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...
Unusual American Modern 18k gold chain, ca 1980. Small yellow gold links interspersed with large tooled ovals with central wraparound band as well as thick and solid rose ovals. With clasp. Very good condition.
Length: 32 in. Weight: 21.7 dwt/33.8 g. #1232
A striking 14K Gold Three Tiered Chain Necklace featuring Oval shaped Semi Precious Stones of varying sizes. These stones include Chrysophase, Citrine, Moonstone & Amethyst. The graduating gold chains measure 18 inches, 19 inches, and 20 ½ inches respectively and all connect to a rectangular bar clasp at the nape of the neck. American. Circa 1930’s. Excellent Condition.
Gorgeous natural Baroque pearl pendant. Irregular and ovoid with wraparound gold-tipped sterling silver snake encrusted with rose-cut diamonds and gold-mounted diamond head. Gold bail. Gold is 18k. Italy, ca 1970s. Marked. Excellent condition.
Approximate dimensions: H 1 3/4 x W 3/4 in. #1114
Unusual 14k gold chain necklace, comprising faceted oval links. No clasp. Custom made. United States, ca 1980s. Very good condition.
Length: 37 inches. Weight: 57.1 dwt. #1204
Charming rectangular Shakudo brooch with gold and silver detail featuring a laughing man. The brooch is braced by a 12K gold mount. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with fine patina.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x L 1 7/8 in. #1119
Sweet 14k white and yellow gold ring with rose-cut diamond in square mount (0.4 carats). United States, ca 1940s. Very good condition.
Size: 7 1/2. #1141
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
English Victorian diamond, 18k gold, and enamel eye brooch, ca 1880. Oval enamel plaque with flowers on peach ground. Bordered with rose-cut diamonds. Gold edge has engraved zigzag pattern.
Dimensions: H 1 x W 1 3/4 in. #878
Set of 6 Japanese Meiji silver cast figural knife rests, ca 1910. Each: A horned and taloned dragon with arched back and fan tail. Scaly, scampering serpents for the next dinner party. Unmarked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 1 x L 2 3/4 x W 5/8 in. Total weight: 5 troy ounces. #BY235
Japanese Meiji Art Nouveau silver basket, ca 1890. Faceted zigzag bowl with convex ends and concave sides, and double bamboo-style swing handle. Sides have applied iris flowers on stippled ground. Marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H (with handle) 5 x W 8 1/4 x D 4 3/8 in. Weight: 13 troy ounces. #BX787
Japanese silver box, ca 1890. Rectangular with straight sides and hinged cover. On cover top and box sides are chased and engraved iris flowers and tendrils in eddying water. Stippled ground. Box and cover interior lined with stained wood. Open bottom. Meiji-era Art Nouveau for the cosmopolitan West. Appears to be unmarked. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 3 x W 6 3/4 x D 3 5/8 in. Gross weight: 15 troy ounces. #BX248
Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of an anxious person in a brown checkered kimono, with light blue trim and obi with black flowers, assisting a rather bored looking woman in a gorgeous, long black kimono with pink and blue blows, blue trim, and a pink under kimono and obi. By artist Ichiyosai Toyokuni Okada.
Size: (entire frame) 21.5" height, 17" width (artwork only) 14.75" height, 9.5" width
Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a woman with a look of frustration on her face, wearing a black kimono, decorated with light pink and blue sakura blossoms, and a salmon pink under robe. Behind her are several cottages with trees and mountains, and stylized signatures in the top right corner and middle left side. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock print that was popular during the 17-19th centuries in Japan. The print is set behind glass in a large frame, and the back of the frame lists artist: ...
A green turquoise pendant with matching chain. The center turquoise appears to be stabilized with an epoxy film.
The silver and dyed howlite bead chain measures 20"; the pendant 2" x 1-5/8".
Ganadonegro has been creating jewelry since 1984. The pendant is signed on the back.
Victorian ring in platinum on 18k gold with rose-cut diamonds and rubies in crisscross design. England, ca 1880. Hallmarked. Excellent condition.
Size: 4 1/2. Weight: 2.1 dwt (3.2 g). #1221
A delightful Shakudo brooch featuring a laughing face with exaggerated features including large copper lips as well as copper rope detail. Made in Japan. Meiji era, ca. 1880. Excellent condition with lovely patina.
