Chinese porcelain hat stand vase with a hand painted scene of a boy playfully dangling a toy spider in front of his pet cat. Mother and brother are standing nearby watching. Dates early 20th C. Measures 11.5" high x 5" diameter.

Danish Biedermeier Gothic Troubadour silver hunting horn on stand, 1855.

Horn has two applied bands with leafing scrollwork and cast green man applied to front. At top a third band with mandolin-strumming maidens and coat of arms-bearing pages in cloister colonnade. Cover domed with leaf-mounted cast figural finial in form of winged Classical man in drapery and helmet pouring wine into a cup. Tail cap has acanthus leaf border with cast owl finial. Gilt-washed interior.

Shaped stand with stra...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver trinket box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Oval with upward tapering sides and hinged scrolled cover. On sides applied ribbon-tied garland. On cover top chased scrolls threaded with garlands overlapping central reeded frame (vacant). At ends stand two quiver bearing cherubs balancing fruit baskets on their heads. Gilt interior. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14930 (first produced in 1901), and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very g...

Japonesque sterling silver spoon. Made by George W. Shiebler & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Tapering stem and round terminal; front hand-hammered and applied with a bug and bit of bamboo. Oval bowl. Back plain. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Theodore B. Starr) stamps. Very good condition. Dimensions: H 6 3/8 x W 1 3/8 in.;

With: Victorian sterling silver spoon. Made by same, ca 1891. Cast terminal in form of leafing nutmeg on stem. Back plain with engraved 3-letter script mon...

Antique Chinese three section desk with attractive brass tone handles, nicely complimenting the warm finish of the wood. Simplistic in design, with eight medium drawers and one long drawer along the topmost section. Great full size for modern day use. Size: 31.5" height, 53.75" width, 30" depth

Two pairs of Edwardian Regency sterling silver salt & pepper shakers. Made by Graff, Washbourne & Dunn in New York, ca 1909. Each: Ovoid body with engraved scrolled frames inset with flowers and leaves. One frame engraved with interlaced script monogram. Short neck and pierced and domed cover with vasiform finial. Foot raised with tubular piercing overlaid with swags, and open heraldic shields inset with flowers. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. 5542/47, and patent year 1909. Very goo...

Art Deco bronze urn: $44,000, reduced to $38,000 This Art Deco bronze figurative planter (jardiniere), circa 1920, measures 55" in height, 36" across (elbow to elbow), 18" deep.  caste bronze, 150-250 lb. This work was the combined effort of two French sculptors; Pierre Lenoir and Marcel Guillard (1896 - 1932). It is believed two castes of this sculpted urn were made.  Pierre Lenoir (1879 - 1953) was a French sculptor and medallist and was one of the Breton sculptors born in the 1880s ...

Currently in its 5th generation, the Miura Chikusen line of potters has continued to produce high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki porcelains used in sencha for well over 150 years. The piece seen here is by the third generation potter and has the rare distinction of being endorsed by Sokuchusai, a former Head Tea Master of Omotesenke in Kyoto. Simple and elegant, a section of bamboo stands out in contrast to the white crackled porcelain glaze. If you are looking for a representative work by o...

Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku. Th...

European silver and enamel cigarette case, ca 1920. Rectangular, chamfered, and hinged. On cover a horse’s head appears in an entryway, with two protective borzoi dogs standing guard. Stable drama against a semi-abstract background of brick and stone, and purpling ground. Marks worn. Very good condition with strong color.

Dimensions: H 3 5/8 x W 3 1/4 x D 1/2 in. Gross weight: 4.6 troy ounces. #BT902

European silver and enamel cigarette case, ca 1920. Rectangular, curved, and hinged. On cover, a horse’s head appears in an entryway, with two protective borzoi dogs standing guard. Stable drama against a semi-abstract background of brick and stone, and bluish ground. Gilt interior. Engraved monogram on back. Marked “900”. Very good condition with strong color.

Dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 3 1/8 x D 3/8 in. Gross weight: 4.6 troy ounces. #BV461

Victorian sterling silver bowl. Made by Frederick Brasted in London in 1884. Round and curved with raised and spread foot. At top chased and engraved scene depicting idyllic countryside with rolling hills and big sturdy trees. In foreground a fox is pursued by hounds from two directions and a man stands ready to shoot. At bottom, gadrooning. Scrolled cartouche (vacant). Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 6 in. Weight: 10.3 troy ounces. #BY517

Austrian Rococo silver candle snuffer, 1827. Hinged with flower-head mount and flat vertical blade that fits into rectangular box with curved and lobed top. Ring handles on s-scroll mounts. Three baluster supports. Marks include year and alloy, which is 13 loths (that is 812 silver). Very good condition. Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x W 2 1/4 x D 1 5/8 in.

With: Austrian Rococo silver stand, 1847. Waisted rectangle with dynamic scrollwork surrounding plain and lobed well. Marks include year and initial...

