Charming tiny Chinese toggle of a dragon, carved of orange and pale yellow soapstone, recumbent dragon with his head turned to look over his shoulder, mouth carved open, traces of black pigment.
19th century
Size: 1 1/2" long
Chinese silver mug, ca 1910. Straight and upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. A spare form enlivened with applied wraparound dragon chasing its tail. Marks include stamp for Wang Hing, a maker and retailer in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 5 x W 5 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX461
Beautifully carved soap stone figure of sage Fulushuo, he leans on an elaborately carved staff and hold the peach of longevity, on an intricately carved dark stone stand on which are carved a bat and a deer, also symbols of happiness and longevity, wonderful expression, stone of a lovely orange and green, Republic Period (circa 1910-1930).
Total size: 20 3/4" high x 8" wide x 5 1/2" deep.
Pair of Chinese export silver vases, ca 1910. Each: Flat and round moon body on domed foot; animal-head handles mounted to shoulder. On front and back is chased dragon—a horned and taloned serpentine serpent on hand-hammered ground. Marked Wang Hing & Co., an early 20th-century retailer active in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition. Handwork visible on foot underside.
Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 3 1/2 x D 2 in. Total weight: 7.5 troy ounces. #BY228
Pair of Chinese export silver mustard pots, ca 1890. Each: Cylindrical with fixed and entwined ratan-style handle; cover chained with inset and engraved diaper top. Applied wraparound horned and taloned dragon. For piquant condiments. Marks include stamp for Tien Shing, who was active in Hong Kong in the third-quarter of the 19th century. Very good condition. One pot has a detachable clear glass liner.
Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x D 1 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.3 troy ounces. #BZ583
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1860. Straight and upward tapering sides with applied pictorial frieze on engraved and stippled ground: Scenes of social life with contemplative sages and chaste maidens amongst palm trees and pagodas. Pastoral exoticism enlivened with scaly, slithering dragon handle, ferocious head peaking above the rim. Armorial cartouche (vacant). Marked “HCH”. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 5 1/2 x W 5 x D 3 in. Weight: 9.6 troy ounces. #BX463
Chinese silver mug, ca 1865. Straight and upward tapering sides with dense low-relief frieze: Spearmen and swordsmen on foot and horse thrust and lunge and, in some cases, fall in battle. Applied armorial shield with engraved presentation dated “May 4th 1865”. S-scroll handle in form of scaly dragon with horned head peering over rim. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.
Overall dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX464
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1880. Straight and upward tapering sides with allover low-relief battle frieze depicting soldiers—spearmen, lancers, and swordsmen—with a few hapless members of the flag corps wandering into the thick of things. In background (that is, at top) peacetime is represented by houses and trees. On front applied heraldic shield (vacant). Cast dragon handle—a horned scaly, serpentine serpent gripping the side with talons. Gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condit...
Rare mixed metal pitcher with lots of bugs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Globular with drum-form neck, small lip spout, and c-scroll handle. Modish insects—dragon fly, grasshopper, and butterfly—creep and dart among fluid and interlaced grass stalks applied to hand-hammered sterling silver ground heightened with floral engraving and copper inlay. A superb integration of Japonesque and Craftsman. Interlaced script monogram engraved to underside. Fully marked including pattern n...
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...
An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...
Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...
Shoda Koho
Ueno Park
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.25 x 7.75 inches.
Date: 1910-38. A rare, early edition on card-like paper.
Publisher: Hasegawa. #1248 in Hasegawa catalog.
"Made in Japan" stamp and #427 tag on verso.
Not sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Hans Frank, Austrian (1884-1948)
Venice II, 1925 (Venedig II, 1925)
Date: 1925.
Paper size: 17.5 X 13.25 inches (44.5 x 33.9 cm).
Window size: 16 x 12 inches (40.5 x 30.5 cm).
Signed and dated at lower right.
Medium: Color woodcut on laid Japanese paper.
Condition: Small crease at upper right corner. The odd small mark in image.
Attached with archival tape to top of a 24 x 20-inch matte).
