Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to the bodies of these works and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvas upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted.

This piece is quite unique for its brown color which may have been produced using a copper glaze under very specific conditions. Typical o...

Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research. In some cases however, this proves to be a fruitless task and I am left only to appreciate the beauty and form of the object without having access to too many d...

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 ...

A very versatile and innovative artist, Sakata Jinnai produces pieces such as the vase seen here in his easily recognizable trademark style. Many of his pieces are earthy and primal in compositions, often inlaid with gold or partially painted in “makie” using various lacquers for dramatic effect. Waves and contours also feature prominently in his work; inspired, he says, by cosmic energies and architectures of the universe. Sakata very actively exhibits his pieces and looks for interesting c...

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...

Fine quality Japanese Meiji silver incense burner, ca 1890. Barrel-form with solid top and bottom and open sides; applied chrysanthemums heightened with gold and silver. Cover oval and flush; finial in form of big loosely-tied bow with tassels. Ends plain and studded; copper and gold ornament with central mons encircled by two scaly, taloned dragons. Scrolled cradle mounted to pillar with brackets on four scroll supports. Applied leafing and flowering tendrils.

Appears to be unmarked. Very goo...

Beautiful Art Nouveau Classical glass perfume with silver overlay, ca 1900. Globular bottle with short neck and ball stopper. Classical flowering and leafing rinceaux overlay with round frame (vacant). Glass is red. Silver has maker’s stamp (Gorham) and no. D941. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 5 3/8 x D 3 1/4 in. #BZ501

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

Chinese export silver mug, ca 1880. Straight and upward tapering sides with allover low-relief battle frieze depicting soldiers—spearmen, lancers, and swordsmen—with a few hapless members of the flag corps wandering into the thick of things. In background (that is, at top) peacetime is represented by houses and trees. On front applied heraldic shield (vacant). Cast dragon handle—a horned scaly, serpentine serpent gripping the side with talons. Gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condit...

Pair of German 800 silver pheasants, ca 1920. A rooster and hen, each with hinged wings, long overlapping tails, closed beak, and wary stare. An on-guard couple standing on scaly talons, ready to take flight if the party talk turns dull. Heads detachable for hiding a secret stash of treats or booze. Hanau maker’s marks (Vereinigte Silberwarenfabriken). Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: Rooster: H 8 1/2 x L 19 3/8 x W 4 3/8 in. Wingspan: 7 1/4 in. Hen: H 9 x L 18 3/4 x W 4 1/2 in. Wing...

French Art Deco 950 silver box, ca 1920. Round and flat. Concentric engine turned ornament with engraved flowers on top center and patera on bottom center. Gilt interior. Sweet and pretty. Marked. Very good condition with some handling wear.

Pocket-sized dimensions: H 3/4 x D 2 1/8 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ625

German 800 silver lady’s shoe, ca 1920. Plain sole and low heel, and loose-mounted c-scroll strap. Chased leafing and flowering scrolls on stippled ground. Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 5/8 x L 7 3/4 x W 2 3/8 in. Heavy weight: 6.8 troy ounces. #BZ641

Art Nouveau glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Globular with short neck and everted rim in silver collar; ball stopper. Overlay in open stylized pattern with leafing tendrils and interlaced and whiplash scrolls; heraldic cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is red. Silver has Gorham maker’s stamp and no. D942. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 4 in. #BZ505

Pair of Chinese export silver vases, ca 1910. Each: Flat and round moon body on domed foot; animal-head handles mounted to shoulder. On front and back is chased dragon—a horned and taloned serpentine serpent on hand-hammered ground. Marked Wang Hing & Co., an early 20th-century retailer active in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition. Handwork visible on foot underside.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 3 1/2 x D 2 in. Total weight: 7.5 troy ounces. #BY228

German Rococo 800 silver casket, ca 1900. Rectangular with straight sides and sharp corners. Cover hinged with curved top. Chased scenes of frolicking cherubs in nature. Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 2 1/2 x D 1 3/8 in. Weight: 1.8 troy ounces. #BZ624

Austrian Biedermeier silver gilt casket, 1846. Bellied, lobed, and rectangular. Hinged cover same and concave with raised center and swing-mounted scroll bracket cast handle with flowers. Hardstone mounts including porphyry and lapis lazuli as well as cabochon jewels. On front two turquoise cabochon beads of which one a push button for opening cover. At ends carved intaglio heads, one a Classical soldier and the other a philosopher. Corner paw supports. On exterior the gilding is deeply toned; ...

German Biedermeier Classical silver tray, ca 1860. Plain oval well. Sides have open border in form of leaves set in ovals. Cast leaf-and-dart rim on lined ground. A practical serving piece with lots of Mitteleuropa charm. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 3/8 x W 18 x D 12 3/4 in. Weight: 37 troy ounces. #BY866