Arts & Crafts sterling silver picture frame. Made by Watrous Mfg. Co. (part of International Silver Co.) in Wallingford, Conn., ca 1920. Rectangular window with curved corners in same surround with allover spot hammering; at top plain rectangle (vacant). With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including Watrous and International stamps and no. 60. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/2 x W 8 1/2 in. Window: H 9 x...
Arts & Crafts sterling silver picture frame. Made by Watrous Mfg. Co. (part of International Silver Co.) in Wallingford, Conn., ca 1920. Rectangular window with curved corners in same surround with allover spot hammering; at top plain rectangle (vacant). With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including Watrous and International stamps and no. 60. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/2 x W 8 3/8 in. Window: H 9 x...
Pair of super stylish Art Deco Classical 950 silver 2-light candelabra, ca 1930. Each: Broad and faceted. Two scrolled arms with volute terminals and single socket on reeded wax pan bracketed to baluster with beading draped over top; raised foot. Marked “950M”, which is associated with Belgian production. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 9 3/4 x W 14 x D 6 3/8 in. Total weight: 69.5 troy ounces. #BG503
Edwardian Classical sterling silver coffee set on tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1921. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar on tray. Each: Fluted ovoid body on same foot. Covered domed with vasiform finial. Handles capped and double-scrolled. Engraved ornament including curvilinear frames inset with leafing scrollwork, diaper, and pendant flowers.
All pieces fully marked including maker’s stamp, director’s letter m, and sequential order nos. 8389 (coffeepot), 8390...
Large and Modern sterling silver serving tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1923. Round with well, gently tapering shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20221 (first produced in 1923) and director’s letter m. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1/2 x D 15 in. Weight: 42.4 troy ounces. #BY130
Japanese Modern silver flask, ca 1950. Curved and faceted sides with flat bottom. On front bright-cut leafing-scroll lozenge (center vacant) between side borders. Back hand hammered. Tall and straight exterior cover and cork-lined interior cover; both threaded. Marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 6 3/8 x W 4 x D 1 3/8 in. Weight: 5.7 troy ounces. #BZ410
In Japan, famous for its generational potting families, only a handful have made it all the way through to the 14th generation—the Nakazato line being one of them with over 400 years of history. Handcrafted by the current 14th potter in the renowned Karatsu tradition, this piece displays subtle, earthy tones and organic textures reminiscent of nature. Blending elements seamlessly, a canvas is created that complements the beauty of the floral elements in glossy contrast across the s...
A testament to the brilliance of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this lacquered mizusashi—skillfully handcrafted from bamboo—showcases a deep crimson hue that radiates warmth and sophistication. Its seamless design and flawless finish reflect the skilled hands of the first generation artisan who crafted it, achieving a harmonious balance between form and function. Designed for use in Japanese tea ceremony, this indispensable implement would love to be put back into service o...
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...
George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by Ernest Wilfred Sanders & Henry Arthur Mackenzie in Birmingham in 1933. Rectangular window with curvilinear upper corners in plain and flat rectangular surround with wide lower rail. With glass, silk lining, and stained wood back and hinged easel support. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/2 x W 8 in. Window: H 8 7/8 x W 6 7/8 in. #BX905
Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...
Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Iris
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Bamboo
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Ide Gakusui
Bamboo Grove
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Woodblock print is tipped along its top edge to a blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Father to internationally known Hagi potter Kaneta Masanao (the 8th generation Sanzaemon potter), though he never achieved the same level of notoriety as his son, his pieces have a grace and elegance all their own as demonstrated here with this charming tea bowl. With its milky crackled glaze and split foot (wari-kodai) showing the rich clay this piece was fashioned from, it possesses strong character and has a calming presence, bringing a sense of stability. Perfect for those deepen...
An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1850. Straight and upward tapering sides applied with leafing bamboo on stippled ground. Branch-form handle and rims. Applied rondel engraved with single-letter monogram in buckled belt. On underside is engraved “H. J. T. / 1855”. Interior gilt washed. Chinese mark and initials KHC for Khe Cheong, a Canton silversmith and retailer active from ca 1830s-70s. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 5 x W 5 1/2 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10 troy ounces. #BX462
...
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...