In excellent condition, this bird-shaped, or “torigata” vase is a beautiful example of Iga pottery from last century. A master of form, material, and technique, the potter Furutani Michio (1946-2000) wrote several books later translated to English on the construction and use of the “anagama”—an earth-dug, wood-fired, small-batch kiln traditionally used in Japan—celebrated for the extraordinary results that often emerge from its fires. Winner of a number of awards during his lifetime ...

Ito Sozan
Geese in Moonlight
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Tanzaku. 15 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Artist's signature and seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has pencil note and slight residue at top.

Edwardian Classical sterling silver coffee set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1907. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Coffeepot: Tapering body on raised foot, hinged and domed cover with vasiform finial, vertical s-scroll spout, stained-wood scroll-bracket handle, and raised and round foot. Creamer: Tapering body, helmet mouth, scroll-bracket handle, and raised and round foot. Sugar: Hemispheric bowl with scroll-bracket side handles and raised and round foot. Traditional ...

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass flask with engraved silver overlay. Flat with curved sides. Overlay in form of grain stalks and fruiting grapevine. Asymmetrical cartouche engraved with script monogram. Silver neck collar and hinged and cork-lined cover. Glass is clear. Lady’s medicinal size. Can be held in one small gloved hand. Marked “Sterling” and numbered “232”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 3/4 x W 2 3/4 x D 1 in. #BW418

Painted lacquerware in Asia is thought to have more than 3,000 years of history; originating in China and then later spreading to South East Asia, Korea, and Japan. One reason this craft has taken centuries to perfect is that the sap of the tree used is highly toxic and irritating to the skin and to the lungs. Even minor contact with the raw materials can cause serious issues, making collecting and refining it quite labor intensive. Additionally, once collected it takes on average 3-5 years for ...

Shin-Bijutsukai Japanese Design Magazine, vol. 28
Compiled by artist Furuya Korin (1875–1910).
A monthly magazine (1902-06) featuring the work of talented design artists.
First published 1905. This Yamada Unsodo-published edition dates to 1906 or later.
Contains 20 full-page, original woodblock-printed designs.
Publisher: Kyoto Unsodo.
Size: 9.5 x 6.5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock-printed book bound with silk ties.
Condition: Some wear at front and back cov...

Children on Stilts in Snow
Artist's seal not read.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: 4.75 x 3.25 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Ide Gakusui
Bamboo Grove
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Woodblock print is tipped along its top edge to a blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Dancing Girls Enjoying Cool Breeze On River Kamo
Date: 1919.
Size: Approximately 7 x 4.5 inches.
Hasui signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Yoshusha.
Edition: First.
This marginless print was issued as seen here tipped along its top edge into the 1919 first edition book, "Sights of Old Capital" by Aisaburo Akiyama. The book is included and also contains a Hiroshige woodblock print and a woodblock printed dedication page.
...

Pair of English Jacobean Revival flagons. Globular body with scroll handle in brown pottery with granulated salt glaze. Gilt sterling silver neck collar and hinged and domed cover with open scrollwork thumb rest as well as raised foot. Chased strapwork embellished with faces and clusters of fruits and vegetables.

One marked George Nathan & Ridley Hayes with Chester assay stamp and 1911 date letter. The other marked Elkington & Co. with Birmingham assay stamp and 1923 date letter. Very good con...

European silver ornament, ca 1920. Single plain hollow stem sprouting 3 flowers with ripe, splayed petals and prominent stamen surrounding 3 tight and tall buds. Pretty and hopeful. Appears to be unmarked. Silver tests 800. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 19 3/4 x W 6 X D 6 in. Weight: 4 troy ounces. #BW189

Pair of Danish Midcentury Modern sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Each: Scroll encircled with fruiting grapevine mounted to tapering shaft with lobed knop at base mounted to raised and round foot. Three bud-mounted c-scroll arms, each terminating in single socket. Visible hand hammering. A Jensen-inspired design from the master’s homeland. Marked “Sterling / Denmark / 925S” with unidentified maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 7 x D 3 1/4 in. Total weight: 20...

