Catalog (143)

An impressive mokubi painting in ink and gold on silk depicting the Zen Buddhist patriarch Bodhidharma/Daruma in profile. Signed and sealed: Imai Tenroku (b. 1866), a specialist in the painting of Buddhist subjects. The present painting is dated Taisho 8 (1919). Fully inscribed box and paper w. artist’s data. L 185, W 52 cm. Picture frame: L 112 cm, W 40.5 cm. Condition: Very fine (at the bottom a small portion of the silk has loosened from the mounting).

A nyoi scepter (in Chinese: ruyi) made of a natural branch of lacquered wood. For the scholar’s table. Late Edo to early Meiji. L 42 cm. Condition: Fine all-over.

Unique carved wood vessel for use in Tea Ceremony for flower arrangement, ikebana. Very smoothly polished and lacquered in the inside; standing on three small “feet”. It has a wonderful smooth patina all-over. L. 26 cm x 17 cm. Meiji-Taisho. Condition: great!

A very attractive and rare Pair of Mandarin Ducks OSHIDORI made of slightly modified and patinated root wood. The male wIth raised head and the female looking at the ground after food. Meiji, c. 1880/1900. H 16 cm, L 25 cm. Mandarine ducks are symbol of long life fidelity as they stay together forever. It comes with inscribed Storage Box Tomobako. Condition: Excellent

A beautiful brooch of amber ( MILA) of deep honey / mottled colour. Silver mounting. From Scandinavia, Denmark. Great quality amber. Weight : 15 grams. From before 1920. L. 5,5 cm W. 4 cm. Condition: good patina, some traces of age and use.

Three well painted Shunga scenes with a loving couples. Silk with ink and colors. Fitted on traditional, gold-spotted cardboard. Meiji, ca. 1880. H 17 cm, W 19 cm. Condition: One in very good condition, the other two : over-all quite good. Minor spots.

A large and stupendous glass vase with a wide mouth decorated with deep, green abstract bands on gold foil by glass artist Tabuchi Koseki (b. 1932). Mouth and bottom with darker bands of deep brownish colour. Signed in the bottom ‘Koseki.’ It comes with fully inscribed, signed and stamped storage box, kiri-tomobako. Japan, late Showa, ca. 1980. H 24 cm, W 24 cm. Condition: Excellent. 

A very rare Phurba ritual dagger of purple zitan wood with three heads of protectors on the top, a central vajra in the handle and the head of a garuda holding the triangular blade. Tibet, 15/16th century. L 28 cm. Condition: Good wear and only a few minor chips.

A rare and beautiful, flattened form bamboo box with cover, probably used as a seal paste or brush washer. It is carved out from the root part of bamboo and nicely polished. Inside the lid a compass (no longer functioning). Qing, 18–19th cent. H 3 cm, D 7,5 cm. Condition: Over-all fine, and really good, old patina, but with small chip to lid.

A wood sculpture of a reclining young, naked woman seated on a oblong base. Carved in naturalistic style from a single piece of wood. Light, brownish color. Good expression and fine details. Signed: Shoji. Japan: Showa period, 1950s. L 33,5 cm, H 20,5 cm. Condition: Excellent.

A lidded container in a divided, compressed form of finely, carved bamboo root. Good luck bringing Bats (bianfu) carved in relief decorate the sides and lid. Bottom with a la grec pattern. Mid Qing, around 1800. H 10 cm, W 8.2 cm. Condition: Very good. Traces of wear. One short crack on the middle part of the bottom panel filled.

A large and very expressive, ceramic figure of sitting shishi, lion-dog, with turned head. It is covered in a creamy, white crackled glaze. The open, staring eyes made of inserted glass are rendered with gold. Unsigned. Japan, late Edo, before 1850. H. 35 cm, L. 25 cm, W. 16 cm. Condition: good, but for a few chips, fire cracks and minor area of repair on underside.

