Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Spring from the Birds of the Seasons series.
"Flying Around the Plum Tree"
Date: ca. 1980.
Size: 21.25 x 13.5 inches.
Publisher: The Yoshida Family Studio. Issued by the Franklin Mint.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has tape residue.

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Autumn from the Birds of the Seasons series.
"Serenity of Red Maple"
Date: ca. 1980.
Size: 21 x 13.25 inches.
Publisher: The Yoshida Family Studio. Issued by the Franklin Mint.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top and bottom back margins have tape residue. Very slight toning.

Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corp. in Providence, ca 1900. Conical mouth and neck, and bellied bowl. Overlay in form of dense leafing scrollwork and flowers; asymmetrical scrolled cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. R387. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 x D 4 in. #BZ165

Masaharu Aoyama (1893-1969)
Nikolai-do (Nikorai-do) in Snow (An Orthodox cathedral in Tokyo)
Date: ca. 1940s.
Print size: 3.75 x 2.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. From a group included in an Unsodo client sample book.
Aoyama's "Ao" seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Excellent.

Seiji Fujishiro 藤城清治 (born 1924)
Fairies in a Tree (Playing Instruments) 木の上の妖精たち
Size: 9.5 x 6.25 inches (24 x 16 cm)
Frame size: 17.5 x 15.75 inches (44.5 x 39.5 cm)
Not dated.
Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist.
Edition 119/500. With certificate of guarantee on back.

Hiroshige Ando
Suidobashi, Surugadai (Suido Bridge and Surugadai)
Series: No. 48 from Meisho Edo Hyakkei (One Hundred Famous Views of Edo)
Date: Intercalary 5th month, 1857.
Size: Oban 14 x 9.75 inches.
Publisher: Uoya Eikichi.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin blanks and tears repaired by conservator. Soiling.

Eisho Narazaki (1862-1936)
Interior of Asakusa Kannon Temple
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1932
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal at left margin, indicating a first edition printed 1929-42.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toned paper.
There is so much to look at in this lively, superbly printed image.

Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corp. in Providence, ca 1900. Baluster on cone. Overlay in form of vertical flowering stems overlooking wide and plain scrolled and whiplash frames. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. G3212/1. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 3/8 x D 3 1/4 in. #BZ147

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Moon at Magome
Date: 1930.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Watanabe C (sausage) seal at right margin, making this a first edition produced between 1929-1942.
Reference: Hotei #165.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Point-sized repair in upper left corner of sky. Original drying pinhole at left margin covered with paper.
"The scene conveys the rustic 'poetic' charm of Ma...

Andrew Kay Womrath (1869-1939)
In collaboration with Yoshijiro Urushibara (1888-1953)
Venice at Night
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.625 x 8 inches.
Edition: 3/50 OR 33/50. Numbered in pencil at lower left.
Date: ca 1920s.
Signed "A Kay Womrath" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Foxing nearly entirely in margin. Margin blank at lower left.
Note: An example of this night scene is paired with its daytime version in the Smithsonian ...

Pair of Edwardian Classical silver-plated wine bottle coasters. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Round well with concentric rings. Sides have open scrollwork. Flared rim with applied scrolls and scallop shells. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11743 (first produced in 1893), director’s letter T (1892-1902), and phrase “Silver-Soldered-E.P.”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 1/4 x D 6 3/8 in. #BY797

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Elongated baluster with flared rim and raised foot. Overlay in form of budding and blooming tulips with entwined and whiplash tendrils. On foot is scrolled cartouche engraved with scroll-letter C between the years 1880 and 1905. Glass is green. Silver has faint marks including La Pierre maker's stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 3/8 x D 3 3/4 in. #BZ148

Luigi Kasimir (1881-1962)
Corvara, in the Dolomite Alps, South Tyrol, Austria
Titled and dated in pencil, "Corvara 11 Feb. 1916".
Medium: Etching.
Size: 15 x 15 inches.
Signed in pencil by artist at lower margin.
Condition: Tape remnants at outer margin.

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Snow on Willow Bridge
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1927.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. With Watanabe C seal (Used 1929-42).
Shoson signature and seal.
Reference: S44.3 and image #166 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A conservator has repaired top margin blanks and tears. One had impinged on the image.
Note: One...

Katsuyuki Nishijima
Title: Tsubakizaka Pass in Snow
Size: 17.25 x 12.5 inches.
Edition: 12/500.
Date: post-1980.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back margin has former tape marks.

Katsuyuki Nishijima
Title: Kudaya (The Kudaya Travellers Inn in Kyoto)
Size: 17.125 x 12.5 inches.
Edition: 405/500.
Date: post-1980.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back margin has former tape marks.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Fireworks, Shubinomatsu
Size: Mitsugiriban. 15 x 6.75 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Sealed and titled in the image.
Reference: Shotei catalog M-23. Watanabe #222, Ota-ku #195
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back edge has paper residue.

