Also known as "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life,” here in this pre-Edo Buddhist painting we see Amida and his two assistant bodhisattvas, Seishi on the left (associated with wisdom and strength), and Kannon on the right (associated with compassion and mercy), descending from the Western Pure Land to welcome newly deceased believers into the realm of paradise. In this practice known as raigō, the faithful are transported via the small lotus pedestal the Kannon holds in his...

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...

With a base of dazzling red ochre clay, a technique known as “san-giri,” pioneered by the progenitor of this generational potting family and now widely used among Bizen potters, is employed here to bring out stunning mustard yellows, mossy greens, charcoal blacks, along with a range of subtler hues.

The potter, Konishi Tōko II (1927 -2018) was second daughter to Konishi the first. After graduating from women’s college she assisted her father at the family kiln, e...

This elegant work of Karatsu pottery has an unglazed foot, showing the rich ferrous clay from which it is constructed, and displays splashes of ferrous pigment on a backdrop of ashen glaze with a milky white overglaze. The triangular shape and large proportions make for a very distinctive work of e-Karatsu or “painted” Karatsu.

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters...

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corporation in Providence. Tall baluster with flared rim and short foot. Overlay in form twisted tendrils entwined and overlaid with flower heads. Glass is green. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. G3219/6. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 14 x D 5 in. #BX622

Chinese silver mug, ca 1865. Straight and upward tapering sides with dense low-relief frieze: Spearmen and swordsmen on foot and horse thrust and lunge and, in some cases, fall in battle. Applied armorial shield with engraved presentation dated “May 4th 1865”. S-scroll handle in form of scaly dragon with horned head peering over rim. Marked. Very good condition with deep patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/4 x W 5 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10.8 troy ounces. #BX464

Market-fresh Aesthetic sterling silver tea kettle on stand. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Ovoid body with raised, flat, and hinged cover and stained-wood beehive finial. Swing scroll handle and s-scroll spout. Open stretchers on splayed supports mounted to raised and square base on scroll-mounted corner paw supports. Acid-etched stylized ornament with daisy chains and bunches, and beaded borders and rondels (vacant). Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 8078B, and ...

Craftsman sterling silver porringer. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Traditional form. Unusual open geometric handle. Allover spot hammering. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. A5235. Very good condition with nice shimmer.

Dimensions: H 2 x W 6 5/8 x D 4 3/4 in. Weight: 7.8 troy ounces. #BX326

English Victorian Classical sterling silver decanter jug, 1874. Ovoid body with high-looping and leaf-capped double-scroll handle, v-form spout, and raised foot. Chased fruiting grapevine, scallop shells, and Bacchus heads. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked including unidentified maker’s stamp and London assay stamp. Very good condition with rich period patina.

Dimensions: H 9 3/8 x W 6 3/8 x D 4 3/4 in. Weight: 20.8 troy ounces. #BX476

Edwardian sterling silver covered urn. Made by William Comyns in London in 1908. Bowl has straight sides and curved bottom with leaf-capped and wrapped s-scroll side handles and stepped inset foot. Bid and bold chased leaf-and-dart border. Cover raised with bud finial surrounded by turned-down leaves with same border. Striking with plenty of room for engraving. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 14 x D 9 in. Heavy weight: 84 troy ounces. #BX554 ...

Chinese export silver mug, ca 1850. Straight and upward tapering sides applied with leafing bamboo on stippled ground. Branch-form handle and rims. Applied rondel engraved with single-letter monogram in buckled belt. On underside is engraved “H. J. T. / 1855”. Interior gilt washed. Chinese mark and initials KHC for Khe Cheong, a Canton silversmith and retailer active from ca 1830s-70s. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 x W 5 1/2 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 10 troy ounces. #BX462 ...

Japanese Modern silver box on stand, ca 1930. Rectangular with curved corners. Box has straight sides and cover top is gently raised and has applied gilt medallion with dramatic dragon in low relief. Box and cover interior lined with stained-wood. Stand has wide and tapering shoulder and flat well border with open stained-wood bottom. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Box: H 2 1/2 x W 6 1/2 x D 4 3/4 in. Stand: H 7/8 x W 8 1/8 x D 6 3/8 in. #BX437

Chinese export silver mug, ca 1860. Straight and upward tapering sides with applied pictorial frieze on engraved and stippled ground: Scenes of social life with contemplative sages and chaste maidens amongst palm trees and pagodas. Pastoral exoticism enlivened with scaly, slithering dragon handle, ferocious head peaking above the rim. Armorial cartouche (vacant). Marked “HCH”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 5 1/2 x W 5 x D 3 in. Weight: 9.6 troy ounces. #BX463

A unique and heavy sterling turquoise squash blossom necklace and earring set by Navajo artisan Hemerson Brown. The silver has been "antiqued" . The necklace measures 23" while the naja measures 2-1/2" x 2-1/2". The earrings (for pierced ears) are 2-1/4" x 1-1/2. Total weight 5.4ozs.

