Urushibara Mokuchu (Yoshijiro) (1888-1953)
Horse (Facing Upward)
Date: ca. 1940s.
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.75 x 10.75 inches.
Signed "Y. Urushibara" in pencil.
Sealed "Mokuchu".
Round watermark at top margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Removed from original folder.

Katsuhira Tokushi (1904-1971)
Rice Bales (Fumidawara)
Date: 1932
Bears the round "Toku" seal.
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Unframed.
Katsuhira Tokushi was a true folk artist, as he grew up in rural Akita Prefecture without encountering other artists and their work.

Katsuhira Tokushi (1904-1971)
Snow Hut (Yuki Muro)
Date: 1932
Bears the round "Toku" seal. Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Condition: Excellent. Unframed.
Katsuhira Tokushi was a true folk artist, as he grew up in rural Akita Prefecture without encountering other artists and their work.

Elizabeth II sterling silver serving tray. Made by Edward Viner in Sheffield in 1960. Round with well and molded and gently scrolled rim. Pretty and old fashioned. Fully marked. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x D 14 1/2 in. Weight: 33 troy ounces. #BU963

Danish Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and raised with flat border. Square corner supports. Fully marked including maker’s (1945-77) and designer’s (Harald Nielsen) stamps, and no. 827. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 7/8 x W 8 1/8 x D 3 1/2 in. Heavy weight: 17.5 troy ounces. #BZ773

Edwardian Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Oval body on raised round foot. High-looping handle and helmet mouth. Chased oval frame with palmettes and acanthus leaves. Bead-and-reel border. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14068, director’s letter C (1902-7), and volume 4 3/4 pts. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 11 3/8 x W 7 3/4 x D 4 3/4 in. Weight: 31.5 troy ounces. #BX005

George III sterling silver salver. Made by Robert Rew in London in 1769. Round and ogee well with engraved armorial in floral surround. Sides tapering, and rim scrolled and gadrooned. Four leaf-capped volute scrolls. Stylish midcentury Georgian. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Large dimensions: H 1 3/4 x D 15 in. Weight: 48 troy ounces. #BT951

Pair of sterling silver jokey button-form cufflinks. Each: Round with 4 central holes threaded with 18k gold. Marked “Tiffany & Co. 925-750”. Excellent condition with nice patina.

Diameter: 3/4 in. Total weight: 7.6 dwt. #1198

Super luxurious Modern sterling silver colander. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Round bowl with two bracket side handles and 3 scrolled supports. Four pierced stars. A practical kitchen accessory wrought in precious metal. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp and phrase “Hand-Made”. Excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 6 1/2 x W 14 x D 10 1/2 in. Weight: 45 troy ounces. #BY860

Victorian Modern sterling silver cigar box. Made by Joseph Braham in London in 1897. Rectangular with straight sides. Flat top with double hinged end covers. Center has scroll bracket handle; open rectangles at ends inset with detachable cutters. Also, detachable lighter and strike. Interior cedar lined and partitioned. Box underside leather lined. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 3/4 x W 9 1/8 x D 6 3/4 in. Heavy gross weight: 40.4 troy ounces. #BW977

Pretty Victorian sterling silver tray. Made by Theodore B. Starr in New York, ca 1890. Round with deep well. Applied cast rim with leafing scrollwork and flowers. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 3868X. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x D 14 3/8 in. Weight: 26.3 troy ounces. #BY101

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Asakusa Temple (Sensoji) Main Gate
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal lower right.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.625 inches.
Title and Koitsu's Kiyoshi seal at left.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-136.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Amano Kaguyama
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal lower right.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Title and Koitsu's Shinsei seal at left.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-134.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print. Print is attached along top edge only to original greeting card.
Condition: Card is discolored which has resulted in toning below the peak of the mountain (see enlargement 3).
Notes: Listed as very rare in Koitsu catalo...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-140.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent

Pair of English Retro Deco sterling silver wine coolers, 2014. Each: Chamfered and tapering bowl; stained-wood side handles with stepped sterling silver mounts. Tapering and stepped support mounted to chamfered square base. All planes and angles for holding a round bottle. Super stylish style-of barware. Fully marked including unidentified maker’s stamp (R&SN) and London assay stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 3/8 x W 8 5/8 x D 7 1/2 in. Heavy gross weight: 170 troy ounces. #BZ651...

Elizabeth II sterling silver salver tray. Made by Pinder Bros in Sheffield in 1955. Square cartouche with curvilinear corners and molded rim. Corner leaf-capped volute scroll supports. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 15 x 15 in. Heavy weight: 52 troy ounces. #BW555

Set of 10 Art Deco sterling silver cocktail cups. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1915. Each: Cone on baluster mounted to round foot. Spare and functional. Nice balance for swishing the booze around. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18885 (first produced in 1915) and director’s letter m. Seven have order no. 547 and three no. 9. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/8 x D 2 1/2 in. Total weight: 29 troy ounces. #BZ327

Chrysanthemum sterling silver dinner set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1890.

