This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.

An exceptionally skilled Meiji potter, Chikusen (1854 – 1915) specialized in high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and...

Chinese silver mug, ca 1910. Straight and upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. A spare form enlivened with applied wraparound dragon chasing its tail. Marks include stamp for Wang Hing, a maker and retailer in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 x W 5 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX461

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating back to the 7th and 8th century—with the major kilns being established some time around the end of the 16th century. Similar in many ways to Shigaraki pottery, the glaze is the result of kiln ash being vitrified and melted on to the surface of the clay body at extremely high temperatures during firing, which can last many days. To add...

Large sterling silver Revere bowl, ca 1930. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Traditional form with tapering sides, curved bottom; allover spot hammering. Plain and stepped foot. Fully marked including maker’s (Old Newbury Crafters) and retailer’s stamps, no. 811, and phrase “P. Revere / Boston 1768 / Sons of Liberty / Reproduction”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 3/4 x D 11 in. Weight: 34.8 troy ounces. #BY351

Italian Modern fantasy marine sterling silver centerpiece. Ovoid shell with second hemispheric shell set in back on ovoid seabed base. Naturalistic irregularities, striation, and accretions as well as a thriving crustacean community with crabs, snails, and conches not to mention fish and seahorses emmeshed in the kelp and grasses mounted to the back exterior. The creatures are aglow with gilding. Wild and exuberant. Marks include post-1967 maker's stamp for Mazzucato. Excellent condition.

Appr...

The poem accompanying the artwork on this antique scroll reads: Fishing little trout—Precious drops of dew glisten—Flowing with the blossoms—The mountains and rivers of spring ( Rengetsu, age 78 ). A rather later and mature work by Rengetsu, this piece was created right as Edo ended and Meiji began, marking a major turning point in Japanese history and culture.

Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki fam...

A student of Itaya Hazan, one of the most sought after potters in the world of Japanese art, the ceramicist who crafted this fine vase displays here a high degree of mastery, both in form and glazing technique. For the collector who has always wanted a Hazan but has never been lucky enough to chance upon one, this may be a worthy acquisition. Although much of Inoue’s work is quite different in style to that of Hazan’s, you can find a number of pieces where the influence is unmistakeable—th...

Master of a very difficult technique from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) known in Japanese as Neriage, the potter who created this elegant vase uses extreme precision to combine sheets of differing types of clay, culminating in a unique visual effect. While many of his pieces are ringed with swirls of colors, this one is more modern and subdued. With quite a lot of character, this lovely vase will draw attention without being overpowering.

Born in Nagano, Kosei Matsui (1927-20...

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...

A delightful Shakudo brooch featuring a laughing face with exaggerated features including large copper lips as well as copper rope detail. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with lovely patina.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x L 1 3/4 in. #1118

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetrical and elegant flower vase. Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this vase embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creati...

Spare and Modern sterling silver geometric centerpiece after design by Frank Lloyd Wright. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Large and detachable shallow cone set in small shallow cone mounted to two rows of rectangular pillars in turn mounted to square base. Fully marked including post-1967 Italian maker’s stamp (Pampaloni), retailer’s stamp, and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation stamp. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 7/8 x D 16 in. Heavy total weight: 96.6 troy ounces. #BZ1...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

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 ...

Amusing shakudo brooch with copper and gold detail featuring a woman in repose. The brooch is braced by a sterling silver mount. Made in Japan. Meiji period, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fabulous patina.

Length: 2 3/8 in. #1120

Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...

Charming rectangular Shakudo brooch with gold and silver detail featuring a laughing man. The brooch is braced by a 12K gold mount. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fine patina.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x L 1 7/8 in. #1119