Not to be confused with the Olympic medalist, this Tomita Hiroyuki (b. 1977) is a talented potter pushing the bounds of an otherwise conservative field where many ceramic forms are carried forward for centuries and sometimes millennia. Beginning his artistic endeavors in the field of metal casting, he soon met and became a student to Ijuin Mariko who introduced him to the world of ceramics. In 2007 he opened his own workshop and since that time he has been actively creating and exhib...

Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and showcasing a soft and gracefully executed red glaze, this Raku tea bowl exudes a sense of ease, tenderness, and tranquility. Adorned with subtle crackling patterns and variations in texture, the tea bowl's surface adds to its unique and organic feel. Made by one of the true veterans of Japanese pottery, these are some of the finest Raku tea bowls you will find in all of Japan.

Sugimoto (b. 1935) is one of the most important...

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Originally crafted as a tokkuri, or sake flask, it was recovered from the estate of a tea-practitioner who reportedly cherished it as a vase that would hold colorful flowers and various grasses throughout the seasons.

Thanks to the dedication and passion of a researcher by the name of Katsura Matasaburo (1901-1986) we can be assured that this vase is a...

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

Ota Shumin (1884-1950, Japanese)
Boats on River (given title).
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. 17.25 x 12.625 inches.
Signed "Shumin" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Tonal difference at edges where formerly matted. Light creasing visible in side light.
Note: Shumin participated in a painting event at the 1936 Olympics.

Modern sterling silver porringer with Noah’s Ark motif. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1926. Bellied bowl and solid shaped handle. On exterior is acid-etched frieze with a lion, camel, elephant, bear—and so on single file through the animal kingdom. Destination Ark where Noah awaits. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20731A (first produced in 1926), and director’s letter m. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 6 x D 4 1/4 in. Weight...

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Rectangular with straight sides and leaf-and-dart base rim. Cover flat and hinged with same as well as leaf-and-flower border. Cover top has central heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath; leaf and flower border. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe from the Ancien Regime do-over years. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 18...

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Rectangular with straight sides and leaf-and-dart base rim. Cover flat and hinged with same as well as leaf-and-flower border. Cover top has central heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath; leaf and flower border. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 1819. Very good condition with nice ton...

Set of 12 Midcentury Modern sterling silver cocktail cups. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Curved conical bowl on tapering columnar stem with incised bands. Foot round and raised with applied cutout snowflake. A snowflake motif but not for snowflakes. These ones are for the grownups. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 23411. One cup has director’s letter M (1947-56) and 11 have director’s letter L (1956-ca 1965). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4...

Set of 6 German 800 silver figural open salts, ca 1920. Each: A swan with erect neck and down-turned bill and pointy tail; body hollow. With fluted and scalloped frosted glass liner. Fully marked including maker’s stamp attributable to Martin Mayer. Numbered 2 (1), 42 (2), and 88 (3). Very good condition. One liner has bottom crack.

Dimensions: H 2 x L 2 1/4 x W 1 1/4 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.5 troy ounces. #BZ325

Victorian sterling silver baby cup. Made by John Aldwinckle & Thomas Slater in London in 1887. Straight and gently upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. Ornamental borders engraved at top and bottom including ribbon-tied garlands. Festive and celebratory with plenty of room for announcing a special event. Interior gilt washed. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x W 3 3/8 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 3.4 troy ounces. #BW400

Dutch silver figural spice box. Imported to England in 1891 by BH Joseph & Co. An egret gracefully scrolled neck, red glass eyes, and gaping beak stands on one scaly leg, the other leg raised with clenched talons. A beautiful bird with nicely delineated plumage. Hinged at bust. Dutch assay stamp and date letter, and English sterling-standard import marks including London assay stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 15 1/2 x W 6 3/4 x D 4 1/4 in. Weight: 19 troy ounces. #BZ288

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-140.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent

A pair of blue topaz earrings. The pear shaped stones measure 1/2" x 3/8" while the setting measures 3/4" x 5/8". The butterfly clutches are marked 14k.

Kawase Hasui
Fisherman at Sunset
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge only to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Dubya-era sterling silver mint julep. Made by Scearce in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Straight and tapering sides, and beaded and molded rim and foot. A great barware cup from the surprisingly long ago aughts. Marks include maker's stamp and presidential date code "GWB". Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight: 5.4 troy ounces. #BY876

George V sterling silver box. Made by Sampson Mordan in London in 1914. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Cover hinged with tapering tab and gently curved top. Cedar-lined and partitioned interior. Leather-lined underside. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 5/8 x W 9 x D 5 1/2 in. Heavy gross weight: 41.8 troy ounces. #BZ316