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...

Currently in its 5th generation, the Miura Chikusen line of potters has continued to produce high-quality Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki porcelains used in sencha for well over 150 years. The piece seen here is by the third generation potter and has the rare distinction of being endorsed by Sokuchusai, a former Head Tea Master of Omotesenke in Kyoto. Simple and elegant, a section of bamboo stands out in contrast to the white crackled porcelain glaze. If you are looking for a representative work by o...

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...

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to represent strength, freedom, good luck, and magic, dragons are a popular theme in the artwork across Eastern cultures. Interesting to note, the dragon here is portrayed in the Korean style with four claws, with dragons in China typically having five claws and dragons in Japan typically having three. Fashioned by one of the few great female Jap...

This small vessel, similar in a shape to a tokkuri, is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre. Fired at extreme temperatures for days in an anagama, the iron in the clay and in the glaze fuse, drip, and coalesce—while at the same time bl...

Pair of Art Deco sterling silver 2-light candelabra. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen, ca 1950.

Each: Two crisscrossing arms with twisted fluting each terminating in single faceted socket with wide flat rim; socket set in leaf ring. Arms mounted to side of shaft in form of bud with clusters of seeds applied to faceted leaves; bud set in same mounted to rings and flanges; raised foot.

Designed by Johan Rohde in 1920. Distinctive Danish Modernism synthesizing natural and geometric motifs.

Victorian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1888. Straight sides and lobed bracket handle with reeded bands. Stylized ornament: Scrolled frame surrounded by scrolls, leaves, flowers, and a couple hovering insects. Butler finish. Mouth rim has egg-and-dart border. At bottom cast low-relief rinceaux band between reeded borders. Gilt-washed interior. Interlaced script monogram. Full marked including maker’s stamp, date symbol, and no. 3875. Very good condition.

Saint Dunstan sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Globular with high-looping and capped handle, helmet mouth, and reeded foot ring. Girdle with pendant fleurs de lys applied to shoulder. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 14116E, director’s letter m, and volume (4 3/4 pts). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 8 1/2 x W 8 1/2 x D 6 in. Weight: 28 troy ounces. #BZ354

American Midcentury Modern sterling silver picture frame. Retailed by Cartier in New York. Square window in wide, flat, and plain surround. With glass, silk lining, and wood laminate back and hinged easel support. Fully marked including retailer’s stamp, no. 77/17, and phrase “Hand Made”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 6 1/2 x W 6 1/2 in. Window: H 4 1/2 x W 4 1/2 in. #BZ639

Gorgeous museum-quality Japonesque sterling silver trophy bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1884. Large and round with allover ornament in relief. Horned serpents swim slack-jawed through the water. Talons and heads “puncture” the surface to form side handles. Astride one sits an artist, brush in hand recording the thrashing undulations and roiling waves. At mouth rim are applied strewn shells. Foot in form of entwined snakes.

Modish exoticism a world away from the fresh air and fair p...

George V sterling silver picture frame. Made by Cohen & Charles in Birmingham in 1928. Flat rectilinear surround with lobed top. On front engine-turning between plain borders; sides plain. With glass, silk lining, and stained-wood back and hinged-easel support. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: Frame: H 9 1/4 x W 7 1/4 in. Window: H 8 3/4 x W 6 1/2 in. #BZ720

Pair of Edwardian Georgian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Munsey & Co. in Cambridge in 1903. Each: Banded spool socket with detachable concave square bobeche; flanged and knopped shaft on raised and stepped concave square foot with scrolling leaf corners. Fully marked including London assay stamp. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 10 x W 4 3/8 x D 4 3/8 in. Weighted. #BZ215

Midcentury Modern sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Curved sides and splayed foot ring. Cover top gently curved and mounted with cast strawberry and leaf finial. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, postwar pattern no. 23923, and director’s letter L (1956-ca 1965). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/2 x D 4 7/8 in. Weight: 14.5 troy ounces. #BZ359

European silver and enamel compact, ca 1920. Rectangular and hinged. On cover sits a pretty kitty with pink nose, dangling forepaws, and soft thick fur. A portrait of feline docility but beware the intense stare emanating from green dilated eyes. This one looks ready to launch. Interior has 3 compartments for touching up the makeup if things get out of hand. Engraved monogram. Wrist chain. No visible marks. Very good condition with intact and nuanced color.

Dimensions (without chain): H 2 3/8 ...

German Rococo 800 silver snuffbox, ca 1910. Oval with hinged cover; on top is chased scene depicting a large bird confronting two cherubs with soft chubby bodies and ethereal wings. Probably an allusion to some or other episode in Classical mythology, but can be enjoyed without esoteric literary knowledge. Hanau maker’s mark (Wolf & Knell). Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 2 3/8 x D 2 in. Weight: 2 troy ounces. #BZ256

Victorian Classical sterling silver tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Solid oval well with curved sides. Shoulder wide with chased flowers, scrolls, and open diaper in scrolled cartouches. Rim has applied leafing scrolls, flowerheads, and scallop shells. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 11239 (first produced in 1892), and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 1 1/4 x W 12 1/2 x D 10 1/8 in. Heavy weight: 20.5 troy ounces. #BZ617

Art Deco sterling silver bowl. Made by Currier & Roby in New York, ca 1930. Curved sides and raised and spread foot; mouth rim has wide scallops with applied beads. Fully marked including maker’s and retailer’s (Cartier) stamps and no. 604. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 2 1/2 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 3.7 troy ounces. #BZ178