The term “tenmoku” (heavens eye) refers both to a shape of tea bowl popularized in the Song Dynasty dating back almost 1,000 years, and also to a style of glaze that these pieces are renowned for. In the case of tea bowls themselves, the troughs often have darker coloration with radiating colored rays and, depending on the style, often resemble the iris of a human eye. In the case of the glaze, the individual oil spots that appear on the walls of the vessel can sometime also rese...

Shien
Pagoda in Snow
Date: 1930s-1950s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches.
Sealed by the artist.
Print is tipped along its top edge to original holiday card with message inside.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Lake Tanganyika Scene in Watercolor measuring 28”x 33”. More information coming soon

Kawase Hasui
Kiso River (catalog title: Mt. Fuji with Sailboat)
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.875 x 5.375 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's oval seal at lower left.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-1.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese motifs.. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen, is the same generation as many of the better known Imperial Court artists (Kozan, Siefu, Tozan, etc…) and just as accomplished in terms of mastery of technique, level of artistic expression, and volume of pieces produced.

An exceptionally skilled Meiji potter, Chikusen (1854 – 1915) specialized in high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and...

Modern sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Round with deep well, narrow shoulder, and reeded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11742C, and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x D 13 in. Heavy weight: 32 troy ounces. #BY389

Victorian Classical sterling silver picture, ca 1900. Oval window in same surround with plain and flat sides. Front inset with sparkly paste diamonds. Detachable glazed front with bead-and-real border. With silk lining and butler-finished back and hinged easel support. Interlaced script monogram on back. Marked “Sterling”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 4 x W 3 in. Window: H 3 1/4 x W 2 1/8 in. #BY408

Modern sterling silver trompe-l’oeil box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Book-form with curved and raised spine. Front board hinged. Butler-finished edges. Box interior gilt. Untitled with lots of room for engraving. A novelty keepsake receptacle for telling a very personal story. Marked on spine base “Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling 25190”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7 7/8 x W 7 3/8 x D 1 1/4 in. Heavy weight: 36.2 troy ounces. #BY365

Super snazzy sterling silver cocktail shaker. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1929. Gently curved and upward tapering sides and flat cover with same-form finial. Bracket handle. Stubby spout with chained cap. Built-in strainer. A late prohibition-era Art Deco classic. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 21374 (first produced in 1929), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/4 x W 6 3/4 x D 4 1/2 in. Weight: 25.4 troy ounces. #BY310

Midcentury Modern sterling silver tray. Made by S. Kirk & Son in Baltimore. Round with tapering shoulder and flat rectilinear rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1932-61) and no. 4114. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x D 14 in. Heavy weight: 36.7 troy ounces. #BY249

Midcentury Modern sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover has flat top and molded rim. Box interior cedar-lined and partitioned. Cover interior gilt washed. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and postwar pattern no. 24004. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x W 6 1/4 x D 3 7/8 in. Gross weight: 15.8 troy ounces. #BY362

A magnificent oil on canvas color block study circa 1970, done in the time of then Abstract Expressionist period of Art. Unsigned measuring 59” x 41” Please see #3463 for a matching artwork

Chinese porcelain hat stand vase with a hand painted scene of a boy playfully dangling a toy spider in front of his pet cat. Mother and brother are standing nearby watching. Dates early 20th C. Measures 11.5" high x 5" diameter.

Traditional sterling silver tray. Made by Stieff in Baltimore in 1956. Round and plain well and flat rim. Shoulder tapering with repousse floral garland on stippled ground. A nice piece in a regional style. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date letter, no. 200, and phrase “Hand Chased”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x D 14 in. Weight: 34.3 troy ounces. #BY068

Set of 8 American sterling silver mint juleps. Each: Straight and tapering sides, molded mouth rim, and skirted foot. Marked “Sterling / 0040”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 7/8 x D 3 1/4 in. Total weight: 38 troy ounces. #BY287

Edwardian Modern sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Rectangular window in same plain and flat surround; bottom rail canted. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11878, and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 3/4 x W 8 in. Window: H 9 1/4 x W 6 1/2 in. #BY329

Kiyoshi Saito
Maiko
Date: ca. 1960.
Size: Oban. Approximately 17.25 x 11.5 inches.
Pencil signed and sealed by Saito.
Self-published by the artist.
Silver mica is used on the collar.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue. Very faint toning.

