Beautiful Meiji-era shakudo locket with rose gold mount and chain. Locket is rectangular and hinged with gold and silver applied to shakudo ground. (Shakudo is a lacquer-shaded alloy.) Cranes and lilies are on one side. On other is fantasy scene with parasol-holding frog drawn in rickshaw by another frog. Locket has hinged bracket mount and ring bale threaded with chain. Japan, ca 1900. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Locket: H (with bail) 1 7/8 x W 1 1/8 x D 3/8 in. Chain: L 18 1/4 in. #11...

Rather unusual late Meiji (1900s) small Japanese transparent glass brush rest in a shape of Mount Fuji with its characteristic three-part summit. Beautiful elegant object, excellent clean material, very pleasant finish, in perfect condition without any chips. Length 2 13/16 inches.

Amusing shakudo brooch with copper and gold detail featuring a woman in repose. The brooch is braced by a sterling silver mount. Made in Japan. Meiji period, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fabulous patina.

Length: 2 3/8 in. #1120

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba with inlaid decoration of autumn grasses on both sides, all on finely textured ground. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb design perfectly capturing the mood of autumnal melancholy. Crisp work, black shakudo stems and gold seedheads, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/4 inches.

19th century shakudo Japanese sword tsuba for tanto with raised and inlaid decoration of a dragon flying along its rim among wispy clouds, all on finely textured ground called nanako, which means “fish-eggs” as it resembles fine rows of caviar. Shakudo (an alloy typically consisting of 96% copper and 4% gold) body, superb clever design, extraordinary crisp work, in excellent condition. Height 2 3/16 inches.

19th century agate netsuke carved in a shape of Mount Fuji with its characteristic 3-part summit. Very clever piece, beautiful stone with delicate play of colors suggesting sunset, wonderful patina, himotoshi on the back. Great piece for a collection of netsuke materials. Height 1 15/16 inches.

19th century netsuke in manju pillow shape carved on the front with a scholarly landscape of Mount Fuji partially obscured by clouds, a wide bay with a sail boat and pines, and a lower part depicting 3 nasubi (eggplants) of different sizes. Excellent design in Japanee taste, superb quality carving, wonderful mellow patina turning honey color, wear to the back. Signed GYOKUHOSAI followed by a seal (rather worn) on the back - the artist is well known for that kind of work and is discussed on p. 42...

19th century Japanese tobacco pipe consisting of a bamboo/reed stem and 2 metal parts depicting dragon among clouds (mouth part) in flight towards Mount Fuji (bowl part). Nicely made out of paktong - white bronze - an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc used in China and Japan in the 18th and 19th centuries. Smoking part with characteristic small bowl (Japanese used finely shredded tobacco, and usually made just 2-3 puffs). Very nice quality work with good detailing, bottom part is cleverly made fl...

Fukagawa Japanese porcelain small saucer decorated with a phoenix in flight among modified scrolling karakusa design. Karakusa is a stylized arabesque pattern said to have originated in ancient Greece and introduced to Japan in the 8th century through China. This one very cleverly incorporates leaves and flowers, perfectly painted by hand in underglaze blue. Use of light green and tomato red enamel on the phoenix. Excellent delicate potting, beautiful piece in Japanese taste, in perfect conditio...

Early 19th century Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with relief decoration of two shishi (Buddhist lions) frolicking among huge peony flowers. Superbly made piece with crisp metalwork, shakudo body with gilding, in excellent condition. Length 1 3/8 inches.

19th century Edo period Japanese kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with finely inlaid brocade and lattice patterns done in various metals. Made out of shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer. Elegant design in Japanese taste, superbly made, crisp metalwork, in excellent condition. Length 1 1/4 inches.

Pair of early 19th century menuki - Japanese sword fittings - each depicting a wasp in different attitude on a tube containing their eggs. Shakudo with gilding, fantastic design, superb casting and detailing, beautiful patina. Length 1 7/16 inches.

Pair of 19th century Japanese sword menuki depicting running spotted deer. Excellent work with great detailing. Made out of shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer, silver inlaid spots, in perfect condition. Length 7/8 inches.

Japanese silver bowl, ca 1890. Bellied with applied gold, copper, and silver flowers and birds. Ornament fluid and stylized. Three c-scroll supports with shaped and tooled cloud mounts. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/2 x D 9 3/4 in. Heavy weight: 42.5 troy ounces. #BR425

Ceramic chawan (tea bowl) for tea ceremony with sides gently sloping inside and enso circle shape foot. Nezumi Shino glaze with splashes giving a perfect impression of Mount Fuji partially obscured by clouds, superb play of colors in the glaze. Dark clay body and wonderful free potting, superb sense of energy to the piece. Made by American potter Robert Fornell (resided in Japan 1988-1996) inscribed with his monogram on the bottom. Great object in Japanese taste, in excellent condition. Maximum ...

Large Japanese silver vase, ca 1910. Ovoid with short neck and turned-down rim. On front chased chrysanthemum flower heads with veined, serrated, and overlapping petals, blossoming prunus branch, and leaves. The decoration meanders around the sides. Back plain. Japanese marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 14 3/4 x D 8 1/2 in. Weight: 69 troy ounces. #BR681

19th century Japanese sword set of fuchi (bordering piece between the sword guard and the handle) and kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with gold inlaid design of birds in flight over a gnarled flowering cherry tree. Made out of shakudo (alloy of copper and gold) with characteristic black patination resembling lacquer. Excellent quality work, in great condition. Kashira length 1 5/16 inches, fuchi length 1 7/16 inches.