A beautiful Nashiji (sprinkled gold flakes) ground lacquer Natsume, Tea caddy. It has an elaborate cartouche on the lid in gold makie, gold and silver on a chocolate lacquer background depicting a stylised landscape (mountain, hermitage river and boat). 3 cartouche on the sides in lozenge form in heavy, raised lacquer; one with fishing hut among reeds and half moon; one with fish nets and seagulls and the last with seabirds on raised waves. The inside also in sprinkle gold flakes nashiji...

A small, attractive incense table on four legs in classical style with openwork in red Negoro-lacquer with the typical ‘rubbed’ surface to reveal the layer of black lacquer underneath. Japan, late Meiji, c. 1900. H 13.5 cm, W 20 cm, L 26 cm. Condition: Generally good (minor wear and a few, small cracks).

A very interesting and well-carved figure-group (okimono) on a fitted base depicting the ox-herding boy and his ox loaded with fire wood in naturalistic style. The head, hands, feet of the body as well as the leash and the bundle of fire wood carried by the ox have been made from tinted ivory, as has the plaque with the artist’s name. The rest of the group has been made from a dense type and beautifully veined Oriental wood. The base itself is made in what appears to be Chinese red wood (hongm...

A finely cast bronze image of Sakyamuni Buddha seated in meditation posture on a high lotus seat. The image with dark brown-black covering patina. Ming, Wanli period (1573–1615). H. 26,8 cm. (10.5 inches) Good condition.

A Tibetan single seat meditation mat (Kang ma type) of hand woven wool with the central field decorated with floral pattern in different colour on a deep red background; a meander frame in white on blue indigo is separating the central square from the outer border of floral design on rust colour. The rug is finished with thick red cotton frame and blue cotton backing. Tibet, early 20th cent. Measurements: L. 76,5 x W 67 cm; L. 30 x w 26,3 inches. Condition: very good considering the age and use...

A large and impressive image of olive-green soapstone (shoushanshi) depicting the demon-catcher Chonggui in martial pose standing above the small image of a seated demon disguised as a Buddhist monk. Extremely fine details. Late Qing Dynasty. H 24 cm. Condition: Excellent.

Small shunga book (vol. 1) with indistinct title in oblong format. 14 colour prints with erotic motifs and texts, five scenes in black ink and other pages with text only. Japan, late Edo, early 19th century. H 8 cm, L 18 cm. Condition: Good impressions and bright colours. Some wear to paper.

Japanese Erotic Shunga Prints. 8 double-page book illustrations in colours from a shunga book (6 with erotic motifs). Extremely good details of the interiors and clothing. Also part of the lot are 3 pages with poetic inscriptions. Probably by Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865). Japan, late Edo, c. 1850. H 18.5 cm, L 26.5 cm. Condition: Good colours, general fine state of preservation with minor worming (repaired) on a few of the leaves.

A Japanese Contemporary Large Bamboo Sculpture made of thin strips of madake bamboo and lacquer. The artist is using an irregular, open work plaiting technique creating a kind of large cocoon shape. It can be seen from different angles and it can also be use for flower arrangements as there are openings through which a receptacle can be placed inside. But it can be admired simply as a sculpture. Made by Homura Reiryu ( b. 1970 ) from Oita prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Unsigned ( the bamboo st...

A very good, embroidered satin silk unofficial informal robe for a Manchu lady. The background in turquoise colour satin, is embroidered with butterflies, bats, different kind of flowers etc., in multicoloured silk floss. Borders in black and blue band with embroidered light blue small flowers. Fastened with five knot-end-loop toggle buttons. Lining in light silk. Calf-length type: H. 110 cm; W. 145 cm. Qing, late 19th to early 20th cent. Condition: very good, but some wear and minor st...

A large root-wood sculpture made of a single piece of burnished and lacquered cypress or perhaps rosewood. Dramatic details. All in all very decorative piece for the scholar’s studio. China, early 20th cent. H 55 cm, W 40 cm. Condition: Excellent.

