This elegant work of Karatsu pottery has an unglazed foot, showing the rich ferrous clay from which it is constructed, and displays splashes of ferrous pigment on a backdrop of ashen glaze with a milky white overglaze. The triangular shape and large proportions make for a very distinctive work of e-Karatsu or “painted” Karatsu.

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters...

Pair of early Etruscan sterling silver covered serving dishes. Made by Moore for Tiffany & Co. at 550 Broadway in New York. Each: Oval bowl with everted rim. Cover domed; top has cast leaf-wrapped and reeded twist-lock ring handle for converting to a second serving dish; armorial engraved on side. Beaded and fretwork borders. A beautiful pair—or quartet—in the austere Grecian taste. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s stamps (1854-70), and late 1860s pattern no. 1740. Very good...

Pair of Edwardian Georgian sterling silver covered serving dishes. Made by John Round & Son Ltd in Sheffield in 1904. Each: Rectangular with chamfered corners and tapering sides. Cover raised and chamfered with twist-lock ring handle. Handle, covers, and rim gadrooned with scallop shells and leafing scrolls. A gorgeous twosome—make that foursome because the covers convert to bowls. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Overall dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 13 x D 9 1/2 in. Heavy total weight: 115 t...

Century sterling silver fish serving pair. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York, ca 1900. Each: Threaded and tapering stem with scroll and shell terminal. The slice has a scroll shaped blade. The fork has shaped shank and four scrolled tines. Edwardian Classicism for the new century. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Hansel, Sloan & Co.) stamps, and patent year (1900). Very good condition.

Dimensions: Slice: H 11 in. Fork: H 9 in. Total weight: 9.5 troy ounces. #BX815

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetrical and elegant flower vase. Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this vase embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creati...

Edwardian Modern Classical sterling silver serving bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Round and serpentine with tapering sides and reeded rim. Cover raised with tapering sides and plain and flat rim. Dense engraved scrolls, flowers, scallop shells and diaper on bowl interior sides and on cover top and exterior sides. For serving a special dish—make that two special dishes: The twist-lock finial can be detached for converting the cover to a second bowl. Fully marked including mak...

Edwardian Modern Classical sterling silver serving bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Oval and serpentine with tapering sides and reeded rim. Cover raised with tapering sides and plain and flat rim. Dense engraved scrolls, flowers, scallop shells and diaper on bowl interior sides and on cover top and exterior sides. For serving a special dish—make that two special dishes: The twist-lock finial can be detached for converting the cover to a second bowl. Fully marked including make...

Japanese Mugiwara pottery emerged in the Mino region of Japan during the Momoyama period in the late 16th century. It is renowned for its distinctive straw-rope patterns etched into or painted on its surfaces that typically contains hues of indigo, mustard, hazel, ochre, and sometimes greens. The creation of Mugiwara pottery involves a process of hand-building or wheel-throwing clay pieces—typically serving dishes, vases, and teaware items—and then meticulously applying a straw-r...

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...

Splashed across a beautifully textured backdrop of shimmering black, the willow leaves painted in silver bring with them a sense of calm and contemplation. Generously proportioned though not too heavy in the hand, the wide base ensures stability while the upward curvature of the sides breaks with convention and offers a unique and decidedly modern flair.

Born in Kyoto as the 4th son of a famous lacquer artist named Shogo, Banura Shiro (1941-2001) followed suit and went i...

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creativity and the organic world. Now several centuries old, this piece continues to serves not only as a functional display piece, but also as a symbol of the enduring leg...

Set of 6 turn-of-the-century American sterling silver figural nut dishes. Each: Irregular lozenge-form leaf with engraved veins and embossed grape bunches. Open vine handle. Butler finish. Fully marked including faint maker's stamp (Mauser) and no. 3310. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x W 3 5/8 x D 3 1/2 in. Total weight: 3.6 troy ounces. #BA557

Beaded sterling silver dinner and lunch set. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. This set comprises 157 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 12 Dinner forks (7 1/4), 12 luncheon forks (6 7/8), 24 salad forks (6 3/4), 12 pastry forks (5 5/8), 2 seafood forks (6 1/8), and 1 youth fork (5 5/8);

Spoons: 12 teaspoons (5 7/8), 12 teaspoons (5 1/2), 8 fruit spoons (5 7/8), 4 gumbo spoons (6 5/8), 2 ice cream spoons (5 5/8), 2 demitasse spoons (4 1/2), and 3 salt spoons (2 5/8);

Knives: 12 short-...

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a woman with a look of frustration on her face, wearing a black kimono, decorated with light pink and blue sakura blossoms, and a salmon pink under robe. Behind her are several cottages with trees and mountains, and stylized signatures in the top right corner and middle left side. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock print that was popular during the 17-19th centuries in Japan. The print is set behind glass in a large frame, and the back of the frame lists artist: ...

A Zohiko covered rice bowl. Colorful leaf decoration sparsely applied on black ground with almost iridescent effect with gold and silver maki-e and red details. Zohiko mark in gold lacquer inside the bowl's foot rim. 20th century. Bowl diameter 5 1/16 inches (12.86 cm). The bowl has two small losses to the lacquer along the foot and one small loss to the rim. The cover is in good condition. The lacquer otherwise being in good condition with no distress or wear of note. Combine with other pieces ...

A Zohiko covered soup bowl. Colorful leaf decoration sparsely applied on black ground with almost iridescent effect with gold and silver maki-e and red details. Zohiko mark in silver lacquer inside the bowl's foot rim. 20th century. Bowl diameter 4 9/16 inches (11.59 cm). Condition is relatively quite good with only a small abrasion to the lacquer on foot rim of the bowl. The lacquer otherwise is in good condition with no distress or wear of note. A quirk in the underlying wood (not an issue wit...