Art Deco sterling silver box. Made by Harman Bros in Birmingham in 1990. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Corner bracket supports. Engine-turned ornament in plain frames on sides and cover top. Front side has applied rectangular plate (vacant). Cover top has engraved diagonal band with chevron in lower-right corner, and tooled ornamental border. Box and cover interior cedar lined. Box underside laminate-lined. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 5/...

Pretty Victorian sterling silver and enamel perfume vial. Made by Harrison Bros. & Howson in London in 1885, Tapering and curved body and hinged ball cover. On front enameled yellow flowers and green leaf. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 7/8 x W 1 x D 3 /4 in. Gross weight: 1 troy ounce. #BV900

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Snow at Nezu Gongen Shrine
Date: 1933.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left, indicating a lifetime edition produced between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #345.
Condition: Slight toning as seen in margin. Tape residue at top back margin.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Wisteria Garden
Date: 1935. This edition mid-century.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in Japanese in the image. Titled and signed in English at lower margin.
Reference: Abe catalog #199.
Condition: Excellent. Two original pinholes at top margin.

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Bee and Pink Hollyhock
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Chipped corner and light creasing.

Born the second son of Ryônyû, the 10th Raku Kichizaemon Tannyû took over the family kiln in 1811 at the age of 16 and served until his retirement and subsequent handing on of the title of Kichizaemon to his son-in-law Keinyû some 34 years later. Retaining many of the unique stylistic innovations of his father including his clay trimming technique, Tannyû went on to establish several new family kilns and to produce wares for both 10th and 11th Tokugawa Lords. The piece seen here is a classi...

George V safari flask. Made by James Dixon & Sons in Sheffield in 1927. Clear glass body. Top half encased in leather with cutout tubular windows. Bottom half has detachable sterling silver cup. Short straight sterling silver neck with hinged and cork-lined bayonet cover. Easy-grip size. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 x W 4 1/2 x D 2 in. #BW120

Edwardian Art Nouveau powder jar. Made by Foster & Bailey in Providence, ca 1910. Crystal with curved sides and short inset neck. Cut geometric ornament and stylized flower band; star on underside. Cover sterling silver; top curved with enameled ornament: Pink and blue flowers on radiating white ground bordered by pink guilloche wave ornament. Cover marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 4 1/2 in. #BU315

Edwardian Art Nouveau vanity jar. Made by Foster & Bailey in Providence, ca 1910. Crystal with curved sides and short inset neck. Cut geometric ornament and stylized flower band; star on underside. Cover sterling silver; top curved with enameled ornament: Pink and blue flowers on radiating white ground bordered by pink guilloche wave ornament. Cover marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x D 2 1/4 in. #BU317

Okuhara Seiko (1837-1918; female)
Cherry Blossoms Under the Full Moon
Date: 1900s-1910s
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Unsigned. Signed examples exist.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Left and right edges bumped.

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver loving cup. Made by Frank W. Smith in Gardner, Mass. Curved body with 3 high-looping handles and domed foot. Flower heads clustered at rim under handles. Foot same with openwork. Fresh and voluptuous with plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 1884. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 10 1/4 x W 8 1/4 x D 6 1/4 in. Weight: 31 troy ounces. #BW216

English Georgian sterling silver coffeepot and creamer, 1987. Coffeepot: Faceted octagonal body with upward and tapering sides, hinged and dome finial with vasiform finial, s-spout, and stained-wood capped scroll handle. Creamer: Faceted baluster on stepped octagonal foot. Capped and high-looping double-scroll handle. U-form spout. Both pieces fully marked including London assay stamp and maker’s initials JAC (probably JA Campbell). Very good condition. Dimensions: Coffeepot: H 10 1/2 x W 8 1/...

Hiroshi Yoshida
Horse Turnback (Umagaeshi)
Series: Ten Views of Mt. Fuji
Date: 1928.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image and lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Published by the artist.
Reference: Abe #52.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has light toning and creasing.

