Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (170)

Outstanding and rare Meiji Period C. 1880 buddhist temple water bowl. Fabulous bronze work with mythical dragon handles and elephant tripod feet legs. Both sides of the bowl have mythical elephant faces with vine like runners in great relief. The rim is rimmed with lovely circle diaper. Ask for shipping quote. H:9" x W: 23" x Depth: 15"

Rare antique Japanese bronze calligraphy ink pourer with long spout and large oval handle. The lid has a mythical 'shishi' lion on top. The ink pourer has four leaves; each with raised swirls and hearts on a geometrical thunderbolt diaper background pattern. Lovely. c.1880. (7" x 5") (18cm x 13cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $55.

Sensational Meiji Period C.1890 Imari Charger. Motif of Ikebana flower arangements. Very art deco and like a painting. Hand drawn with cobalt blues and fired at high temperatures. Signed by Fukuichi, a reknown Imari artist in Kyushu. 13"x 13". Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece with extraordinary history. This altar table was one of 4 pieces we acquired at auction from the private residence of the 14th and final Daimyo (Lord)of the Tokushima Han (clan) Hachisuka Mochiaki of Awa Province on Shikoku Island in central Japan in the Edo Period. He lived 1846-1918. Hachisuka Koroku, his great grandfather, was one of Hideyoshi's (the 2nd Shogun) top generals in early Edo Period and Hideyoshi awarded the Hachisuka the province of Tokushima in Awa (Shikoku) and they ruled it throughout the Edo Period until the Daimyo system was abolished in the Meiji Period in 1868. Quick to see the direction in which the wind was blowing, he pledged loyalty to the Imperial forces. In 1869, with the hanseki hokan (Abolition of the han system), he was appointed Governor of Tokushima Prefecture. In 1872, Hachisuka went to Great Britain and attended Oxford University. After returning to Japan, he was chief advisor to the Meiji Emperor. In 1882, Hachisuka was envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to France, and received the title of kōshaku (marquis) under the new kazoku peerage system. After returning to Japan, he served as a member of the House of Peers, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture, President of the House of Peers, Minister of Education, and Privy Councillor. He died in 1918, and his grave is located in Tokushima. The condition is excellent with minor lacquer wear on the top. The intricate carvings in gold gilt on wood are of: mythical kirin, turtle, cranes, peonies and vines all symbols of longevity and purity in Buddhism. H:51cm x W: 33cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely serene buddhist Jizo bodhisattva diety with almost a knowing smile breaking. Carved out of granite in the Late Meiji Period. H:32cm; W:19cm; depth 13cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Pair of rare negoro lacquered, wood Edo Period C.1860 zen buddhist temple altar candlestands. Fabulous buddhist cloud carvings in gold gilt at the base. Wood is Japanese cypress. H:23" x W:12". Great condition. One candlestand has a split at the top. (see picture). Ask for shipping quote.

Museum piece bronze temple lantern dated Bunsei 13 ( Edo Period C. 1830). Inscription on the base reads: Bunsei 13, Year of the tiger, November, Auspicious Day. Gosho - machi ( Gosho village) Shoei-Ji (Shoei Temple). Shoei Temple is a Jodo -shu temple in Nara established in C.1100. It was rebuilt in C.1577. The lantern is bronze with a chrysanthemum motif and lined with old rice paper. In unbelievably great condition. H: 76cm x diameter: 28cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Fabulous celebratory Shinto Shrine gable carving Ca. 1850. Carved from keyaki wood, the sixteen petal chrysanthemum is the crest or mon (紋) of the Japanese emperor and is often seen displayed on Shinto shrines throughout the country. This chrysanthemum is framed by a 'Noshi" a celebratory wrapping for gifts. This carving must have been for a new shrine. Great condition. Length: 35";H: 12"; depth: 3". Ask for shipping quote from CA.

