German 800 silver cow creamer, ca 1910. A sweet bovine with upturned horns, flexed ears, and smiley mouth spout. Sturdy sagging body with ring-handle tail and hinged back cover with fly finial. Stands on firmly planted hooves. Unidentified Hanau marks. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 4 1/8 x L 5 1/2 x W 2 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BY777

Kawase Hasui
Dawn Over Lake Shoji
Size: Approximately 8.75 x 7 inches.
Date: 1935. First and only edition.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo for a calendar commissioned by Japan Government Railways. Please see the included original Japanese Government Railways tag.
Reference: Hotei #370.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margins trimmed. Back has areas of paper residue and slight thinning.
Note: Not many examples of this woodblock print have survive...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Redstarts on Flowering Cherry Branch
Size: O-tanzaku. 13.5 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910s
Koson signature and seal at lower right.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: K26.5 in Koson catalog.
Condition: Top back corners have paper residue.
- This print features lovely woodgrain.

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....

Japanese inlay ceramics (zōgan) are created by making incisions on the surface of a clay body which are then filled with various colored clays, creating a pattern. After the pattern is finalized, an overglaze is applied and the piece is sent to the kiln to be fired. As can be seen here, the results are quite striking and produce unique patterns that cannot be replicated through painting alone. Inlaying as a technique is thought to have originally derived from practices in metal and ...

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...

With a masterfully applied black Raku glaze and a noticeable aesthetic of austerity and stillness, this piece is what is refereed to in Japanese as an “utsushi” or what we might call in English a “tribute piece.” Such pieces are typically made by all Raku potters, regardless of the kiln and tradition, and seek to emulate famous works from the early masters over 400 years ago—in this case, a tea bowl created by the brother of the second Kichizaemon, Tanaka Somi, born sometim...

Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita (1886-1968)
White Cat
Date: 1929
Signed by the artist in the image in English and Japanese.
Matte size: 23.25 x 19.375 inches. Matte window: 17.5 x 12.75 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print with gauffrage embossing on the cat (seen in indirect light).
Condition: Woodblock print is sealed inside matte and is possibly adhered to board. Some creasing visible in side lighting.

A beautiful and rare bracelet by the very important Fred Davis. It has a unique design with high set Amethyst cabochon stones set in round silver links. The connector links have a open work design with half domes at each end. It has a longer 8" length, and it measures 1" wide. Weighs 69.2 grams. In good vintage condition with minor age related wear and some tarnish with a few minor dings on the underside. It closes with a fold over clasp. Hallmarked FD, Made in Mexico along with the eagle 22. A ...

Fukutaro Tanouchi
Nara Sarusawa Pond
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: 1930-40s.
Signed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Maruyama Park
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Square Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-130.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Eijiro Kobayashi
A High Bridge by Night.
A design influenced by James Whistler and Hiroshige.
Series: Hasegawa Night Scenes.
Date: 1910s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro (No. 1241 in Hasegawa catalog).
Edition: One of the earliest examples - on thicker card with the verso stamp, "Printed by T. Hasegawa Tokyo" (All Rights Reserved)".
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Indentations in paper (see add...

Shoda Koho
Shrine Gate at Miyajima
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series (No. 1251).
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.25 inches.
Date: 1910s.
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro.
Edition: One of the earliest examples - on thicker card with the verso stamp, "Printed by T. Hasegawa Tokyo" (All Rights Reserved)".
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A couple of very small marks. Back of card toned.

A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship. Believing it to be quite precious, the previous owner bestowed it with the poetic name "Ibitsu" which means "warped" or "cu...

A beautiful and very old Hagi tea bowl; showing signs of long use and appreciation. The gold repairs add to the overall composition and highlight the important role this piece played in someone’s tea practice. Though still functional to be used as a ceremonial implement, this would fit much better as a treasured display object.

In excellent condition this tea bowl is 5.1 inches in diameter at its widest point (13cm), and stands 3.1 inches tall (8cm). It comes with a pe...

Father to internationally known Hagi potter Kaneta Masanao (the 8th generation Sanzaemon potter), though he never achieved the same level of notoriety as his son, his pieces have a grace and elegance all their own as demonstrated here with this charming tea bowl. With its milky crackled glaze and split foot (wari-kodai) showing the rich clay this piece was fashioned from, it possesses strong character and has a calming presence, bringing a sense of stability. Perfect for those deepen...

A delightful Hagi tea bowl from the Jōzan Kiln in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Very representative of the genre with its milky glaze and ido-shape. This piece is a step above their typical offerings as can be discerned not only from the lovely composition but also from the quality of the box and the silk pouch that was also custom furnished. For those interested in getting better acquainted the world of Hagi without spending the thousands of dollars typical for works by better known artist...

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Fireworks at Ryogoku
Size: Mitsugiriban. 14.875 x 6.625 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Shotei catalog M-51.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print. Attached at top edge only to original card.
Condition: A little waviness at lower right. Slight fading.
Provenance: Dedication on back reads, "With best of wishes from (Rabbi) Jacob J. Eisen." Rabbi Eisen was the first rabbi appointed as chaplain in the Ro...