A tall, cylindrical shape bronze vase by Nakajima Yasumi II (1905-1986). Patinated dark reddish - brown bronze. Vase ornamented with horizontal bands raised in relief and flaring out at the waist and sloping inward to the shoulder. Wood box inscribed on the outside of the lid and signed and sealed on the inside. Vase signed at the bottom: Yasumi. H. 28.5 cm. Showa period. *** Nakajima Yasumi II (1905-1986) was a very well known Osaka bronze artist who's real name is Nakajima Mitsuo. He c...

A finely carved brush pot (bitong) decorated with ‘fu’ characters for good luck in raised, low relief, all done in different type of script. Good, dark honey color. H. 14 cm D. 9,5 cm. Qing, second part of 19th cent. Condition: Excellent. Minor traces of wear.

A beautiful Wangden carpet from Tibet, made with Yak hair warp with thick wool pile and fringe borders. Central floral pattern surrounded by a large tridimensional meander pattern. These kind of carpets were traditionally used in the monasteries to keep warm while sitting during long pujia ceremony in the cold winter. But were also used by wealthy families. Size: L. 160 x 92 cm; 63 x 36 inch Early 20th cent. Condition: very good colours but on one of the short sides there is a small area ...

Vintage Mediterranean Coral, 6 Strand Red Coral Beads Bracelet with 2 spacers and 4 larger corals on safety catch. Weighs: 41 grams. L. 17 cm ( end to end). From 1950 ca. Perfect condition.

The expression of Sakyamuni is beautiful and serene. Clearly carved by a master artist. The image is made of one single piece of precious, dark purplish zitan wood. These type of wood images were made of different parts and assembled ( it can be seen by the holes where the various parts would have been stacked together ). Unfortunately the arms and lower part of the body has been lost but it is still a very charming piece! Fixed on a newer hardwood stand. Tibet, 16–17th cent. H 14,5 ...

An antique Tibetan painted wood image depicting the Female Bodhisattva Green Tara (Sanskrit: Syamatara; Tibetan: Dölma) seated on a lotus throne in the posture of 'royal ease' with the right leg extended; the left hand is held in the mudra of blessing; the right hand extended across the right knee in the gesture of giving protection. Both hands are holding the stem of an utpala flower. H. 19 cm. Tibet, 19th cent. Condition: generally good a part the hands that are partly broken off as the ...

A beautiful and elegant beige Han Chinese Lady’s silk robe. The beige ground has woven patterns of flowers and butterflies on which different kind of flowers and large butterflies in multicolored silk floss are embroidered. Borders in dark blue bands with embroidered flowers; cuffs in yellow silk ground with embroidered Immortals in garden scenes. Lining in light blue silk. Central frontal opening. Calf-length type: H. 110 cm; W. 144 cm. Qing, 19th cent. Condition: good.

Tibetan painted Zitan wood figure of a standing Padmapani Bodhisattva one of the many forms of Avalokitheshvara. Tibet or Nepal, 18th cent. His right hand lowered and extended in varadamudra while the left is raised in vitarkamudra. His face has a serene expression; he is wearing a dhoti, a scarf and jewels. The Bodhisattva only has been made of precious Zitan wood. Standing on a separate carved lotus base, behind him a flaming halo, both base and halo made of a different type of wood. The bac...

A modern, tokkuri-shaped vase of heavily thrown Shino-ware with thick white, partly covering, glazed over which are powerful, brown splashes. The body with raised tapering bands that turn clock-wise. The piece was made by artist Tsukamoto Haruhiko (b. 1959).* Fully signed kiri-box with artist’s seal and signature. Made around 1980. H 15.5 cm. Condition: Perfect. * Tsukamoto Haruhiko was born in Mino in 1959, and is now based in Gifu prefecture. Tsukamoto does not come from a traditional potte...

A large bronze sculpture of a slender young woman undressing rendered in a quote naturalistic manner. Brown patination. Inscribed and signed storage box and with Japanese Kanji name character on the back side of the base. H 42 cm. Showa around 1950´s to 60´s. Perfect condition. Made by Nakagawa Kiyoshi (1897-1977) born in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. Graduated from Tokyo Art School (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He won prizes in the Imperial Academy’s art exhibition after gra...

