Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
In the Moonlight Under the Trees a Beautiful Woman Comes (Getsumei Rinka Bijin Majiru)
No. 59 from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon"
Date: 1888
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.5 x 10 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon.
Carver: Yamamoto.
Condition: Some spots and creasing.
"The elegantly dressed Chinese woman represents the spirit of the plum ...

French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver tea urn, ca 1900. Ovoid with turned stained-wood handles with silver scroll and leaf mounts. Scaly fish spout with tail mount and gaping mouth spout and turned stained wood and silver scroll tap. Double-domed cover with berry finial. Three double-scroll supports with leaf mounts and feet mounted to stepped and stained-wood drum-form blocks. Heating element set in scroll-mounted ring. Twisted fluting and lobing. Vitruvian scroll and leaf borders. Engraved...

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...

Art Nouveau Craftsman glazed earthenware whiskey jug with engraved silver overlay. Made by Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati in 1893. Globular with short neck; silver collar round mouth with lip spout flowing into c-scroll handle. Painted ear of corn with exposed kernels on shaded brown green ground. Overlay in form of entwined grapevine and berry branches with succulent fruit and outsized leaves.

The painter was Harriette Rosemary Strafer (1873-1935), who began working at Rookwood Pottery in 189...

Chinese porcelain hat stand vase with a hand painted scene of a boy playfully dangling a toy spider in front of his pet cat. Mother and brother are standing nearby watching. Dates early 20th C. Measures 11.5" high x 5" diameter.

Seated in meditation with open and compassionate heart, this bodhisattva is on a spiritual journey, postponing his own salvation in order to remain on earth to help others achieve enlightenment. In contrast to some images of the Japanese Bodhisattva (Bosatsu), often depicted as austere and inward looking, here, Kimura depicts the Bodhisattva as playful, carefree, and decidedly ornate. The inverted image of white contrast dye on black silk also makes for a striking composition.

A mas...

Turn-of-the-century Chinese export silver picture frame. Oval window in shaped surround with scrolls and flower heads at top, and leaves, stars, flowers, and heart cartouche vacant on stippled ground at bottom. With glass, silk lining, velvet back, and hinged easel silver wire support. Marked “Sterling”. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: Frame: H 7 1/4 x W 4 3/4 in. Window: H 4 1/4 x W 2 3/4 in. #BW978

Turn-of-the-century Chinese silver mustard pot. Round and bellied bowl with plain concave neck, thin scroll handle, and spread foot. Modish floral ornament in form of chased and applied water lilies and pads heightened with engraving on stippled ground. Chinese marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 3/8 x W 3 1/4 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BV330

Chinese silver mug, ca 1910. Straight and upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. A spare form enlivened with applied wraparound dragon chasing its tail. Marks include stamp for Wang Hing, a maker and retailer in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 x W 5 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX461

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father. Through it all Kobay...

Gorgeous French Belle Epoque Rococo 950 silver and crystal decanter, ca 1890. Crystal baluster bowl with acid-etched leafing and flowering branches and wavy bands. Silver mounts with dynamic wave and scrollwork, shells, and leaves. Cover hinged with fish-mouth spout and scallop shell thumb rest. High-looping leaf-capped handle. Four scroll supports. Minerva head mark. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 12 5/8 x W 6 1/2 x D 4 1/2 in. #BX727

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

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...

Deceptively simple and notoriously difficult to apply with the calligrapher’s brush in one fluid, arching stroke; the symbol of the ensō has long been associated with strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and non-being of the universe. A closed ensō (such as the one featured here) is more closely associated with the idea of transcendent perfection, while an open ensō represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world. Though the monk who created this piece, Hasega...

Chinese silver censer, ca 1910. Drum-form agate body set in silver gilt mounts with scrollwork and lunettes. Leaf-capped side bracket handles. Upward tapering support and stepped foot with fretwork brackets. Cover raised with pierced scrollwork borders bud finial with leaf brackets on solid central mount with scrolls and fan. Silver gilt and heightened with blue, green, and red enamel. Marked “Silver”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 3/4 x W 7 3/8 x D 4 3/8 in. #BY170

Chinese silver mug, ca 1865. Straight and upward tapering sides with dense low-relief frieze: Spearmen and swordsmen on foot and horse thrust and lunge and, in some cases, fall in battle. Applied armorial shield with engraved presentation dated “May 4th 1865”. S-scroll handle in form of scaly dragon with horned head peering over rim. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX464

English Georgian sterling silver baby cup, 1837. Bowl has curved sides and scrolled foot rim with applied scallop shells and four leaf and shell supports; leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Gilt interior.

Chased and engraved scene of boy riding on the back of a rescue dog, who stands at the entrance to a monastic hostelry in the Swiss Alps. An iconic illustration of the perils of mountain travel that was reproduced in painting and sculpture. A lithograph after British artist TC Wilson depicting...

Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise. In this practice known as raigō, the faithful are transported via the small lotus pedestal the Kannon holds in his...

In the tranquil pond, a solitary turtle finds repose upon a weathered rock. With its ancient shell glistening under the gentle sunlight, it sits in serene contemplation. The stillness of the water mirrors the turtle's quiet presence, as it basks in the harmony of its surroundings. In this harmonious scene, time seems to slow, and the turtle becomes a symbol of patience and tranquility amidst the ever-changing world.

Deep in the water A serene heart resides Floating above it...

This beautiful painting from late Edo portrays Mount Fuji as a sublime centerpiece, overlooking a serene landscape below. A lush pine forest embraces the foot of the sacred mountain, its deep greens contrasting against the pristine snow-capped peak. A tranquil lake reflects the ethereal beauty of the surroundings, mirroring the image of Fuji and the towering pines. The composition captures the harmonious coexistence of nature's grandeur, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the ...

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...

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...

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...

Sabra Field (American, born 1935)
Going Home
Date: ca 1980 (as noted on separate board)
Paper size: 13 x 8.5 inches.
Image size: 9.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodcut print.
Condition: Light scuff on mountain.

Japanese silver centerpiece bowl, ca 1900. Round and curved. Flat mouth rim with long and low scallops. Raised and spread foot. Applied iris flowers with loose and crisscrossing tendrils and stems in eddying water. Foot has cutout flower heads and engraved wraparound tendrils. Gorgeous period motif on spot-hammered ground. Double-walled. Meiji-era Art Nouveau centerpiece for the cosmopolitan West. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 3/4 x D 12 3/4 in. Weight: 78 troy ounces. #BZ691 ...

American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Rectangular window in wide and flat surround. With glass, paper lining, and wood laminate back for portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) display. Liner has retailer’s stamp. Frame fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 53, and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 12 x W 10 in. Window: H 10 x W 8 in. #BZ570

Edwardian sterling silver figural bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1920. A swan with downy plumed wings and finely-feather scaly neck. Closed bill and direct stare. Hollow gilt-washed body for holding treats. A stately solo bird to grace your next dinner party. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 33. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x L 8 1/4 x W 4 1/2 in. Weight: 8.6 troy ounces. #BZ678

Edwardian Regency sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1909. Oval with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed; top overhanging with chased patera; center (vacant) has bead-and-reel border, radiating flutes, and stylized flowerheads. Interior has traces of gilt wash. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 17518 (first produced in 1909), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 5.8 troy ounces. #BZ517...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver picture frame. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1909. Rectangular window with concave border and molded rim. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for landscape (horizontal) display. Perfect for a special wide-angled shot with room for everyone. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. B3936, and date symbol. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 8 1/2 x W 11 3/4 in. Window: H 6 3/4 x W 9 7/8 in. #BZ575

German silver figural dog stirrup cup, ca 1920. Cast bust of spaniel with long snout, resolutely closed mouth, and direct, concentrated gaze as well as floppy ears and thick fur. Mounted to plain and upward tapering bowl. A loyal hunt companion. Marked with maker’s stamp “Föhr” (probably, Eduard Foehr) and old-fashioned “13” (that is, 13/16 loths or 812 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 3 5/8 in. Weight: 8 troy ounces. #BZ714

Modern sterling silver mini martini shaker, ca 1930. Straight and tapering sides, curved shoulder, and short neck with snug-fitting bun cover. Spout diagonal with chained ball cap for secure shaking. Handy small size for stylish solo drinking. Fully marked including New York maker’s stamp (Currier & Roby), Boston retailer’s stamp (Shreve, Crump & Low), and no. 6711L. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 x W 4 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 7.2 troy ounces. #BZ687

Large Palm sterling silver sugar tongs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. U-form. Each stem tapering with scallop shell jaw; fiddle terminal with low relief palm. A rare serving piece in the simplified Classical pattern designed by Edward C. Moore and first produced in 1871. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and director’s letter m (1869-75). Very good condition. Taut and springy.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 3/4 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ588

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Comyns in London in 1912. Oval window in rectangular surround. Window border entwined with entwined with engraved and overlapping open ribbon with bows at top and bottom. A sweet way to “tie up” a special memory for posterity. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back with hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 8 1/4 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 6 7/8 x W 4 3/8 in. #BY19...

Art Nouveau sterling silver table mirror. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark, ca 1910. Oval glass in rectangular surround. On front acid-etched ornament with dense and fluid leafing scrolls and berries; sides plain. With velvet back and hinged easel support for vertical display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and indistinct number. Very good condition with strong definition.

Large dimensions: Frame: H 18 x W 14 5/8 in. Window: 14 3/4 x W 11 1/2 in. #BX553