Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...

Accents formed using iron pigment stand out across a backdrop of blue-green glaze. The base and a portion of the inside of this ceremonial tea bowl are unglazed displaying rich clay. Created by Shibayama Toshiya, this is an example of contemporary Japanese ceramics at its finest.

A native of Nagoya Shibayama (b. 1959) is exceptionally versatile, working in styles such as Seto, Shino, Karatsu, and Shigaraki among others. A practitioner of tea himself, Shibayama is known for crafting ...

German 800 silver and glass decanter, ca 1910. Flat and round bowl with cylindrical neck. Double-sided acid-etched landscapes with picturesque windmills, bridges, and houses. At bottom 800 silver mount with pierced and chased scrollwork, as well as musicians and colonnade. Silver neck collar. Silver ball stopper with figural finial in form of water carrier; clear glass plug. Marks possibly for Wolf & Knell in Hanau. Good condition with deep patina. Plug sanded down on one side.

Dimensions: H 1...

Austrian Classical clear glass jar with 800 silver cover, ca 1910. Tubular with cut fluting and star. Cover silver; gently raised with beaded border. Cover marks include Schwarz & Steiner stamp and letters RS and HD. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 2 1/2 x L 7 7/8 x W 2 1/2 in. Weight (silver only): 4 troy ounces. #BR777

Pretty German 800 silver and crystal decanter, ca 1910. Curved and faceted crystal body flowing into spread base; acid-etched flowers, leaves, and scrolls. Drum-form neck in silver collar with tooled flowers and scrolls. Silver ovoid and faceted stopper with flowers and scenes of gallantry. Pierced silver border at base with scrolls and shells. Marks include maker’s stamp for Vereinigte Silberwarenfabrik in Hanau. Good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 1/2 x D 4 1/4 in. #BL890

Ohara Hoson (Koson)
Carp jumping for insect, wisteria above
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.625 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1931.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Publisher's seal in right margin. Carver (Ito) and printer (Komatsu) seals in left margin.
Bear Koson's "Hoson" signature and seal.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso as well as the number 39.
Reference: H39.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese...

Tadamasa Ueno (Torii Tadamasa)
Kumadori Ju-hachi Ban. Makeup for Asagao Senpei from Sukeroku. Eighteen Famous Kabuki Plays.
Date: 1940. First edition.
Size: 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Seal E (1932-42) at lower left margin.
Signed and sealed at upper left.
Condition: Fading in the blues. The upper background was tinted blue where formerly matted.

Art Nouveau inkwell. Made by Emile Langlois in Paris, ca 1920. Hemispheric clear glass bowl with garland acid-etched to sides and diaper cut to underside. Neck collar 950 silver as is hinged domed cover, which has guilloche enamel concentric rings in nuanced green-brown. Detachable clear glass liner. Maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 2 3/4 in. #T714

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver mirror. Made by Lebkuecher in Newark. Two bracket supports joined by concave and crisscrossing stretchers. Hinged swing oval frame inset with beveled glass. Dense and fluid engraved scrolls, leaves, and flowers on lined ground. Each support has shaped cartouche (vacant). Glass frame engraved with interlaced script monogram. A timeless addition to a lady’s vanity table. Fully marked and numbered 2473/15. Excellent condition with strong definition....

Midcentury Modern jar. Made by E. Dragsted in Denmark. Thick and ovoid clear glass bowl with sterling silver grape bunches loose-mounted to ends. Flat sterling silver cover with grape bunch finial. Beautiful Jensen-inspired design. Cover fully marked and numbered 1810. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x W 6 3/8 x D 4 in. #BU374

Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research. In some cases however, this proves to be a fruitless task and I am left only to appreciate the beauty and form of the object without having access to too many d...

Kaoru Kawano
Camellia (G) (Tsubaki)
Date: 1950
Size: Double oban. 23.75 x 18 inches.
Edition: 46/200.
Self-carved by Kawano.
Sealed by the artist at lower right.
Signed, titled, and numbered at lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The thick paper has some thinner areas on the back from removal from backing. Slight toning line in margin.

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Baluster with dense and vertical overlay in form of entwined stem flowers in curvilinear frames. Scrolled cartouche (vacant). Glass is green. Fully marked including maker's stamp (Alvin), retailer's stamp (Black, Starr & Frost), and no. G3215/3. Excellent condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 6 3/8 x D 2 5/8 in. #BT558

Midcentury Modern sterling silver and cut-glass creamer and sugar. Made by Hawkes in Corning, New York. Each: Conical bowl on flutes and diaper, and scalloped rim border. Creamer has c-scroll handle and small u-form spout. Stepped and round sterling silver base. Fully marked including silver weight (16 pwts/each). Very good condition. Sugar has minor base ping.

Dimensions: Creamer: H 4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 3/4 in. Sugar: H 4 x D 4 in. #BU361

Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Flying Cuckoo
Size: Approximately 9.75 x 4.625 inches. 24.8 x 11.8 cm.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #360 tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight creasing where publisher's original tag is attached to back. Small dash mark indentation under bird.
- Rarely seen.

Dutch Neoclassical 934 silver salver, late 18 C. Round. Open gallery sides with flowering rinceaux and beaded rim. Four fluted and tapering supports. Fully marked including Amsterdam city stamp. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x D 12 3/4 in. Weight: 31 troy ounces. #BU158

Arai Yoshimune
Sailing Boats at Anchor Under the Moon
Date: ca. 1910.
Size: Approximately 25.8 x 12.5 cm. 10.125 x 5.875 inches.
Artist's Yoshimune seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto. Catalog No. 385 tag on back.
Condition: Small white surface marks in sky. Verso has a couple of faint foxing marks near top. Margin mark.
Compare with our Yoshimune036 "Sailing Boats and Moon (1)."