Old, Authentic Tibetan Pair of jha-phor, Butter Tea Bowl, Tsampa Bowl, made of Burlwood and finished with silver around the rim for the larger one and on the inside for the smaller, also at the raised foot of the cups. Diameter: 11 cm and 9 cm. High 5 cm and 4,5 cm ca. Tibet, Late 19th cent. The bowls are in very good condition and have a nice patina from use.

A fine and rare incense burner (zhudiao xianglu ) of tripod form with a pair of handles carved of a piece of bamboo root. A ornamented band running along the rim. Qing, Jiaqing or early Daoguang, c. 1800–1830. H 10 cm, D 6.8 cm. Condition: Excellent with nice wear from handling.

A charming painting in ink and colors on silk depicting a young, long-haired girl in traditional dress with her back turned to the viewer. Signed: Nobumaru (Mitsubumi 1812–1879), a late Tosa School painter in the Nihonga tradition. Exquisite mounting. Meiji, c. 1865–1875. L 182 cm, W 60 cm. Picture frame: L 109 cm, W 42.5 cm. Condition: Very good.

A fine and complete set of Tibetan saddle Rugs. The set is composed of a woollen saddle blanket in butterfly shape and a matching saddle seat cover. The central medallion decorated with pair of Snow Lions playing with pearls, beige on red ground; borders with stylised dragons, red and blue on beige borders. Snow Lion is the national emblem of Tibet. Large piece: L. 143 cm x 66 cm; 56 x 26 inches. Seat: L. 89 x 64 cm; 35 x 25 inches. Tibet first part of the 20th century. Condition: Very good c...

Four Arms Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan: Chenrezig; Chinese: Sibi Guanyin), the Bodhisattva who embody the Universal Compassion. Seated in meditation with the upper hands holding a prayer beads and a lotus; the lower ones in worshiping Mudra ( Anjiali Mudra). Made of purple sandalwood (zitan), a very precious type of wood dear to Himalayan worshippers. The image is painted and has remains of gilding in the halo. As it is normal for images of this type, it is assembled from several pieces. The bot...

Karhu, Clifton (1927-2007) was born in Duluth, Minnesota of Finnish descent. He was one of the most renown American woodblock artists to work in Japan. Round Format woodblock print depicting Medium:Woodblock Print, framed under glass. Date: 1983. Edition: 49/100. Size: D. 31 cm. Title: Nishijin corner. Signature: C KARH. Condition: Very good color, impression and state. Nishijin is a district in Kamiyyo-ku, Kyoto.

A very attractive votive image of Akshobya Buddha in fire gilt bronze. He is seated on a fairly high, lotus throne. The hem of his robes are accentuated with raised lines made as strings of pearls with the lower parts decorated w. incised patterns. The robe covering the left arm is open underneath and the rim of the seat has large pearls in accordance with 15th century stylistic features for Central Tibetan bronze images of Buddha. Remains of cold gilding on the face and blue pigments on the ch...

A fine openwork Bamboo Flower Basket, Hanakago by Buseki Suigetsu. A slender and elegant bamboo basket for Ikebana Flower Arrangement made with the hexagonal plating technique called: mutsume ami, using thin strips of madake bamboo. Signed on the bottom: Suigetsu, Buseki Suigetsu. It comes with the Otoshi water container. No box. H 46 cm. Condition: Very good, no brakes. BUSEKI Suigetsu ( Tokyo, 1930-2003)studed under his father Buseki Suishin (1888-1984) which was in the lineage of the great To...

Araki Nobuyoshi, silver gelatine print, untitled, Signed on the back and dated ’09. Measurements: 27 x. 40 cm. Perfect condition. Nobuyoshi Araki (b. May 25, 1940) is a well known photographer and one of the most prolific Japanese artist, primarily known for his photographies that blend eroticism and bondage. His works are in Museums and private collections. Inquire for price.

