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...

Fin-de-siecle Classical sterling silver loving cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Urn-form with bellied bottom. Three leaf-capped and mounted scroll handles. In relief are men and women, nude with legs merging into leafing scrolls, their embraces abetted by cherubic cup bearers. Subdued eroticism on stippled ground with fruiting grapevines. Reeded foot with stylized egg-and-dart rim and three leaf-and-scroll mounted paw supports. Gilt-washed interior.

At top engraved presentation: “Samu...

Pair of German silver birds, ca 1920. A rooster and hen with downturned wings and flamboyant flouncy tails. The rooster has a shaggy crown and raised talon and looks down while the hen, who has a small trim crown and scaly wattles, looks up. Cawing beaks suggest a barnyard tiff. Marked. Very good condition Gilt wash traces.

Dimensions: Rooster: H 6 x L 6 1/2 x W 2 1/2 in. Hen: H 4 3/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 2 1/2 in. Total weight: 10.6 troy ounces. #BZ417

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...

Belle Epoque Rococo 950 silver jardiniere centerpiece, ca 1900. Bombe oval bowl with wide and tapering rim. Embossed twisted fluting and applied round frames (vacant) with scallop shell crown supported by winged cherubs. Elaborate end handles, each with cast figure of lunging cherub, holding drapery in one hand and flowers in the other, between leaf-wrapped double-scrolls. Four leaf-mounted scroll supports. A sumptuous homage to the 18th century. Detachable brass liner. Fully marked including Mi...

Danish Biedermeier Gothic Troubadour silver hunting horn on stand, 1855.

Horn has two applied bands with leafing scrollwork and cast green man applied to front. At top a third band with mandolin-strumming maidens and coat of arms-bearing pages in cloister colonnade. Cover domed with leaf-mounted cast figural finial in form of winged Classical man in drapery and helmet pouring wine into a cup. Tail cap has acanthus leaf border with cast owl finial. Gilt-washed interior.

Shaped stand with stra...

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...

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

Engraved Hampton sterling silver hot water kettle on stand. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1912. Kettle curved and rectilinear with concave corners faceted s-scroll handle, and swing-mounted handle; cover domed and side-hinged with finial. Stand has open and faceted u-form supports mounted to stepped rectangular base with concave corners on same supports. Heating element in open center. The classic form with acid-etched Adams-style ornament: Shaped frames with rosette diaper, scallop shel...

American Art Nouveau glass trivet with engraved silver overlay, ca 1900. Round with straight sides. Overlay in scroll and flower pattern with alternating flowers in round tendril-entwined frames and fleurs de lys. Sold center engraved with interlaced script monogram. Silver marked “Sterling 3092” with diameter. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x D 10 in. #BZ661

German 800 silver stirrup cup, ca 1910. Plain upward tapering bowl with molded rim; cast mount in form of bull head with thick, matted fur and pointy flexed ears under sharp, oversized alpha horns. Firmly closed mouth and direct stare suggest a hunched-shoulder resolve. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/2 x D 2 7/8 in. Weight: 7.3 troy ounces. #BZ593

American Art Nouveau sterling silver picture frame, ca 1910. Rectangular window in same flat surround. On front acid-etched and engraved leaves and flower heads. Fluid and distended ornament interspersed with four tubular cartouches (vacant). Sides plain. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) display. Marked “Sterling” with no. 832. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 1/8 x W 7 5/8 in. Window: H 8 3/4 x ...

Set of 12 American sterling silver mint juleps. Each: Straight and tapering sides, beeded rim and foot, and applied cast horse head. A great way to celebrate Derby Day with a dozen of your nearest and dearest. Marked “Sterling / Trees”. Benjamin Trees was active in Lexington, Kentucky from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 2 7/8 in. Total weight: 55 troy ounces. #BZ708

German Art Deco Classical 800 silver jewelry box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides with incised corner pillars on block supports. Cover hinged with gently curved top and tapering tab. Velvet-lined interior. Open leather-lined underside. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (Hermann Bauer). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 4 x D 3 1/4 in. Gross weight: 6.5 troy ounces. #BZ445

Edwardian sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Rectangular window in same flat surround. Acid-etched meandering ivy on front and sides. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16542, and director’s letter m. Very good condition with strong definition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 7 7/8 x W 5 3/4 in. Window: H 7 x W 4 7/8 in. #BZ656

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