Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Iris
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Wisteria
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower right.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Fukayama Tsuji
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 16 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal upper left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Bamboo
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Pair of German 800 silver pheasants, ca 1920. A rooster and hen, each with hinged wings, long overlapping tails, closed beak, and wary stare. An on-guard couple standing on scaly talons, ready to take flight if the party talk turns dull. Heads detachable for hiding a secret stash of treats or booze. Hanau maker’s marks (Vereinigte Silberwarenfabriken). Very good condition.

Overall dimensions: Rooster: H 8 1/2 x L 19 3/8 x W 4 3/8 in. Wingspan: 7 1/4 in. Hen: H 9 x L 18 3/4 x W 4 1/2 in. Wing...

German 800 silver figural stirrup cup, ca 1910. Cast boar head with flexed-back ears, fierce eyes, funny snout, and fearsome teeth and tusks. Bowl straight and tapering with tooled bands; gilt-washed interior. Marked. Very good condition with nice patina.

Pocket-sized dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 1 7/8 in. Heavy weight: 5 troy ounces. #BZ597

French Art Deco 950 silver box, ca 1920. Round and flat. Concentric engine turned ornament with engraved flowers on top center and patera on bottom center. Gilt interior. Sweet and pretty. Marked. Very good condition with some handling wear.

Pocket-sized dimensions: H 3/4 x D 2 1/8 in. Weight: 2.2 troy ounces. #BZ625

German 800 silver lady’s shoe, ca 1920. Plain sole and low heel, and loose-mounted c-scroll strap. Chased leafing and flowering scrolls on stippled ground. Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 5/8 x L 7 3/4 x W 2 3/8 in. Heavy weight: 6.8 troy ounces. #BZ641

Set of 6 Belle Epoque cast 950 silver candlesticks in Louis XVI style, ca 1910. Made by J. Gruhier in France, ca 1910. Each: Spool socket with stepped and detachable bobeche. Tapering paneled shaft with stippled and elongated egg-and-dart; domed foot on octagonal base. Gadrooning and reeding. Substantial and elegant. Fully marked including Minerva head and maker’s stamp. Five have retailer’s stamp for Boin-Taburet, a Paris firm associated with adapting and reproducing historic French wares. ...

Woman in Snow with Umbrella and Lantern
Artist: Unsigned.
Date: 1930s or earlier.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Small raised bump at lower left.

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.

Ide Gakusui
Plum Tree
Size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.825 inches.
Date: 1950s-60s.
Gakusui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Woodblock print is tipped along its top edge only to original 7 x 4.5-inch blank card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Takahashi Shotei
Night Scene of Mabashi, near Tokyo
(This smaller unsealed print is clearly based on the above Shotei chuban design.)
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: 5.75 x 3.625 inches
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge only to original blank card (7 x 4.625 inches).
Condition: Excellent.

German 800 silver figural wedding cup, ca 1920. A Baroque dame with snug-fitting bodice and wide and raised lace collar holds aloft scrolled-brackets with swing-mounted double-domed lobed and garlanded bowl. Second larger bowl in form of conical skirt with patterned fabrics and delineated folds and hang. Ornament chased and engraved. Hanau maker’s mark (Neresheimer). Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H 13 7/8 x W 5 5/8 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 19.8 troy ounces. #BZ592

Art Nouveau glass perfume with engraved silver overlay. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1900. Globular with short neck and everted rim in silver collar; ball stopper. Overlay in open stylized pattern with leafing tendrils and interlaced and whiplash scrolls; heraldic cartouche engraved with interlaced script monogram. Glass is red. Silver has Gorham maker’s stamp and no. D942. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 3/4 x D 4 in. #BZ505

Pair of Chinese export silver vases, ca 1910. Each: Flat and round moon body on domed foot; animal-head handles mounted to shoulder. On front and back is chased dragon—a horned and taloned serpentine serpent on hand-hammered ground. Marked Wang Hing & Co., an early 20th-century retailer active in Canton and Hong Kong. Very good condition. Handwork visible on foot underside.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x W 3 1/2 x D 2 in. Total weight: 7.5 troy ounces. #BY228