A very rare and highly charming porcelain figure of Budai (Daduze), bare chested with a laughing expression, seated leaning on his sack of treasures. Decorated in famille rose manner with additional gold. Two maker’s seals: “Fujian Huiguan” and “ Made by You Linji). ****These seals are identifying marks of the Jingdezhen artist working at Fujian Huiguan. **** You Linji was the artist name of You Zhangzi /You Linzizi ( 1872-1922 ). Before moving to Jingdezhen, he first trained unde...

A Unique Sculpture for the Scholar’s table (Chinese: Gongshi), it looks like made of a kind of cypress wood, Interesting details, with hols and crevasses and high peeks creating an image of high flames with a brown reddish patina. Hard wood fitted base. Size: H 40 x W 23 x D 18 cm. China , beginning of 20 century. Very good condition, the picture do not render well enough the beauty of the piece!

A Beautiful Modern Maki-e Lacquer Kogo, Container for Incense. The lid and sides are decorated with stylised rocks among waves rendered in low relief with different techniques: kirigane ( small squares of gold foil), fundame (mat gold ground), nashigi (sprinkled gold powder) and shakudo on a kuro roiro shiage (polished black lacquer) background A beautiful object for tea ceremony! Inscribed and signed wooden box tomobako. Size: Diam 7,5 h 2 cm. Showa Period, probably from the 60’s. Pe...

A powerful Bizen sculptural vessel by Motoharu Kurokawa Of a trapezoidal shape, with irregular cut away parts on both sides. Kurokawa Motoharu ( Tokyo, 1957 - ) is an innovative craftsman from Okayama, who works with Bizen, he has won numerous prizes for the originality of his works. Member of Japan Kogei Association. Impressed artist’s mark in the bottom and information of the artist. Size: H 30 cm, W 30 cm, bottom: L 18 x 7 cm. Perfect condition

Title: Rainbow hair. Silkscreen print. Year: 1973 Edition no 49 / 200 Picture size: L 56 x 38 cm; Frame size: 65 x 50 cm. Very good condition, fresh and vibrant colours! ***** Ay-O (b. 1931) is the artist name of Takao Iijima, born 1931 in in Ibaraki prefecture Ay-O has become famous in and outside of Japan as "Rainbow Man" for his serigraphs and etchings in strong rainbow colors, used in all kinds of shapes and with an abundance of creative imagery - sometimes with a subtle humour. In ...

The vase has interesting rugged and leathery texture to it, reminding of elephant skin. H 18 cm. Signed with impressed mark. It comes with inscribed and signed storage box and information paper. Perfect condition. ***** Morimoto Kei was born in Akaiwa City ( Okayama ) in 1948. In 1978 he came under the influence of Master Fujiwara Kei and was taught by him. 1982 became a student of Oi Itsugo 1986 built his first climbing kiln. 1989 opens his studio. Many awards and exhibitions to his n...

A fine and unusual brush rest in the shape of a dragon-fish or some similar mythological animal. Carved of what appears to be boxwood with a dark-reddish lacquer coating. On the bottom side an illegible signature in raised relief consisting of two Chinese characters. Qing, probably second half of 18th cent. L 15 cm. Condition: Fine all-over, but with wear due to age & handling.

A large and very attractive, lobed Kutani vase with a high neck in porcelain. The piece is decorated w. a mottled, preussian-blue glaze over which are purplish splashes covering the upper part. Signed in the bottom with a seal Kutani Yasokichi (1907–1997), (second generation Tokuda, and father of Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi. Accompanied by fully signed kiri-box. Japan, Showa, ca. 1970. H 29 cm. CONDITION: Flawless.

A Minimalistic Hanging Scroll Painting by Okada Hanko Hanging scroll painting depicting a group of rocks. Ink on paper. Signed Hanko and two seals. Okada Hanko (1782-1846) a Nanga painter and Caligrapher. He was born in Osaka, the son and pupil of Okada Beisenjin. Like his father, he served for a period as a Confucian scholar to Lord Todo of Tsu; at the age of 43 he resigned and joined the circle of intellectuals in Osaka and started to study Chinese painting specialising in misty landscapes...

