Yoshimoto Gesso
Cherry Blossoms
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 10 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.
Kaoru Kawano (1916-1965)
Two Kittens
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower right and on verso.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape residue at back margins and top front margin.
When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga lords in 1666, the first Chōzaemon came with him and established Ōhi-yaki in Kanazawa. Chōzaemon had been the chief apprentice to the Raku family in Kyoto and took with him many of the principles and ideas associated with Raku-ware. Since those auspicious beginnings, Ōhi-ware has held a high place in the world of tea cere...
Modern carving pair with knife and fork. Made by Christofle in France, ca 1970. Tapering easy-grip silver-plated handles. Knife blade and 3-tine shank are stainless steel. Handy for the holidays and all the days in between. Marked. Good condition.
Dimensions: Knife: H 12 3/4 x W 1 1/2 x D 1/2 in. Fork: H 10 1/8 x W 1 1/8 x D 1/2 in. #BX127
Edwardian Classical glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by La Pierre Mfg. Co. in Newark, ca 1910. Faceted cone with scalloped rim; round flat foot with star cut to underside. Overlay in form of garlands threaded through interlaced arches (body) and star (foot); scrolled frame (vacant) also on foot. Marks include maker’s stamp. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 11 1/8 x D 5 in. #BY773
Edwardian Classical glass vase with engraved silver overlay. Made by La Pierre Mfg. Co. in Newark, ca 1910. Faceted cone with scalloped rim; round flat foot with star cut to underside. Overlay in form of garlands threaded through interlaced arches (body) and star (foot); scrolled frame (vacant) also on foot. Marks include maker’s stamp. Very good condition.
Dimensions: H 11 1/8 x D 5 in. #BY772
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...
First presented at the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition, this fine mizusashi crafted with extraordinary precision is a testament to the generational knowledge, skill, and dedication of one of Japan’s top traditional craftsman. Its tapered polished sides have a beautiful texture and luster that compliment perfectly with the hand-crafted custom lid adorning the top. Truly an exceptional artwork fused with the aesthetics of tea culture that gives it a sense of stability, calm, a...
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 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...
Simple yet classic styling—this tea bowl is perfect for anyone looking for the quintessential Ido-shaped chawan crafted by one of Japan’s premier Hagi potters.
Born in the famed pottery town of Karatsu in 1942, Zenzo Hatano spent a number of years learning the various styles particular to his region before taking up an apprenticeship under well-known Hagi potter Yoshiga Taibi. Winner of a number of awards including the Japan Crafts Exhibition Award in 1977, Hatano...
Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Street in Front of Restaurant
Date: 1920s-30s.
Size: Oban. 19.75 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar style and at times depict...
Set of 3 Midcentury Modern shot glasses. Made by Schofield Co. in Baltimore. Each: Straight and tapering sides. Engraved presentation from the Tred Avon Yacht Club in Oxford Maryland. All awarded in 1950s for a comet class boat, which was a snug 2-crew vessel developed in Maryland in the 1930s. One has the boat name, the Eisenhower-era cozy domestic-sounding “We Two”. At top engraved crisscrossing burgees of which one for the club. Fully marked including maker’s stamp and no. 540. Very goo...
Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
A balcony scene with falling cherry blossoms
Date: 1920s.
Size: Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Faint matte line.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar s...
Italian Neoclassical silver coffeepot, ca 1820. Baluster; cover hinged and domed with leaf-mounted acorn finial. Applied c-scroll spout and scroll handle with ribbed tail. Handwork visible on interior. Marked. Good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 10 x W 7 1/2 x D 5 in. Weight: 25.4 troy ounces. #BY635
Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creativity and the organic world. Now several centuries old, this piece continues to serves not only as a functional display piece, but also as a symbol of the enduring leg...
During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetrical and elegant flower vase. Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this vase embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creati...
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...
A lovey early vintage Mexican Silver Brooch designed and signed by Hector Aguilar. It features two Acorns along with an oak leaf set on two curving stems. Measures 3" long by 1 3/4: wide and weighs 13.9 grams. Hallmarked 940, HA, Taxco. In good condition with a pin clasp.
Alovely Brooch by the famous Taxco Silver Artist Hector Aguilar features two stylized flower blossoms along with a curved leaf on curving stems. Crafted in Aguilars favored 940 silver which give the silver a lovely rich patina. It measures 3" wide by 3 1/2" long and weigh 18.6 grams. Hallmarked Taxco, HA, 940. Light age related wear and tarnish a secure pin clasp. A lovely piece.
This early vintage Antonio Pineda 970 Silver bracelet features thick sculpted links set with uniquely cut Amethyst "tubes" witch are set so when the bracelet is closed it appears that the amethyst weave in and out of the silver links. It measures 7" long by 3/4" wide and weighs 76.2 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, Silver, Made in Mexico, 970, ZZ 779 and the eagle 17. Secure box clasp and attached safety chain. It is in good condition with light wear and tarnish - all the Amethyst...
Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Inari Shrine at Oji - Peddler and Woman
Size: Approximately 14.875 x 6.75 inches.
Date: 1924-30.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Shotei catalog #M-26. Ota-ku 2005 Catalog #:198.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back has paper and adhesive residue. A few foxing spots. Faint crease near top.
Mitsuhiro Unno (1939-1979)
Valley of Utsu - A set of five miniature Japanese woodblock prints.
Date: 1966.
Each woodblock print is 2.25 x 2 inches.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Set includes woodblock-printed title sheet, colophon, and list of subjects.
The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!" A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today. The poem also suggests that this is one of her earlier works that would have been produced before she became renowned throughout Japan for her...