Conceived by 20th century master ceramicist Kawai Kanjiro—here an abstract depiction of flowers is used to adorn an exquisite “henko” shaped vase. The glaze used is known as “tetsu-yu” for its use of iron compounds to achieve this distinctive look. Though many pieces by Kanjiro remain today, this exact combination of style, shape, and glazing is uncommon, making this a must-have work for serious collectors. Interestingly, though it may likely not have been intentional, the abstract sym...

Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.

A mas...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted over seven decades. The piece shown here then would be from an earlier period and is evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the one he is most well-known for. As any experienced potter will tell you, tenmoku ...

An exceptional, pierced yellow gold slip-on bangle with floral design. For a smaller wrist, the inner diameter is 2-3/8" and it weighs 8 grams. It appears to be hollow and shows light wear on the inside band with a few very faint scratches and a very, very tiny indentation. Marked 14kt along with the Sloan hallmark.

Over 400 years ago the first Takatori potter known as “Hachizan” was brought to Japan by the powerful Kuroda clan and was tasked with establishing a kiln in the town of Fukuoka. Since that time, the Takatori lineage has produced many fine works and gained a reputation across Japan for their skill at producing porcelains of thin construction, using many layers of glaze, and with a variety of unique colorations.

Born in 1907, the 11th generation Takatori potter (Seizan), along wit...

The artist who produced this piece, Wataru Motomura, prides himself in living a traditional life in the eastern hills of Kyoto—long known for its rich clay and idyllic pastoral lands. Though the form of this vessel appears innovative and modern, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years. Taking inspiration from the varied pottery traditions of his native Hyogo, Motomura is also known to use clay and methods from the Shigaraki region and many of...

Classical sterling silver trophy cup. Traditional amphora urn with high-looping side handles and stepped and raised foot. Cover domed with engraved bands and acorn finial. A nice cup with lots of room for engraving. Marked “Sterling / By / Fina”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 x W 8 x D 5 1/8 in. Weight: 28.5 troy ounces #BT261

Pair of Modern Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Blackinton in North Attleboro, Mass., ca 1940. Knopped baluster shaft on domed foot. Reeding. A voluptuous interpretation of a traditional form. Fully marked and numbered A100. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 x D 5 1/4 in. Weighted. #BT087

A truly unique work of Shino pottery developed among the company of some of Japan’s most respected and influential potters of the last century. Defying conventions of form and genre, this exceptional mizusashi looks like it could have emerged from the ground fully formed, the result of geological processes lasting millennia. The creator of this fine work is none other than Tsuboshima Dohei, a true master of the ceramic arts.

Born in 1929, at the age of 17 Tsuboshima took an appre...

Turn-of-the-century American Art Nouveau green glass silver overlay perfume. Ovoid with flattened ball stopper. Semi-abstract flower heads with curvilinear stems overlapping 2 thin hoops. Neck spool form with silver rim collar and thick knop, and subtle faceting. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 x D 5 in. #BT174

Large turn-of-the-century American Art Nouveau green glass perfume bottle with engraved silver overlay. Globular with short neck and everted rim in collar. Ball stopper. Overlay in dense and dynamic flower head pattern with interlaced and overlapping petals and pointille florets. Marked “Sterling Silver Deposit 67”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 3/4 x D 5 in. #BT173

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver bowl. Made by Meriden Britannia (part of International) in Meriden, Connecticut. Oval well surrounded by wide and irregular shoulder with scrolled and whiplash eddying water—a whirlpool made more dangerous by the beckoning Lorelei. Well has engraved script monogram D. Fully marked and numbered C2884. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/8 x W 9 3/8 x D 6 1/2 in. Weight: 6.5 troy ounces. #BT077

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau clear glass decanter with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin in Providence. Globular body with high-looping handle, upward tapering cylindrical neck, and helmet mouth. Ball stopper with short plug. Dense and scrolling fruiting grapevine overlay. Scrolled asymmetrical cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Handle and mouth in silver collar as is stopper neck. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Mermod, Jaccard), and no. 36150. Very g...

