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...

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...

Decidedly masculine in character with straight sculpted edges, a rich palette of color, and a calm steadiness in the hand; this tea bowl was crafted by one of Japan’s great masters, a Mashiko potter by the name of Takauchi Shugo.

A native of Tokyo, Takauchi (b. 1937) took the well-established path of working for a company after graduating from university and it was not until a number of years later—upon visiting the town of Mashiko and being inspired by the works of artists such...

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 ...

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...

A delightful Hagi tea bowl from the Jōzan Kiln in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Very representative of the genre with its milky glaze and ido-shape. This piece is a step above their typical offerings as can be discerned not only from the lovely composition but also from the quality of the box and the silk pouch that was also custom furnished. For those interested in getting better acquainted the world of Hagi without spending the thousands of dollars typical for works by better known artist...

Victorian sterling silver bowl. Made by Frederick Brasted in London in 1884. Round and curved with raised and spread foot. At top chased and engraved scene depicting idyllic countryside with rolling hills and big sturdy trees. In foreground a fox is pursued by hounds from two directions and a man stands ready to shoot. At bottom, gadrooning. Scrolled cartouche (vacant). Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 6 in. Weight: 10.3 troy ounces. #BY517

Dramatic Chinese silver centerpiece bowl, ca 1890. Oval with solid well. Sides open with scaly, slithering wraparound dragons; haunches and legs terminating in talon-gripped balls form supports. Cast heads with gaping jaws and lolling tongue. Detachable metal liner; interior has copper patina. Marked with Chinese characters and stamp for Luen Wo, a silversmith and retailer in Canton, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 16 1/2 x D 7 1/4 in. Weight (sil...

The craftsman who fashioned this piece, the 9th Ohi Chozaimon (1901-1986), is the most widely recognized and most accomplished of the now 11 generations of Ohi potters. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture at the start of the 20th century, he took up the family craft and, at the age of 26, became the head potter. Raku tea bowls made by Ohi 9 are some of the finest you will encounter, comparing favorably to even tea bowls made by the main Raku lineage in Kyoto. The lightness of the clay, the s...

Japonesque sterling silver spoon. Made by George W. Shiebler & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Tapering stem and round terminal; front hand-hammered and applied with a bug and bit of bamboo. Oval bowl. Back plain. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Theodore B. Starr) stamps. Very good condition. Dimensions: H 6 3/8 x W 1 3/8 in.;

With: Victorian sterling silver spoon. Made by same, ca 1891. Cast terminal in form of leafing nutmeg on stem. Back plain with engraved 3-letter script mon...

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Senso Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chozaemon came with him and established Ohi-yaki ware in Kanazawa. Chozaemon had been the chief apprentice for the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ohi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea ceremony desp...

Tsutsu-shaped chawan have a unique and especially attractive shape. They 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 lines and functional properties.

This tea bowl was fired in the kilns of one of Kyoto’s best known Raku-yaki potters, Sasaki Shoraku III (1944-). The Shoraku line began when the grandfather of the current potter established a kiln...

Nursery rhyme-themed sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany in New York. Round and curved. Handle solid and curvilinear with goose neck mounts. On handle is low-relief depiction of Old King Cole, who has "called for his pipe and called for his bowl." A dense olden-days scene with no room for the "fiddlers three." There's plenty of room for engraving, though. Fully marked including postwar pattern no. 25352. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 5 5/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weight: 6.5 troy...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver trinket box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Oval with upward tapering sides and hinged scrolled cover. On sides applied ribbon-tied garland. On cover top chased scrolls threaded with garlands overlapping central reeded frame (vacant). At ends stand two quiver bearing cherubs balancing fruit baskets on their heads. Gilt interior. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14930 (first produced in 1901), and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very g...

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...

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...

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, ...

Magnificent American Classical coin silver tureen. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1860. Curved ovoid bowl on stepped oval foot mounted to four beaded and round supports. Cover domed. Bowl rim has bold beading bordered by applied guilloche. On each end is cast satyr’s head with flamboyantly ribbed horns and slack jaw holding loose-mounted ring. Also cast is cover finial, a gentle herbivore quadruped standing on tooled grassy mound. Marked with maker’s and retailer’s (JE Caldwell) stamps a...