An antique Satsuma figural group of a prone bull with a guardian. The bull with crackled cream ground, gilt noseguard and retaining rope and with polychrome painted and gilt backcover. The young man in a gilt and multicolor painted traditional Japanese garment resting on the animal while holding a book in his hand. 11.5" long, 6" high. An exceptional piece.

Condition: Flawless, ex-Christie's

A rare and unusually large souvenir piece of wood cut from a beam from the painted chamber which was one of the oldest parts of the original Palace of Westminster, destroyed by the Great Fire of 1834. This piece of oak forms the back of a mahogany coin collector's cabinet which was made circa 1835-1850. The writing on this ancient wood panel reads: "The Oak forming this cabinet is part of a Beam removed from under the floor of the Painted Chamber (being part of the wood used in the original bu...

"Brother, can you spare a dime?" This fun vintage large cast iron Fedora hat-form paperweight is straight out of the 30's, comprised of gold painted nicely detailed banded hat with a worn look, circa 1940, probably American made. Measurements: 4 1/2" long x 3 1/2" wide x 2 1/2" high. Great condition having a few bumps and bruises made to look authentic. Slight wear to the finish adds to the overall look of the hat.

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated ...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated fr...

Offered is a lovely and serene oil painting of an older black gentleman fishing by the riverside. The painting is done in a flowing, Impressionist style, with a masterful use of quick, loose brushstrokes and much natural light, which contributes to this peaceful scene. The artist then focuses on careful attention to detail in her execution of the lone fisherman.

The primary colors utilized are a tonal range of yellows, blues and greens suggesting a spring or early summer day. The gentleman is ...

A Zuni Polychromed Wood Kachina Group, depciting three Koyemsi, or Mud Heads, of classic articulated form and decoration, one, carrying Kianakwe Shikan’ona, White Kianakwe of the East on its back, dressed in a cloth manta, the white painted case mask with concentric bands in numerous colors with white dotted details, the other, carrying a bowl in his hand; possibly a depiction of the Kianakwe Ceremony. Heights: from 10" tp 13.75".

A very rare pair of Antique European late 19th century cold painted spelter sculptures on elaborated square bases. The finely and realistically modelled sculptures depict a Chinese man and a Chinese woman in national costumes. The man is wearing a long green robe with gold swirl motifs, grey Balloon Pants and red shoes on his feet, the hair is braided and drawn back under a black hat. His left hand is grasping a Chinese musical stringed instrument (Erhu). The female is wearing a lavish robe, ela...

A rare and wonderful American doll or child's bench, with a shaped crest rail over 3 spindles and a plank seat, with 6 turned legs. The crest rail and the seat are decorated with polychrome free-hand flowers. Those areas, and the splayed arms, spindles, and central leg also have gilt line borders or decorative motifs.

Because of the delicate nature of this form, and the fact that not that many were made, it is highly uncommon to find surviving examples in any condition, let alone one as beauti...

The last rare Joseon Dynasty Munjado-Chaekgeori combination screen offered for sale was a decade ago at auction. It will likely be at least that long until you see another, if you ever see one for sale again at all. Even most museums have been unable to find one to acquire. The Cleveland Museum has a fine example. This rare combination of Munjado and Chaekgeori was painted only in the Gangwon Province. Munjado screens have eight pictorial ideographs depicting the Eight Confucian Virtues: Hyo ...

Chinese late Qing dynasty Guangxu period rectangular form porcelain plaque painted in famille rose enamels and gilt highlights with a crane on a pine branch above thick leafy flowers. A poem at the upper left is dated in Chinese cycle years to winter of 1902 and signed Jiang Yongyuan (active circa 1899-1919) at Zhushan, a district of Jingdezhen. A raised rim frames the composition. 15 1/4" long by 9 1/4" wide by 7/8” deep. There is a fine old brown hairline crack extending down from the top....

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bam...

An impressive spouted vessel, made of bronze, adorned with elaborate relief of animals like frogs, fishes, crabs and Chinese influenced creatures like dragons and Buddhist lions. The movable handle with a crocodile. These kettle were used during festive or ritual occasions. Please refer to "Malay Brassware - A Guide to the Collections of the National Museum Singapore" and compare with object no. TM-1408-1, on the online collection database of the "National Museum of Ethnology" in Leiden, Netherl...

In the mid-1800's, an unknown artist painted the face of a young Black boy in warm, soft colors, and unbeknown to the artist, forever immortalized the young boy's image! Since that time a variety of items were been produced in the image of the "Young Black boy with the Torn Hat" or "Johnny Griffin".

This circa 1920-30's Johnny Griffin tie rack is constructed in solid brass. It remains functional for such use today; however, only two of the five original tie hooks remain.

It is in all orig...

Japanese antique nobori banner, hand painted on cotton, a tiger in bamboo grove. The style of the painting is derived from ancient Korean paintings of tigers. It is a style that became popular in Japan from the 16th century and you will see many screens and scrolls of tigers painted in this manner. The popularity of these paintings in this style continued throughout the Edo period(1608-1868) and into the Meiji era. The quality of the artwork tells us that this nobori is likely to have been done ...

A large and very impressive tomb pottery horseman, Chinese, 1368-1644 AD. The type has been thoroughly tested and was burnt approx 500 years ago, placing it in the mid Ming period, c. early-mid 16th. century.

The pottery horseman, a higher-ranking officer, was probably originally equipped with a standard of wood, that has now decayed. He is clad in body armor in blue and torquise and wears a cone- shaped helmet. He is riding a white horse with details in torquise.

A rare to...

Ceramics decorated by Zen monks are seldom seen and this piece is no exception. Two red enamel characters are boldly brushed in red enamel conveying the strong bond between Zen and the tea ceremony. The bowl is inscribed and named Taste of Zen (Zenmi 禅味), and dates to the 1970s, when Seki Bokuō 関牧翁 (1903 – 1991) was well into his abbotship at Tenryū-ji, one of most important, and certainly most beautiful temples in Kyoto. The bowl itself is by the well-known hagi potter, Hara Kiyok...

Nobori banners, carps, warrior's Yoroi and Kabuto helmets, samurai dolls and swords were all a part of the display used for Boy's Day (renamed Children's Day) on May 5th in Japan. They reflect the parents' wish to inspire their sons in manliness, discipline, bravery and the honor codes which are associated with them.

Originally, nobori were used on the battlefield to identify the troops; some were to show the warriors where their taisho (general) was, others were used to shift the troops. ...