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 ...

In Japan, famous for its generational potting families, only a handful have made it all the way through to the 14th generation—the Nakazato line being one of them with over 400 years of history. Handcrafted by the current 14th potter in the renowned Karatsu tradition, this piece displays subtle, earthy tones and organic textures reminiscent of nature. Blending elements seamlessly, a canvas is created that complements the beauty of the floral elements in glossy contrast across the s...

With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...

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...

Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita (1886-1968)
White Cat
Date: 1929
Signed by the artist in the image in English and Japanese.
Matte size: 23.25 x 19.375 inches. Matte window: 17.5 x 12.75 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print with gauffrage embossing on the cat (seen in indirect light).
Condition: Woodblock print is sealed inside matte and is possibly adhered to board. Some creasing visible in side lighting.

Set of 3 Modern sterling silver open salts. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Each: Curved and shallow bowl with tapering and high-looping split-mounted handle with bead terminals. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 110. Two have postwar maker’s stamp (1945-77) and one has maker’s stamp “Georg Jensen / Silversmiths Ltd” and letter E in lozenge. Very good condition. Overall dimensions: H 1 x W 3 x D 2 in.

With: Set of 3 Acorn sterling silver salt spoons. Made by Georg Jens...

Francis I sterling silver 3-light candelabrum. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton. Central socket on spool base to which are mounted to reeded wraparound branches, each terminating in single socket. Branches have short leaf and flower band. Branch plug set in socket mounted to baluster shaft; raised foot. Engraved and low relief ornament with leaves and fruit and flower clusters. Sockets bellied and shaft and foot fluted. Foot and bobeche rims scrolled. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, patt...

Edwardian sterling silver tray. Made by S. Kirk & Son Inc. in Baltimore. Oval well and wide shoulder with repousse floral garland on stippled ground; imbricated leaf rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1925-32), no. 2517, and phrase “Hand Decorated”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x W 17 x D 11 3/4 in. Weight: 38.3 troy ounces. #BY473

Edwardian sterling silver vase. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1904. Steeply tapering ovoid body; domed foot. Rims scrolled with applied flowers; mouth rim wavy. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. 4678A, and date symbol. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x D 6 7/8 in. Weight: 14 troy ounces. #BY861

Edwardian Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1912. Tapering sides with flared mouth rim and stepped round foot. Acid-etched vertical ornament with alternating wide and narrow curvilinear frames with stylized leaves and volute scrolls; foot encircled with curvilinear volute scrolls and pendant flower heads. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18193B (first produced in 1912), and director’s letter m. Very good condition with strong definition.

Edwardian Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1912. Tapering sides with flared mouth rim and stepped round foot. Acid-etched vertical ornament with alternating wide and narrow curvilinear frames with stylized leaves and volute scrolls; foot encircled with curvilinear volute scrolls and pendant flower heads. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18193B (first produced in 1912), and director’s letter m. Very good condition with strong definition.

Modern sterling silver tray. Made by Arthur Stone in Gardner, Mass., ca 1930. Round well with curved sides, tapering shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and craftsman’s initial T for Herbert A. Taylor, who was active from 1908-37. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x D 12 1/8 in. Weight: 23.7 troy ounces. #BX526

Set of 10 Acorn sterling silver place card holders. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Each: Double-sided stylized acorn mounted to rectangle, in turn, mounted to larger rectangle. Marks including maker’s stamp (1945-77), designer’s stamp (Johan Rohde), and no. 62. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x W 1 1/8 x D 7/8 in. Total weight: 5.7 troy ounces. #BY846

Pair of pretty Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Fisher Silversmiths, Inc. in Jersey City, ca 1950. Each: Ovoid socket with detachable and turned-down bobeche; baluster shaft on domed foot. Rims have applied shells and scrolls. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 3310. Very good condition. A few minor pings.

Dimensions: H 10 3/8 x D 5 1/8 in. Gross weight: 31 troy ounces (weighted in shaft). #BY678

Chippendale sterling silver tray. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. Round with molded curvilinear ogee piecrust rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. X365. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 12 in. Weight: 20.4 troy ounces. #BX721

George V sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Garrard & Co. Ltd in London in 1923. Girdled urn with leaf-capped double-scroll flying side handles and knopped support; stepped and domed foot. Cover domed with vasiform finial. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x W 6 7/8 x D 3 1/2 in. Weight: 14.6 troy ounces. #BY763

English Georgian sterling silver baby cup, 1837. Bowl has curved sides and scrolled foot rim with applied scallop shells and four leaf and shell supports; leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Gilt interior.

Chased and engraved scene of boy riding on the back of a rescue dog, who stands at the entrance to a monastic hostelry in the Swiss Alps. An iconic illustration of the perils of mountain travel that was reproduced in painting and sculpture. A lithograph after British artist TC Wilson depicting...

