Silberiris glass vase by historic Loetz with engraved silver overlay. Globular with pinched shoulder and ruffled turned-down quatrefoil rim. On front overlay in form of loose and fluid blooms on entwined and whiplash stems. Back plain. Glass iridescent yellow, green, blue, and purple. Shimmering turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau. Pontil mark. Excellent condition with nice patina.
Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x D 4 3/4 in. #BX856
Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Water Hyacinth (Mizuaoi)
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left. Carver and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Osuga Yuichi (b. 1939)
Japanese Bellflower (Kikyo)
Date: ca. 1970s or later.
Size: Oban. 15.875 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left.
Carver: Monju. Printer: Sugimoto
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper left margin edge has vertical crease.
Toko Shinoda (1913-2021)
Title: Discovery
Size: Approximately 14.125 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1980s or earlier.
Edition: 33/35.
Medium: Lithograph with red and black sumi-e brushstrokes.
Condition: Slight toning to former matte edge.
Ohara Koson (?)
Three Birds (Gallinules) (Matsumoto catalog name)
Size: Approximately 14.4 x 9.0 cm. 5.75 x 3.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Sealed "Yamagishi," which may be the carver Kazue Yamagishi (1891-1984).
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 420)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
An early and rarely seen design. Not found in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland) but similar to the artist's gallinule...
Turn-of-the-century Silberiris glass vase by Loetz with engraved silver overlay. Ovoid with flared rim in silver collar. Overlay in form of open and stylized leaf band and c-scroll neck border. Glass iridescent in orange, pink, and green. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 5 1/4 x D 3 1/2 in. #BX858
Large Dutch silver cow creamer, 1910. A sweet beast with stocky body on slender legs and delicate hoofs. Head quizzically turned to side with flexed ears, sharp horns, red cabochon glass eyes, and gaping mouth spout. Flicked back tail handle and hinged back cover. Appears to be unmarked. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 7 1/4 x L 10 3/8 x W 3 3/8 in. Weight: 19.5 troy ounces. #BX771
German 800 silver cow creamer, ca 1910. Stocky body, flexed ears, flicked-back tail handle, and hinged and stippled back flap with engraved wreath and applied fly finial. A gentle face with red-glass eyes and gaping-mouth spout. A capacious dispenser on four firmly planted hoofs. German marks and American importer’s mark for Buchholz & Zelt in New York. Very good condition.
Overall dimensions: H 7 1/2 x L 10 x W 3 1/8 in. Weight: 17.5 troy ounces. #BX770
German 800 silver cigarette case, ca 1910. Rectangular and hinged with curved corners. On cover are enameled sin symbols: Women (opera girl), wine (champagne), and gambling (cards and ponies). Three vices – but smoking is not among them. Marks include maker’s stamp (Louis Kuppenheim) and no. 130. Very good condition with intact color.
Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 3 1/4 x D 3/8 in. Gross weight: 4.3 troy ounces. #BX884
Twelve French Classical 950 silver plates. Made by Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot in Paris, ca 1870. Round well and shoulder with shaped frames; serpentine guilloche rim. Engraved armorial with Latin motto “Non sine labore”. The super sumptuous set to bring out when the book club gets round to Proust. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp. Ten numbered 2690 (2), 3670 (1) 7225 (5), 7328 (1), 7329 (1). Very good condition with minor fire scale in well.
Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 10 5/8 ...
Art Nouveau glass decanter with engraved silver overlay. Made by Alvin Corporation in Providence, ca 1890. Conical with cut-to-clear geometric ornament at base, and star on underside. Dense overlay with rinceaux, flowers, and scrollwork. Ball stopper with grape bunches and leaves in strapwork frames. Decanter is cranberry and stopper is clear. Silver fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. R112QT. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 12 3/4 x D 5 1/2 in. #BX887
Ide Gakusui
Berries
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Woodblock print is tipped along the top edge to original 7 x 4.75-inch blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Tsuchiya Koitsu
Sparrows
Publisher: Doi. Issued by Odawara Shoten.
Date: 1940. This edition likely post-2000.
Print size: Koban. 8 x 5.75 inches.
Koitsu catalog no.: Similar to TK-DH-90.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
A technique most commonly seen in Tenmoku tea bowls, “konoha” is accomplished by applying a coating to an actual leaf and then attaching the leaf to the surface of an artwork before firing. The exact details of this process seem somewhat murky as it appears to be a well-guarded secret among potters. After some research we were unable to identify the potter; and, although there is a signature on the bottom that appears to read “Raishō,” we could find no potter by this name. R...
At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...
Takahashi Shotei
Shrine by the River
Date: 1930s. This edition early postwar.
Size: 5.5 x 3.625 inches
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin edge has slight browning.
Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father. Through it all Kobay...