Arai Yoshimune
Fishing Boat
Date: 1910s.
An early edition on original card-like paper.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa. From the famous "Night Scenes" series. Hasegawa catalog No. 1245.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

With an uncanny ability to emulate features of the natural environment, the creator of this sake vessel,Tsujimura Yui, is one of Japan’s most skilled potters working in the field today. With a breathtaking ash glaze that appears half planned and half left to the dictates of the kiln, we can see a number of textures and colors that one might encounter in a Zen garden or while hiking along a mountain brook. The front of the vessel is adorned with an “enso,” however, unlike the tr...

Japonesque mixed metal copper tray. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Lobed and rectangular with curved sides. Applied copper and silver ornament: Tree with blossoming branches and sinuous irregular trunk rooted in granulated soil; above a butterfly and bird. Ground engraved with wild grass in foreground and hills in background. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. B75, and date letter. Good condition with some spotting to copper.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 12 x D 9 1/8 in. #BY284

Set of 3 plique à jour enamel and gilt 930 silver open salts. Made by Marius Hammer in Norway, ca 1910. Each: Inspired by Viking longboat with dragonhead stempost and tail sternpost, and rim comprising warrior’s shields. Stylized plant and geometric ornament. Well has radiating guilloche enamel; each in different color (blue, red, and purple). Oval form for stealthy gliding. Fine craftsmanship and rich colors. Beautiful pieces by this maker, who contributed to the revival of Norwegian art and...

Plique à jour enamel and gilt sterling silver bowl. Made by David Andersen in Norway, ca 1925. Inspired by Viking longboat with dragonhead stempost and tail sternpost, and rim comprising warrior’s shields. Stylized plant and geometric ornament. Well has radiating green guilloche enamel. Oval form for stealthy gliding. Fine craftsmanship and rich colors. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 2 5/8 x L 4 7/8 x W 1 1/2 in. #BY199

Japonesque mixed metal napkin ring. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Hand-hammered sterling silver ring applied with cooper ornament: A man in pointy hat is seated on the ground, smoking while a small dog approaches from behind, interrupting the opium-induced serenity. Above is a darting butterfly. Engraved name “Edward Hegeler”. Hegeler (1835-1910) was a German-born American industrialist and publisher. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. 675, and date letter. Very good conditi...

Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Deep and ovoid with reeded and lobed rim. Cast and open fruiting and leafing vine swing handle with central oval cartouche (vacant). Sides open and engraved with same. Well solid. Four leaf-mounted scroll supports. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16202, and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H (with handle) 12 x W 13 x D 8 3/8 in. Weight: 28 troy ounces. #BY224

Neoclassical sterling silver tray, ca 1950. Round with beaded and curvilinear ogee rim. Nice heft with plenty of room for engraving. Marked “Silver / 925 [in oval]”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1/4 x D 12 1/4 in. Weight: 23 troy ounces. #BY064

Tokoname pottery has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Originating in the town of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this pottery tradition has flourished due to the region's abundant red clay deposits. The history of Tokoname pottery can be traced to the 12th century when the art form was greatly influenced by Chinese ceramics, specifically, by the Yixing clay pottery tradition. Over the centuries, Tokoname pottery evolved to develop its unique style characteri...

