A stylized grass motif painted in ferrous pigment across each side and on the inside of this mukozuke serving dish marks it as being more likely produced in Karatsu as opposed to having come out of a Mino kiln. Though very similar styles and techniques were utilized during the late 16th or early 17th C. when this would have been produced; the color, distribution of glaze, and patterning suggest Karatsu. While at one time this would have been part of a set of 5 pieces, very few sets s...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

Sometime around the year 1600 the first Takatori kiln was constructed at the foot of Mt Takatori in Fukuoka. This tradition was based on styles created by Korean potters brought to the shores of Japan during its colonial expansionism of the late 16th century. A favorite of the Kuroda lords of the time, its production and use was closely guarded until later in the 19th century when the domain system was abolished, freeing it up to be more widely used. Though Takatori-ware has been admired by many...

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of these works and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvas upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted.

This piece is quite unique for its brown color which may have been produced using a copper glaze under very specific conditions. Typical o...

Painted lacquerware in Asia is thought to have more than 3,000 years of history; originating in China and then later spreading to South East Asia, Korea, and Japan. One reason this craft has taken centuries to perfect is that the sap of the tree used is highly toxic and irritating to the skin and to the lungs. Even minor contact with the raw materials can cause serious issues, making collecting and refining it quite labor intensive. Additionally, once collected it takes on average 3-5 years for ...

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating back to the 7th and 8th century—with the major kilns being established some time around the end of the 16th century. Similar in many ways to Shigaraki pottery, the glaze is the result of kiln ash being vitrified and melted on to the surface of the clay body at extremely high temperatures during firing, which can last many days. To add...

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...

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...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Straight sides with high-looping s-scroll handle and inset foot. Cast scroll and reeded borders at top and bottom. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 15097, and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 3/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.3 troy ounces. #BZ362

Pair of American Edwardian glass candlesticks with sterling silver mounts, ca 1910. Faceted socket; wide and flat rim with cut flower heads over radiating ribbing. Shaft upward tapering with half-fluting at top and engraved leafing and flowering scrollwork at bottom. Raised and stepped sterling silver foot. Glass attributable to Hawkes. Silver marked “Sterling / 56 PWTS”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 13 x D 4 3/4 in. #BZ331

The classic sterling silver Louvre bowl. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Round and curved; Overhanding rim interspersed with scallops. Open support comprising alternating vertical leaves and tendrils. Raised foot. Visible hand hammering. Designed ca 1910, it reflects the master’s love of nature. So-called the Louvre bowl because an example in that museum’s collection. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1945-77) and no. 19A. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 7/8 x D 8 in. Weight...

Traditional sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1938. Gently curved body with helmet mouth, high-looping handle, and round and stepped foot. Ample with nice heft. Holds 4 1/2 pints. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 22625 (first produced in 1938), director’s letter m (1907-47), and volume. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 8 3/4 x D 5 1/4 in. Weight: 32.7 troy ounces. #BZ758

Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Scrolled and turned-down rim with engraved grape bunches and leaves overlapping open lunette frames. Stationary c-scroll handle with same; handle top vacant. Visible hand hammering. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and code TFC. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 11 3/4 x L 13 1/4 x W 7 in. Weight: 31 troy ounces. #BZ743

Pair of Georgian-style sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Currier & Roby in New York, ca 1920. Each: Faceted and tapering shaft with knops and flanges on raised foot in concave circle set in square base. Spool socket with detachable bobeche. Gadrooning and reeding. Fully marked including maker’s mark and no. 2628. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x W 4 5/8 x D 4 5/8 in. Total weight:36 troy ounces. #BZ690

Modern Classical sterling silver box. Made by Ferdinand Richard Wilm in Berlin, ca 1930. Rectangular with wraparound reeded sides; cover flat and hinged with paneled top. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 6 x D 3 7/8 in. Weight: 13 troy ounces. #BZ772

Edwardian Classical sterling silver and glass picture frame. Made by Hawkes in Corning, New York, ca 1910. Oval window with reeded sterling silver border in rectilinear glass surround with curved top. alternating reeded and diaper lines and four clear rondels with acid-etched flower baskets and cornucopia. With glass, silk lining, and silk back with hinged easel support. Silver marked “Sterling”. Glass unmarked. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 11 1/4 x W 7 ...

Ornamental sterling silver letter opener. Made by Georg Jensen in Denmark, ca 1925. Looped tendril handle with seed and leaf terminal. Shaft terminates in flat stylized bud to which is mounted blade with curved sides. Early marks including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 122, Copenhagen Three Tower stamp dated 1925, and Christian F. Heise assayer’s stamp (1904-32). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 5/8 x W 7/8 x D 3/8 in. #BZ699

Modern Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1924. Conical with reeded rim, short and straight support, and raised round foot. Acid-etched curvilinear borders with fleurs de lys. Support has scroll-and-dart ornament alternating with squares (vacant). Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20393G (first produced in 1924), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 5/8 x D 9 in. Weight: 24 troy ounces. #BZ706