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...

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...

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

Gothic sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Concave sides on short foot. Rim reeded with applied leaves. Solid handle with carved figure of medieval horn-blowing huntsman. An impressive example of the breadth of historic resources and techniques that Tiffany mined during the 19th century. Hallmark includes pattern no. 9680 and director’s letter T (1892-1902).

Dimensions: H 3 x W 9 7/8 x D 5 in. Gross weight: 8.6 troy ounces. #BN233

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

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 and director’s letter M (1947-56). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 9 1/8 in. Weight: 26.3 troy ounces. BP255

Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Circular with fluted sides and flared and scalloped rim. Hallmark includes pattern no. 22926 and director’s letter M (1947-56). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 3/4 x D 9 1/4 in. Weight: 16 troy ounces. BP216

This remarkable tea bowl is from the kilns of Yoshida Shuen (1940-1987)—an apprentice of Miwa Kyusetsu (1910-2012) who was awarded the status of Living National Treasure in 1983. It features a warm crackled glazing with a white translucent overcoat that beads in areas.

Hagi-yaki has 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, which is often clea...

Antique Kurdish chanteh bag (camel bag). Made of wool and woven in two connected panels. The front panel (facing out on the camel) is woven with star protection motifs and surrounded with a running hooked motif along the border. The back of the bag is woven in a stripe pattern. Circa 1900. Size: 40" high x 29" wide