Traditional sterling silver Revere bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1957. Curved sides, flared rim, and stepped foot. A historic form that can suit many modern uses. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date code, no. 41659, and phrase “P. Revere / Reproduction”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/4 x D 7 3/8 in. Weight: 16.2 troy ounces. #BX518

Art Deco sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved and tapering sides; short and splayed foot. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20024, and director’s letter M (1947-56). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight: 11 troy ounces. #BX497

Stylish and jokey sterling silver cabbage head sauce bowl and ladle. Made by Buccellati in Italy. Domed cover set in bowl, both comprising overlapping leaves with realistic veins and irregularities. Ladle has branch handle and leaf bowl. Clear glass liner. Ladle marked “Buccellati Italy Sterling”. Bowl has post-1967 mark (26 MI) with “Buccellati / Italy / Sterling” and “925 [in oval]”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: Bowl: H 3 1/2 x D 5 1/2 in. Ladle: H 4 1/2 in. Total weight: 12 ...

The term “Raku” was once reserved for a style of pottery produced by a specific household in Kyoto that began over 450 years ago. Over the years, as it gained popularity, several branch kilns were established (Ōhi, Tamamizu) and a number of other lineages arose making pieces in the style of Raku, though they were not formally associated with the Raku household. Today, we see that Raku has become a world-wide phenomena and the name is no longer reserved strictly for the Raku fami...

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be familiar with the traditional storehouses in Japan (kura) with their thick plaster walls used to store valuable items—sometimes for hundreds of years—safe from humid air, insects, and the like. On occession, after the passing of a parent or relative, these storehouses are opened up and the art pieces and valuables inside ar...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Snowy Miyajima
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.75 x 7.75 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Printer: Yokoi. Carver: Harada. This combination of seals indicates an early postwar edition.
Reference: TK-DH-25 in Koitsu catalogue.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has one tape remnant at top right. Slight fading.

A simple silver bangle with niello marked Sterling. The width is a tad over 1/16"~ inner diameter 2-5/8".

Set of 3 plique à jour enamel and gilt 930 silver open salts. Made by Marius Hammer in Norway, ca 1910. Each: Round with curved sides. Well guilloche enamel (two red, one blue). Horse bust side handles. Bands of stylized plant and geometric ornament. Fine craftsmanship and rich colors. In form of Viking kjenge (ale bowl). Beautiful pieces by this maker, who contributed to the revival of Norwegian art and history. Fully marked including maker’s stamp. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 2 1/2...

Edwardian sterling silver porringer with circus motif. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark, ca 1910. Upward tapering sides and molded rim. Solid and waisted handle. Acid-etched procession with piggies, kitties, and doggies as well as elephants and lions in fancy dress. Monkey-supported mirror for engraving the initials of the cutest animal of all. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Bailey, Banks & Biddle) stamps, and no. 1482. Excellent condition with strong definition and deep pat...

Turn-of-the-century sterling silver baby cup rich in period assumptions. Made by William B. Kerr in Newark. Upward tapering sides and scroll handle.

Acid-etched frieze depicting sailor-suited, flag-holding, all-American boy with exotic coevals in native dress relegated to background. Symbolic imagery enhanced with verse: “Little Indian, Sioux or Crow, little frosty Eskimo, little Turk or Japanese—Oh! Don’t you wish that you were me?”

Ahem.

Fully marked including maker's stamp and ...

Edwardian Regency sterling silver coffee set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. This set comprises coffeepot, teapot, creamer, sugar, and waste bowl. Tapering and fluted ovoid bodies. Feet domed. Covers double domed with cast flower basket finial. Handles scroll bracket (coffeepot and teapot stained-wood).

All pieces fully marked including maker’s stamp and pattern nos. 13389 (coffeepot and teapot) and 13889D (creamer, sugar, and waste bowl). Coffeepot has director’s letter C (19...

Plique à jour enamel and gilt sterling silver bowl. Made by David Andersen in Norway, ca 1925. Inspired by Viking longboat with dragonhead stempost and tail sternpost, and rim comprised of warrior’s shields. Oval form for stealthy gliding. Planks with filigree rinceaux. Stylized Arts & Crafts ornament. Translucent green, red, yellow, and purple. Marks include maker’s stamp. Excellent condition with strong and intact color.

