First edition Taisho period Japanese woodblock print titled “The Snow Maiden Umekawa” (aka “The Heroine Umekawa in the Snow”) from the supplements of “The Complete Works of Chikamatsu Manzaemon" by Kitano Tsunetomi (1880-1947) published in 1923. First edition with mica and silver highlights, hand applied gofun, black ink Tsunetomi seal at the upper right, and Yamagishi Kazue (carver) and Nishimura Kumakichi (printer) seals at the lower edge. Paper: 17 3/4" x 11 3/8." Very good overa...

In the mid-1800's, an unknown artist painted the face of a young Black boy in warm, soft colors, and unbeknown to the artist, forever immortalized the young boy's image! Since that time a variety of items were been produced in the image of the "Young Black boy with the Torn Hat" or "Johnny Griffin".

This circa 1920-30's Johnny Griffin tie rack is constructed in solid brass. It remains functional for such use today; however, only two of the five original tie hooks remain.

It is in all orig...

A Japanese lacquer bowed top box with portrait of a Kabuki actor - presumably named in gold lacquer and the role of Daihachi named in a lustrous iron color. All slightly raised work, the portrait is in gray, black, red, flesh tone, browns and gold. Lines including pattern and folds in the figure's attire and hair in his coiffure and sideburns cleanly defined with raised work. Metal along the facing edges of the top and bottom have no doubt contributed nicely to the preservation of the box. Actor...

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated ...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated fr...

A rare Burmese book with paper (made from mulberry tree bark) pages, the front and back covers with lacquer relief decoration with small inset glass spangles. The central panels showing the title of the book in Burmese script. Approximately 280 pages, handwritten in black Burmese script, edges gilt. Condition: covers are dusty (one is dirty) and with some wear, some corners with small losses. Pages with few stains, but wormholes. Dimension: 39.4 x 17.6 x 9.5 cm, weight: 2.4 kg.

Offered is a circa 1910, original piece of art entitled "Who Said Watermelons". This captivating charcoal on paper portrait of a young African American boy, very much resembles the iconic, fictional figure painted by an unknown artist in the mid 1800's, a figure who has come to be known as 'Johnny Griffin' or the 'Young Black boy with the Torn Hat'.

Measuring just 7 inches wide x 9 inches high, this unsigned piece is very skillfully executed accomplishing a three-dimensional sense of depth th...

A 950 silver Komai damascene panels bracelet circa 1900 1920. This scarce bracelet from Japan features eleven 1-1/16" x 3/8" loop-linked panels with inlaid silver and gold on a black matte (actually iron) ground. The panels resemble those in room dividing screens, and each has a different design and a simple engraved design on the back of the silver sections. It also has a long safety chain and a box clasp which is stamped 950 SILVER. This bracelet measures 7-1/8" x 1/1/8". It is in excellent...

Chinese Qing dynasty circular form lidded cinnabar lacquer box, the lid well carved in relief with scholars and attendants under lush trees in a landscape setting with mountains in the background. The convex sides are decorated in floral reserves interspersed with scrolling foliage. The interior surfaces and base are covered in plain black lacquer over the wood substrate. 10” diameter by 5 1/2" high. Very heavy for its size. Weighs 4.4 lbs. (2 kg). There is an area of damage on the edge of ...

Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga woodblock print titled "Yakushi Temple at Hino” by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) dated 1961. The print is pencil signed at the bottom margin. The artist's black ink signature and red seal is at the lower right corner of the image. The small rectangular "Shiro hanga" seal is in the lower left margin below the penciled edition number of 38. The print is titled in kanji and dated 1961 in the lower margin. Paper: 16 1/2" x 11 1/4" (image: 14 7/16" x 9 3/4")...

For the fan who wants to own a piece of racetrack memorabilia. This circa 1930's trinket box of Italian calfskin leather, accented on the hinged lid with a brass jockey cap and crop, lined in green velvet and stamped "Italy;" comes from the estate of Tommy Luther, Racing Hall of Fame American jockey and founder of the original Jockey Guild. The story goes that Tommy was the jock originally chosen to ride Seabiscuit in the "Match of the Century." He turned down the chance and handed the reins ove...

Cylindrical decanter in light blue, pink and white 'a canne' with a matching globular stopper. Stopper has a clear glass flange and neck. Neither the stopper nor the neck of the bottle is ground. The bottle stands 17 1/2 inches tall with it's stopper (15 1/8 inches without) and is 3 1/2 inches in diameter at the base. Retains its round blue and silver Made in Murano sticker on the base. There are two small black inclusions midway up the body of the decanter, each about the size of a pinhead. Con...

There is rhodium plated metal brooch with black and red enmael. There is some wear to the enamel of the pelican's bill. All the pave rhinestones appear to be bright.

There is a Hallmark that is barely visible Made in USA and a symbol which I cannot photograph which appears to be a star with circle made of dots (Fred Gray).

Circa 1920s

Reference: Warman's Vintage Jewelry Identification and price guide, By Leigh Leshner, Krause Publications 2008 p. 117, p.11

Reference: American Costu...

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

Published in 1913, by Valentine & Sons, Dundee, London, and Montreal, this extremely rare publication, "Ten Little Nigger Boys", is a highly creative and imaginative variation of the original 1869 minstrel song "Ten Little Niggers", composed by the British songwriter Frank Green.

(Likely inspired by Frank Green's lyrics, Agatha Christie, in 1939, composed her very well-known "Ten Little Niggers" story, with the title for the 1940 US edition changed to "And Then There Were None", the final lin...

Signed Studio Piece

Signed studio original hand hammered brass bold kinetic pendant necklace sculpture that frames a tree with nine branches of sterling silver, brass and copper with two antique faceted red amber beads. Looks equally well in a shadow box on your wall, window hanging art piece or around your neck. It was wrought in a USA studio in the in the Mid Century Modernist or Arts and Crafts tradition by this self directed metalart maker and signed Mimi Dee - Handmade.

*Bold n...

Signed studio original hand hammered brass bold kinetic ethnographic like pendant necklace sculpture with four major segments which include an added bold carved carnelian ear of corn dangle.

Looks equally well in a shadow box on your wall, window hanging art piece or around your neck. It was wrought in a USA studio in the in the Mid Century Modernist or Arts and Crafts tradition by this self directed metalart maker and signed Mimi Dee - Handmade.

*Bold north to south: 8" X 3...

Chinese Qing dynasty pewter-encased rectangular form “san ke zhu” (three pearl) lidded Yixing pottery teapot incised to one side in bamboo, the reverse with a calligraphic inscription signed Chun Quan. The inscription translates roughly as: “Sitting quietly [under] a bright moon [occupying] half of a window, with a book [in hand] and a fragrant incense [burning].” The top edge holds an applied coin and mixed metal strips. Flat, rectangular lid. Jade spout, handle, and square finial. The ...