Catalog (1387)

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with pink body and twisted ribbons forming a brocade pattern. Tombodama can be translated as “dragonfly ball” and the name is thought to come about because when the molten glass is applied to the core bead it resembles a dragonfly’s eye. Superbly made piece, in perfect condition. Height 0.65 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with multicolored flowers and long scrolling vine. Tombodama can be translated as “dragonfly ball” and the name is thought to come about because when the molten glass is applied to the core bead it resembles a dragonfly’s eye. Beautifully made piece - see the white veining of the vine and air bubbles at the center of each flower, in perfect condition. Height 0.75 inches.

Late 19th century Chinese / Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 Chinese lapis lazuli beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing the 108 worldly passions. The mantras are recited to accomplish the four karmas or enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destro...

Late Qing Dynasty Chinese soapstone sculpture carved as a court lady holding a basket with fruit. Wonderful precise carving, beautiful tranquil face, elegant flow to the lines of her robe. Cream colored soapstone with red patches, great warm patina, marked with two carved characters on the bottom, in excellent condition. Height 3.64 inches.

Excellent good size 19th century true Baltic amber whole uncut nugget of superb butterscotch color. Beautiful warm honey color typical of amber that was exposed to light for many years after being taken out of the sea, Rich surface texture, very pleasant to hold. Length 3 3/4 inches (9.5 cm), width 2 1/4 inches, weight 58 grams

Unusual 1890s - 1910s (late Meiji - early Taisho) Japanese lacquered wood nyoi - a Buddhist scepter - made out of a natural branch or root, its stem twisted back with 3 branches forming the head of the piece. Nyoi, or Ruyi scepter is a traditional symbol of scholarship and transmission of knowledge. Lacquered in Negoro style with black body and beautiful bright red patches on the branches of the head. Striated wood surface texture is nicely felt under lacquer, wonderful patina, very pleasant to ...

Unusual and rare early 19th century Japanese cloisonne plate with complicated design of flowers among scrolling vines. Very strong design, came with Rare Art Inc. provenance, old collection number on the back (see detail). The back is decorated with a typical Japanese scrolling design. Early piece in terms of Japanese cloisonne, from the period of transition from Chinese to Japanese style, very rich visually, beautiful enameling, some original pitting to the surface typical for early items, in s...

Early 19th century Japanese cloisonne plate decorated with a butterfly in flight over blooming peony bushes, all within a brocade border. Rare Art Inc. sticker on the back, bold powerful design, rare and early piece in terms of Japanese cloisonne, from the period of transition from Chinese to Japanese style. The back is decorated with a typical Japanese scrolling design. Very pleasant matte finish with original pitting. Diameter 7 5/16 inches.

Late 19th century Japanese cloisonne kogo (covered box for incense during tea ceremony) decorated on top with butterflies and various flowers, and bottom with central chrysanthemum and scrolling branches with leaves. Great detailed work, gilding to all exposed metal including wires (some wear). Wonderful piece in Japanese taste. Diameter 2.58 inches, height 0.77 inches.

18th century Japanese sword iron tsuba with pierced “thousand shrimp” design and brass inlay of twisted rope. Excellent piece with numerous perforations requiring enormous amount of work, precise detailing, dark brown patina, in excellent condition. Height 3.15 inches.

18th century Japanese sword iron tanto tsuba with brass inlays of autumn leaves blown by the wind. Very good piece with gilding, precise detailing and overall mood of contemplation and melancholy. The plate has a dark brown patina, in excellent condition. Height 2.13 inches.

Late Meiji / early Taisho (1910s) Japanese Bizen stoneware okimono modeled as Gama Sennin - an ascetic - with his usual companion - a toad. Excellent modeling with wonderful facial expression, fine detailing. Typical Bizen body and superbly beautiful glaze ranging in color from olive to brown. Signed by the potter on the bottom on the bottom. Old losses to the leg of the frog (from its body to the hand of sennin), top of the double gourd at his belt and a chip to the lower part of his hair on th...

Vintage Japanese wooden sago (tea scoop) carved in a shape of an eggplant. That kind of tea scoop is used for sencha - a type of Japanese green tea which is prepared by infusing the processed whole tea leaves in hot water. Cleverly and beautifully carved (see the stippling on the leaves by the stem) out of softwood, very pleasant to hold, in great condition. Length 4 7/8 inches.

Early 19th century Chinese bronze scroll weight in a shape of a striding qilin. Wonderful depiction of the benevolent beast, superbly captured dynamic posture, great detailing of his scales, face and flames licking its body. Excellent wear and patina, superb object for a scholar’s desk. Length 2 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a distressed man. Excellent intense face, crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.13 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a hollow cheeked demon. Excellent intense face, crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.22 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of a green skinned demon. Excellent intense face, crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.12 inches.

19th century Japanese small lacquered wood netsuke representing a theatrical mask of demon Hannya. Excellent intense face, crisp detailing, nicely lacquered, great patina, some wear to the surface. Signed RYUUN on the back bar - the artist is listed in NETSUKE MASKS by Raymond Bushell, p. 175, signatures 241-243. Height 1.14 inches.