Fantastic Meiji Period c.1885 earthenware storage jar from Shigaraki, one of Japan's pottery and cermics centers In Edo (17th, 18th) and Meiji Period 1868-1912. Wood fired in a 'nobori gama' climbing kiln, the natural ash glazes produce startling textures and patterns. The Shigaraki clays have 'choseki' or white stone which means long life. This tea leaf storage jar has a beautiful green glaze down the entire jar. Ask for a shipping quote. (H:30cm; diam.:23cm)

Exceedingly rare late Meiji Period C.1900 gold and black lacquered wood buddha stand with lotus leaves and buddhist clouds in carved relief. Negoro lacquer rim in back half with some wear, but otherwise in perfect nick. 20" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Important 'Omizutori' festival lacquer plate from the late Meiji Period. Omizutori (お水取り), or the annual, sacred water-drawing festival, is a Japanese Buddhist festival that takes place in the Nigatsu-dō of Tōdai-ji, Nara, Japan. This ceremony is to cleanse the people of their sins as well as to usher in the spring of the new year. Once the Omizutori is completed, the cherry blossoms have started blooming and spring has arrived. Eleven priests, who are called Rengyoshu, are appointed in December of the previous year to participate in the Omizutori festival. Priests are tasked with cleaning the sites for the rituals, making circuit pilgrimages to surrounding shrines and temples, and preparing various goods that are used in the rituals. During the time leading up to Omizutori, the priests are forbidden to speak at all or leave their lodgings, spending 2 weeks prior to the festival in prayer. They eat from special lacquer plates made for the festival. This plate is one of 36 made for that year featuring lotus in maki-e and the Heart Sutra written. 39cm in diameter. Quite thick at 2cm and made of stout elm. Great condition with original box. Ask for shipping quote.

Epic Edo Period Ca. 1860 keyaki wood (japanese elm) money box with hand forged, thick iron metal fittings. The stamp of the maker, "Shimizu" is branded on the inside. 13" long x 5 1/2" tall x 8" deep. excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Wonderful antique Japanese red bronze tea ceremony flower vase with cricket playfully leaping over tufts of grasses in raised relief. Signed 'Masanori Saku' made by Masanori on the original box along with the kanji 'Ho' or cricket and the characters, 'Ju Do Cha Bin ' tea ceremony vase. perfect condition. Meiji Period, c.1885. (8½" x 9")(22cm x 23cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $100.

Best turtle/crane bronze candlestick we have ever seen. The relief work and detail is magnificent. Late Meiji Period C.1890 piece. The lotus at the top has a square insert which dates the piece to Meiji. H:45 x width:15cm. Ask for shipping quote.

Lovely late Meiji Period C.1890 Imari hand painted ceramic vase. One side has phoenix and ikebana flowers, the other side a hawk and more flowers painted in great detail. Colors from natural pigment glazes. Great patina. Top lid has amythical shishi lion. Perfect condition. 32" tall by 13" diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

A brilliant set of 5 gentlemen from the Edo Period C.1850 by Kunisada I, one of the masters of the time. He was given the name Toyokuni III by his famous teacher Toyokuni in 1844. Fine detail and colors still very vivid. Framed in 3D out away from the surface would make a spectacular piece of art. H:28" x w:29". Ask for shipping quote.

Very rare and exceptional Late Edo/Early Meiji Period C.1880 bronze buddhist temple lantern. Originally held a small dish for an oil lamp. Thick heavy bronze that has oxidized with time to produce a lovely blue/green patina. On tripod legs with fantastic vine motif on the main body panels. Hinges on door still work. Lost wax cast. Just lovely. Height: 50cm x diameter:22cm. Excellent condition. Ask for shipping quote.

Rare bronze mythical turtle koro or incense burner from the early Meiji Period Ca. 1880. In the form of one of Japan's most famous legends is this mythological giant turtle known as the 'Minogame' or straw raincoat turtle due to the tail resembling a farmers straw coat. The Minogame is regarded as a very auspicious creature in Japan representing long life and good fortune. Sitting on its back is a nest of bronze waves holding a Hoju sacred gem koro or incense burner. 43cm long x 25cm wide x 25cm tall. Ask for shipping quote.