German Rococo 800 silver casket, ca 1900. Rectangular with straight sides and sharp corners. Cover hinged with curved top. Chased scenes of frolicking cherubs in nature. Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x W 2 1/2 x D 1 3/8 in. Weight: 1.8 troy ounces. #BZ624

German 800 silver figural bird bowl, ca 1910. A big beautiful swan with graceful downturned neck terminating in closed and tapering bill. Fan-shaped tail and hinged wings ready to spread for taking flight if the party chat gets too dull. Finely chased and engraved feathering from dense and imbricated to fluffy and plumy, and tucked-up taloned and webbed feet. Capacious hollow body for holding treats or flowers. Marks include maker’s (Friedrich Reusswig) and Munich retailer’s stamp (Rosenau) ...

After Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795)
Carp and Pine
Date: ca 1910s-30s.
Size: 5.375 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top margin thinning.

Austrian Biedermeier silver gilt casket, 1846. Bellied, lobed, and rectangular. Hinged cover same and concave with raised center and swing-mounted scroll bracket cast handle with flowers. Hardstone mounts including porphyry and lapis lazuli as well as cabochon jewels. On front two turquoise cabochon beads of which one a push button for opening cover. At ends carved intaglio heads, one a Classical soldier and the other a philosopher. Corner paw supports. On exterior the gilding is deeply toned; ...

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

Pair of Antique Russian Classical Silver Candlesticks, ca 1888. Each: Round socket; flared rim mounted with pierced and scalloped border. Baluster spool socket with floral garland knop and leaf flanges on domed foot mounted to square base. Chased and tooled leaf-and-dart ornament. Marks include assayer’s stamp (Josef Sosnkowski) dated 1888, city stamp (St Petersburg), and 84 alloy stamp (that is, 84/96 or 875 silver). Very good condition.

Dimensions (taller): H 14 x W 4 5/8 x D 4 5/8 in. To...

Ito Nisaburo
The Inns at Arima Hot Spring
Date: 1950s
Size: 18 x 11.5 inches. Full margins (shown in additional photos).
Publisher: Uchida Woodblock Printing Co., Ltd.
Artist's seal and publisher's seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Removed from original folder.

Pair of Chinese export silver mustard pots, ca 1890. Each: Cylindrical with fixed and entwined ratan-style handle; cover chained with inset and engraved diaper top. Applied wraparound horned and taloned dragon. For piquant condiments. Marks include stamp for Tien Shing, who was active in Hong Kong in the third-quarter of the 19th century. Very good condition. One pot has a detachable clear glass liner.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x D 1 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.3 troy ounces. #BZ583

German 800 silver cow creamer, ca 1910. A sweet beast with flexed ears, stubby horns, and slightly agape mouth spout. A stocky body with spindly legs and firmly planted hooves; flicked-back tail handle and hinged flap for refills. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 x L 5 3/4 x W 1 7/8 in. Weight: 5.3 troy ounces. #BZ349

Pair of Belle Epoque Classical 950 silver gravy boats. Made by Odiot in France, ca 1900. Each: Ovoid with u-form end spouts and raised oval foot mounted to Oval shaped stand. Molded rims. Bowl sides have applied cast leafing scrollwork and stand rim interspersed with leaf-mounted scallop shells. With liner. Fully marked including Minerva head, maker’s stamp, and nos. 178 (stand) and 4122 (liner). Very good condition with nice patina.

Overall dimensions: H 5 x L 9 7/8 x W 6 in. Total weight: ...

Set of 6 Japanese silver shot glasses. Each: Straight and tapering sides; applied horned and taloned dragon. For the strong stuff. Unmarked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 5/8 x D 1 3/8 in. Total weight: 5 troy ounces. #BY231

Artist's gourd-shaped seal unread.
Lighthouse
Size: 16.2 x 11.8 cm. 6.5 x 4.875 inches.
Date: ca 1900s.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Mark in right sky. Paper residue at top back corners.
Note: We could find no other example of this design.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Crows on a Cold Night
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 7.125 x 4.875 inches.
Shotei seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: S-19. Watanabe #173
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tiny lower left margin corner bend.

