Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

Set of 3 Modern sterling silver open salts. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Each: Curved and shallow bowl with tapering and high-looping split-mounted handle with bead terminals. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 110. Two have postwar maker’s stamp (1945-77) and one has maker’s stamp “Georg Jensen / Silversmiths Ltd” and letter E in lozenge. Very good condition. Overall dimensions: H 1 x W 3 x D 2 in.

With: Set of 3 Acorn sterling silver salt spoons. Made by Georg Jens...

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!"  A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today. The poem also suggests that this is one of her earlier works that would have been produced before she became renowned throughout Japan for her...

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care. Later in Edo, the large-kiln style of production or “ogama” was introduced ushe...

The poem accompanying the artwork on this antique scroll reads: Fishing little trout—Precious drops of dew glisten—Flowing with the blossoms—The mountains and rivers of spring ( Rengetsu, age 78 ). A rather later and mature work by Rengetsu, this piece was created right as Edo ended and Meiji began, marking a major turning point in Japanese history and culture.

Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki fam...

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...

An excellent offering from Higaki Ryota of Katsura Kiln, this piece displays a classic and iconic shape coupled with a beautiful Kase-guro glaze said to be used over 400 years ago by Chojiro. The color of this tea bowl changes quite dramatically, taking on the characteristics of its environment; light and cheerful in direct and bright lighting, more austere, deep, and reflective in standard tea room lighting. Perfect for those venturing into the world of Raku tea-ware or for those lo...

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

At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...

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...

Large French Etruscan 950 silver coffeepot, ca 1820. Ovoid body with spool neck, side-hinged cover, and raised and round foot. Upright S-spout with ram’s head mouth, and low relief leaves and gadroons. Leaf-and-dart borders. Cover has bud finial on scroll and flower mount. High-looping stained-wood handle with silver mounts: a ram’s head at top, a garlanded face at bottom. Robust Classicism. Fully marked including maker’s initials AL. Fine condition.

Overall dimensions: H 14 1/2 x W 10 ...

European 15k gold stickpin, ca 1880. Mounted with carved intaglio cameo, depicting a left-facing Classical female head. The color is reddish brown. It is in a gold frame mounted to a twisted shaft. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 5/8 x D 5/8 in. #112  

With pottery shards from excavated kilns dating back to the 5th Century, Mino-ware is one of the oldest and most revered pottery traditions in all of Japan. Though the piece featured here does not fit neatly into any of the typical categories of Mino pottery such as Kiseto, Setoguro, Oribe, or Shino; the shape and overall feel of this piece unmistakably places it within this pottery tradition.

Exceptionally well-proportioned and utterly unique, this tea bowl displays a ...

Set of 7 Francis I sterling silver nut dishes. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. 1951-52. Quatrefoil well, lobed sides, and scrolled rim. Embossed fruits and leaves. Nice pieces in the classic pattern. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. X569. Three have 1951 date symbol and 4 have 1952 date symbol. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 3 3/8 in. Total weight: 11 troy ounces. #BZ119

A stylized grass motif painted in ferrous pigment across each side and on the inside of this mukozuke serving dish marks it as being more likely produced in Karatsu as opposed to having come out of a Mino kiln. Though very similar styles and techniques were utilized during the late 16th or early 17th C. when this would have been produced; the color, distribution of glaze, and patterning suggest Karatsu. While at one time this would have been part of a set of 5 pieces, very few sets s...

Turn-of-the-century German Rococo 800 silver box. Rectilinear with tapering sides and chamfered corners with scroll supports. Cover hinged, raised, and inset. Chased ornament with chubby, bare bottomed cherubs with adroitly arranged drapery surrounded by garlands and and Classical architecture. Gilt-washed interior. Marks include Hanau maker’s stamp (Storck & Sinsheimer). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 7/8 x W 6 3/8 x D 4 1/2 in. Weight: 15.5 troy ounces. #BX028

Set of 4 Federal-style sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Spaulding & Co. (part of Gorham) in Chicago, ca 1920. Each: Straight and gently tapering sides and molded rims. A wonderful way to relax and reflect on the founding years of the Republic. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. 351, and phrase “Antique Reproduction / Originals of this Cup Were Made / About 1820 by C. Guiteau / for the Fairfax Family / of Virginia”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x D 3 in. Total ...

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...