An example of some of the finest porcelain modern Japan has to offer. According to Wakao Kei, the artist who crafted this piece, it took him years of trial and error to perfect these stunning translucent glazes and associated techniques such as getting the right flowing consistency and pooling effect around the base. The unglazed portions at the foot of the bowl seen here in pictures was created by the artist's fingers as he plunged the vessel into the glaze while holding firmly to the porcelain...
Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
The Pond of Senzoku
Date: Pre-1923.
Size: Mitsugiriban. 15 x 6.75 inches.
Shotei seal at left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-108 in Shotei catalog. Watanabe #684.
Ota-ku 2005 Catalog #62.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Two pieces of tape at back margin. Light toning. Fray at top left margin. Black fiber in paper at center.
- The blocks for this rare print depicting a pond in Ota-k...
Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Onagi River
Date: Pre-1923.
Size: Mitsugiriban. 15 x 6.625 inches.
Shotei seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-118 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Two pieces of tape at back margin. Slight toning.
- The blocks for this rare print depicting a soba noodle stand were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
Large turn-of-the-century German 800 silver figural spice box. A bird grips a gnarly branch with scaly talons. Sweet and downy with tucked-down wings. Head detachable. Marked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 12 3/4 x L 8 1/2 x W 7 in. Weight: 27 troy ounces. #BW899
Hiroshi Yoshida
Tansui (Danshui, China)
Date: 1941.
Print size: Chuban. 10.625 x 8 inches.
Brush signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil in lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Publisher: Hiroshi Yoshida
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Abe catalog #244.
Condition: Some toning and fading. Tape at top back margin.
Hiroshi Yoshida
Chion-in Temple Gate
Series: Eight Scenes of Cherry Blossoms.
Date: 1935.
Print size: Oban. 16 x 10.75 inches.
Brush signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil in lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Publisher: Hiroshi Yoshida
Reference: Abe catalog #194.
Condition: Two short scratches in stairs (see photo). Tape at ...
Charming Edwardian pendant. Variscite cabochon on 14k yellow gold mount with open and alternating leaves and beads. With bail. United States, ca 1910. Excellent condition.
Dimensions: H (without bail) 1 1/8 x W 3/4 x D 5/8 in. #1215
German Neoclassical silver tray, 18th century. Oval with crimped rim. Embossed flower basket in well and garland on shoulder. A naïve representation of modish ornament. Marked. Good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 1/2 x W 10 1/4 x D 7 1/8 in. Weight: 5.5 troy ounces. #BV724
An interesting contemporary Hagi piece resting on a split-foot (wari-kodai) and a unique glaze patterning that somewhat resembles layers of flower petals. A creation of Morishige Tetsuyo, a native of the famous potting town of Hagi who later studied in Kyoto and eventually took up a position at the family kiln “Renkozan” with tutelage from both his father and grandfather. This particular piece is from a series he began in 2009 aptly named “Kaben” (The petal series). Actively displaying b...
Helene Mass (1871-1955)
Sunshine at the Garden
Date: 1910-20.
Size: 14.75 x 14 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Signed "H. Mass" (Helene Maß) in the image.
Condition: Top margin edge has adhesive residue.
Midcentury Modern brooch. A cluster of lapis lazuli berries mounted to irregular and striated 14k gold leaves. United States, ca 1960s. Very good condition.
Dimensions: L 2 1/4 x W 1 1/2 in. Approximate weight: 12.7 dwt. #1208
Ohara Koson
Siberian Blue Robin (Nightingale)
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1912.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Reference: K26.3 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Note: This print is very rare. We've noticed another example in the Rijks Museum collection.
Condition: A conservator has repaired tears at three corners. The artist's name is noted i...
Deceptively simple and notoriously difficult to apply with the calligrapher’s brush in one fluid, arching stroke; the symbol of the ensō has long been associated with strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and non-being of the universe. A closed ensō (such as the one featured here) is more closely associated with the idea of transcendent perfection, while an open ensō represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world. Though the monk who created this piece, Hasega...
Hiroshi Yoshida
Hirosaki Castle
Series: Eight Scenes of Cherry Blossoms
Date: 1935.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Abe catalog #192.
Condition: Pencil note at top margin. Paper lightly toned.
1960's Chinese green and white jadeite carving of lotus and bamboo on a custom wood stand. A frog is perched on one of the lotus leaves and a bamboo stalk in the background serves to hold calligraphy brushes or fresh flowers. In excellent condition, it measures 7.25" high, on stand 8.75" high, 5.5 across, and about 3.5" deep.
Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Mallards and Lotus
Size: Large toku-oban. Approximately 17.125 x 12.25 inches.
Date: pre-1936. First edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. First and only edition with Watanabe D seal in right margin.
Shoson signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S7.1 aand cat. 145 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland). Watanabe cat. #O-51.
Condition: Excellent with full...
Koei Hashimoto
Dove on Plum Tree Branch
Date: ca. 1930
Size: Oban. 17 x 11 inches.
Publisher: Likely Sato Shotaro.
Signed and sealed by the artist at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The back has pen ink scribbles. Light creasing primarily in margin. Light foxing on back.
William Seltzer Rice (1873-1963)
Italian Boat
Date: Likely 1913-1915.
Paper size 7.75 x 5.5 inches.
Print size: 4.75 x 3.875 inches.
Signed and titled in pencil.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Lightly foxed, primarily outside the image area. Margin blanks (see additional photos for full margins). Tape on verso.
Note: We could find no other reference to this title by the California artist and believe that this could be the only known color example. Howeve...