Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...

Francis I sterling silver bowl. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. in 1950. Quatrefoil well and wide flared mouth with wavy scrolled rim. Chased and embossed fruits. A nice piece in the classic French Renaissance pattern. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, no. X569, and date symbol. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 11 5/8 in. Weight: 20.4 troy ounces. #BX690

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...

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...

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Originally crafted as a tokkuri, or sake flask, it was recovered from the estate of a tea-practitioner who reportedly cherished it as a vase that would hold colorful flowers and various grasses throughout the seasons.

Thanks to the dedication and passion of a researcher by the name of Katsura Matasaburo (1901-1986) we can be assured that this vase is a...

Pair of English Jacobean Revival flagons. Globular body with scroll handle in brown pottery with granulated salt glaze. Gilt sterling silver neck collar and hinged and domed cover with open scrollwork thumb rest as well as raised foot. Chased strapwork embellished with faces and clusters of fruits and vegetables.

One marked George Nathan & Ridley Hayes with Chester assay stamp and 1911 date letter. The other marked Elkington & Co. with Birmingham assay stamp and 1923 date letter. Very good con...

Sterling silver centerpiece bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1916. Shallow with scalloped and everted rim, and molded foot. Interior is lobed with geometric and floral piercing. Low-relief foliage on rim. Very sweet. Hallmark includes date symbol and pattern number (2163A).

Dimensions: H 3 ½ x D 12 in. Weight: 21 troy ounces. BH680

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, 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 creativity and the organic world. Now several centuries old, this piece continues to serves not only as a functional display piece, but also as a symbol of the enduring leg...

Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku. Th...

English Thatcher-era sterling silver champagne set, 1981-3. Retailed by Asprey in London. This set comprises 4 flutes and 1 tray.

Each flute: Ovoid bowl on gilt cast stem in form of fruiting grapevine with leaves and bunches set in open foot. Tray round with deep well; shoulder inset with same. A stylish way to remember the no-apologies, let-it-rip capitalism of the Eighties.

Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Hector Miller) and London assay stamp. Flutes have retailer’s stamp. Tray h...

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father. Through it all Kobay...

Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise. In this practice known as raigō, the faithful are transported via the small lotus pedestal the Kannon holds in his...

Sometime around the year 1600 the first Takatori kiln was constructed at the foot of Mt Takatori in Fukuoka. This tradition was based on styles created by Korean potters brought to the shores of Japan during its colonial expansionism of the late 16th century. A favorite of the Kuroda lords of the time, its production and use was closely guarded until later in the 19th century when the domain system was abolished, freeing it up to be more widely used. Though Takatori-ware has been admired by many...

English Georgian sterling silver salver, 1727. Square with molded rim and curvilinear corners. Engraved armorial in well center. Rests on 4 corner hoof supports. Substantial with nice heft from the year the first Hanoverian king George I died and was succeeded by his son George II. A really nice piece of native craftsmanship from the early years of the German ascension. Worn marks including London assay stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 13 x D 13 in. Heavy weight: 61.7 troy o...

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...

George IV sterling silver bowl. Made by Elder & Co. in Edinburgh in 1831. Round with tapering sides and raised round foot. Scalloped frames with chased leaf and flower border on stippled ground, surmounted by open fruiting grapevine border; cast flower and leaf rim. Elegant Scottish Regency Classicism. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 10 3/4 in. Weight: 18.6 troy ounces. #BX610

Japonesque mixed metal on sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1883. Curved sides with allover spot hammering and gilt-washed interior overhung with apple branch mounted to exterior. A gnarly growth with irregular fruit and gilt leaves. Also applied birds and butterflies as well as cattails rooted in granulated soil. Three tapering supports. Fully marked with maker’s stamp, date letter, no. 1725, and phrase “Sterling & Other Metals”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensio...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver basket. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Plain rim and fixed c-scroll handle with “stitched” rims. Woven strips. Overflowing gilt-enameled strawberry plants with lush fruit and irregular leaves. Basket marked “© Cartier Hand Made Sterling”. Good condition. A few minor enamel losses.

Overall dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 3 1/4 x D 2 3/8 in. #BY503