Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetrical and elegant flower vase. Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this vase embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creati...

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333), a remarkable form of Buddhist sculpture known as the votive Buddha emerged. Commonly referred to as kakebotoke (hanging Buddhas), pieces like this would have been mounted on spherical plaques made of bronze or copper and hung in a Buddhist temple or possibly even in a Shinto shrine. These small-scale sculptures were created to serve as objects of devotion and were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or temples. The Kurakama perio...

Handwoven with delicate precision, this Japanese bamboo ikebana basket showcases the beauty of traditional bamboo weaving and the elegance of classic Chinese design that much of Japanese traditional art is based on. Its sturdy construction and balanced proportions make it perfect for ikebana arrangements, merging floral artistry with cultural aesthetics.

Though little is known about this artisan, I was able to find examples of their work in several high-end Japanese g...

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...

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...

Turn-of-the-century sterling silver baby cup rich in period assumptions. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Upward tapering sides and scroll handle.

Acid-etched frieze depicting sailor-suited, flag-holding, all-American boy with exotic coevals in native dress relegated to background. Symbolic imagery enhanced with verse: “Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, little frosty Eskimo, little Turk or Japanese—Oh! Don’t you wish that you were me?”

Ahem.

Fully marked including maker's stamp and ...

Classical coin silver christening mug. Made by Tifft & Whiting in North Attleboro, Mass., ca 1850. Straight and tapering sides with beaded rims. Three names and 3 birthyears (1851, 1877, and 1908) engraved in leafing scrolled frame. Leaf-capped s-scroll handle. Maker’s stamp and phrase “Pure Silver Coin”. Good condition with attractive period wear and nicely sunk engraving.

Overall dimensions: H 3 1/4 x W 3 3/4 x D 2 1/2 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BR811

George II sterling silver salver. Made by Robert Abercromby in London 1741. Molded scroll and shell rim and 4 scroll-mounted hoof supports. Armorial engraved in well center. Great heft and balance. Fully marked. Very good condition with period patina.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x D 12 3/8 in. Weight: 28.7 troy ounces. #BX211

Edwardian Rococo sterling silver mirror. Made by William Comyns in London in 1907. Heart-shaped beveled glass in shaped surround with pointed top and bracket supports. Embossed leafing scrolls and flowers in pell-mell, dynamic arrangement. At top scrolled cartouche engraved with the very turn-of-the-century name “Gertie”. Velvet mount with hinged easel support. A wonderful period piece with lots of charm. Fully marked. Very good condition. Velvet wear.

Dimensions: H 13 x W 10 1/2 in. #BY97...

Beautiful hand-hammered sterling silver and mixed metal perfume. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Baluster with double-scroll side handles and threaded cover. Vertical stylized vegetation and darting insects (butterflies and dragonflies) applied to honeycomb ground. With chain for hanging on a lady’s chatelaine. A small-scale confluence of Japanese inspiration and Arts & Crafts technique. Hallmark includes pattern and order numbers, director’s letter M (1873-91), and phrase “St...

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care. Later in Edo, the large-kiln style of production or “ogama” was introduced ushe...

German 800 silver figural wedding cup, ca 1920. A Baroque dame with snug-fitting bodice and wide and raised lace collar holds aloft scrolled-brackets with swing-mounted double-domed lobed and garlanded bowl. Second larger bowl in form of conical skirt with patterned fabrics and delineated folds and hang. Ornament chased and engraved. Hanau maker’s mark (Neresheimer). Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 13 7/8 x W 5 5/8 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 19.8 troy ounces. #BZ592

American Colonial sterling silver coffeepot. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1916. Conical with capped and scroll-mounted s-scroll spout. Capped double-scroll handle in stained wood. Cover hinged and domed with finial. Holds 2 1/4 pints. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 19189 (first produced in 1916), director’s letter m, volume, and phrase “Reproduction / Original by / Pygan Adams / New London / 1712 1776”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 8 1/2 x D...

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...

George II sterling silver mug. Made by Samuel Welles in London in 1759. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Raised foot with tooled leaf border. Chased and engraved bucolic scene with hounds racing through an orchard. A later Victorian homage to the tranquility of rural life. An even later engraved presentation in the frame formed by the leafing, overhanging trees: “Palm Beach Golf Club / Florida / State Championship / 1916 / First Prize / Runner Up / Won By”. No name follow...

Regency Revival sterling silver tea caddy. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. at 550 Broadway, New York. Rectangular with straight sides and curved corners. Sloping rim and hinged and overlapping double covers with cutout scrolled rims. Stationary bracket handle. Fretwork rims. Handle same with beaded borders. Engraved on sides are floral garlands and oval frames with interlaced monogram. Covers have armorial frames (vacant) and flowers, and stylized floral border. Partitioned interior for holding two ...

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...