Jumbo big game-era safari flask. Made by George Unite in Birmingham in 1888. Glass body. Upper part encased in leather with cut-away vertical windows. At bottom detachable sterling silver cup engraved with armorial. Sterling silver collar with hinged and cork-lined ball cover engraved with same. The alpha model. Holds enough booze for everyone around the campfire. Fully marked. Very good condition with some handling wear from all those big sweaty hands.

Dimensions: H 11 x W 5 x D 2 1/2 in. #B...

The distinctive and easily recognizable style of Bizen pieces, such as the one featured here, originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and has a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Bizen-ware is known for employing a natural-ash glazing technique that is unique to this type of pottery and which requires extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures. This means that constant attention is required to ensure good results. The tea bowl shown here...

Turn-of-the-century American Craftsman sterling silver porringer. Bellied bowl on inset foot ring. Finely faceted hand hammering with "disco ball" shimmer. Plain open tree handle. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp for A. Stowell & Co., who were active in Boston from ca 1865 to 1904. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 1/4 x W 7 1/2 x D 5 1/4 in. Weight: 8 troy ounces. #BT004

Decidedly masculine in character with straight sculpted edges, a rich palette of color, and a calm steadiness in the hand; this tea bowl was crafted by one of Japan’s great masters, a Mashiko potter by the name of Takauchi Shugo.

A native of Tokyo, Takauchi (b. 1937) took the well-established path of working for a company after graduating from university and it was not until a number of years later—upon visiting the town of Mashiko and being inspired by the works of artists such...

Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Aitken in Birmingham in 1905. Rectangular window in shaped scrolled surround mounted to stained wood with hinged support. Chased Japonesque ornament—cranes, cattails, and lily pads in rippling water—as well as whiplash tendrils. The perfect showcase for a free-spirited boho forebear. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 12 1/2 x W 10 1/4 in. Window: H 7 3/4 x W 6 in. #BS115 & BS116

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

Exquisitely painted cherry blossoms (sakura) and willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer.

The craftsman, Wakashima Takao (b. 1935) was born in the north of Japan in the picturesque town of Wajima. The lacquer technique particular to this region (Wajima-nuri) is rather unique in its use of an undercoating incorporating special compounds that make it exceptionally durable over time. Wakashima perfected this demanding technique and, over the course of...

Large Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. Bowl has solid center with engraved leaves and tendrils, surrounded by pierced interlaced scroll and leaf pattern heightened with engraving. Rim has molded c-scrolls interspersed with scallop shells. Foot solid and spread. Tapering c-scroll swing handle engraved with same. Fully marked including pattern no. 16976C (first produced in 1907) and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H...

Greek Revival sterling silver footed bowl. Made by Grosjean & Woodward for Tiffany & Co. at 550 Broadway in New York. Bowl wide and shallow with flat fretwork rim. Ornament applied to exterior: Medallions inset with male youth heads surrounded by leaf-and-berry branches. Bowl underside center has petal lobing to which are mounted two side handles with stylized leaf-caps on split volute scroll terminals. Cylindrical support flowing into domed foot with chased leaf-and-berry bunches alternating wi...

Sweet American Edwardian sterling silver picture frame, ca 1910. Rectangular window with scalloped border and shaped surround with concave sides and bottom arched top, and double-scroll corners. Acid-etched leafy-scroll and shell ornament. Reeded rim with bunches of pretty forget-me-nots. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged support. For portrait (vertical) display). Marked “Sterling 3208”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 13 5/8 x W 10 in. Window: H 8 3/4 x W 6 in....