Pair of German silver birds, ca 1920. A rooster and hen with downturned wings and flamboyant flouncy tails. The rooster has a shaggy crown and raised talon and looks down while the hen, who has a small trim crown and scaly wattles, looks up. Cawing beaks suggest a barnyard tiff. Marked. Very good condition Gilt wash traces.

Dimensions: Rooster: H 6 x L 6 1/2 x W 2 1/2 in. Hen: H 4 3/4 x L 6 3/4 x W 2 1/2 in. Total weight: 10.6 troy ounces. #BZ417

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kitano
Size: 5.625 x 3.625 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Takemura seal at lower left.
Date: 1930s.
Koitsu's Shinsei seal at lower right.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-120.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Rough left margin.
Note: Unlike the catalog example, this one is titled in the image.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Konjikido Hall (Golden Hall), Chusonji Temple
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Takemura seal at left.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-139.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Hole in tree near upper right margin.
Note: Similar to a Hasui scene of this temple.

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...

Classical coin silver basket. Made by Haddock, Lincoln & Foss in Boston, ca 1860. Round and curved with four cast leaf-mounted leaf supports. Beaded mouth rim and c-scroll swing handle. Marked with maker’s stamp. Very good condition with nice patina.

Dimensions: H (without handle) 3 3/8 x D 5 in. H (with handle) 6 3/8 in. Weight: 8.2 troy ounces. #BZ390

We are delighted to present to you this remarkable pair of candlesticks in the shape of Athenian women, real jewels inspired by the drawings of the illustrious artist Jean-Charles Delafosse. These 18th century candlesticks harmoniously combine functionality and aesthetics, offering a unique experience. Each candle holder, in addition to being a magnificent candle holder, is also a refined perfume burner. The combination of these two functions makes them versatile and elegant pieces, bringing a ...

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.

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.

Koichi Okumura (1904 ~ 1974)
Red Mt. Fuji from Shojin Lake
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10 inches.
Date: 1948. First edition.
Publisher: Unsodo.
Carver: Nagashima. Printer: Shinmi.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Ishiwata Koitsu (aka. Yoshimi) (1897-1987)
Water Wheel in Snow
Date: 1930s. Early postwar edition.
Print size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher:Watanabe Shozaburo.
Koitsu's "Yoshimi" signature at lower right.
Medium: Woodblock print attached top edge only to a holiday card from Japanese and US representatives.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Drum form with spread base; cover raised. Cast egg-and-dart and floral rims. Heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath on cover top and body. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe from the Ancien Regime do-over years. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 1819. Very good condition with nice toning.

Dimensions: H 2 1/4 x D 1 5/8 i...

Kawase Hasui
Enoshima at Night
Date: 1930s.
This is a late edition (post-1989) printed from the original blocks.
Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe.
Artist's oval seal at lower right.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-23.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Pinebeach at Miho
Date: 1930s.
Print sze: Koban. Approximately 5.875 x 4 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso bottom margin.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-9
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back corners have paper residue.

Shoda Koho
Moonlit Sea with Clouds - Sepia version
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.875 x 7.125 inches.
Date: 1910-1938.
Koho seal at lower left.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro/Nishinomiya Yosaku
An early marginless edition as originally issued.
"Made in Japan" stamped on bottom left verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has adhesive residue. A few spots in upper sky.
Note: Examples of thi...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Lake Yamanaka
Date: 1939.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Doi watermark upper right corner.
Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
This seal combination indicates a 1950-62 edition.
Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-54.
Condition: Slight fading. Very light creasing.

Classical silver butter dish. Made by Vilhelm Christensen in Copenhagen in 1890. Globular; cover hinged side disc and barbell mounts. Cast double-scroll mounted brackets for tongs and four lion head monopodium supports. Engraved fretwork and stylized pendant flowers. Danish restraint from the perfervid fin-de-siecle. Three-letter script monogram engraved on underside. Marked with maker’s stamp, assayer’s stamp (Simon Groth), and Copenhagen Three Tower mark dated 1890. Very good condition. La...