Belle Epoque Rococo soup tureen on stand. Made by Tetard Frères in Paris, ca 1910. Ovoid bowl with tapering sides and curved bottom with fluted and turned-down leaf handles. Sides have projecting volute scrolls inset with leaves. Leaves stippled and irregular. Sides have curvilinear panels applied with leaf and berry garlands with central branches forming wreaths. Raised oval foot. Cover domed and paneled with fluted top on which is mounted a cast finial in form of two embracing cherubs, their ...

Turn-of-the-century American Art Nouveau glass flask with engraved silver overlay. Flat front and concave back; sides curved and bottom flat. Short neck in silver collar and hinged and cork-lined cover. Overlay in form of dense leafing scrollwork and flowers. Glass is clear. Silver marked “Solid Silver / Pat. Jan. 5-86”. Very good condition.

Lady's size: H 5 3/4 x W 3 3/4 x D 1 in. #BX343

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin in Providence. Conical mouth and neck and bellied bowl. Star cut to underside. Dense overlay in form of overlapping and entwined flowers, leaves, and scrollwork. Scrolled cartouche engraved with two-letter script monogram (SS). Glass is green. Silver marked including maker’s stamp and no. G3349. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x D 7 3/4 in. #BX402

The pottery style know as “nerikomi” or sometimes “neriage” in Japan is a technique where various colors and consistencies of clay are stacked together and then cut through to reveal a unique pattern. Here we see a beautiful execution of this approach by potter Wakasugi Naomi (b. 1974) who spent many years perfecting the technique. Wakasugi typically uses Shigaraki clay and porcelain clay from Kyoto in her works and says that when she first started out very few people were ma...

A key figure in the Japanese folk craft movement of the 20th century, Fujita Kyohei is credited with helping to develop a thriving glass-working community within Japan. Best known for his “dream” or “Liuli” boxes—very colorful and skillfully crafted boxes that often incorporated gold and silver leaf into their designs. Here we see a piece that would likely have been crafted earlier in his career but that demonstrates his masterful technique even then. In 1972 Fujita, along ...

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...

Sometime around the year 1600 the first Takatori kiln was constructed at the foot of Mt Takatori in Fukuoka. This tradition was based on styles created by Korean potters brought to the shores of Japan during its colonial expansionism of the late 16th century. A favorite of the Kuroda lords of the time, its production and use was closely guarded until later in the 19th century when the domain system was abolished, freeing it up to be more widely used. Though Takatori-ware has been admired by many...

Pair of Midcentury Modern sterling silver 2-light candelabra. Designed by Alphonse La Paglia (d. 1953) for International Silver Co. in Meriden, Conn. Two arms, each comprising two open quadrilateral scrolls inset at center with volute scroll terminating in buds overhanging sides. Each arm terminates in socket. Sockets tall and tapering with wide flat rim and stylized leaves and beads at bottom. Arms mounted to raised foot with knop comprising alternating rings and beads. Marked “International ...

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

Turn-of-the-century Victorian Regency sterling silver jewelry box. Made by Mauser in New York. Rectangular and concave with curved corners and hinged cover. Chased ornament including garlands and scrollwork. On cover top is inset green hardstone medallion surrounded by wreath. Rests on 4 open scroll, leaf, and flower supports. Velvet lining. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 1854. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 2 7/8 x W 5 3/8 x D 4 1/8 in. Gross weight: 12.8 troy ounc...

Turn-of-the-century French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boat on stand. Oval bowl with curved sides and elongated end spouts. Side handles entwined and split-mounted with leaves and flowers. Stepped oval foot mounted to stand with oval well and reeded and serpentine rim. Armorial engraved on stand shoulder. Marks include unidentified maker’s stamp and Minerva head. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 10 1/2 x D 7 in. Weight: 20 troy ounces. #BX235

Victorian Classical sterling silver mustard pot. Made by Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox in London in 1858. Drum-form with straight and inset sides, and open bottom. Cover flat and hinged, and scroll-bracket handle with scallop shell thumb rest. Engraved ornament: On sides, leafing scrollwork, flowers, and eagles, and on cover top round frame (vacant) surrounded by leafing scrollwork. With cobalt glass liner. Fully marked. Condition: Very good. Minor rim chips to liner.