Pair of Retro 14K gold pins. Each: Open and shaped triangle with strapwork scroll bisected by stepped arch. Fluid and snazzy. United States, ca 1940. Hallmarked. The original Tiffany stamp was lost during conversion. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 1 3/8 x D 1/2 in. Total weight: 15.4 dwt. #896

Classical sterling silver bird bath compote. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Shallow bowl with turned-down rim and raised foot. Two cast bird figures with voluminous plumage and flamboyant crowns perch on bowl rim, ready to cluck and flap and flutter. Stylized and raised ornament on rim, including leaf-and-dart and dentil. Fully marked with pre-1875 pattern no. 3739 and directors’ letter M (1873-91). Very good condition with deep patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 11 1/4 x D 9 3/8 ...

Rare mixed metal pitcher with lots of bugs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Globular with drum-form neck, small lip spout, and c-scroll handle. Modish insects—dragon fly, grasshopper, and butterfly—creep and dart among fluid and interlaced grass stalks applied to hand-hammered sterling silver ground heightened with floral engraving and copper inlay. A superb integration of Japonesque and Craftsman. Interlaced script monogram engraved to underside. Fully marked including pattern n...

Tsutsu-shaped chawan have a unique and especially attractive shape. They are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat, and prevent the tea from cooling too quickly. Tea disciples of all stripes appreciate this type of bowl for its elegant lines and functional properties.

This tea bowl was fired in the kilns of one of Kyoto’s best known Raku-yaki potters, Sasaki Shoraku III (1944-). The Shoraku line began when the grandfather of the current potter established a kiln...

Sweet 14k white and yellow gold ring with rose-cut diamond in square mount (0.4 carats). United States, ca 1940s. Very good condition.

Size: 7 1/2. #1141

Delightful 18k gold figural pin. Stylized owl with ribbed crown, rose-diamond eyes set in concave disc sockets, sweet wing flaps, and branch-gripped talons. Breast inset with turquoise stone. A symbol of wisdom in the advanced taste. United states, ca 1930. Stamped “750”. Very good condition with great color.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 7/8 x D 1/2 in. #873

Beautiful 14k gold flower brooch comprising petals inset with 33 rubies (approx. 3 carats) on white-gold stem encrusted with pave diamonds. The flower is framed by 3 scrolled yellow gold leaves. United States, ca 1940s. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x W 1 3/8 in. #675

Pair of Modern 14k gold clip-on earrings. Each: Strands comprising rope and beads forming semi-abstract scrolled leaf. Snazzy Midcentury style. United States, ca 1960s. Marked. Very good condition with nice finish.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x L 1 1/4 x W 7/8 in. Total weight: 12.8 DWT (20 g). #1145

American crossover cocktail ring in 14K white and yellow gold, ca. 1970. Double-headed with juxtaposing turquoise beads and pave diamonds (3.4 cts). Excellent condition.

Approx. size: 6 1/2. #5040

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters. A devotee of Zen and a lover of tea, Sugimoto is able to create tea bowls that are not just attractive, pleasant to hold in the hand, and a joy to drink from; but tha...

This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay is covered in feldspar glazing, has a classic ferrous abstract painting across the front, and shows nice age—most likely from early to middle Edo.

Shino-ware dates to the Momoyama period when potters were attempting to recreate white porcelain-wares that were being imported from China at the time. Originally they were made in a single-chamber anagama style kilns set into the hillsides. Later, with the advent of large-batc...

Unlike many of the pieces in the genre of Kyo-ware, this tea bowl is decidedly demure in appearance. Milky, flowing glaze pools in places along a backdrop of ivory and coral pink sides, contrasting nicely with the rough, unrefined clay of the base. In the center of the kodai is a decorative swirl pattern reminiscent of the yin and yang.

The potter, Kanpu Kawanabe (1873 - 1947) was born into a family of weavers but went on to be trained in many of the arts related to tea ceremony. A...

Pretty Edwardian sterling silver picture frame. Made by Mauser in New York, ca 1900. Rectangular window and wide border engraved with scrollwork, foliage, and pendant bow-tied flowers. At bottom are 2 torches, a motif rich in metaphorical possibilities. Top has shaped cartouche (vacant). With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged support. For portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including no. 1520. Good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 13 3/4 x W 10 5/8 in. Window: H 10 7/8 x W 7 ...