Dimensions: H 4 x W 6 5/8 x D 3 1/4 in. #BY195

Kohiki is a traditional Japanese pottery style known for its simple and rustic aesthetic. It involves applying a white slip onto the vessel's surface, followed by a transparent glaze, creating a contrast between the white and exposed clay areas. Kohiki ware is commonly used in tea ceremonies but it can also be found in various other forms. Its humble and understated style, with organic textures and subdued colors, continues to be appreciated by collectors worldwide. Here we see a koh...

A flip calendar with a tiny woodblock print of a torii gate and a litho of The Teahouse Jiji-ga-chaya at Meguro by Hiroshige.
Date: 1934
Overall size: 5.25 x 2.5 inches.
Christmas greeting on back.
Condition: Excellent.

Plique à jour enamel and gilt 930 silver bowl. Made by Marius Hammer in Norway, ca 1910. Round with curved sides. Well green guilloche enamel. Horse bust side handles. Bands of stylized plant and geometric ornament. Fine craftsmanship and rich colors. In form of Viking kjenge (ale bowl). A beautiful piece by Hammer, who contributed to the revival of Norwegian art and history. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/4 x W 6 1/8 x D 4 in. #BY196

Midcentury Modern sterling silver porringer. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round with straight sides, flared rim, and chamfered and tapering solid handle. Frieze with birds, bunnies, and kitties dancing paw in wing. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, postwar pattern no. 25991, and phrase “Hand Chased”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 7/8 x W 6 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 5.5 troy ounces. #BX525

Pair of Edwardian Modern sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1905. Ovoid with faceted upward tapering haft on raised foot. Socket tapering with detachable bobeche. Dramatic ribbing on socket and foot. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and no. A4298. Very good condition with a few pings on shaft and foot.

Dimensions: H 10 3/8 x W 4 7/8 x D 3 5/8 in. Weighted. #BY106

Charles W. Bartlett
Title: Kobe
Date: 1915
Board size: 12 x 8.75 inches. Image size: 10.75 x 7.25 inches.
Medium: Watercolor on paper.
Signed "C.W.B", titled, dated, and dedicated in pencil.
Condition: Painting is laid down to board. Paper toned in places.
Note: As signed, the work was painted in 1915, the year Bartlett arrived in Japan, and was subsequently presented as a Christmas gift in 1936.

Handwoven with delicate precision, this Japanese bamboo ikebana basket showcases the beauty of traditional bamboo weaving and the elegance of classic Chinese design that much of Japanese traditional art is based on. Its sturdy construction and balanced proportions make it perfect for ikebana arrangements, merging floral artistry with cultural aesthetics.

Though little is known about this artisan, I was able to find examples of their work in several high-end Japanese g...

This beautiful painting from late Edo portrays Mount Fuji as a sublime centerpiece, overlooking a serene landscape below. A lush pine forest embraces the foot of the sacred mountain, its deep greens contrasting against the pristine snow-capped peak. A tranquil lake reflects the ethereal beauty of the surroundings, mirroring the image of Fuji and the towering pines. The composition captures the harmonious coexistence of nature's grandeur, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the ...

In the tranquil pond, a solitary turtle finds repose upon a weathered rock. With its ancient shell glistening under the gentle sunlight, it sits in serene contemplation. The stillness of the water mirrors the turtle's quiet presence, as it basks in the harmony of its surroundings. In this harmonious scene, time seems to slow, and the turtle becomes a symbol of patience and tranquility amidst the ever-changing world.

Deep in the water A serene heart resides Floating above it...

Charles W. Bartlett
Fruit Sellers, Madura, India 1923
Date: 1923
Paper size: 12 x 8.75 inches. Image size: 10.75 x 7.25 inches.
Sealed CWB and titled. Signed in pencil and dedicated "Love from the Bartletts".
Medium: Etching hand-colored with watercolor.
Condition: Toned.
Note: This example has a double image.

German Modern 800 silver box, ca 1920. Rectangular with straight sides and crisp corners. Cover hinged with tapering tab; cover top gently curved and inlaid with shagreen in geometric pattern. Cedar-lined interior. Open leather-lined bottom. Marks include maker’s stamp (Wilhelm Binder). Good condition with some wear and rubbing to shagreen.