This set comprises 145 pieces (dimensions in inches): Forks: 24 dinner forks (7 1/2), 12 salad/terrapin forks (6 3/8), 12 seafood forks (6), and 12 ice cream forks (5 5/8); Spoons: 10 teaspoons (5 5/8), 12 round gumbo spoons (7 3/4), 12 bouillon spoons (5 1/2), 10 grapefruit spoons (5 3/4), and 6 tablespoons (8 1/4); Knives: 12 dinner knives (10 1/8), 12 lunch knives (8 7/8), and 11 butter spreaders (5 3/4).

Turn-of-the-century Classical sterling silver trophy cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Ovoid body, flared mouth, and c-scroll handles with realistic leaf and bud mounts. Spread foot has same applied to four supports. Interior has gilt wash. A fine design with lots of room for engraving. Fully marked including pattern no. 14417 (first produced in 1900) and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x W 10 1/2 x D 6 1/2 in. Heavy weight: 54.4 troy ounces. #...

First presented at the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition, this fine mizusashi crafted with extraordinary precision is a testament to the generational knowledge, skill, and dedication of one of Japan’s top traditional craftsman. Its tapered polished sides have a beautiful texture and luster that compliment perfectly with the hand-crafted custom lid adorning the top. Truly an exceptional artwork fused with the aesthetics of tea culture that gives it a sense of stability, calm, a...

Pair of Victorian Georgian sterling silver serving trays. Made by William Ker Reid in London in 1846. Each: Serpentine and gadrooned with oval well. On shoulder engraved armorial with lion rampant and Latin motto “Vive Ut Vivas” (Live That You May Live). Sturdy with nice heft and balance. Fine examples of the enduring popularity of 18th-century design well into the reign of the young queen. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 x W 13 1/4 x D 9 3/8 in. Heavy total weight: 68.8...

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

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.

Very desirable sterling silver pea server in Vine. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Tapering handle with loosely arranged wraparound pea pod vine on tapering stem. Round bowl with pierced ornament in same motif. A beautiful conflation of symbolism and function. Interlaced script monogram engraved on verso. This pattern is commonly known as Fruits and Flowers, and was in production from 1872 to before 1904. Illustrated in: Hood. Tiffany Silver Flatware, 1999, p. 143. Fully marked. Very good con...

Large brilliant-cut jar with sterling silver cover. Made by Watson Co. in Attleboro, Mass., ca 1900. Round and curved with stars, ferns, and diaper. Cover gently raised; on top repousse shell, scroll, and flower wreath (vacant center). Cover interior gilt washed. Marked "Sterling" and maker’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 5 1/2 in. Weight (silver only): 2.5 troy ounces. #BY114

Traditional sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1938. Gently curved body with helmet mouth, high-looping handle, and round and stepped foot. Ample with nice heft. Holds 4 1/2 pints. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 22625 (first produced in 1938), director’s letter m (1907-47), and volume. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 1/2 x W 8 3/4 x D 5 1/4 in. Weight: 32.7 troy ounces. #BZ758

Exotic sterling silver 3-piece Turkish coffee set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Coffeepot: Upward tapering neck and round bowl.

Ovoid ball cover hinged-mounted to c-scroll handle applied with ribbed thumb rest; vertical scrolled spout. Creamer: Ovoid with high-looping handle and helmet mouth. Sugar: Round and tapering bowl with c-scroll side handles; cover domed with cast slightly anthropomorphic scroll finial. Acid-etched orname...

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Spring Night, Ginza
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1934. This edition post-1989 from the original blocks.
Publisher: S. Watanabe. Red seal at left margin. Round seal in lower right corner of image.
Artist's signature and seal in image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Traditional sterling silver coffee set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1925. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Curved and tapering bodies on round and stepped foot. Covers raised with vasiform finial and handles high-looping. Coffeepot finial and handle stained wood. Coffeepot has vertical s-spout and creamer has lip spout. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern nos. 20638 (coffeepot and creamer) and 20639 (sugar), and director’s letter m. Both patterns first pr...

Victorian Neoclassical sterling silver epergne. Made by Charles Stuart Harris in London in 1895. Central oval frame with pendant leaf garland threaded through fixed rings and supporting oval medallions with amphorae applied to stippled ground. Frame rests on 4 leaf-capped and scrolled supports terminating in pierced leaf feet. Shaft is reeded and has applied leaf garland with paterae mounts, and supports large boat-form basket. Eight leaf-capped and scrolled arms, each terminating in single b...