Hiroshige Ando
Fuchu, Nichomachi (Titled in image)
Size: Approximately 8.625 x 3.625 inches.
Date: Late 19th/Early 20th century.
Publisher: Kobayashi Bunshichi (black seal).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light toning
Georgian-inspired sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with stepped molded rim and double c-scroll corners. A great Midcentury adaptation of 18th-century design. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 23966. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1/4 x W 14 1/2 x D 10 1/4 in. Heavy weight: 33.5 troy ounces. #BZ553
English Georgian sterling silver hot water kettle, 18th century. Globular with s-scroll spout and rattan-wrapped swing handle with scroll supports and mounts. Hinged and flush cover with stained-wood finial. Chased scrollwork, diaper, and scallop shells. Marked. Short and straight foot. Very good condition. Dimensions: H (with handle) 9 1/2 x W 9 x D 6 1/4 in.
With: Sterling silver stand. Cast open floral apron and 3 scroll and scallop shell supports with stretchers supporting heating element,...
Modern sterling silver picture frame. Rectangular window in wide, flat, and plain surround. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) display. Post-1967 Italian marks including maker’s code 807 AL. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 8 x W 6 in. Window: H 5 1/2 x W 3 1/2 in. #BZ576
Japanese Modern silver flask, ca 1950. Curved and faceted sides with flat bottom. On front bright-cut leafing-scroll lozenge (center vacant) between side borders. Back hand hammered. Tall and straight exterior cover and cork-lined interior cover; both threaded. Marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 6 3/8 x W 4 x D 1 3/8 in. Weight: 5.7 troy ounces. #BZ410
Pair of Art Deco sterling silver 2-light candelabra. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen, ca 1950.
Each: Two crisscrossing arms with twisted fluting each terminating in single faceted socket with wide flat rim; socket set in leaf ring. Arms mounted to side of shaft in form of bud with clusters of seeds applied to faceted leaves; bud set in same mounted to rings and flanges; raised foot.
Designed by Johan Rohde in 1920. Distinctive Danish Modernism synthesizing natural and geometric motifs.
Victorian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1888. Straight sides and lobed bracket handle with reeded bands. Stylized ornament: Scrolled frame surrounded by scrolls, leaves, flowers, and a couple hovering insects. Butler finish. Mouth rim has egg-and-dart border. At bottom cast low-relief rinceaux band between reeded borders. Gilt-washed interior. Interlaced script monogram. Full marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and no. 3875. Very good condition.
Saint Dunstan sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Globular with high-looping and capped handle, helmet mouth, and reeded foot ring. Girdle with pendant fleurs de lys applied to shoulder. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14116E, director’s letter m, and volume (4 3/4 pts). Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 8 1/2 x W 8 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight: 28 troy ounces. #BZ354
American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Square window in wide, flat, and plain surround. With glass, silk lining, and wood laminate back and hinged easel support. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 77/17, and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 6 1/2 x W 6 1/2 in. Window: H 4 1/2 x W 4 1/2 in. #BZ639
Gorgeous museum-quality Japonesque sterling silver trophy bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1884. Large and round with allover ornament in relief. Horned serpents swim slack-jawed through the water. Talons and heads “puncture” the surface to form side handles. Astride one sits an artist, brush in hand recording the thrashing undulations and roiling waves. At mouth rim are applied strewn shells. Foot in form of entwined snakes.
Modish exoticism a world away from the fresh air and fair p...
George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by Cohen & Charles in Birmingham in 1928. Flat rectilinear surround with lobed top. On front engine-turning between plain borders; sides plain. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back and hinged-easel support. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 9 1/4 x W 7 1/4 in. Window: H 8 3/4 x W 6 1/2 in. #BZ720
Pair of Edwardian Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Munsey & Co. in Cambridge in 1903. Each: Banded spool socket with detachable concave square bobeche; flanged and knopped shaft on raised and stepped concave square foot with scrolling leaf corners. Fully marked including London assay stamp. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 10 x W 4 3/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weighted. #BZ215
Midcentury Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved sides and splayed foot ring. Cover top gently curved and mounted with cast strawberry and leaf finial. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, postwar pattern no. 23923, and director’s letter L (1956-ca 1965). Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 4 7/8 in. Weight: 14.5 troy ounces. #BZ359
Hiroshige Ando
Fuchu, Nichomachi (Titled in image)
Size: Approximately 8.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: ca 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. No. 40 publisher's tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Bend lower right corner. Chip upper left corner.