Victorian sterling silver drinks set. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1888. This set comprises pitcher and mug on tray.

Pitcher and mug have curved bodies and split-mounted branch handles. Tray lobed quatrefoil. Applied scroll rims. For fermented refreshment as indicated by the on-message fruiting grapevines in tactile relief. Hefty rusticity wrought from precious metal. Each has engraved script monogram. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and nos. 230 (tray), 1520 (pitcher),...

George III sterling silver baby cup. Made by William Bennett in London 1811. Flared rim with low-relief fruiting grapevine border; leaf border at bottom. Cast handle in form of two snakes with entwined scaly bodies and bead-eyed heads. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 4 1/4 x D 2 7/8 in. Weight: 5 troy ounces. #BY768

Fukutaro Tanouchi
Nara Sarusawa Pond
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: 1930-40s.
Signed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Alexandria sterling silver bread and butter plates. Made by Fisher Silversmiths in Jersey City, New Jersey. Each: Round well and concave shoulder interspersed with 4 open leafing tendrils mounted to cutout triangles. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. 2646. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x D 6 5/8 in. Total weight: 47 troy ounces. #BY647

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Maruyama Park
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Square Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-130.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Eijiro Kobayashi
A High Bridge by Night.
A design influenced by James Whistler and Hiroshige.
Series: Hasegawa Night Scenes.
Date: 1910s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro (No. 1241 in Hasegawa catalog).
Edition: One of the earliest examples - on thicker card with the verso stamp, "Printed by T. Hasegawa Tokyo" (All Rights Reserved)".
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Indentations in paper (see add...

Shoda Koho
Shrine Gate at Miyajima
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1251).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910s.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro.
Edition: One of the earliest examples - on thicker card with the verso stamp, "Printed by T. Hasegawa Tokyo" (All Rights Reserved)".
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of very small marks. Back of card toned.

A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship. Believing it to be quite precious, the previous owner bestowed it with the poetic name "Ibitsu" which means "warped" or "cu...

A beautiful and very old Hagi tea bowl; showing signs of long use and appreciation. The gold repairs add to the overall composition and highlight the important role this piece played in someone’s tea practice. Though still functional to be used as a ceremonial implement, this would fit much better as a treasured display object.

In excellent condition this tea bowl is 5.1 inches in diameter at its widest point (13cm), and stands 3.1 inches tall (8cm). It comes with a pe...

Father to internationally known Hagi potter Kaneta Masanao (the 8th generation Sanzaemon potter), though he never achieved the same level of notoriety as his son, his pieces have a grace and elegance all their own as demonstrated here with this charming tea bowl. With its milky crackled glaze and split foot (wari-kodai) showing the rich clay this piece was fashioned from, it possesses strong character and has a calming presence, bringing a sense of stability. Perfect for those deepen...

A delightful Hagi tea bowl from the Jōzan Kiln in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Very representative of the genre with its milky glaze and ido-shape. This piece is a step above their typical offerings as can be discerned not only from the lovely composition but also from the quality of the box and the silk pouch that was also custom furnished. For those interested in getting better acquainted the world of Hagi without spending the thousands of dollars typical for works by better known artist...

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Fireworks at Ryogoku
Size: Mitsugiriban. 14.875 x 6.625 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Shotei catalog M-51.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print. Attached at top edge only to original card.
Condition: A little waviness at lower right. Slight fading.
Provenance: Dedication on back reads, "With best of wishes from (Rabbi) Jacob J. Eisen." Rabbi Eisen was the first rabbi appointed as chaplain in the Ro...

Simple yet classic styling—this tea bowl is perfect for anyone looking for the quintessential Ido-shaped chawan crafted by one of Japan’s premier Hagi potters.

Born in the famed pottery town of Karatsu in 1942, Zenzo Hatano spent a number of years learning the various styles particular to his region before taking up an apprenticeship under well-known Hagi potter Yoshiga Taibi. Winner of a number of awards including the Japan Crafts Exhibition Award in 1977, Hatano�...

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...

Tall Victorian Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Lobed baluster with inset neck and flared rim; domed foot. Acid-etched fluid and symmetrical leafing scrollwork pattern with copper traces; foot has scroll and flower repousse border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11579, and director’s letter C (1902-7). Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: H 15 1/2 x D 5 3/4 in. Weight: 41.5 troy ounces. #BY758

Modern sterling silver picture frame, ca 1910. Round in window in plain surround; 2 ball supports. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support. Fully marked including New York maker’s (JF Fradley) and retailer’s (Udall & Ballou) stamps. Good condition. Velvet wear.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 x W 9 1/2 in. Window: Diameter: 8 3/8 in. #BY385

Large and pretty silver tray. Round and plain well and wide shoulder with engraved and repousse garland; applied rim with leaf border. Marked. Visible handwork on underside. Good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 16 in. Weight: 39.5 troy ounces. #BW804