George V sterling silver and pink guilloche enamel vanity set. Made by Charles S. Green & Co., Ltd in Birmingham in 1927-8. This set comprises 4 pieces: Hand mirror, hairbrush, clothes brush, and button hook. Mirror and hairbrush have armorial backs and tapering and fluted silver handles with vasiform finials. Button hook handle tapering. Clothes brush tubular. Enamel has wavy and radiating pattern with leafing scroll borders and pendant garlands.

Fully marked. Mirror and brush have design no....

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...

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.

An exceptionally skilled Meiji potter, Chikusen (1854 – 1915) specialized in high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and...

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...

Turn-of-the-century French gilt bronze picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with raised leaf-and-dart, imbricated leaf, and beaded borders. Red guilloche border and applied and pierced flower baskets, cornucopias, bouquets and shells. Ribboned and leafing rinceaux crown. With glass, silk lining and hinged easel wire support. For portrait (vertical) display. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H (overall) 12 1/8 x W 8 7/8 in. Window: H 7 1/8 x W 5 in. #SW13

Turn-of-the-century French gilt bronze picture frame. Rectangular window in same surround with raised leaf-and-dart, imbricated leaf, and beaded borders. Red guilloche border and applied and pierced flower baskets, cornucopias, bouquets and shells. Ribboned and leafing rinceaux crown. With glass, silk lining and hinged easel wire support. For portrait (vertical) display. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H (overall) 12 1/4 x W 8 3/4 in. Window: H 7 1/8 x W 5 in. #SW14

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...

Currently in its 5th generation, the Miura Chikusen line of potters has continued to produce high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki porcelains used in sencha for well over 150 years. The piece seen here is by the third generation potter and has the rare distinction of being endorsed by Sokuchusai, a former Head Tea Master of Omotesenke in Kyoto. Simple and elegant, a section of bamboo stands out in contrast to the white crackled porcelain glaze. If you are looking for a representative work by o...

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 ...

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...

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...

Amusing shakudo brooch with copper and gold detail featuring a woman in repose. The brooch is braced by a sterling silver mount. Made in Japan. Meiji period, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fabulous patina.

Length: 2 3/8 in. #1120

A delightful Shakudo brooch featuring a laughing face with exaggerated features including large copper lips as well as copper rope detail. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with lovely patina.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x L 1 3/4 in. #1118

Charming rectangular Shakudo brooch with gold and silver detail featuring a laughing man. The brooch is braced by a 12K gold mount. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fine patina.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x L 1 7/8 in. #1119

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...

Handwoven with delicate precision, this Japanese bamboo ikebana basket showcases the beauty of traditional bamboo weaving and the elegance of classic Chinese design that much of Japanese traditional art is based on. Its sturdy construction and balanced proportions make it perfect for ikebana arrangements, merging floral artistry with cultural aesthetics.

Though little is known about this artisan, I was able to find examples of their work in several high-end Japanese g...

The pottery style know as “nerikomi” or sometimes “neriage” in Japan is a technique where various colors and consistencies of clay are stacked together and then cut through to reveal a unique pattern. Here we see a beautiful execution of this approach by potter Wakasugi Naomi (b. 1974) who spent many years perfecting the technique. Wakasugi typically uses Shigaraki clay and porcelain clay from Kyoto in her works and says that when she first started out very few people were ma...

A testament to the brilliance of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this lacquered mizusashi—skillfully handcrafted from bamboo—showcases a deep crimson hue that radiates warmth and sophistication. Its seamless design and flawless finish reflect the skilled hands of the first generation artisan who crafted it, achieving a harmonious balance between form and function. Designed for use in Japanese tea ceremony, this indispensable implement would love to be put back into service o...