The pottery style know as “nerikomi” or sometimes “neriage” in Japan is a technique where various colors and consistencies of clay are stacked together and then cut through to reveal a unique pattern. Here we see a beautiful execution of this approach by potter Wakasugi Naomi (b. 1974) who spent many years perfecting the technique. Wakasugi typically uses Shigaraki clay and porcelain clay from Kyoto in her works and says that when she first started out very few people were ma...

The craftsman who fashioned this piece, the 9th Ohi Chozaimon (1901-1986), is the most widely recognized and most accomplished of the now 11 generations of Ohi potters. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture at the start of the 20th century, he took up the family craft and, at the age of 26, became the head potter. Raku tea bowls made by Ohi 9 are some of the finest you will encounter, comparing favorably to even tea bowls made by the main Raku lineage in Kyoto. The lightness of the clay, the s...

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...

Hasui Kawase
Kasuga Shrine, Nara
Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition.
Size: Oban. 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's 6mm seal (printed 1946-1957).
Reference: Hotei #317.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Excellent color.

Pair of Midcentury Modern sterling silver 2-light candelabra. Designed by Alphonse La Paglia (d. 1953) for International Silver Co. in Meriden, Conn. Two arms, each comprising two open quadrilateral scrolls inset at center with volute scroll terminating in buds overhanging sides. Each arm terminates in socket. Sockets tall and tapering with wide flat rim and stylized leaves and beads at bottom. Arms mounted to raised foot with knop comprising alternating rings and beads. Marked “International ...

Gako
Moon, Beach, and Tree
Date: 1910s-30s.
Size: Chuban. Print size: Approximately 10 x 7.75.
Matte board size: 14 x 11.
Signed "Gako" by the artist.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round, red Takemura seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to the board. The board is foxed.

Turn-of-the-century French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boat on stand. Oval bowl with curved sides and elongated end spouts. Side handles entwined and split-mounted with leaves and flowers. Stepped oval foot mounted to stand with oval well and reeded and serpentine rim. Armorial engraved on stand shoulder. Marks include unidentified maker’s stamp and Minerva head. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 10 1/2 x D 7 in. Weight: 20 troy ounces. #BX235

Victorian Classical sterling silver mustard pot. Made by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox in London in 1858. Drum-form with straight and inset sides, and open bottom. Cover flat and hinged, and scroll-bracket handle with scallop shell thumb rest. Engraved ornament: On sides, leafing scrollwork, flowers, and eagles, and on cover top round frame (vacant) surrounded by leafing scrollwork. With cobalt glass liner. Fully marked. Condition: Very good. Minor rim chips to liner.

Overall dimensions: H 3...

American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Retailed by Georg Jensen USA in New York. Revere form with Tapering sides, flared rim, and curved bottom; stepped foot. Traditional form with lots of room for engraving. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 408, and phrase “P Revere / Reproduction”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 9 in. Weight: 26 troy ounces. #BX242

Turn-of-the-century Germany sterling silver box. Made by B. Neresheimer & Söhne in Hanau, and imported to England in 1914 by Berthold Hermann Muller in London. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and raised. Squashed ball corner supports. Engraved naif ornamental borders and, on cover top, Renaissance scene with mounted hunter and hounds in pursuit of a stag. With key. Marks include maker’s and importer’s stamps. Very good condition. One-inch bump to bottom rim.

Overall dimensio...

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

Arai Yoshimune
Suma Beach
Date 1910s. Printed 1938-1960.
Size: Chuban. 10.75 x 8.0 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku. From the famous "Night Scenes" series. Hasegawa catalogue No. 1252.
Nishinomiya publisher's seal at left margin.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: The figures on the beach are gathering salt.

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters. A devotee of Zen and a lover of tea, Sugimoto is able to create tea bowls that are not just attractive, pleasant to hold in the hand, and a joy to drink f...

Kihei Sasajima
Shitenno Jikokuten (one of the Four Heavenly Guardians)
Date: ca. 1960s.
Publisher: Yoneda Minoru (impressed colorless seal at lower margin).
Date: 6.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Toning in margin. Margin trimming.

Kihei Sasajima
The Buddhist Goddess Kisshouten
Date: ca. 1960s.
Publisher: Yoneda Minoru (impressed colorless seal at lower margin).
Date: 7 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Margin trimming.

Pair of German silver Renaissance hunting figures, ca 1890. The man wears doublet over baggy chemise and hose with belt hanging loosely around hips. A long hat feather drapes gracefully along his arm. The horn is raised expectantly while the other hand rests on his sword. The woman wears a bodice-revealing fitted hip-length coat over a pleated skirt. Her braids are coiled in the back and her hat sports a jaunty feather. On a raised arm perches a falcon. The figures stand on rocky mounds with sca...

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver place card holders. Made by Sampson Mordan & Co. Ltd. in Chester, 1904-6. Each: Two flat discs mounted to flat and circular base. Front disc smaller and enameled with fox loping through forest. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining; lining has gilt retailer’s stamp (Arnold & Lewis, Manchester). Fully marked including date letters 1904 (3) and 1906 (1), and design nos. 402227 (2) and 429790 (2). Very good condition with strong color.

Dimen...

English Georgian sterling siler ladle with oval bowl; twisted baleen handle with sterling silver terminal. Worn marks including maker’s initials TM (possibly Thomas Mynd). Good condition.

Height: 13 7/8 in. #BX386