Catalog (189)

A fine woven tonkotsu, 19th century.

Deftly woven with very thin strips of bamboo then lacquered to strengthen and waterproof. The cord guides and knop are cleverly integral and remain complete and in good condition. Within the lid there is a maker's 'ruyi' mark in red lacquer. This set comprising of tobacco box, agate ojime and stag horn netsuke must have been brought back from Japan as a souvenir and perhaps kept in a cupboard, it is, except for some slight wear, in perfect condition. ...

An Early Japanese Bronze Mirror, Kagami, Circa 1600. (No.1) This bronze mirror (kagami) was almost certainly made in the Momoyama period. It has a turtle (minogame) as a central boss, pierced for a cord. It also features a pair of cranes, their beaks touching the head of the turtle as in the act of kissing. This beneath a splendid pine tree. Under the turtle is found the inscription 'Tenjō' (?) possibly meaning Heaven.

Approximately 10.4cm diameter. Many signs of wear and polishi...

The Chinese porcelain dish has a border of two repeating elements, a garlanded ruyi and three interlinked rings. The centre of the dish depicts a Chinese landscape with two scholars approaching a solitary angler. The dish was made for the Japanese where such pieces were used and much appreciated in the tea ceremony, at a time when the Japanese porcelain industry was in its infancy.

Approximately 15.5 cm diameter. No cracks or restoration, just some inevitable mushikui, “worm eaten edg...

A French porcelain octagonal vase and cover after a Kakiemon original by Samson of Paris, 19th century. This is very close to the original as can be seen when compared to a pair of vases on ormolu stands in the Tokyo National Museum.

Approximately 21.5cm high. The top of the neck has been damaged and pieces glued into place. The stopper is also glued into the neck. Slight loss to enamels here and there.

Please study the photographs.

~~~ IF YOU WISH TO...

Manufactured specifically for export to Europe sometime during the first half of the 18th century. The cutout, rather small in this case, is to allow the bowl to fit comfortably under the chin when the barber is wielding the razor. Barbers at that time also provided a service to the medical profession by bleeding patients and these bowls are sometimes called 'Bleeding Bowls'. The two holes in the rim, pierced before firing in the kiln, are for suspension cords so tht the bowl could be displayed ...

An interesting and inventive sculpture of a performing elephant balancing upon a ball whilst supporting an acrobat with his trunk. The sculpture is solid bronze and cast in the lost wax technique, cire perdue. This method is able to faithfully reproduce all of the quirky textures that the artist has chosen. The sculpture is mounted on a white marble base and is, as far as I can see, unsigned.

Approximately 33cm high. Fine original condition. The weight is 3478 gm.

Please...

An old Nanban hanging flower vase, kakéhana, in its original inscribed box. The vase is in fine undamaged condition and has a good old patina. The inscription literally translates as “Nanban hanging flower vase”. The applied decoration is perhaps a depiction of a Buddhist rosary. 19th century.

Approximately 12.8 cm high.

Please study the photographs.

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A Chinese Yixing stoneware incense burner in the form of Budai, laughing as usual, grasping a small pile of cash. The stoneware has been attractively enameled with flowers and a Shou medallion decorates his back. The base has an impressed maker’s mark. 19th century.

The incense burner is in two parts, Budai sits on a large cushion, this base features a pierced disc for the insertion of joss sticks.

Approximately 15.5 cm high. From the exterior the burner is in perfect condition. ...

A striking porcelain double gourd vase by the eminent Kutani potter Matsumoto Saichi V The tall shape has four raised ribs on the matt buff/white glazed body, the bottom gourd boldly painted with sets of green stripes on a tan ground. The buff/white glaze is curious, on close inspection it looks like crushed oyster shell. Signed on the base. The vase comes with its original signed and inscribed box.

Approximately 31.7 cm high. The vase and box are both perfect.

Matsumoto Saich...

An Indian stone surahi expertly turned on a lathe from a single piece of black steatite, a variety of soapstone. It is beautifully made and very light, displaying the remarkable hollowing performed by the artisan. It relates directly to bronze and brass versions from the 18th century. With this flask is a turned alabaster bowl, also elegantly made, that has a curious slightly domed bottom. The bowl perhaps dates from the 19th century. Given the nature of the materials used these are both rare i...

An oval Thewa pendant from Rajasthan in northern India. Thewa is the technique invented around 400 years ago where filigree gold designs are fused onto a coloured glass ground, then backed with silver foil. This pendant depicts prey being attacked in what looks like a palace garden. The work is very fine and I have had to show the photographs oversize to show the detail. The pendant is missing its frame but still has a small card protector and the green silk backing.

Approximately 5...

An unusual lacquered flower vase, hanaike, by the eminent bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai II ( 1919~2000 ). The black lacquered bamboo vase is decorated in vermillion lacquer with a sago palm and is also signed. The vase is complete with its original blue cotton bag and a signed and inscribed box.

Chikuunsai I began the family tradition of making fine bamboo crafts in 1890, it still flourishes today under the direction of Tanabe Chikuunsai III.

Approximately 30 cm high. Fine...

A Japanese Kyo-yaki bowl decorated with acorns and oak leaves in thick gosu blue enamel. The moulded stoneware body is probably from a Seto kiln. Meiji period.

Approximately 14.5 cm diameter, 5 cm high. Fine condition with only one shallow frit to the rim noted.

Please study the photographs.

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A Chinese cloisonné enamel vase decorated with scrolling lotus flowers against a white ground. Early 19th century.

Approximately 13 cm high. The vase is in fine condition with only a little wax infill to report, this to a small area below the mouth rim, noted in the photographs.

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From India, a tiny but fine and old bronze figure of Bhu Devi, the Earth-Goddess and second wife of Visnu. 17th century or earlier.

Approximately 7.7 cm high. Fine condition with a lovely old patina.

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A well finished bronze figure of the infant Krishna, in the act of stealing pats of butter from his mother's kitchen. It's from India, probably from 18th century South India.

Approximately 7 cm long, 8 cm high. Fine condition.

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A glass bead decorated gourd from the Maasai people in Kenya. This type of gourd is used traditionally for the mixture of milk and blood that is a staple of the Maasai diet. Early 20th century.

Approximately 24 cm long. In fine condition. Noted are half a dozen insect holes in the lid, these are old and mostly filled in. Please note that the stand is not included with this item.

Please study the photographs.

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A fine carved and painted marble sculpture of the Hindu deity Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. He is holding his war axe in one hand, an elephant goad, ankusha, in another. A further holds a rosary and the last holds a sweetmeat. A hooded cobra supports his trunk and a large rat nibbles his foot. From northern India, mid 19th century.

Approximately 6.5/8 inches (17 cm) high, 3.7/8 inches (10cm) wide. For this genre the sculpture is in unusually good condition, most are found badly ...