George V sterling silver bun warmer. Made by Roberts & Belk Ltd in Sheffield in 1927. Egg-form. Cover has flat oval top with radiating facets and lobed bands; hinges have vasiform mounts. Bracket end handles. Perpendicular tab has ring inset with ball finial. Four tapering hoof supports. Pierced detachable tray set in solid detachable tray. Reeding and beading. For a fun Downton Abbey-style buffet breakfast. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Overall dimensions: H 8 3/8 x W 13 1/8 x D 9 3/4 in...

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333), a remarkable form of Buddhist sculpture known as the votive Buddha emerged. Commonly referred to as kakebotoke (hanging Buddhas), pieces like this would have been mounted on spherical plaques made of bronze or copper and hung in a Buddhist temple or possibly even in a Shinto shrine. These small-scale sculptures were created to serve as objects of devotion and were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or temples. The Kurakama perio...

Paul Jacoulet
La Gerbe D'Anthurium, Angur, Mer du Sud (The Spray of Anthurium Flowers, Angur, South Seas)
Date: July 15, 1951.
Fewer than 150 impressions made. This example has no edition seal visible. Jacoulet's fancy PJ seal is covering another seal on the back.
Size: 18.625 x 14 inches.
Ivy seal. Carver: Maeda. Printer: Honda.
Reference: No. 118 in The Prints of Paul Jacoulet by Richard Miles.
Condition: Excellent color. Light creasing in margins. Top back ...

Ohara Koson
Carp
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Date: 1900s.
Bears Koson signature and seal.
Publisher: Daikokuya (86).
Reference: K39.8 and plate 100 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent.
Provenance: The Bedford, NY estate of Eleanor Jay and Arthur Iselin. Eleanor Jay was a descendant of United States founding father, John Jay. Their Bedford home is now the John Jay H...

Although reports vary, it is generally thought that Zeze-yaki had its heyday in the late Momoyama to early Edo period under the influence and patronage of legendary artists/ men of tea, Honami Koetsu and Kobori Enshu. It was also counted among the seven best kilns selected by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), a tea master and military commander of that era. In the mid-1600s the tradition died out for a time after the destruction of the kiln by fire. The kiln was later resurrected on two occa...

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...

Set of 4 sterling silver figures of Bacchus. Made by Buccellati in Italy. A young Bacchus prances and gambols. One figure holds a grapevine. Another holds a large ivy leaf. The other two manipulate drapery. The infant deity, in all his manifestations, is buck naked apart from the artfully posed waistbands. Soft bottoms and stubby legs are on view. An attractive decoration for the wine cellar.

Dimensions: Tallest: H 7 ¼ x W 1 ¾ x D 3 in. Shortest: H 5 ¾ x W 2 ½ x D 3 in. Total w...

Turn-of-the-century sterling silver baby cup rich in period assumptions. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Upward tapering sides and scroll handle.

Acid-etched frieze depicting sailor-suited, flag-holding, all-American boy with exotic coevals in native dress relegated to background. Symbolic imagery enhanced with verse: “Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, little frosty Eskimo, little Turk or Japanese—Oh! Don’t you wish that you were me?”

Ahem.

Fully marked including maker's stamp and ...

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...

Three Japonesque sterling silver ladles. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1885. Each: Curved and tapering handle; round and lobed bowl with small lip spout; bowl interior gilt washed. Terminal curved with applied mixed metal cherry branch. Allover spot hammering. A multi-course set. Rare serving pieces for connoisseurs of food and art. Marked “Sterling & Other Metals” with maker’s stamp. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: Soup: H 12 3/4 x D 4 in. Oyster: H 11 x D 3 1/2 in...

Ohara Koson
Peafowl on flowering cherry
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Bears Koson seal.
Publisher: Daikokuya (97)
Reference: K38.13 and plate 87 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. A few small black marks in sky at left and above bird. Pencil number on back.
Provenance: The Bedford, NY estate of Eleanor Jay and Arthur Iselin. Eleanor Jay was a de...

Ohara Koson
Peacock on a bough of a pine tree, a peahen behind
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Bears Koson signature seal.
Publisher: Daikokuya (6)
Reference: K38.17 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. Black mark at top margin and in sky at lower right.
Provenance: The Bedford, NY estate of Eleanor Jay and Arthur Iselin. Eleanor Jay was a descendan...

Takashi Nakazato is a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist whose family's mastery of pottery now spans 14 generations. Born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture in 1937, Nakazato inherited a rich legacy of craftsmanship dating back over 400 years. He trained extensively in traditional ceramic techniques under his father, and later pursued further studies at the Kyoto City Arts and Crafts Institute. Nakazato's work is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of Karatsu-ware, known for its earthy tones an...

George VI sterling silver salver. Made by Walker & Hall in Sheffield in 1940. Round well with traditional molded curvilinear piecrust rim. Three volute-scroll supports. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice finish.

Dimensions: H 1 x D 8 1/4 in. Weight: 11 troy ounces. #BW554

Plique à jour enamel and gilt 930 silver bowl. Made by Marius Hammer in Norway, ca 1910. Round with curved sides. Well green guilloche enamel. Horse bust side handles. Bands of stylized plant and geometric ornament. Fine craftsmanship and rich colors. In form of Viking kjenge (ale bowl). A beautiful piece by Hammer, who contributed to the revival of Norwegian art and history. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 6 1/8 x D 4 in. #BY196

George VI sterling silver salver. Made by Walker & Hall in Sheffield in 1940. Round well with traditional molded curvilinear piecrust rim. Three volute-scroll supports. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice finish.

Dimensions: H 1 1/8 x D 8 1/4 in. Weight: 11 troy ounces. #BW553

Ohara Koson
A white-fronted goose flying in front of a full moon, reeds below
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-1923.
Bears Koson signature and seal.
Publisher: Daikokuya (132)
Reference: K11.16 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. Pencil number on back.
Provenance: The Bedford, NY estate of Eleanor Jay and Arthur Iselin. Eleanor Jay was a descendant of Uni...

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...