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...

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

Ca 1910 A beautiful, transitional Art Nouveau-Art Deco ring by Newark jewelry designer, M.B. Bryant ( 1858-1931). The smooth bezel set stone measures 1/2" square and the ring is a size 6.5. In excellent condition, the pictures tell all. Marked 14k along with the Bryant stamp.

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...

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 ...

European silver sauce boat, ca 1900. Ovoid with fluted v-spout and scrolled monopodia side handles with lion heads. Molded curvilinear rim. Stepped oval foot. A nice revival piece in the 18th-century style. Mark and pseudo-marks. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 5/8 x W 6 1/8 x D 5 1/4 in. Weight: 9.5 troy ounces. #BM739