With pottery shards from excavated kilns dating back to the 5th Century, Mino-ware is one of the oldest and most revered pottery traditions in all of Japan. Though the piece featured here does not fit neatly into any of the typical categories of Mino pottery such as Kiseto, Setoguro, Oribe, or Shino; the shape and overall feel of this piece unmistakably places it within this pottery tradition.

Exceptionally well-proportioned and utterly unique, this tea bowl displays 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...

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...

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...

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 set of sake cups 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 uniqu...

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...

Tokoname pottery has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Originating in the town of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this pottery tradition has flourished due to the region's abundant red clay deposits. The history of Tokoname pottery can be traced to the 12th century when the art form was greatly influenced by Chinese ceramics, specifically, by the Yixing clay pottery tradition. Over the centuries, Tokoname pottery evolved to develop its unique style characteri...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted over seven decades. The piece shown here then would be from an earlier period and is evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the one he is most well-known for. As any experienced potter will tell you, tenmoku ...

This piece is described on the box as a Hikidashi Kuro Chawan. In Japanese hikidashi means “a pull-out drawer” and the term first came into use at Mino kilns in the 16th century to describe individual pieces that were pulled out of the wood kiln at the peak of firing to gauge if the batch was ready. The rapid cooling of such pieces often creates dramatic effects, with the most noted being rich varieties of deep black. Today this practice has fallen out of use and and only a handful of master...

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Two Paintings of "Tama" Cats - Black and Beige
Date: Not known. There was a June 1924 Tama cat woodblock print (see our Shotei061) in which the white cat is in the reverse orientation.
Size (Black Cat): Paper: 15.5 x 11.375 inches (38.9 x 28.9 cm). Image: 13 x 9.25 inches (32.8 x 23.4 cm).
Size (Beige Cat): Paper size: 15.25 x 11.375 inches (38.8 x 28.8 cm). Image: 13 x 9.25 inches (33.1 cm X 23.5 cm).
Medium: Japanese paintings on paper. The ...

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.

German silver figural dog stirrup cup, ca 1920. Cast bust of spaniel with long snout, resolutely closed mouth, and direct, concentrated gaze as well as floppy ears and thick fur. Mounted to plain and upward tapering bowl. A loyal hunt companion. Marked with maker’s stamp “Föhr” (probably, Eduard Foehr) and old-fashioned “13” (that is, 13/16 loths or 812 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 3 5/8 in. Weight: 8 troy ounces. #BZ714

Modern sterling silver mini martini shaker, ca 1930. Straight and tapering sides, curved shoulder, and short neck with snug-fitting bun cover. Spout diagonal with chained ball cap for secure shaking. Handy small size for stylish solo drinking. Fully marked including New York maker’s stamp (Currier & Roby), Boston retailer’s stamp (Shreve, Crump & Low), and no. 6711L. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 x W 4 1/4 x D 3 3/8 in. Weight: 7.2 troy ounces. #BZ687

Large Palm sterling silver sugar tongs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. U-form. Each stem tapering with scallop shell jaw; fiddle terminal with low relief palm. A rare serving piece in the simplified Classical pattern designed by Edward C. Moore and first produced in 1871. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and director’s letter m (1869-75). Very good condition. Taut and springy.

Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 3/4 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ588

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Comyns in London in 1912. Oval window in rectangular surround. Window border entwined with entwined with engraved and overlapping open ribbon with bows at top and bottom. A sweet way to “tie up” a special memory for posterity. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back with hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 8 1/4 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 6 7/8 x W 4 3/8 in. #BY19...

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

Midcentury Modern gilt sterling silver flowerpot. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Two blossoms with overlapping, ready-to-bloom petals and leaves on stem planted in a bucket filled with granulated quartz. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 24061. Very good condition with nice toning.

Overall dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 2 3/8 x D 1 5/8 in. Weighted. #BZ650