Pair of Modern 14k gold clip-on earrings. Each: Strands comprising rope and beads forming semi-abstract scrolled leaf. Snazzy Midcentury style. United States, ca 1960s. Marked. Very good condition with nice finish.

Dimensions: H 1/2 x L 1 1/4 x W 7/8 in. Total weight: 12.8 DWT (20 g). #1145

Victorian Modern sterling silver and glass decanter. Made by Edgar Finley & Hugh Taylor in Birmingham in 1884. Clear glass cylinder on round and spread base. Flat girdle with applied chevron and stud. Rim collar same with triangular spout. Cover hinged with canted sides and ball finial. Mortis and tenon-style bracket handle. Very good design. Fully marked. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 9 3/8 x W 6 7/8 x D 4 3/8 in. #BS955

Set of 12 Modern sterling silver place card holders. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Each: Folded disc with turned down front mounted to round base. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 1 x D 3/8 in. Total weight: 3 troy ounces. #BZ695

American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany in New York, ca 1965. Bowl has curved sides and straight circular foot. Spare historic design that works equally well in Modern interiors. Hallmark includes pattern no. 19750 and phrase: Reproduction / Original by / Joseph Conyers / Boston / about 1700. Fine condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 9 in. Weight: 22.5 troy ounces. #BQ855

American Colonial sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany in New York, ca 1920. Bowl has curved sides and straight circular foot. Spare historic design that works equally well in Modern interiors. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 19750 (first produced in 1920), and director’s letter m as well as phrase: “Reproduction / Original by / Joseph Conyers / Boston / about 1700”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x D 9 in. Weight: 24 troy ounces. #BV648

Artist: Yamamoto (seal)
Gotemba in Snow
Bears artist's seal.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Bears round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930s. Collected after WWII but very likely from Takemura's pre-war stock.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Tipped at top to original greeting card.
Condition: Print is very good. Card is discolored.

Pair of Modern Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Roger Williams Silver Co. (later part of Gorham) in Providence, ca 1900. Each: Bellied socket with round detachable bobeche; tapering shaft on raised foot. Beaded and faceted. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 4520. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 7/8 x W 4 1/2 x D 4 in. Total weight:15.5 troy ounces. #BY459

Pair of Modern Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Roger Williams Silver Co. (later part of Gorham) in Providence, ca 1900. Each: Bellied socket with round detachable bobeche; tapering shaft on raised foot. Beaded and faceted. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 4520. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 9 7/8 x W 4 1/2 x D 4 in. Total weight: 15.7 troy ounces. #BY460

Set of 4 George II cast sterling silver candlesticks. Made by James Morison in London in 1756. Each: Spool socket with detachable bobeche and round bowl on knopped and flanged half-fluted shaft; raised foot on curvilinear six-shell base with engraved coat of arms. Stylish midcentury Georgian. Fully marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 9 1/4 x W 5 1/8 x D 4 1/8 in. Total weight: 64 troy ounces. #BY116

Created by Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Bizen pieces like the one seen here originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and have a long history that is closely intertwined with that of tea culture. Known for employing a natural-ash glazing techniques that require extremely long firing times (7-14 days) at very high temperatures, constant attention is required to ensure good results. Here Isezaki can be seen pushing the bounds of tradition Bizen orthodoxies in interesting and creative wa...

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...

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Shirahone Hot Spring in Shinshu
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1935. This edition post-1989 from the original blocks.
Publisher: S. Watanabe. Red seal at left margin along with printer's seal. Watanabe round seal in lower left corner of image.
Artist's signature and seal in image.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Splashed across a beautifully textured backdrop of shimmering black, the willow leaves painted in silver bring with them a sense of calm and contemplation. Generously proportioned though not too heavy in the hand, the wide base ensures stability while the upward curvature of the sides breaks with convention and offers a unique and decidedly modern flair.

Born in Kyoto as the 4th son of a famous lacquer artist named Shogo, Banura Shiro (1941-2001) followed suit and went i...

Set of 6 Edwardian Regency sterling silver demitasse holders and saucers. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1914. Each holder: Tapering bowl with open bottom, high-looping capped handle, and raised and spread foot. Each saucer: Round with well and wide and tapering shoulder. Engraved ornamental bands with vases in beaded rondels joined by scrollwork between dentil borders. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 18705E (first produced in 1914), and director’s letter m. Very goo...

Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Sotirio Bulgari in London in 1989. Tapering bowl with faceted and flared rim and gilt interior; short cylindrical stem and round foot with reeded rim. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (“Bulgari”) stamps, and no. BA2633. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.7 troy ounces. #BZ731

Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by Sotirio Bulgari in London in 1989 Tapering bowl with faceted and flared rim and gilt interior; short cylindrical stem and round foot with reeded rim. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (“Bulgari”) stamps, and no. BA2630. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.6 troy ounces. #BZ730

Large Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Meriden Britannia (part of International) in Connecticut, ca 1910. Wide and shaped mouth and cylindrical body flowing into round foot. Hinged c-scroll handle. Pierced and engraved ornament, including flowers, leaves, and garlands. Reeding. Armorial frames on front and back engraved with interlaced script monogram. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 920. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H (with handle) 23 x W 16 x D 9 in. W...

