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

Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo, and bird; engraved leaves and flowers at corners. Cover top has embossed slithering, scaly dragons with horns and talons in same frame; blossoming branches at corners. Ground stippled. Maker's mark for Guang Qing Yong. Very good condition with deep patina.

Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 6 1/4 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 18.4 troy ounces. #BW325

Special tha...

Large turn-of-the-century German 800 silver figural spice box. A bird grips a gnarly branch with scaly talons. Sweet and downy with tucked-down wings. Head detachable. Marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 12 3/4 x L 8 1/2 x W 7 in. Weight: 27 troy ounces. #BW899

Gorgeous Victorian Japonesque sterling silver baby cup. Made by William Hunter in London in 1877. Straight and upward tapering sides; leaf-mounted bamboo-style c-scroll handle. Dense and stylized acid-etched ornament with birds flitting amongst leafing and blossoming branches. Vertical arabesque frame (vacant). Gilt interior. Fully marked. Very good condition.

Dimensions: H 3 3/4 x W 4 x D 2 3/4 in. Weight: 5.6 troy ounces. #BZ391

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...

Japonesque mixed metal copper tray. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Lobed and rectangular with curved sides. Applied copper and silver ornament: Tree with blossoming branches and sinuous irregular trunk rooted in granulated soil; above a butterfly and bird. Ground engraved with wild grass in foreground and hills in background. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, no. B75, and date letter. Good condition with some spotting to copper.

Dimensions: H 7/8 x W 12 x D 9 1/8 in. #BY284

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted over seven decades. The piece shown here then would be from an earlier period and is evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the one he is most well-known for. As any experienced potter will tell you, tenmoku ...

Japonesque mixed metal on sterling silver bowl. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1883. Curved sides with allover spot hammering and gilt-washed interior overhung with apple branch mounted to exterior. A gnarly growth with irregular fruit and gilt leaves. Also applied birds and butterflies as well as cattails rooted in granulated soil. Three tapering supports. Fully marked with maker’s stamp, date letter, no. 1725, and phrase “Sterling & Other Metals”. Very good condition.

Overall dimensio...

A testament to the brilliance of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this lacquered mizusashi—skillfully handcrafted from bamboo—showcases a deep crimson hue that radiates warmth and sophistication. Its seamless design and flawless finish reflect the skilled hands of the first generation artisan who crafted it, achieving a harmonious balance between form and function. Designed for use in Japanese tea ceremony, this indispensable implement would love to be put back into service o...

Dating from the 17th century, Kutani-ware is a type of fine porcelain that takes its name from the region from which it originates—the name literally means “nine valleys.” In sharp contrast to many other styles of Japanese ceramics which tend towards more modest color palettes, Kutani-ware are known for their vibrant red enameles, gold trimming, and complementary greens, yellows, and blues. This set of tokkuri is painted with a common hanging-lantern ornamental pattern known as youraku. Th...

Large Japanese Meiji silver chalice, ca 1890. Oval bowl with irregular rim on tall cylindrical shaft flowing into raised and scalloped foot. Spout hammered ground. Double walled. Applied iris and chrysanthemum flowers and blossoming branches. Wire stem with flower head and bud wrapped around shaft. Mount Fuji-form mono plate (vacant). No cliché left behind. A wonderful ceremonial vessel for the advanced export market. Japanese marks and “Kuhn & Komor / Sterling”. Kuhn & Komor was a Hungari...

Accents formed using iron pigment stand out across a backdrop of blue-green glaze. The base and a portion of the inside of this ceremonial tea bowl are unglazed displaying rich clay. Created by Shibayama Toshiya, this is an example of contemporary Japanese ceramics at its finest.

A native of Nagoya Shibayama (b. 1959) is exceptionally versatile, working in styles such as Seto, Shino, Karatsu, and Shigaraki among others. A practitioner of tea himself, Shibayama is known for crafting ...

Japanese Meiji Art Nouveau silver tea tray, ca 1890. Retailed by Arthur & Bond in Yokohama. Lobed oval. Well stippled and engraved with shaded interlaced monogram. Upturned c-scroll end handles. Blossoming prunus branches, iris flowers, and bamboo applied to handles and tapering shoulder. Exotic ornament and Western form. Marked “Arthur & Bond / Sterling / Yokohama”. Very good condition. One handle back has dent (not visible from front).

Overall dimensions: H 2 7/8 x W 28 1/2 x D 18 1/2 in...

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...

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....

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