An excellent offering from Higaki Ryota of Katsura Kiln, this piece displays a classic and iconic shape coupled with a beautiful Kase-guro glaze said to be used over 400 years ago by Chojiro. The color of this tea bowl changes quite dramatically, taking on the characteristics of its environment; light and cheerful in direct and bright lighting, more austere, deep, and reflective in standard tea room lighting. Perfect for those venturing into the world of Raku tea-ware or for those lo...
This lot includes eight marked Gorham sterling 4780 nut dishes . Two are mongrammed on the bottom( one of those has very faint etched numbers). 4" x 2-1/2" Total weight 6.8 ozs.
A collectible Scandinavian gold and amethyst pin by Kippittan Kulta of Finland. The pin is stamped with the anvil mark 585 Finland and measures 2 1/4" x 1-1/4". Weight 3.6gr.
Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Pheasants and Maple Tree
Size: Approximately 5.25 x 3.25 inches.
Date: ca. 1930s.
Shoson seal at lower right
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: AS.15 in Crows, Cranes, and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
French Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver tea urn, ca 1900. Ovoid with turned stained-wood handles with silver scroll and leaf mounts. Scaly fish spout with tail mount and gaping mouth spout and turned stained wood and silver scroll tap. Double-domed cover with berry finial. Three double-scroll supports with leaf mounts and feet mounted to stepped and stained-wood drum-form blocks. Heating element set in scroll-mounted ring. Twisted fluting and lobing. Vitruvian scroll and leaf borders. Engraved...
Lilian May Miller (1895-1943)
The Little Shrines on Quiet Hills
Date: 1927.
Size: Approximately 5.625 x 3.75 inches.
From the book, Grass Blades from a Cinnamon Garden.
Monogrammed within the image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning.
Victorian Classical coin silver baby cup. Made by Wood & Hughes in New York, ca 1860. Curved and tapering bowl. Flared rim and spread foot with leaf-and-dart border on lined ground. Scroll bracket handle with quatrefoil mounts. Heart-shaped leafing scroll frame (vacant) surrounded by tendrils and flowers. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 4. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 3/8 x D 3 1/8 in. Weight: 4.4 troy ounces. #BX724
Tsuchiya Koitsu
Mandarin Ducks
Date: 1930s.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Reference: Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-76.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates an early post-war edition.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Back top margin has tape residue.
Note: An usual subject for Koitsu.
Two pairs of German 800 silver 2-light candelabra. Made by M. H. Wilkens & Söhne in Germany, ca 1890. Each: tapering pillar on raised foot with spread c-scroll supports. Garland-entwined figure mounted to pillar top. On two, a bosomy, drapery-clad caryatid; on other two, a naked atlantes. Soft youthful flesh that contrasts with the statuary pillar. Each figure holds a stem with two open and scrolled branches terminating in single socket. Fluid and dynamic Art Nouveau mixed with frothy Rococo. ...
Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver wine bottle holder. Made by Odiot in France, ca 1890. Open body comprising two rectilinear supports mounted to round bowl with straight sides. Conical neck with adjustable screws. Leaf-capped double-scroll handle. Meandering fruiting grapevine on stippled ground. Perfect for enjoying a special vintage. Note: The bowl is smallish, so the best fit is going to be one of the really old bottles down in the cellar. Fully marked with Minerva head and maker’s stamp....
Equestrian-themed silver tankard with German imperial association, ca 1875. Straight and paneled sides with low-relief frieze depicting galloping riders, racing through the countryside, trees and buildings in the background; branch borders. Split-mounted s-scroll handle with thumb rest. At bottom applied branch and leaf border and open supports. Cover hinged and bellied with imbricated leaf rim; on top is cast finial in form of mounted jockey and engraved phrase citing Kaiser Wilhelm I in an all...
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
Paul Jacoulet
The Wandering Buddhist Priest, Korea (Le Bonze Errant, Corée)
Date: 1948.
Edition 165/350. (Fewer than 50 impressions from this edition were produced.)
Print size: Approximately 18.5 x 14.375 inches.
Publisher: Self-published by the artist.
Carver: Maeda. Printer: Honda.
Signed, and sealed with the "peach" seal. PJ watermark.
Reference: No. 95, The Prints of Paul Jacoulet (Miles).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top ba...
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
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...
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...
Hasui Kawase
Kasuga Shrine, Nara
Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition.
Size: Oban. 15.375 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's 6mm seal (printed 1946-1957).
Reference: Hotei #317.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Excellent color.
Gako
Moon, Beach, and Tree
Date: 1910s-30s.
Size: Chuban. Print size: Approximately 10 x 7.75.
Matte board size: 14 x 11.
Signed "Gako" by the artist.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round, red Takemura seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to the board. The board is foxed.