Classical coin silver christening mug, ca 1850. Baluster bowl with high-looping leaf-capped s-scroll handle and round stepped foot. Large scrolled frame (vacant) surrounded by rural idyll with house and barn set in bosky landscape. In foreground a hunter takes aim at a fox. No vermin allowed in paradise. New York retailer’s stamp (Ball, Black & Co.) and star and eagle associated with Hartford production. Very good condition with nice patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 x W 5 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight...

Set of 4 European gilt 935 silver and glass figural Buddha place card holders, ca 1925. Each: Contemplative and cross-legged figure of the Zen-man himself in molded glass. For a Siddhartha serene dinner party. Colors are green, blue, orange, and clear. Chamfered rectangular base and u-form back support. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 7/8 x D 3/4 in. Case: H 1 1/2 x W 5 3/4 x D 2 5/8 in. #BY940

Belle Epoque Rococo 950 silver jardiniere centerpiece, ca 1900. Bombe oval bowl with wide and tapering rim. Embossed twisted fluting and applied round frames (vacant) with scallop shell crown supported by winged cherubs. Elaborate end handles, each with cast figure of lunging cherub, holding drapery in one hand and flowers in the other, between leaf-wrapped double-scrolls. Four leaf-mounted scroll supports. A sumptuous homage to the 18th century. Detachable brass liner. Fully marked including Mi...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Snow at Shiba Park (Shiba Koen no Yuki)
Date: 1931
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition: First. Watanabe B seal (used 1927-32) in right margin.
Reference: Hotei #244.
Condition: Formerly matted with some tonal difference primarily near lower margin. One foxing mark in lower foreground.
Note: This famous Hasui design was also used later in a 1953 Pacific Transport Lines calendar.

Gyosui Suzuki
Two Egrets (Herons) Among Flowers with Moon
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.5 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue. Very light crease upper left (photo).
Note: Very rare. We could find no other example of this design.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Blue Bird on Plum Branch
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.625 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue. Point-sized dot in sky.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Sparrows and Red Flower
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.75 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Cherry Blossoms
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 10 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Kaoru Kawano (1916-1965)
Two Kittens
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower right and on verso.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape residue at back margins and top front margin.

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...

Modern carving pair with knife and fork. Made by Christofle in France, ca 1970. Tapering easy-grip silver-plated handles. Knife blade and 3-tine shank are stainless steel. Handy for the holidays and all the days in between. Marked. Good condition.

Dimensions: Knife: H 12 3/4 x W 1 1/2 x D 1/2 in. Fork: H 10 1/8 x W 1 1/8 x D 1/2 in. #BX127

German Rococo 800 silver centerpiece, ca 1900. Ovoid and bellied bowl with leaf and flower-capped split-mounted double-scroll end handles, and four scroll-mounted supports. Exuberant leafing scrolls, layered scallop shells, and open flower-strewn diaper. Two scrolled and bead-and-reel frames (vacant). Detachable brass liner. Gilt interior. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Bruckmann & Söhne). Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 8 3/4 x W 17 3/4 x D 8 1/2 in. Weight (wi...

Edwardian Classical glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by La Pierre Mfg. Co. in Newark, ca 1910. Faceted cone with scalloped rim; round flat foot with star cut to underside. Overlay in form of garlands threaded through interlaced arches (body) and star (foot); scrolled frame (vacant) also on foot. Marks include maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 11 1/8 x D 5 in. #BY773

Edwardian Classical glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by La Pierre Mfg. Co. in Newark, ca 1910. Faceted cone with scalloped rim; round flat foot with star cut to underside. Overlay in form of garlands threaded through interlaced arches (body) and star (foot); scrolled frame (vacant) also on foot. Marks include maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 11 1/8 x D 5 in. #BY772

French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boat on stand, ca 1910. Boat has ovoid bowl with helmet mouth and raised oval foot with imbricated leaf rim. High-looping and split leaf-mounted handle with armorial engraved in beaded oval frame. Stand oval with open well and four trefoil supports. Both have stippled tubular frames alternating with stylized flower heads. Reeding. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp (Alphonse Dutac). Very good condition.

Dimensions: Boat: H 6 x W 8...

German 800 silver cow creamer, ca 1910. A sweet bovine with upturned horns, flexed ears, and smiley mouth spout. Sturdy sagging body with ring-handle tail and hinged back cover with fly finial. Stands on firmly planted hooves. Unidentified Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/8 x L 5 1/2 x W 2 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BY777

Kawase Hasui
Dawn Over Lake Shoji
Size: Approximately 8.75 x 7 inches.
Date: 1935. First and only edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo for a calendar commissioned by Japan Government Railways. Please see the included original Japanese Government Railways tag.
Reference: Hotei #370.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margins trimmed. Back has areas of paper residue and slight thinning.
Note: Not many examples of this woodblock print have survive...

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....