One of the largest tablet or brick seals, we've ever offered. Bifacial tablet seals can normally be dated to around the 3rd. millenium BC. This is so delicately carved that it could be made somewhat later in the 2nd. mill. BC.
The black serpentine seal depicts a large Bee, filling the whole of the seal, and on the other side a Scorpion. Particularly, the Bee is masterfully engraved, so that even tiny details and textures of the bee can be seen. Absolutely stunning.
Size: 5...
Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Snow on Willow Bridge
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1927.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. With Watanabe C seal (Used 1929-42).
Shoson signature and seal.
Reference: S44.3 and image #166 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A conservator has repaired top margin blanks and tears. One had impinged on the image.
Note: One...
Eisho Narazaki (1862-1936)
Interior of Asakusa Kannon Temple
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1932
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal at left margin, indicating a first edition printed 1929-42.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toned paper.
There is so much to look at in this lively, superbly printed image.
Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Moon at Magome
Date: 1930.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Watanabe C (sausage) seal at right margin, making this a first edition produced between 1929-1942.
Reference: Hotei #165.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Point-sized repair in upper left corner of sky. Original drying pinhole at left margin covered with paper.
"The scene conveys the rustic 'poetic' charm of Ma...
Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Painted Pottery Jar (Repaired)
This large and impressive pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is quite "heavily-potted" with a smooth surface and is fairly highly-fired. The surface colour of the pottery varies in places, a result of uneven conditions during firing. It has a short neck with flared m...
This large disk-shaped ritual object from central Asia - the Bactrian-Margiana Archaeological Complex - is made of marble. Dated in the 3rd to 2nd millennium century BC, it has a smooth, curved-in side, and the concave surface of the face is well-polished. The abstract vein pattern in the marble offers colours of pink-purple, beige, and grey. The use of this kind of object is still uncertain. Some believe these are purely ritual objects. Other theories suggest they might have also been used fo...
Carl Tasha modernist serpent pendant
Provincetown, MA
1970
This massive and exquisitely detailed work of art measures 5 1/4" tall x 3" across
Weight - a solid 118 grams
Cast brass or bronze
Signed on verso - C. Tasha in script and stamped C. Tasha in block letters, 153/1000
Excellent vintage condition
A Chinese silver fan, gold plated and decorated with multicolour enamelled panels against a filigree ground .The guards are cast with scenes of figures, all sharp and crisp. The back of the fan is not neglected either; it is embellished with the same decoration, thus making it a visual joy from both sides. This exceptional and fantastic fan weighs 173 grams of high grade ( 92% tested ) silver, covered by high gauge gold. age; C. 1900. size: 22.5cm length of the sticks. condition; excellent, you...
The size of Vase : 14" High x 8 7/8" Dia, 4 5/16" Top Dia
35.5 cm x 22.5 cm, 11 cm top dia.
This very fine Japanese Porcelain Vase done with
Yomon (relief works, raised works) with pale yellow green glaze,
in design of Ho-O bird intricately done in Yomon(relief) works.
It is made same era of Seifu Yohei 4th. The vase
is very similar to Seifu. The vase is made from Taisho to Showa.
It came with Kiriwood Tomobako as well as wooden stand.
Inside cover has Ja...
A pair of rare 19th C Chinese hand carved hardwood, possibly Hong Mu wood, Scholars desk trays in a large lily pad leaf design with flower heads. Each being slightly different, one has a bird’s head and the other a nice protruding stem between the flower heads, they were made to be displayed together. These were finished with a mix of beeswax and a few other natural concoctions the Chinese used to seal the finish and give it a great mellow sheen. The beauty of the surfaces is that wheneve...
From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up.
Born in the port city of Shimoda, Sakiyama studied art in Osaka and then later went on to open his own kiln that he named “Hidaka” (High Sun). Appearing to have a natural gift for form and proportion, his pieces soon attracted the attention of galleries and collectors...
Fine & Rare Chinese Warring States Pottery Bird with Oxford TL Test
This very rare pottery model of a bird, either a duck or a goose, was made during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). It is "heavily-potted" and made from quite a high-fired grey pottery. The duck stands with its neck and wings stretched, as if in the act of preparing to fly. Note the detail, especially to the wings, with the tiger heads. The style and decoration suggest this model was based on a bronze example. On the...
Ceramics decorated by Zen monks are seldom seen and this piece is no exception. Two red enamel characters are boldly brushed in red enamel conveying the strong bond between Zen and the tea ceremony. The bowl is inscribed and named Taste of Zen (Zenmi 禅味), and dates to the 1970s, when Seki Bokuō 関牧翁 (1903 – 1991) was well into his abbotship at Tenryū-ji, one of most important, and certainly most beautiful temples in Kyoto. The bowl itself is by the well-known hagi potter, Hara Kiyok...
Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier (with stand)
This impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and quite highly-fired. He stands alert with his right hand raised. The pack on his back, a container for arrows, shows that he is an archer. In the hands would originally have been placed a miniature wooden shield and weapon, now long since rotted away and lost....
Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Early "Blue & White" Vase
This rare pear-shaped vase or bottle was made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) by one of the kilns at Yuxi county in Yunnan province, one of the first places in the world where blue & white ware was produced. It is "heavily-potted" and decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with floral and leaf designs. It is coated with a clear glaze that falls short of the heavy irregularly cut foot. Similar wares were first unearthed in 1973 in Lufe...
Large Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Porcelain Ewer
This wide-bodied porcelain ewer was made during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279). It is particularly "heavily-potted" for its type. It has a "kinked" spout, a wide loop handle and two decorative loops on opposite sides joined at the shoulder and neck. It is coated in a fairly thick greenish blue glaze that is crackled in places. The base remains unglazed revealing the creamy-white body.
Height 22.5 cm. Weight 1.325 kg. Despite being an i...
Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl (Hongzhi)
This blue and white porcelain bowl with flared rim was made during the late 15th - early 16th century (Hongzhi reign 1488 – 1505). The outer wall is decorated in underglaze blue with a honeycomb pattern. The central decoration is loosely based on a vajra (Buddhist sceptre) with various other decorations around the inner wall. It is coated in a finely-crackled glaze.
Diameter 14.5 cm. Condition is very good: there is a hairlin...
Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ridge Tile - Lion Dog
This sturdy ridge tile in the form of a seated lion-dog dates to the latter part of the Ming Dynasty (c. 1600 - 1644). It is coated in a thick and finely-crackled attractive turquoise glaze. The curved underneath of the tile remains unglazed and has the impressions of a finely-woven cloth on which it must have been placed during manufacture.
Height 22 cm. There is a chip to one ear and kiln scars on both sides of the animal's mout...