Tokuriki Tomikichiro
Sanjo Bridge
Date: Likely 1940s-50s.
Size: Tanzaku (pillar) 14.25 x 3 inches.
Signed "Tomi" at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print on decorative board as originally issued.
Condition: Slight toning near bottom.
Note: This is the only example of this wonderful design that we could locate.

Takashi Nakazato is a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist whose family's mastery of pottery now spans 14 generations. Born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture in 1937, Nakazato inherited a rich legacy of craftsmanship dating back over 400 years. He trained extensively in traditional ceramic techniques under his father, and later pursued further studies at the Kyoto City Arts and Crafts Institute. Nakazato's work is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of Karatsu-ware, known for its earthy tones an...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

Japanese Mugiwara pottery emerged in the Mino region of Japan during the Momoyama period in the late 16th century. It is renowned for its distinctive straw-rope patterns etched into or painted on its surfaces that typically contains hues of indigo, mustard, hazel, ochre, and sometimes greens. The creation of Mugiwara pottery involves a process of hand-building or wheel-throwing clay pieces—typically serving dishes, vases, and teaware items—and then meticulously applying a straw-r...

Not to be confused with the Olympic medalist, this Tomita Hiroyuki (b. 1977) is a talented potter pushing the bounds of an otherwise conservative field where many ceramic forms are carried forward for centuries and sometimes millennia. Beginning his artistic endeavors in the field of metal casting, he soon met and became a student to Ijuin Mariko who introduced him to the world of ceramics. In 2007 he opened his own workshop and since that time he has been actively creating and exhib...

Japanese Jubako, traditional stacked lacquerware food boxes, represent not only culinary refinement but also an important aspect of Japanese food culture. These elegantly tiered containers, often adorned with intricate designs and vibrant colors, are integral to the presentation of special occasion meals such as New Year’s celebrations and formal picnics. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Jubako boxes like the one featured here showcase the artistry of Japanese lacquerwa...

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and showcasing a soft and gracefully executed red glaze, this Raku tea bowl exudes a sense of ease, tenderness, and tranquility. Adorned with subtle crackling patterns and variations in texture, the tea bowl's surface adds to its unique and organic feel. Made by one of the true veterans of Japanese pottery, these are some of the finest Raku tea bowls you will find in all of Japan.

Sugimoto (b. 1935) is one of the most important...

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...

Japanese bamboo crafting, known as "Takezaiku," is a traditional art form that involves the skilled manipulation of bamboo to create various functional and decorative objects. Craftsmen trained in this art carefully select bamboo of appropriate size and quality, then use specialized tools to cut, shape, and join the bamboo pieces. Techniques such as splitting, bending, weaving, and binding are employed to achieve intricate designs and durable structures. Bamboo crafting encompasses a...

This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

Ota Shumin (1884-1950, Japanese)
Boats on River (given title).
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. 17.25 x 12.625 inches.
Signed "Shumin" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Tonal difference at edges where formerly matted. Light creasing visible in side light.
Note: Shumin participated in a painting event at the 1936 Olympics.

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Rectangular with straight sides and leaf-and-dart base rim. Cover flat and hinged with same as well as leaf-and-flower border. Cover top has central heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath; leaf and flower border. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe from the Ancien Regime do-over years. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 18...

Restauration Classical silver gilt box. Made by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot in Paris, ca 1820. Rectangular with straight sides and leaf-and-dart base rim. Cover flat and hinged with same as well as leaf-and-flower border. Cover top has central heart engraved with single script letter monogram set in flower wreath; leaf and flower border. Sumptuous Return-of-the-Bourbons luxe. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and the fineness (950) stamp instituted in 1819. Very good condition with nice ton...

Set of 6 German 800 silver figural open salts, ca 1920. Each: A swan with erect neck and down-turned bill and pointy tail; body hollow. With fluted and scalloped frosted glass liner. Fully marked including maker’s stamp attributable to Martin Mayer. Numbered 2 (1), 42 (2), and 88 (3). Very good condition. One liner has bottom crack.

Dimensions: H 2 x L 2 1/4 x W 1 1/4 in. Total weight (silver only): 2.5 troy ounces. #BZ325