Exquisite set of Japanese Dairi bina (hina), the emperor and the empress dolls from early to mid Showa period. This is not a large set of dolls. The measurements of the wood box are 17” wide x 12 3/4” tall x 13 1/2” deep. We should add the approximate sizes of dolls. The label indicates that they are from Matsuzaka-ya, a major department store. Matsuzaka-ya started as a kimono store in late 16th century, pre Edo period. The beautiful details are packed in the small dolls - photos could n...

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

A box for keeping incense – kogo – decorated with a carriage used by court nobles and members of the Imperial family of the past in dense gold dust sprinkle on a black lacquer background. The sky sprinkled with clouds of nashiji. Insides with dense nashiji. The bottom section decorated with a rock surrounded by bamboo in gold togidashi and kao of tea master Hisada Soya. Silver rims.

Tiny signature in gold lacquer on the bottom: Gaho.

The kogo was made for the tea master Hisada So...

A wild boar kōgo by famous Kyoto potter Imai Masayuki 今井政之 (1930-2023). Decoration is a stylized version of the ancient Chinese character for wild boar. Masayuki used his famous inlaid colored clay technique in producing this piece. Imai Masayuki and the late Miyashita Zenji are considered the two masters of the colored clay technique in Japan. Title: Inlaid Zodiac Wild Boar Incense Container (Zōgan kanshi i kōgo 象嵌干支亥香盒) Colored and inlaid stoneware, 3.8 cm high a...

A fine openwork Bamboo Flower Basket, Hanakago by Buseki Suigetsu. A slender and elegant bamboo basket for Ikebana Flower Arrangement made with the hexagonal plating technique called: mutsume ami, using thin strips of madake bamboo. Signed on the bottom: Suigetsu, Buseki Suigetsu. It comes with the Otoshi water container. No box. H 46 cm. Condition: Very good, no brakes. BUSEKI Suigetsu ( Tokyo, 1930-2003)studed under his father Buseki Suishin (1888-1984) which was in the lineage of the great To...

A female dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated ...

A male dancer dressed in massive and splendid Noh attire. The painting is attributed to Iwasa Matabei (1578–1650), a renowned Japanese painter who is often considered originating ukiyo-e genre painting. As is often the case with this artist, these two paintings do not bear his signature or seal, however the depiction of the figures with rich cheeks and long jaws shows typical expression of people of high social rank during medieval periods, which he exaggerated the expression was originated fr...

Antique Japanese “Yogi” bed comforter, hand-spun cotton with "tsutsugaki" paste resist dye in aizome Japanese indigo dye. The design is auspicious symbol, Sho-Chiku-Bai (pine, bamboo, plums). The shoulder and collar areas are accented with "kasuri" cotton. Excellent condition - no holes on the front except one small L shape cut (3/4"x3/4") on the lower area, some repairs on the liner. Cotton wadding was taken out and cleaned (but not washed). Approximately 57" wide x 77" long, ...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of this branch, he is sometimes referred to as Tamam...

Conceived by 20th century master ceramicist Kawai Kanjiro—here an abstract depiction of flowers is used to adorn an exquisite “henko” shaped vase. The glaze used is known as “tetsu-yu” for its use of iron compounds to achieve this distinctive look. Though many pieces by Kanjiro remain today, this exact combination of style, shape, and glazing is uncommon, making this a must-have work for serious collectors. Interestingly, though it may likely not have been intentional, the abstract sym...

A beautiful hand thrown stoneware vase of tapering shape with three very small ears; mottled blue glaze / rubbing eggs glaze creating a stunning effect made by Ito Tosan. Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) or Ito Tozan II (1871-1937). Seal mark underneath reading Tozan, enclosed in the original stamped cotton bag. It comes with a collector box from the 50´s. Late Meiji to Early Showa, 20th cent. H. 26, 5 x Diam 7,5 cm. Condition: Fine. **** Ito Tozan I (1846-1920) started his artistic career as ...

Rare Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Hexagonal Porcelain Jar

This rare blue & white porcelain jar of hexagonal form was made during the 16th Century. It is quite "heavily-potted" and attractively decorated in underglaze blue of good colour. Each of the six sides features a chrysanthemum blossom (the emblem of friendship and representing a life of ease). Around the shoulder is what is possibly a cloud collar (representing long life). As can be seen, on the edges of the sides there is "frit...

Fine & Rare Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Kraak Porcelain Dish

This fine "kraak" porcelain dish was made in the late 16th century, during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty, or possibly slightly later. The dish has a moulded lobed cavetto and is decorated in underglaze blue of good colour. The rare and unusual pattern features a singing bird sitting in a blossoming tree (no such dish with this pattern appears in the "bible" of kraak porcelain, "Kraak Porcelain" by Maura Ri...

Fine Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Brush Washer

This attractive small porcelain jar, a brush washer, was made during the late 15th to early 16th century. It is relatively heavily-potted and decorated in underglaze blue of very good colour with a pattern featuring scrolling lotus blossoms. Both inner and outer surfaces are coated in a thick glaze. The foot and recessed flat base remain unglazed.

Diameter 6.75 cm. A fine example in fine condition. No repair or restoration. ...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Brush Washer (Ex.Lammers Collection)

This attractive small porcelain jar, a brush washer, was made during the Hongzhi reign (1488 - 1505) of the Ming Dynasty. It is relatively heavily-potted and decorated in underglaze blue of good colour in a pattern featuring scrolling lotus blossoms. Both inner and outer surfaces are coated in a finely-crackled glaze. The foot and recessed flat base remain unglazed.

Diameter 6.75 cm. It is in very good condi...

Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Dragon Dish (Ex. Lammers Collection)

This attractive porcelain dish was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. This particular type of ware is referred to as "Zhangzhou" or "Swatow" ware and it was commonly exported around south-east Asia. The underglaze blue decoration is of very good colour. The pattern features a chilong (qilong) dragon in a landscape with three further dragons around the cavetto interspersed with p...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Covered Jar

This attractively-shaped porcelain jar was made during the Wanli reign (1573 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Both jar and cover are decorated in underglaze blue with scrolling floral and lotus patterns, and coated in a silky smooth glaze. The inner surface of the jar is also glazed whereas the underside of the cover and the recessed flat base of the jar remain unglazed revealing the pale porcelain body.

Diameter 11 cm, height 11 cm. C...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl (mark)

This attractive and very interesting blue and white porcelain bowl was made in the 16th century. It is decorated in underglaze blue of very good colour. The centre is decorated with a male figure standing next to a deer. The decoration to the outer wall is quite elaborate and includes a varied landscape, two male figures and one female figure. To the base is a mark (not translated).

Diameter 12 cm. There is no repair or restoration...