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...
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...
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...
This elegant work of Karatsu pottery has an unglazed foot, showing the rich ferrous clay from which it is constructed, and displays splashes of ferrous pigment on a backdrop of ashen glaze with a milky white overglaze. The triangular shape and large proportions make for a very distinctive work of e-Karatsu or “painted” Karatsu.
Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters...
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...
The distinctive and easily recognizable style of Bizen pieces, such as the one featured here, originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and has a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Bizen-ware is known for employing a natural-ash glazing technique that is unique to this type of pottery and which requires extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures. This means that constant attention is required to ensure good results. The tea bowl shown here...
A technique most commonly seen in Tenmoku tea bowls, “konoha” is accomplished by applying a coating to an actual leaf and then attaching the leaf to the surface of an artwork before firing. The exact details of this process seem somewhat murky as it appears to be a well-guarded secret among potters. After some research we were unable to identify the potter; and, although there is a signature on the bottom that appears to read “Raishō,” we could find no potter by this name. R...
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...
Edwardian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Straight sides with high-looping s-scroll handle and inset foot. Cast scroll and reeded borders at top and bottom. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 15097, and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 3/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.3 troy ounces. #BZ362
Pair of American Edwardian glass candlesticks with sterling silver mounts, ca 1910. Faceted socket; wide and flat rim with cut flower heads over radiating ribbing. Shaft upward tapering with half-fluting at top and engraved leafing and flowering scrollwork at bottom. Raised and stepped sterling silver foot. Glass attributable to Hawkes. Silver marked “Sterling / 56 PWTS”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 13 x D 4 3/4 in. #BZ331
The classic sterling silver Louvre bowl. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Round and curved; Overhanding rim interspersed with scallops. Open support comprising alternating vertical leaves and tendrils. Raised foot. Visible hand hammering. Designed ca 1910, it reflects the master’s love of nature. So-called the Louvre bowl because an example in that museum’s collection. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1945-77) and no. 19A. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 6 7/8 x D 8 in. Weight...
Traditional sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1938. Gently curved body with helmet mouth, high-looping handle, and round and stepped foot. Ample with nice heft. Holds 4 1/2 pints. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 22625 (first produced in 1938), director’s letter m (1907-47), and volume. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 8 3/4 x D 5 1/4 in. Weight: 32.7 troy ounces. #BZ758
Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Scrolled and turned-down rim with engraved grape bunches and leaves overlapping open lunette frames. Stationary c-scroll handle with same; handle top vacant. Visible hand hammering. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and code TFC. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 11 3/4 x L 13 1/4 x W 7 in. Weight: 31 troy ounces. #BZ743
Pair of Georgian-style sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Currier & Roby in New York, ca 1920. Each: Faceted and tapering shaft with knops and flanges on raised foot in concave circle set in square base. Spool socket with detachable bobeche. Gadrooning and reeding. Fully marked including maker’s mark and no. 2628. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 10 x W 4 5/8 x D 4 5/8 in. Total weight:36 troy ounces. #BZ690
Modern Classical sterling silver box. Made by Ferdinand Richard Wilm in Berlin, ca 1930. Rectangular with wraparound reeded sides; cover flat and hinged with paneled top. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 6 x D 3 7/8 in. Weight: 13 troy ounces. #BZ772
Edwardian Classical sterling silver and glass picture frame. Made by Hawkes in Corning, New York, ca 1910. Oval window with reeded sterling silver border in rectilinear glass surround with curved top. alternating reeded and diaper lines and four clear rondels with acid-etched flower baskets and cornucopia. With glass, silk lining, and silk back with hinged easel support. Silver marked “Sterling”. Glass unmarked. Very good condition with strong definition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 11 1/4 x W 7 ...
Ornamental sterling silver letter opener. Made by Georg Jensen in Denmark, ca 1925. Looped tendril handle with seed and leaf terminal. Shaft terminates in flat stylized bud to which is mounted blade with curved sides. Early marks including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 122, Copenhagen Three Tower stamp dated 1925, and Christian F. Heise assayer’s stamp (1904-32). Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 5 5/8 x W 7/8 x D 3/8 in. #BZ699
Modern Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1924. Conical with reeded rim, short and straight support, and raised round foot. Acid-etched curvilinear borders with fleurs de lys. Support has scroll-and-dart ornament alternating with squares (vacant). Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20393G (first produced in 1924), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 5 5/8 x D 9 in. Weight: 24 troy ounces. #BZ706