If you are familiar with the work of Hiramatsu Ryoma you know that he creates very unconventional ceramics inspired by forms found in nature. Here we have a sake set he describes as “Ou-tekko” (pyrite) and “Ammonite” (same in English - a kind of sea fossil). Part of a series he has been developing, the ancient Ammonite fossil has been the inspiration behind his latest creations. Pyrite, meanwhile refers to the metallic patterning on the outer surface of the clay body. Truly unique pieces...

French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boat on stand, ca 1910. Boat has ovoid bowl with helmet mouth and raised oval foot with imbricated leaf rim. High-looping and split leaf-mounted handle with armorial engraved in beaded oval frame. Stand oval with open well and four trefoil supports. Both have stippled tubular frames alternating with stylized flower heads. Reeding. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp (Alphonse Dutac). Very good condition.

Dimensions: Boat: H 6 x W 8...

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

French 950 silver inkwell on stand, ca 1910. Straight sides with vertically applied strapwork bands; curved bottom and raised foot. Cover hinged and domed with flower-head finial. Gadrooned rims. Interior has engraved curvilinear border and clear-glass liner. Mounted to oval curvilinear stand with ornamental border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp CG. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 x W 9 3/8 x D 5 7/8 in. Weight (without glass): 15.5 troy ounces. #BT381

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!"  A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today. The poem also suggests that this is one of her earlier works that would have been produced before she became renowned throughout Japan for her...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver gravy boat on stand. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York in 1907. Boat has helmet mouth, leaf-capped high-looping handle, and 3 leaf-mounted scroll supports. Stand has oval well. Turned-down and irregular scrolled rims with chased leafing scrolls and applied scallop shells. Engraved interlaced script monograms. Fully marked including dated maker’s stamp, retailer’s (Bigelow, Kennard) stamp, and no. 2340. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Boat: H 5 1/2 x W...

American Modern sterling silver and glass inkwell on stand, ca 1920. Lobed melon-form glass bowl; sterling silver cover domed with overlapping ovoid ring finial. Stand has well and large lobing. Cover interior numbered 38. Stand and cover marked “Sterling”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 4 3/4 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.3 troy ounces. #BY033

Austrian Classical 800 silver and glass vanity jar on stand, ca 1910. Jar clear glass with fluting. Cover silver; gently raised with beaded border. Stand oval with tapering sides and beaded rim. Marks include Schwarz & Steiner stamp and letters RS. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 1/2 x W 5 7/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weight (silver only): 7 troy ounces. #BU140

Set of 5 Edwardian sterling silver and enamel place card holders. Made by Sampson Mordan in Chester, 1904-8. Each: Two graduated discs of which the front decorated with grouse standing stiffly, alert to danger; landscape background varies. Flat round base. Perfect for the hunt dinner. Fully marked including date letters for 1904 (2), 1906 (1), 1907 (1), and 1908 (1). Three have design no. 402227 (registered in 1902) and two have design no. 429790 (registered in 1904). Very good condition.

Dim...

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...

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...

Antique Kurdish chanteh bag (camel bag). Made of wool and woven in two connected panels. The front panel (facing out on the camel) is woven with star protection motifs and surrounded with a running hooked motif along the border. The back of the bag is woven in a stripe pattern. Circa 1900. Size: 40" high x 29" wide

Born the second son of Ryônyû, the 10th Raku Kichizaemon Tannyû took over the family kiln in 1811 at the age of 16 and served until his retirement and subsequent handing on of the title of Kichizaemon to his son-in-law Keinyû some 34 years later. Retaining many of the unique stylistic innovations of his father including his clay trimming technique, Tannyû went on to establish several new family kilns and to produce wares for both 10th and 11th Tokugawa Lords. The piece seen here is a classi...

Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and with all of the trappings that let you know they were cared for by a devoted cha-jin can be quite challenging. Here we see all three. The shape of this tea bowl is exquisite and something I have not seen before in a Mino piece. The lacquer box, while not the original was undoubtedly custom made for this tea bowl and looks to be 100 - 200...

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...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

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.

As can be seen here, this piece is of the green variety and looks to be from the mid-to-early Edo period as can be determined ...

At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...

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...

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Originally crafted as a tokkuri, or sake flask, it was recovered from the estate of a tea-practitioner who reportedly cherished it as a vase that would hold colorful flowers and various grasses throughout the seasons.

Thanks to the dedication and passion of a researcher by the name of Katsura Matasaburo (1901-1986) we can be assured that this vase is a...

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...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver decanter set. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Sterling silver frame with central pole on shaped base between two round and open wells. Pole has sliding mechanism with hinged hasp and bracket handle to which are mounted two decanter covers. The covers descend on two ovoid bottles with cut diaper ornament, and sterling silver collar. With lock and key.

Stand marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling Silver” and numbered S1625. Bottle collars marked “Sterling...