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

Lot of 9 Sotheby’s catalogs from 1978 to 1983 relating to netsuke. Very good reference material, all in decent vintage condition, black and white photos, most of catalogs with prices realized.

Japanese hanging scroll depicting 3 Chinese scholars having wine and probably a good conversation at the table by the rock, with an attendant taking care of wine heating and pouring. There are fruit, books and some other items on a smaller picnic table. Ink and colors on paper, excellent quality painting in Japanese scholar’s style, great brushwork. Signed KOKEISAI in black ink and sealed SEIJI in red paste (see detail)...

Japanese hanging scroll of a low hills and a fishing village in the background, and shallow sea with a man pushing his boat with a pole. Ink and colors on paper, excellent impressionist rendition of a classic theme, superb free brushwork. Signed and sealed SHOSEN in lower right corner. Paper mounts, wooden scroll ends, overall in great condition. Scroll size 51x22.5 inches, painting size 13x18 inches.

1920s Japanese ceramic tokkuri - sake bottle - with conical body and narrow mouth. The piece was made at Shigaraki kilns - one of the six ancient kilns of Japan - and displays typical coarse body with large sand particles, freely applied gray glaze with some areas that fired brick red. Excellent piece in Japanese taste, beautiful spiral line on the bottom. Some compressed dust, overall in excellent condition. Height 5 3/8 inches.

Studio Japanese porcelain vase with bulbous body, wide shoulders and delicate Kakiemon palette enamel decoration of flowering chrysanthemums issuing from rocks. Great potting, underglaze blue painting of the rocks, fantastic quality painting with red, lilac, blue, yellow and 2 shades of green enamels, in excellent condition. Signed on the bottom KISEN in underglaze blue. Height 8 1/2 inches, diameter at the widest 7 1/4 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 Japanese wooden obidome (sash ornament) carved as a peony flower with leaves resting on an open fan. 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. Excellent sharp carving, beautiful painted highlights, very pleasant to handle. Signed on the back with a kakihan (carved monogram) of the artist. Length 3.1 inches.

1930s Japanese studio porcelain vase of modified double gourd shape with delicate Kakiemon palette enamel decoration of a flowering branch with leaves and blossoms. Great potting, fantastic quality painting with red, blue, green, yellow and black enamels, in excellent condition. Signed on the bottom AKIYAMA in red enamel. Height 7 3/8 inches.

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 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) and other flowers and grasses. 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.

Vintage green stained staghorn obidome (sash ornament) carved as a running lizard. 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. Clever design, good quality carving, nice finish and patina, two metal fittings on the back for an obi cord. Length 2 inches.

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.

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.

Japanese glass obidome (sash ornament) with flowers floating on a stream with air bubbles and silver foil flakes. 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. Nice design, wonderful quality glasswork, very pleasant to hold. Length 0.88 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with numerous cherry flowers and a crescent moon, silver foil flakes background. 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.

Early Showa period (1930s) Japanese kogo (box for incense during tea ceremony) of turned wood, the top lacquered black, the bottom red. Superbly elegant object in Japanese taste with overwhelming simplicity, two parts fit perfectly, beautiful surfaces, in excellent condition. Diameter 2 3/8 inches.

Japanese glass ojime in a form of tombodama bead with black body and of numerous white flowers and beautiful ribbed leaves. 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 and yellow centers of the flowers and fine structures of the leaves, in perfect condition. Height 0.6 inches.

Vintage Japanese glass obidome (sash ornament) with complex interwoven red, black and white streaks resembling kelp strands.. 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. Excellent crisp work, very pleasant to hold. Length 0.88 inches.