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
Arai Yoshimune
Suma Beach
Date 1910s. Printed 1938-1960.
Size: Chuban. 10.75 x 8.0 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku. From the famous "Night Scenes" series. Hasegawa catalogue No. 1252.
Nishinomiya publisher's seal at left margin.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: The figures on the beach are gathering salt.
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...
Kihei Sasajima
Shitenno Jikokuten (one of the Four Heavenly Guardians)
Date: ca. 1960s.
Publisher: Yoneda Minoru (impressed colorless seal at lower margin).
Date: 6.5 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Toning in margin. Margin trimming.
Kihei Sasajima
The Buddhist Goddess Kisshouten
Date: ca. 1960s.
Publisher: Yoneda Minoru (impressed colorless seal at lower margin).
Date: 7 x 5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Margin trimming.
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...
German Neoclassical silver urn, 18th century. Oval tapering bowl on raised and stepped foot. Cover domed with vasiform finial. Chased imbricated leaf border at bowl bottom; same on cover dome. Visible hammering and handwork. Marked. Good condition.
Dimensions: H 4 3/4 x W 4 1/2 x D 3 in. Weight: 5 troy ounces. #BX291
Joichi Hoshi (1911-1979)
Field
Size: 32 inches by 17.25 inches.
Date: 1974.
Edition: 63/99
Signed, dated, and numbered by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print on gold leaf.
Condition: Light toning at margin. Back margin has tape residue and one reinforced corner.
Note: Please see additional images for texture and metallics.
Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Rice Planting (Taue)
Date: 1953. First edition.
Publisher: Unsodo.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.625 inches.
Signed and sealed in Japanese in the image. Signed in English at lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
"Mandarin Ducks" and "Sparrows on Hedge"
Artist: Seals unread.
Size: Each approximately 5.625 x 3.625 inches 14.2 x 9.2 cm
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (Nos. 427 and 424).
Medium: Japanese woodblock prints.
Condition: Ink marks as shown. Original fibers within handmade paper.
Early and rarely seen designs.
Joichi Hoshi (1911-1979)
Great Tree (Small)
Date: 1975.
Edition: 15/60.
Sheet Size: 9.25 x 6.5 inches.
Image size: 7.25 x 5 inches.
Signed, dated, and numbered by the artist in pencil.
Notes: Yellows, blues and greens in the tree with gold leaf metallics on silvery background. Frequently seen in unlimited edition, here is a rarely encountered numbered example.
Condition: Matte line in margin. Tape residue on back. Foxing in margin and on back.
Ryohei Tanaka
Soaring Birds (Titled in Japanese at lower left)
Medium: Japanese Etching
Date: 1982.
Edition: 78/100.
Signed "T. Ryohei" and dated in pencil.
Paper size: 23.75 x 14.375 inches.
Condition: Outer margin has slight toning.
Federal Classical coin silver flagon. Made by Nicholas James Bogert in New York, ca 1820. Upward tapering cylinder on spread and stepped base. S-scroll handle with ribbed thumb rest and heart terminal. Hinged and domed cover with bud finial. Curved spout with ogee opening. Bold and spare by a historic regional maker. Maker’s stamp. Very good condition with nice patina. A few areas of firescale.
Dimensions: H 13 x W 9 1/4 x D 6 1/4 in. Weight: 33 troy ounces. #BX039
French Belle Epoque 950 silver tureen, ca 1910. Tapering oval curvilinear bowl on same raised foot with gadrooned rims. Leaf-mounted double c-scroll end handles. Raised cover. Restrained turn-of-the-century Classicism enlivened with a cast still life finial: A couple bird carcasses draped on top of a sweet bunny, with forelegs raised as if to hop away, and hindlegs limp and splayed now that hopping is no longer an option. An unsentimental depiction of the dinner’s ingredients with a bit of gr...
Naoko Matsubara (Japanese-Canadian, born 1937 Tokushima, Japan)
Shrine Market (Tenjin-ichi)
Edition: 47/50
Date: ca 1960s-70s.
Print size: 38.75 x 27.0 inches.
Framed size: 44.5 x 32.75 inches.
Signed, titled, numbered, and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Upper right corner margin has light crease.
Notes: This very large framed print is not available for commercial shipment. Free pickup or delivery in Grea...
Rhymes and Life Scenes of Japan. Calendar for 1903 (28 pp. inc. covers)
Date: Published in 1902.
Publisher: T Hasegawa Publisher & Art-printer,Tokyo.
Size: 6.0 x 4.0 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock prints.
Condition: Back cover has bent corner, stains, and indentations (which carry through to a few of the pages). Front cover lightly creased.
These charming, profusely illustrated books consist entirely of woodblock prints on creped paper bound with silk ties and g...