Market-fresh Japonesque mixed metal and sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1879. Gently curved bowl and inset undulating rim with wide lip spout and integral scroll handle with tendril mounts that wraparound mouth rim. Handle has lily pad “cap” with crouching figure of frog. Applied leaves with copper-inlaid veins with one overlapping bold and scrolling interlaced acid-etched monogram on neck. A solitary beetle meanders along near the bottom. Dense allover s...

First born son to Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Koichiro (b. 1974) has quickly made a name for himself as an independent artist. Not content to rely solely on family reputation, he has set off on his own path, making innovations in clay and also in the ideas and principles surrounding his craft. With its well-proportioned ridged design, natural ash glaze, and coarse grade of Bizen clay still containing visible stones; the vessel seen here would be a good choice for someone looking for a ...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

The style of this vase, known in Japanese as karakane (“kara” meaning Chinese and “kane” meaning copper), has been carried on by Japanese craftsmen since its theorized introduction during China’s Tang Dynasty. Falling in and out of fashion over the centuries as Japan alternated between preferences for Chinese style tea-ware and more homegrown versions, today it remains a common fixture in many tea rooms. With beautiful red accents on a dark background, this is surely one of this artist...

Elizabeth II sterling silver serving tray. Made by Edward Viner in Sheffield in 1960. Round with well and molded and gently scrolled rim. Pretty and old fashioned. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 14 1/2 in. Weight: 33 troy ounces. #BU963

Turn-of-the-century American Art Nouveau glass claret jug with silver overlay. Cylindrical with spread base, c-scroll handle, and small lip spout. Star cut to underside. Overlay in form of scrolls and diaper. Shaped tubular cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is red except handle which is clear. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/2 x W 5 1/2 x D 4 3/4 in. #BR791

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 ...

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...

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

Rare Japonesque mixed metal tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1878. Square with curved sides and straight edges. Two birds soar and glide. One is viewed from below and the other from above (that is, from bird’s eye). An original and jokey design incorporating the exotic flattened Japanese perspective. Feathers are gold, and beaks, eyes, and wispy, dangly talons are copper. Crescent frame engraved with calligraphy-style presentation dated 1879. Ground hand hammered. Corner leaf-and-sc...

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...

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...

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

Japonesque sterling silver and mixed metal water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Globular body, straight neck, and c-scroll handle. Allover honeycomb hand hammering. Applied flowers, leafing tendrils, and butterflies. A restrained design with graceful plant and insect motifs. Fully marked including pattern no. 3077 and phrase “Sterling silver and other metals”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 3/8 x W 8 x D 5 1/2 in. Weight: 25 troy ounces. #BM963