Dimensions: H 3/4 x L 1 3/4 in. #1118
Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver picture frame. Made by William Aitken in Birmingham in 1905. Rectangular window in shaped scrolled surround mounted to stained wood with hinged support. Chased Japonesque ornament—cranes, cattails, and lily pads in rippling water—as well as whiplash tendrils. The perfect showcase for a free-spirited boho forebear. Fully marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: Frame: H 12 1/2 x W 10 1/4 in. Window: H 7 3/4 x W 6 in. #BS115 & BS116
Turn-of-the-century Chinese silver mustard pot. Round and bellied bowl with plain concave neck, thin scroll handle, and spread foot. Modish floral ornament in form of chased and applied water lilies and pads heightened with engraving on stippled ground. Chinese marks. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 2 3/8 x W 3 1/4 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BV330
Rare Japonesque mixed metal tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1878. Square with curved sides and straight edges. Two birds soar and glide. One is viewed from below and the other from above (that is, from bird’s eye). An original and jokey design incorporating the exotic flattened Japanese perspective. Feathers are gold, and beaks, eyes, and wispy, dangly talons are copper. Crescent frame engraved with calligraphy-style presentation dated 1879. Ground hand hammered. Corner leaf-and-sc...
This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...
A beautiful and very old Hagi tea bowl; showing signs of long use and appreciation. The gold repairs add to the overall composition and highlight the important role this piece played in someone’s tea practice. Though still functional to be used as a ceremonial implement, this would fit much better as a treasured display object.
In excellent condition this tea bowl is 5.1 inches in diameter at its widest point (13cm), and stands 3.1 inches tall (8cm). It comes with a pe...
English Egyptian-Revival 18K gold brooch with scarab, ca 1870. Winged sun with fluted and stepped form. Entwined and scaly serpent forms round and open center, inset with rotating double-sided carnelian scarab: On front is a carved beetle; on back the Roman God Mercury. Fine condition with beautifully toned patina.
Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 2 5/8 x D 3/8 in. Gross weight: 9.5 dwt. #1180
European 15k gold stickpin, ca 1880. Mounted with carved intaglio cameo, depicting a left-facing Classical female head. The color is reddish brown. It is in a gold frame mounted to a twisted shaft. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 2 5/8 x D 5/8 in. #112
American Edwardian 14 kt white gold lorgnette inset with diamonds and sapphires. Get in touch with your inner dowager. To be deployed at the next meeting. In silk-lined case. Fine condition.
Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 1 3/4 in. #1018
Art Deco sterling silver and 14k flask. Made by Elgin American Mfg Co. in Elgin, Illinois, ca 1920. Curved rectilinear sterling silver body. On front fine vertical stripes in yellow and pink gold. Rectangular frame (vacant) applied to upper left corner. Back plain. Hinged and cork-lined bayonet cover. Fully marked with maker’s stamp and phrase “14k Gold on Sterling”. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7 1/2 x W 4 7/8 x D 1 1/8 in. Gross weight: 10 troy ounces. #BY537
During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...
Delightful 18k gold figural pin. Stylized owl with ribbed crown, rose-diamond eyes set in concave disc sockets, sweet wing flaps, and branch-gripped talons. Breast inset with turquoise stone. A symbol of wisdom in the advanced taste. United states, ca 1930. Stamped “750”. Very good condition with great color.
Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 7/8 x D 1/2 in. #873
Japonesque sterling silver flask. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1878. Ovoid with flat front and back, short neck, and chained, threaded, and cork-lined cover. Engraved bamboo, cranes, butterflies, and pavilions. Bottom cup detachable to reveal same on gilt ground. Stylistically integrated 2-letter monogram. Butler finish. Gorgeous with abundant period motifs. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and no. 20. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 6 1/4 x W 3 5/8 x D 1 1/8 in. Weig...
Stunning American Edwardian platinum brooch, ca 1900. Barbell form with cylindrical pipe opal. Ends encrusted with rose-cut diamonds. Excellent condition.
Length: 2 1/8 in. #1197
Beautiful hand-hammered sterling silver and mixed metal perfume. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Baluster with double-scroll side handles and threaded cover. Vertical stylized vegetation and darting insects (butterflies and dragonflies) applied to honeycomb ground. With chain for hanging on a lady’s chatelaine. A small-scale confluence of Japanese inspiration and Arts & Crafts technique. Hallmark includes pattern and order numbers, director’s letter M (1873-91), and phrase “St...
Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...
A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship. Believing it to be quite precious, the previous owner bestowed it with the poetic name "Ibitsu" which means "warped" or "cu...
Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku. Th...
Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...
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...
Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...