Painted lacquerware in Asia is thought to have more than 3,000 years of history; originating in China and then later spreading to South East Asia, Korea, and Japan. One reason this craft has taken centuries to perfect is that the sap of the tree used is highly toxic and irritating to the skin and to the lungs. Even minor contact with the raw materials can cause serious issues, making collecting and refining it quite labor intensive. Additionally, once collected it takes on average 3-5 years for ...

Shin-Bijutsukai Japanese Design Magazine, vol. 28
Compiled by artist Furuya Korin (1875–1910).
A monthly magazine (1902-06) featuring the work of talented design artists.
First published 1905. This Yamada Unsodo-published edition dates to 1906 or later.
Contains 20 full-page, original woodblock-printed designs.
Publisher: Kyoto Unsodo.
Size: 9.5 x 6.5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock-printed book bound with silk ties.
Condition: Some wear at front and back cov...

Children on Stilts in Snow
Artist's seal not read.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: 4.75 x 3.25 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge to original card.
Condition: Excellent.

Ide Gakusui
Bamboo Grove
Size: 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Woodblock print is tipped along its top edge to a blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Dancing Girls Enjoying Cool Breeze On River Kamo
Date: 1919.
Size: Approximately 7 x 4.5 inches.
Hasui signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Yoshusha.
Edition: First.
This marginless print was issued as seen here tipped along its top edge into the 1919 first edition book, "Sights of Old Capital" by Aisaburo Akiyama. The book is included and also contains a Hiroshige woodblock print and a woodblock printed dedication page.
...

European silver ornament, ca 1920. Single plain hollow stem sprouting 3 flowers with ripe, splayed petals and prominent stamen surrounding 3 tight and tall buds. Pretty and hopeful. Appears to be unmarked. Silver tests 800. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 19 3/4 x W 6 X D 6 in. Weight: 4 troy ounces. #BW189

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Snow at Nezu Gongen Shrine
Date: 1933.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left, indicating a lifetime edition produced between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #345.
Condition: Slight toning as seen in margin. Tape residue at top back margin.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Wisteria Garden
Date: 1935. This edition mid-century.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in Japanese in the image. Titled and signed in English at lower margin.
Reference: Abe catalog #199.
Condition: Excellent. Two original pinholes at top margin.

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Bee and Pink Hollyhock
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Chipped corner and light creasing.

Born the second son of Ryônyû, the 10th Raku Kichizaemon Tannyû took over the family kiln in 1811 at the age of 16 and served until his retirement and subsequent handing on of the title of Kichizaemon to his son-in-law Keinyû some 34 years later. Retaining many of the unique stylistic innovations of his father including his clay trimming technique, Tannyû went on to establish several new family kilns and to produce wares for both 10th and 11th Tokugawa Lords. The piece seen here is a classi...

Edwardian Art Nouveau powder jar. Made by Foster & Bailey in Providence, ca 1910. Crystal with curved sides and short inset neck. Cut geometric ornament and stylized flower band; star on underside. Cover sterling silver; top curved with enameled ornament: Pink and blue flowers on radiating white ground bordered by pink guilloche wave ornament. Cover marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 x D 4 1/2 in. #BU315

Edwardian Art Nouveau vanity jar. Made by Foster & Bailey in Providence, ca 1910. Crystal with curved sides and short inset neck. Cut geometric ornament and stylized flower band; star on underside. Cover sterling silver; top curved with enameled ornament: Pink and blue flowers on radiating white ground bordered by pink guilloche wave ornament. Cover marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 x D 2 1/4 in. #BU317

Okuhara Seiko (1837-1918; female)
Cherry Blossoms Under the Full Moon
Date: 1900s-1910s
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Unsigned. Signed examples exist.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Left and right edges bumped.

Turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver loving cup. Made by Frank W. Smith in Gardner, Mass. Curved body with 3 high-looping handles and domed foot. Flower heads clustered at rim under handles. Foot same with openwork. Fresh and voluptuous with plenty of room for engraving. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 1884. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 10 1/4 x W 8 1/4 x D 6 1/4 in. Weight: 31 troy ounces. #BW216

Hiroshi Yoshida
Horse Turnback (Umagaeshi)
Series: Ten Views of Mt. Fuji
Date: 1928.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.25 x 10.5 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image and lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Published by the artist.
Reference: Abe #52.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has light toning and creasing.

Beautiful German sterling silver swan bowl with rare glass liner. A nice-sized bird with twisting s-scroll neck, closed bill, and direct expression. Gently protuberant haunches and webbed feet in glide mode. Fine delineation of feathers from scaly neck to downy wing plumes. Liner is frosted with scalloped rim. Silver marked “Sterling 925 Fine / Germany” with stamp for Israel Freeman & Son Ltd in London. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 1/2 x W 10 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight (silver only): 32 ...

Kawase Hasui
Spring Rain at Gokokuji
Size: Oban. Approximately 16 x 10.75 inches.
Date: 1932.
This edition 1948-50.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Katsumura (same carver as first edition). Printer: Ito.
Doi publisher's watermark at upper left corner margin.
Artist's signature and seal at upper right.
Condition: A surface dot on the base of the lantern. A few light margin creases. Back top corners have two small bits of paper residue.
- A wonderful e...

Large Georgian-style sterling silver serving tray. Made by Frank W. Smith in Gardner, Mass. Round with molded curvilinear ogee-arch piecrust rim. A nice traditional piece in the aptly named Chippendale pattern. This maker active until 1958. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern name, and no. 218. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 16 in. Weight: 42.5 troy ounces. #BR827