Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (155)

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with white core and two birds on a long branch with leaves and flowers. 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 - see the individual petals and leaves, in perfect condition. Height 3/4 inches.

Unusual early Showa period (1930s) Japanese mingei (Arts and Crafts) small shallow metal box with enamel decoration of a flowering prunus tree branches with leaves and blooms. Wonderful use of moriage (piled-up enamel) techniques, beautiful work, excellent patina, in perfect condition. Most probably made by the Ando company. Length 3 inches.

Netsuke of standing Jurojin holding a turtle on his hand. Jurojin is one of 7 Gods of Good Fortune, that of longevity, and the turtle - one of his usual companions - is also associated with longevity. The netsuke is essentially a wish for long life. Very nicely carved, great level of detail and perfectly captured facial expression, expert staining. Signed SEIGYOKU on the back - for a discussion of the artist see CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE by Miriam Kinsey, p. 226. Height 1 7/8 inches.

Japanese scroll painting in ink and colors on paper depicting a fishing village by a river with blooming irises rising from the water. Excellent quality painting with numerous details including thatched roof hut, drying nets, swimming duck, huts on stilts, fishing boats close and far away. Beautiful silk dragon brocade mounts, bone scroll ends, in perfect condition, comes with inscribed kiriwood box...

Japanese scroll painting in ink and colors on paper depicting 16 arhat - the original disciples of the historical Buddha - each with his attribute or animal companion. Excellent quality eccentric painting with wonderful half-mad faces, beautiful use of colors. Silk brocade mounts, rosewood scroll ends, in great condition. Exceptionally striking painting, comes with inscribed kiriwood box. Signed SUIMEI followed by 2 red seals by the artist...

Japanese scroll painting in ink and colors on paper depicting a samurai in full armor, a fan in his hand and a banner on his back, standing above a kneeling geisha, a lengthy poem inscribed above. Wonderful quality eccentric work combining Zen painting approach with Otsu-e (folk art paintings from Otsu produced from the 17th century onwards), beautifully captured mood of the scene. Silk brocade mounts, tiny bit of foxing, overall in great condition...

Japanese scroll with 3 mounted paintings done by 3 different artists - a running boar in ink on silk, a carp leaping out of a pond in ink and colors on silk, and a scholarly landscape in ink and colors on paper. Fantastic quality paintings, delicate use of ink washes and colors, each is signed and sealed by the respective artist. Silk mounts, rosewood scroll ends, in excellent condition, superb painting for display during tea ceremony...

Japanese scroll painting in colors on paper depicting “delicacies from the land and the sea” - a cuttlefish on a bamboo branch, edible taro bulbs and a long stemmed fuki - Japanese butterbur. Beautiful work, elegant composition in Japanese taste, delicate subtle painting. Signed SHUJI GA (painted by Shuji) followed by the red seal of the artist. Beautiful bamboo pattern paper mounts, lacquered scroll ends, in perfect condition, excellent painting for display during tea ceremony...

Early Showa (1930s) Japanese obidome (sash ornament) of round shape with engraved flowers. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions, and could serve as netsuke as well. Very nice work, beautiful patina. Metal fitting on the back with two loops for an obi cord. Diameter 1 1/8 inches.

Unusual Japanese painted pewter scroll weight in a form of a seated boy wearing a shishi costume used in shishimai dance, one of his legs outstretched. Very well cast, pleasantly heavy, nicely painted, some wear to paint as can be seen on photos. Feels very nice in a palm, very appropriate piece for scholar’s desk. Length 2 1/4 inches.

Vintage Chinese wooden stand of simple rectangular shape with scroll shaped legs. Beautiful dark dense rosewood with wonderful patina, in excellent condition. Maximum length 104 mm, maximum width 66 mm, height 24 mm.

Vintage Chinese wooden stand of simple rectangular shape with a waist register and 4 short legs. The top has four L-shaped recessed areas in the corners to accommodate a ceramic or bronze object. Beautiful dark dense rosewood with wonderful patina, in excellent condition. Maximum length of the top 104 mm, maximum width of the top 78 mm, height 37 mm.

Fukagawa Japanese porcelain small saucer decorated with a phoenix in flight among modified scrolling karakusa design. Karakusa is a stylized arabesque pattern said to have originated in ancient Greece and introduced to Japan in the 8th century through China. This one very cleverly incorporates leaves and flowers, perfectly painted by hand in underglaze blue. Use of light green and tomato red enamel on the phoenix...

Japanese obidome (sash ornament) with polished agate stone, its natural pattern perfectly resembling scholarly landscape with hills covered in lush vegetation and a wide bay beyond them. 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. Length 1 9/16 inches.

Unusual Japanese obidome (sash ornament) made out of bamboo stem and carved in low relief with blooming prunus branch. 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. Wonderful and clever use of material, beautiful finish and patina. Two metal fittings on the back for an obi cord. Signed EIKO and inscribed in hiragana EZO MURASAKI. Length 2 inches.

Japanese scroll painted with ink and colors on silk depicting a court lady wearing superbly rich formal juni-hitoe (12 layers kimono) attended by a young girl, all among pine saplings and with a sun rising through the early morning haze...

Japanese scroll painted with ink and colors on silk depicting a daimyo (feudal lord) in full military armor and a quiver full of arrows on his back before a battle. He is seated on a low chair on top of a tiger skin, a low table with sake cup, chopsticks and few small plates with condiments. There is a stretched textile screen behind him and a kneeling armored attendant holding a tall narrow banner...

Fukagawa Japanese porcelain vase of square section with indented corners, and underglaze blue and enamel decoration of a flowering prunus tree with chrysanthemum flowers at its roots. Excellent quality painting, skilled use of gold, green, tomato red, yellow and white enamels. Marked in blue enamel on the bottom with a mountain and inscribed FUKAGAWA TSUKURU (made in Fukagawa). Height 7 1/8 inches.