Catalog (189)

TWO JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS COMMEMORATING FREDERICK STARR & NOSATSU.

Frederick Starr was a professor of anthropology at Chicago University who first visited Japan in 1904 and made many subsequent visits. He wrote many papers on Japanese subjects but is probably best known in Japan for his interest in pilgrimage, he dressed in traditional pilgrim’s clothing and performed the Shikoku pilgrimage in 1917 and 1921. He became fascinated with the tradition of nailing name slips (nosatu) to te...

AN ELEGANT CHINESE PAKTONG TOBACCO PIPE, 19THC

The pipe looks a little like yellow brass in some pictures but this is a result of recent tarnishing, perhaps I should have polished it a little before taking the photographs. The base has an engraved inscription. 19th century I suspect. Especially nice is the cloud collar and the subtle shape of the base, almost peach-shape in section.

17.3/4 inches (45cm) high. Fine condition. The conical wall of the base has a slight depr...

AN OLD JAPANESE PAINTING OF MONJU BOSATSU.

Monju Bosatsu - Manjushri Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The painting appears to have great age and even though not in the best of condition it still has a compelling presence. It is painted on a composite sheet of thin paper, the joins can be seen as angled lines across the sheet and mounted as a kakemono. The painting is signed with a single seal impression in gold.

The painted area is approximately 106cm by 40.5cm. The painting has ho...

AN ATTRACTIVE CHINESE CLOISONNE MEIPING, LATE 18TH ~ EARLY 19TH C.

A miniature Chinese cloisonne meiping vase, late 18th ~ early 19th century. Bright colours and good gilding. It is apparent that the wires are soldered which is a technique associated often with earlier wares.

Approximately 7.7 cm high. Small bruise on side with missing enamel. Tiny areas within the foot-rim where enamel is missing, manufacturing fault.

Please study the photographs.

Within t...

A CHINESE FOLDING FAN.

A Chinese paper fan with bamboo sticks, the paper centre is varnished in order to stiffen the paper. The bamboo sticks are decorated with a hot point, a technique known in the West as pyrography. There is a worn out silk tassel with a large amethyst bead.

Approximately 30 cm long. The fan is in fine condition overall but one or two on the bamboo inner sticks have short splits. These could be easily strengthened with glue.

Please study the photograph...

A MUGHAL PAINTING, FLOWERS & BUTTERFLIES.

A beautiful and skilled painting of a flowering stem , painted in opaque water colour on a deep blue-grey ground. The paper is burnished on the back. India, 19th century or earlier.

Approximately 30.5 cm x 17.5 cm. Good condition but a short tear on the edge repaired with tape on the back. Slight age wear as expected.

Please study the photographs.

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A FINE ARITA KO-SOMETSUKE DISH, 18TH CENTURY.

The shallow dish with a slight foliate edge decorated with a central roundel of shochikubai, pine ; plum and bamboo, set against a ground of scrolling ivy. Within the foot-rim is found a four-character fuki-choshun mark.

Approximately 18.4 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

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A JAPANESE EXPORT DISH, LATE 17TH CENTURY.

This fine dish is decorated with designs taken from Ming Chinese Wanli 'Kraak' wares and came about as a result of a disruption of Chinese production during a period of unrest. Dutch traders who found their Chinese trade stopped resorted to ordering from Japanese makers. The Japanese versions of these Kraak style pieces are usually thicker than the very thin Chinese Kraak wares and this has ensured their survival in often pristine condition. Thi...

The design of butterflies and melons is seldom encountered on Chinese porcelain, found only on a few Qianlong pieces. This shaped dish I feel is from the early 19th century but the ‘orange peel’ surface of the porcelain is often found on Qianlong export pieces. Like the Qianlong painted melons these have a pronounced ‘spotting’ in either famille rose or gold enamel on the fruits. 

Approximately 20.6cm across, 6.4 cm high. Perfect condition with no frits, chips, cracks or rest...

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 ...

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 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.

Please study 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.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank to bank transfer is preferred.

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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.

Please study the photographs.

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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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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...

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 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...