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...

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...

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.

An exceptionally skilled Meiji potter, Chikusen (1854 – 1915) specialized in high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and...

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...

Enryakuji Temple, Hiyeizan (Hieizan), Kyoto.
Artist not identified.
Dated August 21st, 1937.
Size: 7.5 x 5375 inches (19 x 13.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print as the cover of a dinner menu of the Nippon Yusen Line passenger ship, Chichibu Maru.
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...

Sabra Field (American, born 1935)
Going Home
Date: ca 1980 (as noted on separate board)
Paper size: 13 x 8.5 inches.
Image size: 9.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodcut print.
Condition: Light scuff on mountain.

Art Nouveau sterling silver table mirror. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark, ca 1910. Oval glass in rectangular surround. On front acid-etched ornament with dense and fluid leafing scrolls and berries; sides plain. With velvet back and hinged easel support for vertical display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and indistinct number. Very good condition with strong definition.

Large dimensions: Frame: H 18 x W 14 5/8 in. Window: 14 3/4 x W 11 1/2 in. #BX553

Swedish Neoclassical 830 silver serving bowl, 1932. Ovoid bowl with high-looping end handles and raised foot. Engraved leaf-and-dart mouth rim. Pierced colonnade foot rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (G. Graumann) and date code. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x L 11 x W 4 3/4 in. Weight: 8.7 troy ounces. #BZ125

Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver card case. Made by Clark & Sewell in Birmingham in 1906. Rectangular with hinged cover and plain back. On front is one maiden with faraway look, one iris flower, two water lilies, and the sun in the act of setting or rising (direction not indicated). All surrounded by whiplash border. The works! A wonderful period piece. Fully marked. Very good condition with strong definition and deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 2 5/8 x D 1/8 in. Weight: 2 troy ounce...

Pair of Victorian sterling silver goblets. Make by Elkington & Co. Ltd in Birmingham in 1860. Each: Ovoid bowl on knopped stem; raised foot. Chased and engraved horse scenes. On one, mounted horses amble through the countryside. On the other, it’s a race to the finish with raised whip, the grandstand in the background. Victor’s wreath grapevine frame engraved with interlaced script monogram. Tooled and beaded borders. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6...

Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Poole in Taunton, Mass. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged with curved top. Cast corner bracket supports in form of Classical colonnade. Box interior cedar lined. Open leather-lined underside. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 15. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 4 x D 3 3/4 in. Gross weight: 7.7 troy ounces. #BZ618

Pair of American Modern Classical sterling silver candlesticks, ca 1925. Each: Faceted column applied with bead-and-reel borders at top and bottom; raised hexagonal foot and detachable bobeche applied with same. Marks include retailer’s stamp (“Made for Tiffany & Co.) and no. 472X. Good condition with a few minor pings on shaft.

Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 3 3/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weighted. #BZ334

Pair of American Modern Classical sterling silver candlesticks, ca 1925. Each: Faceted column applied with bead-and-reel borders at top and bottom; raised hexagonal foot and detachable bobeche applied with same. Marks include retailer’s stamp (“Made for Tiffany & Co.) and no. 472X. Very good condition with a few minor pings on shaft.

Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 3 3/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weighted. #BZ333

Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Spratling in Taxco, Mexico, ca 1940. Curved sides and wide and flat shoulder with chased addorsed scrolls between cabochon amethysts that spill out over the crisp rim. A Pre-Columbian motif stylistically compatible with mid-20th century Western design. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x D 12 in. Gross weight: 25 troy ounces. #BZ679

Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Sotirio Bulgari in London in 1989. Tapering bowl with faceted and flared rim and gilt interior; short cylindrical stem and round foot with reeded rim. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (“Bulgari”) stamps, and no. BA2633. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.7 troy ounces. #BZ731

Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Sotirio Bulgari in London in 1989 Tapering bowl with faceted and flared rim and gilt interior; short cylindrical stem and round foot with reeded rim. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (“Bulgari”) stamps, and no. BA2630. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.6 troy ounces. #BZ730