This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.
The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...
George V covered urn. Made by Lionel Alfred Crichton in London in 1930. Girdled urn on stepped, raised, and gadrooned foot; s-scroll side handles with leaf cap and pendant flower heads. Cover domed with gadrooned rim and finial. Cutout strapwork applied to bowl and cover. Traditional Classical form in Britannia (that is, 958) silver. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7 x W 5 7/8 x D 3 5/8 in. Heavy weight: 16.5 troy ounces. #BY618
George V covered urn. Made by Lionel Alfred Crichton in London in 1930. Girdled urn on stepped, raised, and gadrooned foot; s-scroll side handles with leaf cap and pendant flower heads. Cover domed with gadrooned rim and finial. Cutout strapwork applied to bowl and cover. Traditional Classical form in Britannia (that is, 958) silver. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7 x W 5 7/8 x D 3 5/8 in. Heavy weight: 16.2 troy ounces. #BY619
Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...
This 1930's vintage Mexican Silver Cuff Bracelet by the early Mexican department store Sanborn's features a hand chased and silver repousse floral design. It measures 5 1/4" long with an opening of 1 1/4" by 1 1/3" wide and weighs 33.1 grams. Hallmarked with the Owl figure, Sanborns, Mexico Sterling - the Owl mark was used starting in 1931. The bracelet is in good condition with only light age related wear and tarnish. A lovely bracelet with great style.
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 ...
Antique accessories have unique style and flair. This pair of art deco–style silver wine coolers features straight sides, reeded rims, and faceted corners. They also have ring handles and triangular mounts, making them distinct among antique wine coolers. Chill wine as you entertain guests at cocktail parties and other gatherings. You don’t want to miss this excellent pair of art deco–style silver wine coolers from our collection.
Excellent condition. Dimensions: H 12 x W 8 1/2 x D ...
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...
A simply stunning Antonio Pineda Silver and Moonstone Bracelet with an elegant modernist design. The cabochon Moonstones sit between thick sculpted links with an additional Moonstone set above the box clasp. It measures 7" long by 1" wide and weighs 59.3 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, Hecho en Mexico, the eagle 17, Silver. With an attached safely chain, it is In good condition with no damage noted only light age related wear and tarnish. A timeless heirloom treasure for those wh...
Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver wine bottle holder. Made by Odiot in France, ca 1890. Open body comprising two rectilinear supports mounted to round bowl with straight sides. Conical neck with adjustable screws. Leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Meandering fruiting grapevine on stippled ground. Perfect for enjoying a special vintage. Note: The bowl is smallish, so the best fit is going to be one of the really old bottles down in the cellar. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp....
Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corp. in Providence, ca 1900. Conical mouth and neck, and bellied bowl. Overlay in form of dense leafing scrollwork and flowers; asymmetrical scrolled cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. R387. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 8 x D 4 in. #BZ165
At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...
The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!" A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today. The poem also suggests that this is one of her earlier works that would have been produced before she became renowned throughout Japan for her...
Alovely Brooch by the famous Taxco Silver Artist Hector Aguilar features two stylized flower blossoms along with a curved leaf on curving stems. Crafted in Aguilars favored 940 silver which give the silver a lovely rich patina. It measures 3" wide by 3 1/2" long and weigh 18.6 grams. Hallmarked Taxco, HA, 940. Light age related wear and tarnish a secure pin clasp. A lovely piece.
This unique and rare Bracelet by Hector Aguilar is featured in the book Silver Masters of Mexico on page 40, plateI-55 and is known as the "Chain with Dome" bracelet. Measures 8 1/2" long with the chain portion measuring 3/4" wide. The dome section functions as the clasp and measures 1 1/4" wide. Hallmarked with the joined HA, Made in Mexico, Sterling. Very nice condition with no damage noted. An wonderful bracelet by this important Taxco master.
Richly colored plique a jour beaker, ca 1910. Straight and gently tapering sides. Ornament includes stylized flower heads in rondels and beaded and guilloche borders. Colors red and blue. Silver gilt wire frames and cabled rim. Unmarked. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 2 x D 1 3/4 in. #BV278
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...
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 f...