Japanese bamboo crafting, known as "Takezaiku," is a traditional art form that involves the skilled manipulation of bamboo to create various functional and decorative objects. Craftsmen trained in this art carefully select bamboo of appropriate size and quality, then use specialized tools to cut, shape, and join the bamboo pieces. Techniques such as splitting, bending, weaving, and binding are employed to achieve intricate designs and durable structures. Bamboo crafting encompasses a...

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...

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...

Ota Shumin (1884-1950, Japanese)
Boats on River (given title).
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. 17.25 x 12.625 inches.
Signed "Shumin" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Tonal difference at edges where formerly matted. Light creasing visible in side light.
Note: Shumin participated in a painting event at the 1936 Olympics.

Set of 6 German 800 silver figural open salts, ca 1920. Each: A swan with erect neck and down-turned bill and pointy tail; body hollow. With fluted and scalloped frosted glass liner. Fully marked including maker’s stamp attributable to Martin Mayer. Numbered 2 (1), 42 (2), and 88 (3). Very good condition. One liner has bottom crack.

Dimensions: H 2 x L 2 1/4 x W 1 1/4 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.5 troy ounces. #BZ325

Victorian sterling silver baby cup. Made by John Aldwinckle & Thomas Slater in London in 1887. Straight and gently upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. Ornamental borders engraved at top and bottom including ribbon-tied garlands. Festive and celebratory with plenty of room for announcing a special event. Interior gilt washed. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x W 3 3/8 x D 2 3/8 in. Weight: 3.4 troy ounces. #BW400

Dutch silver figural spice box. Imported to England in 1891 by BH Joseph & Co. An egret gracefully scrolled neck, red glass eyes, and gaping beak stands on one scaly leg, the other leg raised with clenched talons. A beautiful bird with nicely delineated plumage. Hinged at bust. Dutch assay stamp and date letter, and English sterling-standard import marks including London assay stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 15 1/2 x W 6 3/4 x D 4 1/4 in. Weight: 19 troy ounces. #BZ288

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-140.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent

A pair of blue topaz earrings. The pear shaped stones measure 1/2" x 3/8" while the setting measures 3/4" x 5/8". The butterfly clutches are marked 14k.

Kawase Hasui
Fisherman at Sunset
Date: 1930s. This edition 1950s-60s.
Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge only to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Dubya-era sterling silver mint julep. Made by Scearce in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Straight and tapering sides, and beaded and molded rim and foot. A great barware cup from the surprisingly long ago aughts. Marks include maker's stamp and presidential date code "GWB". Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight: 5.4 troy ounces. #BY876

Pair of German 800 silver figural bird bowl, ca 1920. Each: Swan with ovoid body, upturned tail, and scaly-s-scroll neck terminating in in closed bill. Imbricated feathers and hinged plumy wings that can be opened to suggest flight. Hollow gilt-washed interior for holding treats. German marks including Hanau maker’s stamp (Gebrüder Neumann) and American importer’s stamp (Buchholz & Zelt). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 3 1/4 in. Wingspan: 8 1/2 in. Total weight: 1...

Set of 12 Art Nouveau sterling silver nut dishes. Made by Howard Sterling Co. in Providence, ca 1900. Each: Round and pierced with 3 leaf-mounted paw supports. Cast and open tendril rim with flower heads. Well has engraved single-letter monogram. Pretty bowls for small servings of treats. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 491X. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/4 x D 3 1/2 in. Total weight: 26.8 troy ounces. #BX778

English King sterling silver wine bottle coaster. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round well with chased wavy borders. Applied bead-and-reel rim interspersed with scallop shells. Interlaced script monogram engraved in well. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11161 and director’s letter C (1902-7). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x D 6 1/2 in. Well diameter: 4 in. Weight: 5.4 troy ounces. #BY833

English King sterling silver wine bottle coaster. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round well with chased wavy borders. Applied bead-and-reel rim interspersed with scallop shells. Interlaced script monogram engraved in well. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11161 and director’s letter C (1902-7). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3/4 x D 6 1/2 in. Well diameter: 4 in. Total weight: 5.4 troy ounces. #BY832

Rare Bird's Nest sterling silver baby cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1870. Ovoid bowl on stepped foot. Scroll handle with squiggle tail. Bowl has shaped pointille ornament and wire scrollwork applied with cast fluttering and flapping birds. Beading. Oval frame engraved with 3-letter monogram. Fully marked including Tiffany and Moore stamps, and pattern no. 1063. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 4 1/2 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 5.7 troy ounces. #BZ160

Fiddle Thread & Shell sterling silver dinner and lunch set. Made by James Robinson in London, 1980-2000. This set comprises 61 pieces (dimensions in inches):

Forks: 12 dinner forks (8 1/8) and 12 luncheon forks (7);

Spoons: 12 soup spoons (7 1/8), 12 teaspoons (5 3/4), and 1 tablespoon (8 1/8);

Knives: 12 dinner knives.

Dinner knife blades stainless steel.

Traditional Georgian spanning the early Thatcher era to Tony Blair’s Cool Britannia.

All pieces fully marked including maker...

Victorian silver baby cup. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore. Straight sides with allover floral repousse on stippled ground. Cast and capped leaf scroll handle and pointille foot border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1846-61) and alloy “11 OZ.” (that is 11/12 or 916 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/8 x W 4 x D 2 3/4 in. Weight: 4.8 troy ounces. #BY966