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...

Ramp up your allure with a turn-of-the-century parasol handle. Silver and amber cylinder mounted to cone with enameled stylized vertical leafing branches on green guilloche basket-weave ground. Silver rim with seed-pearl border and cabochon-cut pink hardstone top. For a flirty, twirling come-hither. In a leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining with Parisian retailer’s gilt stamp (Dupuy). Worn marks appear to be those of Georg Adam Scheid; also, French import marks. Very good cond...

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of these works and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvas upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted.

This piece is quite unique for its brown color which may have been produced using a copper glaze under very specific conditions. Typical o...

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...

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

American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany in New York, ca 1965. Bowl has curved sides and straight circular foot. Spare historic design that works equally well in Modern interiors. Hallmark includes pattern no. 19750 and phrase: Reproduction / Original by / Joseph Conyers / Boston / about 1700. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 9 in. Weight: 22.5 troy ounces. #BQ855

Regency Revival sterling silver tea caddy. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. at 550 Broadway, New York. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Sloping rim and hinged and overlapping double covers with cutout scrolled rims. Stationary bracket handle. Fretwork rims. Handle same with beaded borders. Engraved on sides are floral garlands and oval frames with interlaced monogram. Covers have armorial frames (vacant) and flowers, and stylized floral border. Partitioned interior for holding two ...

Nautical sterling silver and enamel cigarette case. Made by Thomae in Attleboro, Mass., ca 1960. Rectangular and hinged. Signal flags enameled on front. Gilt interior. Hallmarked. Very good condition with intact color.

Dimensions: H 3 1/8 x W 4 3/8 x D 1/4. Weight: 4.8 troy ounces. #BQ946

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...

Beautiful hand-hammered sterling silver and mixed metal perfume. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Baluster with double-scroll side handles and threaded cover. Vertical stylized vegetation and darting insects (butterflies and dragonflies) applied to honeycomb ground. With chain for hanging on a lady’s chatelaine. A small-scale confluence of Japanese inspiration and Arts & Crafts technique. Hallmark includes pattern and order numbers, director’s letter M (1873-91), and phrase “St...

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

Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Tapering sides and flared rim. Short and straight foot. Spare and fluid. Hallmark includes pattern no. 16667F, director’s letter m (1907-47), and wartime star (1943-45). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 9 1/8 in. Weight: 28 troy ounces. #BQ772

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

Early gilt-washed sterling silver sauce bowl on stand with butler finish. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and tapering bowl with gilt interior and raised foot. Side handles in form of post inserted with short perpendicular column and mounted with stylized leaves. Classical rim. Engraved presentation: “W.B.K. Jr from W.B.K. Sr / Newark N.J. / April 29, 1871.” Stand round with well and same rim. A fine Greek Revival piece that incorporates Aesthetic influence. Union Square hallmarks...

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...

Elegant Edwardian sterling silver and crystal vase. Made by Durgin (later part of Gorham) in Concord, NH. Sterling silver base comprising pierced cylinder on urn mount terminating in upward tapering shaft on raised foot with reeded rim. Crystal vessel with wavy petal rim and bellied bowl terminating in cone encased in tapering cylinder. Pretty acid-etched flowers with cut stems and petals. Silver marks include maker's stamp, Chicago retailer’s stamp CD Peacock, and no. 55. Very good condition...

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...

This piece is described on the box as a Hikidashi Kuro Chawan. In Japanese hikidashi means “a pull-out drawer” and the term first came into use at Mino kilns in the 16th century to describe individual pieces that were pulled out of the wood kiln at the peak of firing to gauge if the batch was ready. The rapid cooling of such pieces often creates dramatic effects, with the most noted being rich varieties of deep black. Today this practice has fallen out of use and and only a handful of master...

Crafted by one of the most well-known potting families from the Meiji period (Ito Tozan), this black Raku tea bowl displays a glossy sheen and gentle swells rippling through the clay body. The shape of the this tea bowl is known as “tsutsu” in Japanese and is regarded as being especially attractive. Tsutsu bowls 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 li...

Lovely sterling silver keepsake box. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed. Cover top has engraved border with dense and overlapping flowers and leaves. Stained-wood bottom, lining, and partition. Cover interior has rectangular tablet (vacant). Hallmarked “sterling silver”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 7 x D 3 3/8 in. Gross weight: 11 troy ounces. #BQ281

Sterling silver porringer. Made by Towle in Newburyport. Crimped bowl and solid handle with pierced oval. Beaded bowl and handle rims as well as beaded volute scrolls on handle. Jazzed-up tradition. Hallmark includes no. 105 and retailer’s name Bailey, Banks & Biddle. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x W 7 3/4 x D 5 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BP866

Art Deco 950 silver ice bucket. Made by Tetard Freres in Paris, ca 1930. Trapezoidal with applied rim and two rectangular supports mounted to stained-wood. Sides gently convex with fashionable skyscraper motif. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s mark. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 6 5/8 x D 5 3/4 in. Gross weight: 24 troy ounces. #BN222

Craftsman sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1878. Traditional form with shaped open handle. Dense allover fish-scale hammering. Very much a statement design. Hallmark includes pattern no. 5050 (first produced in 1878) and director’s letter M (1873-91). Nice condition with deep period patina.

Dimensions H (handle) 2 3/8 x W 7 3/8 x D 4 1/2 in. Weight: 5.4 troy ounces. #BD353

This small vessel, similar in a shape to a tokkuri, is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre. Fired at extreme temperatures for days in an anagama, the iron in the clay and in the glaze fuse, drip, and coalesce—while at the same time bl...

Using local materials and traditional methods, the creator of this work Masahiko Imanishi, has brought a distinctively modern interpretation to the classical form of the tsutsu chawan. At the same time, he somehow manages to maintain the simple rusticity that Tanba-ware is renowned for. Stretching back over 800 years, Tanba is counted as one of Japan’s 6 ancient kiln sites and is known for making large pots with red ferrous clay and natural ash glazes with a distinctive greenish tinge. More re...

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...

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...

Antique Chinese porcelain cricket cage of a gourd form. Its lid has reticulated air vents, enamel peonies and Chinese characters and gilt edge details. The cage front has enamel scene of a young boy and girl having tea in a field of flowers, with an inscription on the backside. Red four character mark on base.

Size: 4.75" L x 2.75" W x 1.75" H