Ohara Koson
Bullfinch on the branch of a blossoming plum tree
Date: Saturday, April 27th, 1940.
Size: 7.5 x 5.375 inches (19 x 13.6 centimeters).
Note: Cover of a dinner menu for the passenger liner Nitta Maru of the Trans-Pacific Line.
Publisher: Likely Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo), who produced another of our ship menu woodblock prints.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print made from a carved wood block. Mechanization was added to the printing...
Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Red Berries and Birds (aka. Waxwings)
Size: Approximately 9.75 x 4.75 inches (24.9 x 12 cm).
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #368 tags on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper left corner margin chip. Pinhole near signature.
- Rarely seen.
The Matsumoto catalog identifies the birds as kashidori, "a noisy, quarrelsome species of jay."
Aoki Seiko
Waxwings (Red Berries and Birds)
Date: Friday, July 5th, 1929.
Accordion format. Opened out size: 10.375 x 7.625 inches (23.4 x 19.2 cm).
Note: Dinner menu for the Kashima Maru on the N.Y.K. Line
Medium: Japanese woodblock print made from a carved wood block. Mechanization was added to the printing process.
Condition: Toning, marks, and scuff on map page.
Kawase Hasui
Morning at Niju Bridge (Nijubashi no Asa)
Date: Monday, August 17, 1936.
Size: 7.5 x 5.375 inches (19 x 13.6 centimeters).
Note: This rare print was the cover of a dinner menu for the Yasukuni Maru, a cruise ship on the N.Y.K. Line (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha). It is identified as a Hasui in the Japanese publication, "The Nippon From Japan - Menu Design of the Cruise Ship Era (2017)(日本が運んだニッポンー客船時代のメニューデザイン).
Hiroshige Ando
Suidobashi, Surugadai (Suido Bridge and Surugadai)
Date: Thursday, December 3, 1931.
Size: 7.625 x 5 inches (19.5 x 12.6 cm).
Note: Concert and tea party menu for the passenger ship Chichibu Maru on the N.Y.K. Line.
Publisher: Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print made from a carved wood block. Mechanization may have been added to the printing process.
Condition: Cover woodblock print very good to...
Josetsu (Jousetsu) 城雪
Cock and Hen with Chickens under a Plum-tree
Size: 7 x 4.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #164 tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print from a painting by Tokyo artist Josetsu.
Condition: A few marks. Slight waviness corresponding to location of tag on back.
Artist: Unsigned
Ueno Lotus Pond in Tokyo
Date: ca. 1920s-30s.
Size: Approximately 5.25 x 3.25 inches)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge only to an used holiday card with correspondence.
Condition: Print is excellent. Tiny dot in sky. Card correspondence has marks.
European silver and enamel compact, ca 1920. Rectangular and hinged. On cover sits a pretty kitty with pink nose, dangling forepaws, and soft thick fur. A portrait of feline docility but beware the intense stare emanating from green dilated eyes. This one looks ready to launch. Interior has 3 compartments for touching up the makeup if things get out of hand. Engraved monogram. Wrist chain. No visible marks. Very good condition with intact and nuanced color.
Dimensions (without chain): H 2 3/8 ...
German Rococo 800 silver snuffbox, ca 1910. Oval with hinged cover; on top is chased scene depicting a large bird confronting two cherubs with soft chubby bodies and ethereal wings. Probably an allusion to some or other episode in Classical mythology, but can be enjoyed without esoteric literary knowledge. Hanau maker’s mark (Wolf & Knell). Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 2 3/8 x D 2 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BZ256