The craftsman who fashioned this piece, the 9th Ohi Chozaimon (1901-1986), is the most widely recognized and most accomplished of the now 11 generations of Ohi potters. Born in Ishikawa Prefecture at the start of the 20th century, he took up the family craft and, at the age of 26, became the head potter. Raku tea bowls made by Ohi 9 are some of the finest you will encounter, comparing favorably to even tea bowls made by the main Raku lineage in Kyoto. The lightness of the clay, the s...
When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Senso Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chozaemon came with him and established Ohi-yaki ware in Kanazawa. Chozaemon had been the chief apprentice for the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ohi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea ceremony desp...
When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...
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...
Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creativity and the organic world. Now several centuries old, this piece continues to serves not only as a functional display piece, but also as a symbol of the enduring leg...
With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...
Although reports vary, it is generally thought that Zeze-yaki had its heyday in the late Momoyama to early Edo period under the influence and patronage of legendary artists/ men of tea, Honami Koetsu and Kobori Enshu. It was also counted among the seven best kilns selected by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647), a tea master and military commander of that era. In the mid-1600s the tradition died out for a time after the destruction of the kiln by fire. The kiln was later resurrected on two occa...
Edwardian Classical sterling silver powder box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round and bellied with flat and scrolled cover. Chased and applied ornament. On bowl oval reeded frames joined by pendant garlands. On cover central same frame (vacant) surrounded by scallop shells, scrolls, cornucopia, flower baskets, and cherubs. Gilt interior. With puff for ladylike maquillage. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14915 (first produced in 1901), and director’s letter T (1892-19...
Set of 8 Wedgwood sterling silver goblets. Made by International Silver Co. in Meriden, Conn., ca 1920. Each: Ovoid bowl on cylindrical stem with base knop mounted to raised foot. At mouth rim raised band with Neoclassical ornament, including paterae and amphorae, entwined with flowers and scrolls between beaded and Vitruvian scroll borders. At foot border alternating volute scrolls and W’s. Seven goblets have gilt-washed interior. An elegant tribute to the historic English pottery firm. Fully...
The term “Raku” was once reserved for a style of pottery produced by a specific household in Kyoto that began over 450 years ago. Over the years, as it gained popularity, several branch kilns were established (Ōhi, Tamamizu) and a number of other lineages arose making pieces in the style of Raku, though they were not formally associated with the Raku household. Today, we see that Raku has become a world-wide phenomena and the name is no longer reserved strictly for the Raku fami...
German Rococo 930 silver sweet meat coach. Imported to England by David Bridge in 1894. A round coach harnessed to a prancing reindeer with large antlers. A trumpet-blowing cherub holds the reins, and two more cherubs support an armorial in strapwork frame. Chased scenes depicting pastoral landscapes and frolics. Wheels rotate for a quick journey around the table. Fully marked including Hanau maker’s marks and English import marks, including London assay stamp. Very good condition.
Overall d...
Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular; straight sides bisected by wraparound rectilinear band. Corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with stepped rim. Austere Danish Classicism. Designed by Harald Nielsen. Fully marked including Georg Jensen & Wendel maker’s stamp (ca 1945-51), which was limited to wares sold in Copenhagen, and designer’s stamp. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 6 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 15 troy ounces. #BZ775
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Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Denmark. Rectangular with wraparound reeded sides and inset corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with rectangular and gently curved tab. Between-the-Wars Classicism. A made-in-Denmark Swedish design by the Duke of Uppland (that is, Sigvard Bernadotte). Fully marked including maker’s (1933-44) and designer’s stamps, and no. 712. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Weight: 8.8 troy ounces. #BZ776...
American Midcentury Classical sterling silver ice bucket. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Urn bowl with bracket side handles and stepped foot; incised bands at top. Cover double domed with vasiform finial. Insulated interior. Marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling”. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 9 3/4 x W 9 1/2 x D 7 in. #BZ761
Elizabeth II sterling silver box. Made by Padgett & Braham Ltd in Birmingham in 1980. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and tabbed; on top stand a horse and jockey in a faint surround suggestive of a cloud (of dust?). Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Box underside leather lined. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 2 x L 8 1/8 x D 3 5/8 in. Gross weight: 19 troy ounces. #BZ737
Edwardian Georgian sterling silver mug. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1916. Baluster bowl with leaf-capped double-scroll handle and round stepped foot. Large with nice heft and plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and pattern no. 19191 (first produced in 1916). Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 3/4 x D 3 3/4 in. Weight: 12.5 troy ounces. #BZ554
Large turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass cologne bottle with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence. Globular with everted rim in silver collar. Ball stopper with short plug. Loose and interlaced silver scrollwork with flower heads in open and symmetrical pattern. Shaped cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is green. Silver has maker’s stamp and no. D946. Fine condition.
Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x D 4 3/8 in. #BZ663
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 ...