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...

Pair of George III sterling silver covered vegetable dishes. Made by Paul Storr in London in 1805. Each: Tapering bowl with gadrooned rim. Cover domed with lobed shoulder; cast coronet finial mounted to round disc with beaded border.

Engraved coat of arms of Robert Hobart, 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire (1760–1816), an early Empire allrounder, whose peripatetic career included stints as the governor of Madras, postmaster general, and chief secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Because he...

South American dish, ca 1920. Lozenge-form with flared rim and 3 splayed supports comprising Brazilian 1000 Reis coins minted in the first two decades of the twentieth century. A great way to give “currency” to your décor. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 7 3/4 x D 7 3/8 in. Weight: 17 troy ounces. #BY753

Set of 12 Art Nouveau sterling silver nut dishes. Made by Howard Sterling Co. in Providence, ca 1900. Each: Round and pierced with 3 leaf-mounted paw supports. Cast and open tendril rim with flower heads. Well has engraved single-letter monogram. Pretty bowls for small servings of treats. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 491X. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Total weight: 26.8 troy ounces. #BX778

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...

Pair of Victorian Georgian sterling silver serving trays. Made by William Ker Reid in London in 1846. Each: Serpentine and gadrooned with oval well. On shoulder engraved armorial with lion rampant and Latin motto “Vive Ut Vivas” (Live That You May Live). Sturdy with nice heft and balance. Fine examples of the enduring popularity of 18th-century design well into the reign of the young queen. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x W 13 1/4 x D 9 3/8 in. Heavy total weight: 68.8...

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating back to the 7th and 8th century—with the major kilns being established some time around the end of the 16th century. Similar in many ways to Shigaraki pottery, the glaze is the result of kiln ash being vitrified and melted on to the surface of the clay body at extremely high temperatures during firing, which can last many days. To add...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted over seven decades. The piece shown here then would be from an earlier period and is evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the one he is most well-known for. As any experienced potter will tell you, tenmoku ...

Painted lacquerware in Asia is thought to have more than 3,000 years of history; originating in China and then later spreading to South East Asia, Korea, and Japan. One reason this craft has taken centuries to perfect is that the sap of the tree used is highly toxic and irritating to the skin and to the lungs. Even minor contact with the raw materials can cause serious issues, making collecting and refining it quite labor intensive. Additionally, once collected it takes on average 3-5 years for ...

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...

German Rococo 930 silver sweet meat coach. Imported to England by David Bridge in 1894. A round coach harnessed to a prancing reindeer with large antlers. A trumpet-blowing cherub holds the reins, and two more cherubs support an armorial in strapwork frame. Chased scenes depicting pastoral landscapes and frolics. Wheels rotate for a quick journey around the table. Fully marked including Hanau maker’s marks and English import marks, including London assay stamp. Very good condition.

Overall d...

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular; straight sides bisected by wraparound rectilinear band. Corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with stepped rim. Austere Danish Classicism. Designed by Harald Nielsen. Fully marked including Georg Jensen & Wendel maker’s stamp (ca 1945-51), which was limited to wares sold in Copenhagen, and designer’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 6 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 15 troy ounces. #BZ775 ...

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Denmark. Rectangular with wraparound reeded sides and inset corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with rectangular and gently curved tab. Between-the-Wars Classicism. A made-in-Denmark Swedish design by the Duke of Uppland (that is, Sigvard Bernadotte). Fully marked including maker’s (1933-44) and designer’s stamps, and no. 712. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Weight: 8.8 troy ounces. #BZ776...

American Midcentury Classical sterling silver ice bucket. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Urn bowl with bracket side handles and stepped foot; incised bands at top. Cover double domed with vasiform finial. Insulated interior. Marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 9 3/4 x W 9 1/2 x D 7 in. #BZ761

Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Padgett & Braham Ltd in Birmingham in 1980. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed; on top stand a horse and jockey in a faint surround suggestive of a cloud (of dust?). Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Box underside leather lined. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x L 8 1/8 x D 3 5/8 in. Gross weight: 19 troy ounces. #BZ737

Edwardian Georgian sterling silver mug. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1916. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle and round stepped foot. Large with nice heft and plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and pattern no. 19191 (first produced in 1916). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 3/4 x D 3 3/4 in. Weight: 12.5 troy ounces. #BZ554

Large turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass cologne bottle with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim in silver collar. Ball stopper with short plug. Loose and interlaced silver scrollwork with flower heads in open and symmetrical pattern. Shaped cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is green. Silver has maker’s stamp and no. D946. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x D 4 3/8 in. #BZ663

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Two Paintings of "Tama" Cats - Black and Beige
Date: Not known. There was a June 1924 Tama cat woodblock print (see our Shotei061) in which the white cat is in the reverse orientation.
Size (Black Cat): Paper: 15.5 x 11.375 inches (38.9 x 28.9 cm). Image: 13 x 9.25 inches (32.8 x 23.4 cm).
Size (Beige Cat): Paper size: 15.25 x 11.375 inches (38.8 x 28.8 cm). Image: 13 x 9.25 inches (33.1 cm X 23.5 cm).
Medium: Japanese paintings on paper. The ...

Enryakuji Temple, Hiyeizan (Hieizan), Kyoto.
Artist not identified.
Dated August 21st, 1937.
Size: 7.5 x 5375 inches (19 x 13.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print as the cover of a dinner menu of the Nippon Yusen Line passenger ship, Chichibu Maru.
Publisher: Likely Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo), who produced another of our ship menu woodblock prints.
Medium: Japanese shin-hanga woodblock print made from a carved wood block. Mechanization w...