English Georgian Regency sterling silver bowl. Made by Rebecca Emes and Edward Barnard in London, ca 1830. Bellied bowl with chased and stippled leaf and flower bowl. Concave neck and turned-down leaf-and-dart rim. Leaf-capped and -wrapped side handles with oak branch mounts. Short knopped support with egg-and-dart and leaf-and dart borders on lobed and stippled foot with applied leaves. Plain and square base. Opulent Classical centerpiece for flowers or wine. Marks worn. Excellent condition...

Beautiful German sterling silver swan bowl with rare glass liner. A nice-sized bird with twisting s-scroll neck, closed bill, and direct expression. Gently protuberant haunches and webbed feet in glide mode. Fine delineation of feathers from scaly neck to downy wing plumes. Liner is frosted with scalloped rim. Silver marked “Sterling 925 Fine / Germany” with stamp for Israel Freeman & Son Ltd in London. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/2 x W 10 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight (silver only): 32 ...

Kawase Hasui
Spring Rain at Gokokuji
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1932.
This edition 1948-50.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Katsumura (same carver as first edition). Printer: Ito.
Doi publisher's watermark at upper left corner margin.
Artist's signature and seal at upper right.
Condition: A surface dot on the base of the lantern. A few light margin creases. Back top corners have two small bits of paper residue.
- A wonderful e...

Pair of magnificent French Neoclassical 950 silver 7-light candelabra, ca 1880. Each: Six leaf-wrapped s-scroll arms each terminating in single leaf-and-dart socket, mounted to central socket on shaft set in petal mount on knopped and tapering shaft; raised foot on 3 bracket-mounted feet. Imbricated leaf wreaths and garlands, fluting, beading, and pendant flowers. Two oval medallions with armorials for Bernard de Lassus, a mountaineering baron, who divided his time between the remote peaks of th...

Fresh and pretty turn-of-the-century Austrian Art Nouveau 800 silver casket. Rectangular with curved sides. Cover hinged and raised with scroll tab. Chased and engraved wrapround ornament with entwined and whiplash tendrils and flower heads. Rococo scrolled corner supports. Gilt-washed interior. Marks include maker’s stamp HS. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 5 3/8 x D 4 in. Weight: 13 troy ounces. #BW139

Large Georgian-style sterling silver serving tray. Made by Frank W. Smith in Gardner, Mass. Round with molded curvilinear ogee-arch piecrust rim. A nice traditional piece in the aptly named Chippendale pattern. This maker active until 1958. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. 218. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 16 in. Weight: 42.5 troy ounces. #BR827

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Iidabashi, Daytime in Tokyo
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.5 x 8.0 inches.
Date: 1940.
Later edition (ca. 1970s-1980s) with impressed pencil signature.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Faint toning visible in margin.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Peddler in the Snowy Night
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.875 x 7.0 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
No. 509 in 1936 Watanabe catalog. C-29 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Old-fashioned sterling silver and glass double jam jar, ca 1950. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1950. Two jars, each with straight and tapering sides and raised diaper and fern pattern. Sterling silver collars joined by mount with open and tapering swing handle. Shaped tubular cartouche (vacant) applied to handle top. Domed covers opened by lowering handle. Silver marked “Tiffany & Co. in New York”. Glass has Hawkes maker’s stamp.

Overall dimensions: H 6 3/4 x W 6 3/8 x D 3 1/...

Pair of Chantilly Duchess sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Gorham in Providence. Each: Central socket mounted with 2-scroll arms, each terminating in single socket. Knopped and baluster shaft on raised foot. Low-relief scroll and flower ornament. Converts to candlestick. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 749. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 8 3/8 x W 11 1/2 x D 4 3/8 in. Weighted. #BV427

European silver flagon after the antique, late 19th century. Tapering bowl with curved front and back Tapering sides and curved front and back on spread and ribbed rectangular foot. Rectilinear neck with flat top. Round and domed cover with same ribbing and finial chained on both sides to ribbed rings loose-mounted to applied Classical satyr’s heads. Engraved Renaissance figures on front and armorial on back; leafing scrollwork and birds. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimens...

