Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a woman with a look of frustration on her face, wearing a black kimono, decorated with light pink and blue sakura blossoms, and a salmon pink under robe. Behind her are several cottages with trees and mountains, and stylized signatures in the top right corner and middle left side. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock print that was popular during the 17-19th centuries in Japan. The print is set behind glass in a large frame, and the back of the frame lists artist: ...

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of an anxious person in a brown checkered kimono, with light blue trim and obi with black flowers, assisting a rather bored looking woman in a gorgeous, long black kimono with pink and blue blows, blue trim, and a pink under kimono and obi. By artist Ichiyosai Toyokuni Okada. Size: (entire frame) 21.5" height, 17" width (artwork only) 14.75" height, 9.5" width

Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, is commonly paired with Usobuki in Kyogen theater. This is a rare and old pair of Okame and Usobuki ceramic figures. We have the original receipt from Things Japanese 20 years ago. We are asking the same price as the price on the receipt from 20 years ago. 6 inches (15 cm) tall.

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...

Here we have a beautiful scroll with a mounted letter penned by famed Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828) who is known as one of the 4 great haiku poets of Japan along with the likes of Bashō, Buson, and Shiki. As one might expect, Kobayashi’s life was one of turbulence punctuated by several tragedies including the death of his mother at an early age and a lengthy legal battle with his step-mother over the family inheritance after the death of his father. Through it all Kobay...

Rare mixed metal pitcher with lots of bugs. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1880. Globular with drum-form neck, small lip spout, and c-scroll handle. Modish insects—dragon fly, grasshopper, and butterfly—creep and dart among fluid and interlaced grass stalks applied to hand-hammered sterling silver ground heightened with floral engraving and copper inlay. A superb integration of Japonesque and Craftsman. Interlaced script monogram engraved to underside. Fully marked including pattern n...

Here is a rare complete set of nine lithograph/prints including one of Senator McGovern during his presidential run that year as well as eight others signifying campaign issues.The content page lists the artists with a small box picture of their work/issues. It is noted that the prints are issued in offset lithography in a numbered edition of 375, and signed in print by each artist with the EXCEPTION of the McGovern print.Each Measures 16" x 19.5" They include: 1)McGovern by Paul Giovanopolis, ...

Rare Japonesque mixed metal tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1878. Square with curved sides and straight edges. Two birds soar and glide. One is viewed from below and the other from above (that is, from bird’s eye). An original and jokey design incorporating the exotic flattened Japanese perspective. Feathers are gold, and beaks, eyes, and wispy, dangly talons are copper. Crescent frame engraved with calligraphy-style presentation dated 1879. Ground hand hammered. Corner leaf-and-sc...

At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighboring country were brought to its shores. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people); and, older pieces such as this are quite prized today as relatively few from this era have survived in good condition. While it is possible this piece is of Japanese origin, its apparent age would make it more likely to h...

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...

The poem accompanying the artwork on this antique scroll reads: Fishing little trout—Precious drops of dew glisten—Flowing with the blossoms—The mountains and rivers of spring ( Rengetsu, age 78 ). A rather later and mature work by Rengetsu, this piece was created right as Edo ended and Meiji began, marking a major turning point in Japanese history and culture.

Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki fam...

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...

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...

Edwardian Classical sterling silver baby cup. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Straight sides with high-looping s-scroll handle and inset foot. Cast scroll and reeded borders at top and bottom. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, pattern no. 15097, and director’s letter T (1892-1902). Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 3/8 x D 3 in. Weight: 7.3 troy ounces. #BZ362

Pair of American Edwardian glass candlesticks with sterling silver mounts, ca 1910. Faceted socket; wide and flat rim with cut flower heads over radiating ribbing. Shaft upward tapering with half-fluting at top and engraved leafing and flowering scrollwork at bottom. Raised and stepped sterling silver foot. Glass attributable to Hawkes. Silver marked “Sterling / 56 PWTS”. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 13 x D 4 3/4 in. #BZ331

The classic sterling silver Louvre bowl. Made by Georg Jensen in Copenhagen. Round and curved; Overhanding rim interspersed with scallops. Open support comprising alternating vertical leaves and tendrils. Raised foot. Visible hand hammering. Designed ca 1910, it reflects the master’s love of nature. So-called the Louvre bowl because an example in that museum’s collection. Fully marked including maker’s stamp (1945-77) and no. 19A. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 6 7/8 x D 8 in. Weight...

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

Edwardian Art Nouveau sterling silver basket. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1910. Scrolled and turned-down rim with engraved grape bunches and leaves overlapping open lunette frames. Stationary c-scroll handle with same; handle top vacant. Visible hand hammering. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and code TFC. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 11 3/4 x L 13 1/4 x W 7 in. Weight: 31 troy ounces. #BZ743