Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops. ...

For the fan who wants to own a piece of racetrack memorabilia. This circa 1930's trinket box of Italian calfskin leather, accented on the hinged lid with a brass jockey cap and crop, lined in green velvet and stamped "Italy;" comes from the estate of Tommy Luther, Racing Hall of Fame American jockey and founder of the original Jockey Guild. The story goes that Tommy was the jock originally chosen to ride Seabiscuit in the "Match of the Century." He turned down the chance and handed the reins ove...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bam...

Description:

A bronze figure was finely cast in good size and was depicted by great craftsmanship.
Nice patina was preserved on the surface when accumulations were found within the pleats.
It was heavily cast in hefty weight.

Date: Ming Dynasty, 15th/16th century.

Height: 28cm.
Weight:1292 grams.

A CUSTOM-MADE SILK BOX IS INCLUDED.

This is a beautiful Japanese cloisonne vase. Though not signed, the workmanship and colors clearly speaks Hayashi Kodenji made this. This same opinion is held by North America's leading cloisonne collector. The vase stands 7 1/4 inches tall. It appears perfect but there is a virtually invisible repair to the midnight blue enamel edge shown in the last image.

This set of 12 plates was produced in France in the mid 19th century. They are marked with the underglaze Sevres markings but were probably made by a Paris decorator. Each plate is artist signed. They are 9 3/8 inches in diameter. They are made of soft paste porcelain. The set is elaborately hand painted. The center of each place has a different Watteau scene. The style of painting is romantic, soft and dreamy. The borders have etched cartouches and gilding. Delicate and colorful flower...

This is a SAKE BOTTLE OF JAPANESE BIZEN WARE. It was made around 40 years ago. Very good condition (please see photos). Diameter: 2.9". Height: 5.5". Weight with box: 17.50 oz (500 grs). Bizen Pottery is one of the six famous ancient medieval pottery styles in Japan. It is also known as "Imbe Pottery" based on the name of the area. The brownish surface produced by the combination of clay and fire. During the firing process, the straw burns away, leaving a 'flash' of sodium vapor on the surfa...

Japanese Sake cup - Hagi ware with box - Beautiful blue glaze work of Seigan Yamane. The cup has the maker's signature mark stamped on the bottom. Height: 2.0" (5 cm). Diameter: aprox 2.5" (6.5 cm). Condition: The cup has a chip in the edge cover by the glaze, apparently made during the manufacturing process (please, see photos).

Circa 1756, sterling silver French snuff box featuring a man's profile with initials. The bottom has an embossed farming scene with the sides having various vignettes including a hunter and a shepherdess. In very good condition commensurate with age, there is a small separation on the lid, see last photo. Measures 2.75" x 2" x 1" high. Hallmarked.

Offered for your consideration is an appealing, circa late 1900s, deep aqua blue painted wood jewelers sign. The sign was acquired from a Columbia, South Carolina estate and measures approximately 63" long x 7" wide. It is in very nice overall condition except for areas of paint loss, some crackling and general wear of a vintage sign. An unobtrusive 4 inch split is noted near the left edge and some scattered paint flecks add to a wonderful patina. A modest scratch is apparent through the word "J...

Late 1800s

These bottles are decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and colored enamels with a design of various painted fans floating on an iron red enamel ground that is covered with gilt spirals. The interiors and mouthrims are clear glazed. The bases are glazed clear and the footrings are unglazed, exposing the fine white porcelain paste. They are signed Kozan (Dai Nippon Kozan Sei) in underglaze blue. Both are in very good condition. Acquired from a collector in Fredericksburg, Virginia ...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Autumn from the Birds of the Seasons series.
"Serenity of Red Maple"
Date: ca. 1980.
Size: 21 x 13.25 inches.
Publisher: The Yoshida Family Studio. Issued by the Franklin Mint.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top and bottom back margins have tape residue. Very slight toning.

Beautiful Japanese Wajima lacquer stand with gold maki-e painting on a nashi-ji (pear skin) background. The designs are scrolling vines with stylized chrysanthemums and paulonias, which are the crests of the emperor and empress. The style of sparkling nashiji lacquer work and the theme were popular in the Taisho period (1912-1926) to the beginning of the Showa era, sometime after the return of the throne to the emperor.

The stand was made for a Tokonoma as a base for a flower arrangement...

Hiroshi Yoshida
Glittering Sea, from The Inland Sea Series
(Hikaru Umi, Setonaikaishu)
Date: 1926. Date of this edition not known.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print mounted as kakejiku scroll.
Signed and sealed in the image.
Size: Oban. Scroll: 45.5 inches 17.75 inches. Blue sheet: 20.5 x 15.75. Visible image: 14.5 x 9.75 inches.
Condition: Creasing from scrolling.
Note: Scroll mounting over the margins prevents us from confirming the presence or absence of...

An 18th Century Japanese porcelain scalloped serving bowl, with lid, decorated with the Imari colors of red, blue, white, cream, and gold. The tureen measures about 9 1/4" long x 6 1/2" wide x 7" tall. The Shippo design family crest has been applied in gold on the blue panels. The finial is modeled as a sixteen pedal chrysanthemum blossom. The condition is excellent, with some wear to gold highlights. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

A Large Pair of Louis Philippe Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Parcel Gilt Candlesticks. Bobeches original and intact. Height 11.25", width 4.25". Circa 1830-1840. Excellent condition.

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...

24” high Chinese late Qing dynasty Guangxu period baluster form geyao style crackle glazed porcelain vase decorated in underglaze blue with a central panel featuring a deer and crane in a landscape on a white ground. Blue pine branches extend from the central panel to the front of the golden neck. A cream-colored crackled glaze lines the base and interior of the wide dish-form mouth. The rim is dressed brown. The splayed base holds blue and white huts among mountains in front and a celadon...