A beautiful and decorative object that would have been placed on a scholar’s desk for contemplation. Artistic scholar’s rock (gongshi) made of bronze. This relatively rare type of gongshi was made by dripping red-hot molten bronze onto a pile of fresh pine chips. When coagulating the bronze would then “freeze” into its present form. No two pieces are identical, of course. Bronze with brown and green patina Qing, 18–19th cent. Later base of hongmu. Size: H. 29 cm, L. 26 cm; with ...

A fine pair of matching square bowls on raised foot. Decoration: the inside, in the centre a gold takamaki-e medalion with a raised design of a couple of Reshiki stems in shakudo and hirame, on red ground, rim decorated with cloud pattern in gold on red lacquer. Outside decoration with 4 pair clams each of which has been embellished with different type of decoration ( dragon flies, birds, thatched house and tree, brushes, etc ) in togidashi-e and nahiji and takamaki-e on a black roiro gro...

A fine 20th century Japanese Deco style bronze vase by the renowned bronze artist AIDA TOMIYASU (1901 - 1987). The vase is of simple cylindrical form with an elegant frontal design of two interlocking semi-circle bands to the upper body. Signed TOMIYASU on bottom. H. 29 cm / 11,5 inches. Showa period (mid-20th century). Condition: perfect. ****** Aida Tomiyasu was the art name of Ibara Meijiro, born in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture; In 1948 he won the grand prize of metal casting at the Ni...

A great hammered silver vase with small knobs around the shoulders, soft hammer marks covering the surface of the vase. Signed on the bottom with a chiseled signature by the artist, Shiro, together with Mitsukoshi stamp, Silver and Sterling. Enclosed in the original tomobako, the original box, inscribed Silver vase on the exterior of the lid and signed and sealed on the inside. Size: H 20 x W 22 cm. Condition: perfect, with good silver oxidation patina. **** Sekiya Shiro (1907-1994) was b...

A large and imposing bronze image of the Songzi Niangniang (‘The Lady who Brings Children’), a primary Daoist deity. Fine expression and details. Covered with a dark brown patina all-over. Ming dynasty, most probably Wanli period (1573–1619), a time when it is known that large number of Daoist images were made. ****H 38 cm. ****Condition: Generally very fine. Minor remains of cold gilt and colouring. One tip of a finger broken off.

Kato Tsubusa Celadon Asymmetrical Vessel in Seihakuji Glaze Of irregular shape, with some sharp cut and other stretched edges, standing on 3Three small feet. The light blue glaze pooling inside the tray. Size, L 28 w 16 h 12,5 cm. Enclosed in inscribed and signed storage box ( the lid of the box has water marks). Condition: Excellent. *****Kato Tsubusa, born in 1962, a well-established ceramic artist from Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture. After graduation in 1979 he experimented with po...

A bronze figure depicting the City God, (Chinese: Cheng Huang). Cold gilding and rest of coulors. The City God is one of the important Gods of Daoism, he is a kind of guardian deity of the City, a heavenly magistrate responsible for the protection of the territory, the safety and prosperity of the locality. Temples dedicated to Chenghuang were built allover China and annual processions of the God were carried out. Ming Dynasty. H. 29 cm. Condition: Very good, just some wear to gilt.

An unusual and charming votive image of carved wood depicting Guanyin seated in her grotto on Putuo Island with the secondary figures, the Dragon Maiden and Sudhana attending her on either side. Above a small grotto with the seated image of a Buddha and flanking it on both sides are the four popular companions from the Journey to the West (Xiyou ji), the monk Xuanzang, Sandy, Pigsy and Monkey. In the water below a pair of nagas and a large fish. On the back of the sculpture is a place for relics...

Scroll painting, black ink on paper depicting Orchids and Rock. Attributed to Ike no Taiga (1723–1776). Sealed and signed Kiuka ( one of the many “go” or style name of Ike no Taiga (1723–1776) was born and lived in Kyoto during the Edo period, he was a prolific painter, calligrapher and a literati with a strong passion for classical Chinese scholar painting technique; he is one of the representative name of the Nanga school of painting though he did many decorative paintings. His work...