well as flower-strewn scrolled frames on pierced ground. Foot ring with scrolls and scallop shells. A fancy piece in the Hanau style. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 D 15 1/4 in. Weight: 22.5 troy ounces. #BZ141

Chinese export silver mug, ca 1880. Straight and upward tapering sides with allover low-relief battle frieze depicting soldiers—spearmen, lancers, and swordsmen—with a few hapless members of the flag corps wandering into the thick of things. In background (that is, at top) peacetime is represented by houses and trees. On front applied heraldic shield (vacant). Cast dragon handle—a horned scaly, serpentine serpent gripping the side with talons. Gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condit...

Pair of German 800 silver pheasants, ca 1920. A rooster and hen, each with hinged wings, long overlapping tails, closed beak, and wary stare. An on-guard couple standing on scaly talons, ready to take flight if the party talk turns dull. Heads detachable for hiding a secret stash of treats or booze. Hanau maker’s marks (Vereinigte Silberwarenfabriken). Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: Rooster: H 8 1/2 x L 19 3/8 x W 4 3/8 in. Wingspan: 7 1/4 in. Hen: H 9 x L 18 3/4 x W 4 1/2 in. Wing...

German 800 silver figural stirrup cup, ca 1910. Cast boar head with flexed-back ears, fierce eyes, funny snout, and fearsome teeth and tusks. Bowl straight and tapering with tooled bands; gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Pocket-sized dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 1 7/8 in. Heavy weight: 5 troy ounces. #BZ597

French Art Deco 950 silver box, ca 1920. Round and flat. Concentric engine turned ornament with engraved flowers on top center and patera on bottom center. Gilt interior. Sweet and pretty. Marked. Very good condition with some handling wear.

Pocket-sized dimensions: H 3/4 x D 2 1/8 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ625

German 800 silver lady’s shoe, ca 1920. Plain sole and low heel, and loose-mounted c-scroll strap. Chased leafing and flowering scrolls on stippled ground. Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 5/8 x L 7 3/4 x W 2 3/8 in. Heavy weight: 6.8 troy ounces. #BZ641