Overall dimensions: H 3...

Set of 6 Edwardian Regency sterling silver demitasse holders and saucers. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1914. Each holder: Tapering bowl with open bottom, high-looping capped handle, and raised and spread foot. Each saucer: Round with well and wide and tapering shoulder. Engraved ornamental bands with vases in beaded rondels joined by scrollwork between dentil borders. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18705E (first produced in 1914), and director’s letter m. Very goo...

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver and crystal decanter. Made by Gorham in Providence. Ovoid crystal bowl with cut and engraved ornament: Beaded horse shoe in curvilinear strapwork frame, and stylized thistles. Sterling silver helmet mouth in shaped mount with raised grain heads and entwined tendrils; high-looping reeded handle. Flattened ball stopper with same and short clear glass plug. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. D1170. Excellent condition.

Dimensions:...

American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Retailed by Georg Jensen USA in New York. Revere form with Tapering sides, flared rim, and curved bottom; stepped foot. Traditional form with lots of room for engraving. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 408, and phrase “P Revere / Reproduction”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 9 in. Weight: 26 troy ounces. #BX242

Gorgeous turn-of-the-century Martelé-style Art Nouveau 950 silver basket. Made by Black, Starr & Frost in New York. Flared and ovoid mouth and cylindrical body flowing into spread foot on 4 turned-under scroll supports; fixed and shaped c-scroll handle. Ruffled and irregular rims. Chased and applied ornament with flowers and climbing and entwined tendrils overlaid with leaves. Hand-hammered ground. Fully marked with maker’s stamp, no. 7577, and phrases “Exclusive Design”, and “950 Fine�...

Turn-of-the-century Germany sterling silver box. Made by B. Neresheimer & Söhne in Hanau, and imported to England in 1914 by Berthold Hermann Muller in London. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and raised. Squashed ball corner supports. Engraved naif ornamental borders and, on cover top, Renaissance scene with mounted hunter and hounds in pursuit of a stag. With key. Marks include maker’s and importer’s stamps. Very good condition. One-inch bump to bottom rim.

Overall dimensio...

Art Nouveau sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Urn on tall and spread foot; double-scroll side handles. Chased semi-abstract tendrils terminating in volute scrolls, garlands, and pendant flowers. A fluid, slightly hallucinatory take on traditional ornament. Gilt-washed interior. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 8637, director’s letter T (1892-1902), and volume (3 pints). Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 7 7/8 x W 10 1/2 x D 6 3/8 in. Weight: 2...

Turn-of-the-century Chinese export silver picture frame. Oval window in shaped surround with scrolls and flower heads at top, and leaves, stars, flowers, and heart cartouche vacant on stippled ground at bottom. With glass, silk lining, velvet back, and hinged easel silver wire support. Marked “Sterling”. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: Frame: H 7 1/4 x W 4 3/4 in. Window: H 4 1/4 x W 2 3/4 in. #BW978

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters. A devotee of Zen and a lover of tea, Sugimoto is able to create tea bowls that are not just attractive, pleasant to hold in the hand, and a joy to drink f...

Pair of German silver Renaissance hunting figures, ca 1890. The man wears doublet over baggy chemise and hose with belt hanging loosely around hips. A long hat feather drapes gracefully along his arm. The horn is raised expectantly while the other hand rests on his sword. The woman wears a bodice-revealing fitted hip-length coat over a pleated skirt. Her braids are coiled in the back and her hat sports a jaunty feather. On a raised arm perches a falcon. The figures stand on rocky mounds with sca...

Set of 4 Edwardian sterling silver place card holders. Made by Sampson Mordan & Co. Ltd. in Chester, 1904-6. Each: Two flat discs mounted to flat and circular base. Front disc smaller and enameled with fox loping through forest. In leather-bound case with fitted velvet and silk lining; lining has gilt retailer’s stamp (Arnold & Lewis, Manchester). Fully marked including date letters 1904 (3) and 1906 (1), and design nos. 402227 (2) and 429790 (2). Very good condition with strong color.

Dimen...