Dimensions: H 4 x W 7 1/2 x D 5 1/2 in. Gross weight: 28.6 troy ounces. #BX428

American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Rectangular window in plain, flat, and narrow surround. With glass, silk lining, and velvet back and hinged easel support for portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) display. Marked “Sterling / 83”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 10 x W 8 in. Window: H 8 3/4 x W 6 3/4 in. #BT093

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Title: Tokaido Numazu (Numazu, from the Processional Tokaido, a series on the arrival of the 14th shogun)
Date: 1863. First edition.
Size: 14.75 x 10 inches.
Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi (Isekane)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Right margin has holes and pen mark. Light soling.

Art Nouveau sterling silver coffee set. Made by William B. Kerr & Co. in New York, ca 1890. This set comprises 3 pieces: Coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Each: Lobed and globular body. Handles capped and high-looping. Coffeepot has hinged and domed cover with cast leaf finial. Applied iris flowerheads and reeded whiplash tendrils. Fully marked including maker's stamp and no. 486. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: Coffeepot: H 8 3/4 x W 7 x D 4 in. Creamer: H 3 1/2 x W 3 1/4 x D 2 1/2 in. ...

Pair of Francis I sterling silver 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton. Each: Central socket on spool base to which are mounted two reeded wraparound branches, each terminating in single socket. Branches have short leaf and flower band. Branch plug set in socket mounted to baluster shaft; raised foot. Low relief ornament with leaves and fruit and flower clusters. Sockets bellied and shaft and foot fluted. Foot and bobeche rims scrolled. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pat...

Art Deco sterling silver cocktail shaker. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1925. Straight and tapering bowl with curved shoulder, high bracket handle, short neck with overhanging flat-topped cover, and stubby, tapering spout with chained cap. Spare functional design ornamented with tooled bands. Holds three pints of stylish fun. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 20622 (first produced in 1925), and director’s letter m. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 3/4 x W 7 1/2 ...

Fairfax sterling silver coffee and tea set on tray. Made by Durham, which was part of Gorham, in Concord, ca 1926. This set comprises 7 pieces: Hot water kettle on stand, coffeepot, teapot, creamer, sugar, and waste bowl on tray.

Each: Chamfered. Rectilinear and tapering body on same foot. Handles scroll bracket. Covers gently raised with soft faceting (pot covers hinged). Finials chamfered with bead. Spouts faceted except for creamer, which has u-form spout. Tray rectangular with molded rim, ...

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Noh Actor Shigeyama in Green Costume
Date: 1935-36.
Size: Approximately 19.5 x 13.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed "Elizabeth Keith" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Notch in lower margin. Tape residue at left, bottom left, and top back margins.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Spring Evening
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 14.75 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Shotei seal at right.
Reference: Shotei #M-12. Watanabe #212.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue.

Pair of Francis I sterling silver low 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. in 1952. Each: Central socket on bell-form base to which are mounted 2 split-mounted and leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in single socket. Shaft baluster on domed foot. Applied, chased, and engraved ornament with flowers and leaves. Scrolled rims and bobeches. Converts to candlestick. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, pattern name, and no. X571. Very good condition.

Dimensio...

Pair of Francis I sterling silver low 3-light candelabra. Made by Reed & Barton in Taunton, Mass. in 1950. Each: Central socket on bell-form base to which are mounted 2 split-mounted and leaf-wrapped arms, each terminating in single socket. Shaft baluster on domed foot. Applied, chased, and engraved ornament with flowers and leaves. Scrolled rims and bobeches. Converts to candlestick. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, pattern name, and no. X571. Very good condition.

Dimensio...

Charming Edwardian sterling silver picture frame. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Oval window in same flat surround. On front acid-etched daisy chain with dense leaf and flower arrangement; tubular cartouche (vacant). Sides plain with tooled linear borders. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back and hinged easel support. For portrait (vertical) display. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 16401A, and director’s letter m. Excellent condition with strong defin...