Catalog (1381)

19th century Persian silver melon shape salt shaker with repousse branch on top surrounded by a band of small flowers, and with pendant drapery in every sector of the bottom part. Last quarter of 19th century, Qajar dynisty era, very well made, two parts fit snugly, in excellent vintage condition, nicely tarnished (can be cleaned with silver tarnish remover in a minute if needed). Hallmarked with 2 characters on the bottom. Diameter 2 inches, height 2 inches, weight 1.45 ounces (41 grams).

Decent size 19th century netsuke carved as a theatrical mask of Buaku and used for demonic roles such as Kaminari, Emma-O or any nameless demon or scary devil. Wood with Negoro lacquer, beautifully carved and lacquered, excellently conveyed facial expression, nice patina. Signed SUKETOSHI TO (carved by Suketoshi) on the back - for information on the artist see NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick, p. 1051. Height 2 7/16 inches (62 mm).

19th century wooden netsuke representing a theater mask of a man with round bulging eyes and rather insane grin. Probably the mask is that of Kentoku. Crisp detailing, wonderfully captured madness. Height 1 3/4 inches.

Japanese obidome (sash ornament) with polished moss agate stone, its natural pattern perfectly resembling a single tree with well defined branches. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, it is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Amazing natural picture, excellent finish and patina. Metal fitting on the back with two loops for an obi cord. Height 1 4/4 inches.

Late 19th century Chinese scholar jadeite seal of oval section with narrower finial with a hole for hanging. The impression of the seal is shown on the first photo (image is flipped left to right to present the image as it will actually print on paper). Natural untreated jadeite of very light green. The bottom is carved with raised characters, traces of red seal paste in the grooves. Wonderful piece appropriate for a scholar’s desk, excellent finish to the stone. Height 1 1/2 inches, length 5/...

Japanese bronze okimono (also can be used as scroll weight or a brush rest) of a seated monkey with an outstretched arm by the artist Suga Shoen II (1897-1979), who was recognized in 1974 as a holder of Intangible Cultural Property - the term refers exclusively to human skills possessed by individuals which are indispensable to produce Cultural Properties. Excellent sculptural rendition of the animal capturing its essence, beautiful light brown to lightest green patina. Marked with the seal of t...

19th century Chinese rock crystal seal made out of a natural polished crystal in a shape of a tall and narrow mountain peak characteristic of Southern China. The impression of the seal is shown on the first photo (image is flipped left to right to present the image as it will actually print on paper). Very beautiful stone with few natural features by the bottom, excellent quality carving of 2 raised characters, very fine polish to the surface, traces of red seal paste in the grooves. Very good o...

19th century netsuke in of a boy wearing a short jacket and reading a book as he sits on the back of a resting buffalo. The subject seems to be a variation of bokudo - a theme of a perfect peace of mind, and one of the stages of a journey towards Buddhahood. Wonderful carving perfectly capturing the tranquil mood of the scene, beautiful thoughtful face of the boy, excellent detailing - see the woven mat spread on the back of the beast, its tether with rope and dense hairwork. Eyes of the buffalo...

18th century wooden netsuke of sumitori - a woven basket holding charcoal during tea ceremony - containing sumi (charcoal), and with haboki (feather brush for ashes) and hibashi (fire tongues) on top. The wood is kurogaki (black persimmon). Excellent strong early carving elegant in its simplicity, clever design in Japanese taste, beautiful patina. Signed SANSHA on the bottom - this rare artist is listed on page 913 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. T...

Vintage Japanese kiriwood kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony) in a form of an open fan with painted decoration of blooming kikyo-zaki (Japanese morning glory) with leaves and tendrils. Comes with tomobako (original storage box made by the artist) inscribed, signed and stamped with a seal of Munehiro Michiba, Very clever design, in perfect condition. Great piece in Japanese taste. Length 3 5/8 inches.

Unusually large late 19th century wooden netsuke of a fish. Perfectly captured essence of the creature, pretty much actual fish size, beautifully carved fins, excellent rendition of its head. The material is sakura - cherry tree wood. Extraordinary done large inlaid convex eyes with dark and light horn and underlying gold foil producing superb live effect. Himotoshi goes through its mouth and under its cheeks, wonderful patina, very pleasant to hold. Superb sculpture. Length 8 1/16 inches (20.5 ...

Very unusual late 19th century Japanese lacquer small table screen decorated on both sides with tsuba (Japanese sword guards). Excellent clever work with different lacquer colors and textures imitating rusting iron and cleaner silvery surfaces of different tsuba. Beautiful carved textured surface of the rest of the screen with lower layer of red lacquer and upper layer of tan colored one. Wonderful patina, in excellent condition. Height 6 7/8 inches (17.5 cm), maximum length 10 inches (25 cm).

Rather unusual late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) small scholar’s rock in a form of anthracite nugget on dark hardwood stand. Very unusual material for a scholar’s rock - anthracite is type of coal of a hard variety that contains relatively pure carbon. Rich black surface, natural lines in the material, in great condition. Height with stand 1 5/8 inches, stone length 1 7/8 inches, stand length 3 inches.

19th century Chinese chess piece (I assume it to be a bishop) carved as a Chinese official wearing richly decorated robe and holding a fly-whisk. Made for export, superb carving with portrait quality face and excellent depiction of swirling leaves and vines decoration of his robe. Stained red, some chips as can be seen on photos, overall in great condition. Height 2 11/16 inches.

Late Meiji to early Taisho (1910s) Japanese silver belt buckle, its front engraved with a galloping horse. Beautiful crisp work capturing the essence of the creature, gilded highlights, marked SILVER 850 on the back. Signed with 2 characters reading SHUNSEI, in superb condition. Size 2 3/6 x 1 9/16 inches

Late Meiji Japanese Bizen pottery ware chaire (tea caddy for storing powdered green tea used in tea ceremony) with slender body of rounded triangular section and narrow mouth. Wonderful potting, beautiful patina, very nice texture and play of colors to the glaze on its surface. Inscribed by the potter on the bottom. Turned bone cover lined with silver colored foil on the inside. Great piece in excellent condition. Height with cover 3 3/8 inches.

Vintage Japanese burlwood stand of irregular shape, to be used for placing small objects during tea ceremony or display of okimono. Wonderful wood with supremely beautiful texture resembling swirling clouds, in excellent condition. Length 4 1/4 inches, width 2 3/4 inches, height 5/8 inches.

Vintage Japanese burlwood stand of irregular shape, to be used for placing small objects during tea ceremony or display of okimono. Wonderful dense wood with supremely beautiful texture resembling swirling clouds, in excellent condition. Length 4 1/4 inches, width 3 inches, height 1/2 inches.