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

Late Qing Dynasty to Republic period (1900s to 1930s) Chinese porcelain covered round box for seal paste with underglaze blue painting of a phoenix in flight among wispy clouds. Excellent quality freehand painting with beautiful washes, in superb condition, was never used, I guess. Four seal style character mark on the bottom. Very quiet subtle piece for scholar’s desk. Diameter 2 1/2 inches.

Vintage Japanese glass obidome (sash ornament) with high relief abstract geometric design. 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. Beautiful design, wonderful quality glasswork, very pleasant finish. Metal fixture with two loops on the back for an obi cord. Length 1 3/4 inches.

Vintage Japanese glass obidome (sash ornament) with domed top containing delicate multicolored flower with stem and leaves on lattice background. 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. Beautiful design, excellent quality glasswork, very pleasant to hold. Metal fixture with two loops on the back for an obi cord. Diameter 1 1/16 inches.

Unusual vintage Chinese soapstone brush rest for a scholar’s desk carved in a form of a Chinese boy resting on his knees, the front part of his body leaning on a huge ball. Nice face, beautiful patina, great feel of age to the piece. Length 3 inches.

Wooden netsuke of thoughtful ape (looks like orangutan) by contemporary New Zealand netsuke carver Doug Marsden (b. 1958). Superb quality carving to the last detail, extraordinary face with horn inlaid pupils, perfectly carved hands and feet with well defined joints and nails, beautifully textured coat, great staining. Height 2 inches.

Rather unusual Japanese porcelain obidome / netsuke in a shape of a mask of a female theatrical character Waka-Onna. Obidome is worn on an obi cord that holds the obi sash together, and is the only type of jewelry worn by Japanese women on formal occasions. Very clever design, excellent modeling and enameling - see her crisp features and delicate toning of the face. Bar on the back for an obi or netsuke cord, in perfect condition. Signed KOSUZU on the back...

Japanese obidome (sash ornament) with polished moss agate stone, its natural pattern perfectly resembling an early morning with mist revealing trees and bushes with wonderful atmosphere. 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 1/2 inches.

Vintage Chinese soapstone small brush rest carved to represent a Taihu scholar’s rock with numerous perforations and crevices. Beautiful intensely black soapstone with excellent waxy surface, extraordinary carving, in superb condition. Wonderful object for a scholar’s desk. Length 3 7/16 inches, height 1 7/16 inches.

Vintage Chinese soapstone small scholar’s rock carved to represent a Taihu stone with numerous perforations and crevices. Beautiful Liaoning green soapstone with excellent waxy surface, extraordinary carving, in superb condition. Wonderful object for a scholar’s desk. Base length 1 1/4 inches, total height 3 1/8 inches.

Vintage Japanese kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony) made out of natural clam shell painted with lacquer on the inside with of a gnarled trunk and cherry flowers. Very clever design, rather suggestive erotic (see Enlargement 6) connotation as is usual with clam shape in Japanese culture, two parts fit perfectly and stay closed very well, in superb condition. Signed with a seal of the artist that seem to read TOGAI. Wonderful piece in Japanese taste. Length 3 5/8 inches.

Unusual Japanese bronze / brass haisaji - spoon for ashes from hibachi used during tea ceremony. Good design, hammered spoon part, braided wire nicely imitating cord. Comes in paulownia box with wrapping cloth, must be about 50 years old. Wonderful object in great condition, beautiful patina from use. Spoon length 8 1/2 inches, box length 9 1/4 inches.

Japanese obidome (sash ornament) with polished jasper top, its natural pattern perfectly resembling a view of a rocky hill and distant trees in the mist. 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 natural picture, excellent finish and patina. Metal fitting on the back with two loops for an obi cord. Length 1 9/16 inches.

Japanese obidome (sash ornament) with polished jasper top, its natural pattern perfectly resembling a view of a desert with dunes and incoming sandstorm. 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 1/2 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.

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 numerous white 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 finely textured petals, in perfect condition. Height 0.64 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with two flowers on stems with prickly leaves - appear to be some species of a thistle. 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 finely textured petals, in perfect condition. Height 0.76 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead of flattened ball shape with black body and 2 pairs of sunflower and face designs. 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. Diameter 0.81 inches.