Shoda Koho
Country Scene (With Moon) from the Hasegawa Night Scenes series. Also known as "Canal by Moonlight"
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.125 x 7.5 inches.
Date: 1910-38.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku.
Sealed by artist. "Made in Japan" stamped on lower right verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: One dot of foxing in lower sky amongst trees.
Compare with our Koho074 Country Scene With Moon (Canal) (2).

A beautiful example of Ohi inspired Raku-ware; the body of this stylish tea vessel is a mix of a dark black gradating to charcoal grey with undertones of reddish maroon. A hasami-no-ato mark can be seen where the tongs were used to remove this piece from the kiln, and the potters mark can be seen near the foot of the bowl. Simple and refined, perfect for collectors and practitioners of tea alike.

Born into a generational line of tea-ware potters from Kanazawa, Fumiaki Kaihatsu (b. 1...

Spring Field
Artist: Unidentified.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.625 inches 14.2 x 9.2 cm
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 425).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Wave in paper where original publisher's tag is attached to the back.
The Matsumoto catalog states, "Butterflies are flitting to and fro among the flowers."
An early and rarely seen design.

Being based in Kyoto we occasionally come across fine Chinese and Korean tea-ware to mix in with our Japanese offerings. Here we have an example of a ceremonial tea bowl from the Shinragi kiln in Korea. Pieces like the one seen here are baked in a traditional wood-fired “climbing kiln” at a temperature of over 1,300 degrees for 5 days. Fashioned after classical works held in museum collections, the motifs are timeless and captivating.

In excellent condition, this piece is 5.5 in...

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...

Austrian Classical 800 silver and glass vanity jar on stand, ca 1910. Jar clear glass with fluting. Cover silver; gently raised with beaded border. Stand oval with tapering sides and beaded rim. Marks include Schwarz & Steiner stamp and letters RS. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 1/2 x W 5 7/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weight (silver only): 7 troy ounces. #BU140

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver bookmark. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Dagger blade engraved with interlaced script monogram set in open frame. Cast terminal in form of winged cherub, a guiding spirit to help you keep your place. Back plain. Fully marked including no. 922. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 3 5/8 x W 2 x D 1/2 in. #BS168

Swiss Biedermeier silver chafing dish, 19 C. Round with gently curved sides and molded rim. Handle faceted stained wood. Beading. Cover gently raised with naïve-style flower head finial. Marked. Very good condition. Handle has minor chip.

Overall dimensions: H 6 1/2 x W 14 x D 8 in. Gross weight: 40 troy ounces. #BT943

Arai Yoshimune
Five-Storied Pagoda
Date: ca. 1910.
Size: Approximately 17.2 cm 12.6 cm. 6.75 x 5.0 inches.
Artist's seal at lower left.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 429).
Condition: Light wave in paper where the original publisher's tag is applied to the back. Some toning of paper.
An early and rarely seen design.

Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Mt. Fuji and Sailboat (Fuji Yama)
Size: Kotanzaku. Approximately 24.8 x 12.0 cm. 9.75 x 4.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 367). Original publisher's tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A few marks in sky. Small bends at top and bottom edges.

Sensitive and endearing 800 silver animal figure. Made by Buccellati in Italy. A chimp with raised arm, big funny ears, and expressive face sits on amethyst crystal base with joined feet. A playful primate with tensile hands and feet, and shaggy wire fur. Marked “Buccellati Italy 800”. Excellent condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H (with base) 13 x W 8 1/2 x D 8 in. #BU120

George III sterling silver salver. Made by Robert Rew in London in 1769. Round and ogee well with engraved armorial in floral surround. Sides tapering, and rim scrolled and gadrooned. Four leaf-capped volute scrolls. Stylish midcentury Georgian. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Large dimensions: H 1 3/4 x D 15 in. Weight: 48 troy ounces. #BT951

European silver and enamel cigarette case, ca 1920. Rectangular, chamfered, and hinged. On cover a horse’s head appears in an entryway, with two protective borzoi dogs standing guard. Stable drama against a semi-abstract background of brick and stone, and purpling ground. Marks worn. Very good condition with strong color.

Dimensions: H 3 5/8 x W 3 1/4 x D 1/2 in. Gross weight: 4.6 troy ounces. #BT902

Tall turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass decanter with engraved silver overlay. Globular bowl with cylindrical neck and everted rim. Stopper concave with faceted neck. Dense overlay. On bowl are flower heads, entwined scrolls, and trellis between double linear frames joined by beading and terminating in volute scrolls. On neck are shooting tendrils forming arches. Neck and rim in collar as is decanter neck. Glass is clear. Marked and numbered 044. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 5/8 x...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Nara Kofukuji
Date: 1937.
Size: Oban. Approximately 17.0 x 11.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi. Bears the Doi watermark.
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
This indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-44.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Cherry Blossoms by the Gate
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1951. Pencil-signed first edition.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Excellent. Upper left margin corner bend.
Notes: I've included photos of Toshi Yoshida's vintage envelope and the collector's notes of the previous owner, both of which accompanied this group of Yoshida prints. The collector's notes will be included.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Teahouse in the Night
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.0 x 6.625 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
No. 564 in 1936 Watanabe catalog. M-57 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Aesthetic coin silver baby cup. Made by Juergens & Andersen in Chicago. Tapering and inset sides engraved with stylized ornament, including swags and scrolls, centered on oval frame (vacant) bordered by beading and dentil interspersed with trefoils. Top and bottom have ornamental borders on ribbed ground. Thick scroll bracket handle. Marked “Coin” and “Chicago” with maker’s stamp (1857-71). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 4 1/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 3 troy ounces. #BT449 ...