Modern sterling silver box. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Rectangular; straight sides bisected by wraparound rectilinear band. Corner bracket supports. Cover flat and hinged with stepped rim. Midcentury Danish design by Harald Nielsen. Fully marked including Georg Jensen & Wendel maker’s stamp (ca 1945-51), which was limited to wares sold in Copenhagen, and designer’s stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/2 x W 6 1/4 x D 3 1/4 in. Weight: 15 troy ounces. #BZ775

American Modern sterling silver and glass inkwell on stand, ca 1920. Lobed melon-form glass bowl; sterling silver cover domed with overlapping ovoid ring finial. Stand has well and large lobing. Cover interior numbered 38. Stand and cover marked “Sterling”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3 3/4 x D 4 3/4 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.3 troy ounces. #BY033

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Twilight at Hira
Date: 1936.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition. First. Watanabe D seal at right margin (used 1931-41).
Artist's signature and seal at lower right.
Reference: Koitsu catalog TK-DH-18.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: TK-WN-7 in Koitsu catalog.
Condition: Print is fully adhered to slightly larger board. Two marks above boat. Slight soling in sky. Fr...

Traditional sterling silver Revere bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1945. 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: 18 troy ounces. #BZ364

In Japan, famous for its generational potting families, only a handful have made it all the way through to the 14th generation—the Nakazato line being one of them with over 400 years of history. Handcrafted by the current 14th potter in the renowned Karatsu tradition, this piece displays subtle, earthy tones and organic textures reminiscent of nature. Blending elements seamlessly, a canvas is created that complements the beauty of the floral elements in glossy contrast across the s...

American Edwardian sterling silver figural letter opener, ca 1910. Cast terminal in form of gaunt face surrounded by feather headdress. Neckcloth spills over onto round frame (vacant). Back plain. A nice piece of turn-of-the-century Native Americana. Marked “Sterling / 97”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 5/8 x W 2 1/8 x D 3/4 in. Heavy weight: 6.4 troy ounces. #BZ429

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaze covers the curves and contours of the bowl, contrasting dramatically between the foot and the clay body. Hagi-ware such as this is part of a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, ...

Pair of Danish Modern sterling silver compotes. Made by Poul Petersen in Canada, ca 1940. Each: Lilypad bowl with lobed rim and upturned back; flying c-scroll handle with applied tendril and grape bunch. Open support comprising large vertical leaves and turned-down small leaves; domed foot. Visible hand hammering. A great piece by the legendary Danish-born silversmith who was Georg Jensen’s apprentice and son-in-law. He married the boss’ daughter Inger in 1922. The couple emigrated to Canada...

Using local materials and traditional methods, the creator of this work Masahiko Imanishi, has brought a distinctively modern interpretation to the classical form of the tsutsu chawan. At the same time, he somehow manages to maintain the simple rusticity that Tanba-ware is renowned for. Stretching back over 800 years, Tanba is counted as one of Japan’s 6 ancient kiln sites and is known for making large pots with red ferrous clay and natural ash glazes with a distinctive greenish tinge. More re...

Pair of Danish Modern sterling silver compotes. Made by Poul Petersen in Canada, ca 1940. Each: Lilypad bowl with lobed rim and upturned back; flying c-scroll handle with split bud mounts and bud and seed terminal. Open support comprising large vertical leaves and turned-down grape bunches; domed foot. Visible hand hammering. A great piece by the legendary Danish-born silversmith who was Georg Jensen’s apprentice and son-in-law. He married the boss’ daughter Inger in 1922. The couple emigrat...

George V sterling silver salver. Made by Collingwood & Sons in Sheffield in 1937. Round with molded curvilinear piecrust rim; 3 hoof supports. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: H 3/4 x W 10 3/8 x D 10 in. Weight: 17 troy ounces. #BZ603

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Originally crafted as a tokkuri, or sake flask, it was recovered from the estate of a tea-practitioner who reportedly cherished it as a vase that would hold colorful flowers and various grasses throughout the seasons.

Thanks to the dedication and passion of a researcher by the name of Katsura Matasaburo (1901-1986) we can be assured that this vase is a...

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can incorporate centuries of experiential knowledge and technique into producing new and interesting forms are oh so valued. Though this Bizen jar fits into the category of mizusashi, a vessel central to tea ceremony that holds fresh water, it seems to transcend this narrow category and stands as an independent art object all its own....