Set of 8 Cactus sterling silver salt & pepper shakers. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Each: Ovoid body on raised round foot. Four shakers have pierced cover with bead finial. The other four have single central spout. The cactus motif is tucked away on the body underside. Functional form and discreet ornament. Fully marked including postwar maker’s stamp and Gundorph Albertus designer’s stamp. Four shakers have no. 629 and 4 have no. 629A. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/4 x D 1...

Rare sterling silver punch ladle. Made by Spratling in Taxco, Mexico. Round hand-hammered bowl with curved spout. Mount has tooled bands and applied rope band and is inset with tapering stained-wood handle. An early piece by this maker. 1940s marks. Very good condition with beautiful patina.

Dimensions: H 13 x W 3 3/4 x D 1/4 in. Gross weight: 5 troy ounces. #BR829

Large and old-fashioned American sterling silver tea tray, 1954. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Oval well and scrolled sides and rim; end bracket handles. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, Gorham date code, and no. 207. Excellent condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 x W 29 x D 18 in. Heavy weight: 132 troy ounces. #BR835

Puppies and Banana
Artist: Unidentified. This print is also known to have the unread artist's seal in our enlargement #3.
Size: Approximately 14.4 x 9.0 cm. 5.675 x 3.5 inches
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 416).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
An early and rarely seen design.

Chippendale sterling silver tray. Made by Frank W. Whiting in Gardner, Mass. Round with flat and scrolled Georgian piecrust rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. 1864. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x W 14 1/8 x D 13 5/8 in. Weight: 21.5 troy ounces. #BV659

Delightful Victorian sterling silver rattle. Made by WH Collins & Co. in Birmingham in 1897. Kitty stands stiffly in snug fitting jacket and trousers. Only the tail is free to flick back and forth. A funny depiction of feline ill grace. A bit of a sour puss, but endearing nonetheless. Mother of pearl handle. Fully marked. Good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 4 3/8 x W 1 1/2 x D 7/8 in. #BV513

English Georgian sterling silver condiment shaker, late 18th century. Baluster on raised foot. Cover pierced with engraved diaper and twisted finial. Worn marks include crowned T (body) and crowned V and letters RP (cover). Good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 x D 2 in. Weight: 2.8 troy ounces. #BO173

Yoshimoto Gesso
Figure at Temple
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Tanzaku. Approximately 13.25 x 3.125 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's seal at lower right.
Reference: No. 1591.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Woodblock print is attached along its top edge to original card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

La Rochelle silver dinner set for 12. Made by Tetard Frères in France. This set comprises 90 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Knives: 12 dinner knives (9 3/4) and 12 fish knives (8 1/8);

Forks: 12 dinner forks (8 1/4), 12 dessert forks (6 7/8), and 12 fish forks (6 7/8);

Spoons: 12 soup spoons (6 7/8) and 12 teaspoons (5 3/4);

Serving pieces: gravy ladle (6 7/8), spoon (8), sugar spoon (5 1/2), cold meat fork (9 5/8), butter spreader (6 1/2), and pie server (10 7/8).

Dinner knives, butt...

Pair of Neoclassical-style gilt sterling silver tea urns. Each: Ovoid bowl on raised foot mounted to round base. Cover domed with knopped top terminating in bud finial. Swags and acanthus leaves as well as beading and leaf and dart. Fluted spout with carved leaf twist tap (one in black and one in white). Traditional vessels revved up with scaly and entwined snake handles. One marked “Sterling Silver” and the other marked “Sterling”. Very good condition with rich color.

Dimensions: H ...

European silver and enamel cigarette case, ca 1920. Rectangular, curved, and hinged. On cover, a horse’s head appears in an entryway, with two protective borzoi dogs standing guard. Stable drama against a semi-abstract background of brick and stone, and bluish ground. Gilt interior. Engraved monogram on back. Marked “900”. Very good condition with strong color.

Dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 3 1/8 x D 3/8 in. Gross weight: 4.6 troy ounces. #BV461

Takahashi Shotei
Morning Fog
Date: Early. Not known.
Size: Approximately 7.25 x 4.825 inches.
Shotei seal lower right.
Reference: S-126 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight crease lower left corner. Pencil note on back.
Note: Shotei.com notes that this print is probably pre-earthquake due to its rarity.

The Months of Japanese Ladies for 1904 (26 pp. inc. covers)
Date: 1902. This edition February 7, 1903.
Published by T Hasegawa Tokyo (38 Yotsuya Hommura) and Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., London.
26 pages including covers.
Size: 7.0 x 5.0 inches.
Artist: Arai Yoshimune
These charming, profusely illustrated books consist entirely of woodblock prints on creped paper bound with ties and glue. Hasegawa employed some of the best woodblock print artists of the ...

Takahashi Shotei
Evening After a Long Journey
Date: Pre- or post- 1923 earthquake not known.
Size: Approximately 7.25 x 4.825 inches.
Shotei's Rakutei seal at left.
Reference: S-130 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Rough bottom margin. Dash mark left sky. Pencil note on back.

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Magpie and Magnolia
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left.
Shoson signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S5.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. Point-sized mark at bottom edge. A point of foxing at back right margin lin...

Zodiac sterling silver 3-piece baby set. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1915. This set comprises mug, bowl, and plate. Cup: Straight sides, short inset foot, and leaf-capped and mounted handle; interior gilt washed. Bowl: Gently tapering sides, curved bottom, and short inset foot; interior gilt washed. Plate: Round deep well and wide shoulder. Low relief borders depicting the astrological signs in scrolled frames alternating with flowers, including turn-of-the-century favorites, such as water l...

Austrian Rococo silver candle snuffer, 1827. Hinged with flower-head mount and flat vertical blade that fits into rectangular box with curved and lobed top. Ring handles on s-scroll mounts. Three baluster supports. Marks include year and alloy, which is 13 loths (that is 812 silver). Very good condition. Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x W 2 1/4 x D 1 5/8 in.

With: Austrian Rococo silver stand, 1847. Waisted rectangle with dynamic scrollwork surrounding plain and lobed well. Marks include year and initial...

Edwardian Modern sterling silver basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Tapering and “squashed” ovoid body with flared mouth and spread foot. Reeded and tapering stationary handle. Graduated tubular piercing. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16068 (first produced in 1904), and director’s C (1902-7). Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/4 x W 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 5.5 troy ounces. #BV570

Here is an exceptional early creation by Georg Jensen USA designer, Laurence Foss. It features square lapis stones accented by sterling floral panels with a hint of goldwash at the buds. Signed L/F Sterling, it measures 7" x 5/8" and weighs 38.1gr.

A concave sterling bangle signed Hans Hansen Denmark 925S. For a smaller wrist and hand, it measures 2-1/4" ( inner diameter), is 1/4" wide and weighs 29.2gr.

Going back over 1,300 years, Seto-ware has the distinction of being Japan’s oldest pottery tradition still active today. Made from the rich clay and silica of the region of production, Seto porcelain in particular has been highly prized throughout the history of Japan. The piece shown here can be described as Seto-guro (Black Seto) and is an excellent example of this type of pottery. The writing on the box describes it as being from Muromachi, so well over 400 years old. The form and compositi...

George V sterling silver sugar caster. Made by William Hutton & Sons, Ltd in Sheffield in 1911. Girdled baluster on domed foot. Cover has ornamental piercing and vasiform finial. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Large dimensions: H 9 1/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 10.5 troy ounces. #BV629

Midcentury Modern sterling silver decanter set. Retailed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Sterling silver frame with central pole on shaped base between two round and open wells. Pole has sliding mechanism with hinged hasp and bracket handle to which are mounted two decanter covers. The covers descend on two ovoid bottles with cut diaper ornament, and sterling silver collar. With lock and key.

Stand marked “Tiffany & Co. / Sterling Silver” and numbered S1625. Bottle collars marked “Sterling...

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...