Catalog (283)

Very large pear-shaped chaire. Very dark brown stoneware, thin walls, with thin glaze of oily colors and fiery brown-red running down. Ofuke ware, Owari Province (Nagoya), Japan, late 18th century.

H 4 ½ inches

Fine condition, old handwritten label, identifying the piece as Ofuke, dating it to 1780s.

Provenance: Private collection of chaire (collection no. 37); bought from E & J Frankel, New York, May 17, 1984; ex Vassar College collection; ex Pratt Institute collection (1906)

Small compact vase of irregular shape on a wide foot. Brown clay with white mineral and tiny pebble inclusions typical for Shigaraki and Iga ware, with green and white ash glaze over cross hatched pattern on the shoulder.
A small metal loop on the shoulder in the back to hang the vase from a beam in the tokonoma.

Bottom unglazed. Impressed seal of artist: Kozan.
Japan, Iga ware, Showa/Heisei, circa 1970s-1980s.

H 3-3/4 in., W 4-3/4 in.

Mint condition

Morisato Kozan (b. 1915). Well-known Iga ware potter

Bronze cylindrical handwarmer (shuro or te-aburi) with decoration of gourds plastically dangling from a band of low relief leaves and vines. The spokes in the shoulder and cover also in the shape of gourds. The flat part of the cover with fretwork in the shape of leaves and engraved vines. Playful combination of brown and yellow bronze. The handles wrapped in soft leather. Japan, Taisho/Showa eras, 1920s-1930s.
Comes with the original fitted tomobako signed and with inscription on the outside of the cover:
Nakagawa Joeki tsukuru and seal Joeki; Bronze handwarmer with [design of] gourds and vines …

H ca. 12 in. diameter ca. 8 ½ in.

Few scuffs consistent with usage, leather a bit dry and brittle.

Nakagawa Joeki X (1880-1940) was famous for excellent metal work in beautiful art deco style. He came from a family of armor makers, going back to the 16th century. His son, Joeki XI (b. 1920), is the current head of the Nakagawa family.
Although the handwarmer itself is not signed, the craftsmanship and the storage box identify the master

Stoneware receptacle, probably used as a kensui, or waste-water jug, in the tea ceremony. Relatively high, straight sides with a constriction under the edge, decorated with the typical green glaze patches and geometrical patterns and plant motives in iron brown on white slip. Bottom inside left unglazed. Impressed seal in bottom, in the shape of a flying plover. Seto ware, Oribe style, Japan, Taisho period or early Showa, 1920s-1930s.

H 4 ¼ inches, diam. circa 4 ¼ inches.

Inside with water stains (chalk), slightly calcified crackle of green glaze on outside, tiny glaze chip, all in all very good condition.

Zushi or shrine with inside a wooden sculpture of an erect penis dressed in the typical dress of a palace groom, using the grain of the wood to accentuate belly and knees. Fertility symbol, probably used / displayed during local fertility festivals. Also classified as waraimono - things that make you smile. Japan, Meiji era, around 1900.

Case H ca. 10 ½ inches; sculpture H 6 ¼ inches

Zushi with a lot of wear. Sculpture in fine condition; was formerly glued to another base plate.

Very small double side zushi with inside the images of the Buddha Amida Nyorai and on the other side a Bodhisattva holding a covered jar. All doors painted with lotus flowers in water on a golden back ground. The zushi itself made of kiri-wood (Paulownia), which is known and used for its fire resisting qualities. Very special piece. Japan, Edo period, 18th century.

H 2 ¾ inches

Few age cracks (see photos), paint on doors a bit rubbed, otherwise excellent condition. Beautiful details.

Rare pair of foxes that guard a Inari shrine. One holding a jewel in the mouth, the other a key. Each squatting on a little pedestal. Earthenware with mineral color pigments red, blue, white and black. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.

H 19-1/2 x W 6-1/2 x D 9 inches.

One tail restored, key broken and partially replaced for the sake of symmetry, few chips. All in all excellent condition.

Almost square fukusa or gift cover, with hand-painted (yuzen dye-technique) and embroidered (silk, god and silver thread) decoration of a garden landscape around a house in spring. Possibly a scene from the Tale of Genji.
Reverse of the cover is a bright red silk cloth decorated in brocade weave with cranes, chrysanthemums, bamboo, pine and shippo design.
Silk tassels. Japan, Meiji era, probably early 20th century.

H 26 ½ x W 25 inches.

One tassel missing, one sharp central fold bending some silver threads, otherwise fine condition.

Beautiful thick bronze hollow votive figure in the shape of Dainichi Nyorai sitting on a lotus base, former part of a kakebotoke. His head gear finely engraved with floral motives. Bronze with dark brown patina and traces of gilding. Kamakura period, 14th century.

Mounted on Japanese, old kiri-wood stand

H 4 ¼ inches

Excellent condition

Hanging scroll. Painting of a tiger before a rock and bamboo, text in the upper half. Black ink and some faint red color on silk. Signed 73 year old hogen Sosen hitsu. Red artist’s seal. Japan, 18th century.

Yamamoto Sosen (1679-1760), Kyoto, Kano School

Painted area: 40 x 17 inches
Overall height 73 ¼ inches

Few tiny worm holes, old very light water stain, otherwise very good condition.

Pair of golden yellow silk fukusa or gift covers, with diamond pattern with water birds design in brocade weave, over which is embroidered in different hues of pink and in goldthread. The larger fukusa is decorated with a lobster carrying a treasure boat, holding several of the treasures. The smaller fukusa is decorated with a treasure boat, as well. Reverse decorated in brocade technique with a family crest in white silk. Japan, Taisho or Showa era, ca. early to mid-20th century.

H 29 ¾ x W 26 ½ inches and H 24 ½ x W 22 ¼ inches.

The smaller one with slight bleeding on the reverse (consistent with usage). Otherwise both in excellent condition.

Cast iron kakebotoke or votive plaque for a Buddhist temple or house shrine, showing Amida Nyorai in low relief with ajour in mandorla. Japan, Meiji era, 19/20th century.

Diameter 6 ¼ inches

Excellent condition

Framed painting of a warrior with a drawn sword, holding a severed head in his hand. On his back a flag with the image of a skull. Perhaps one of the heroes of the Taiheiki, such as Endo Giemon Masatada. But between Kuniyoshi and other Utagawa artists, several series of heroes were produced. Unsigned. The style of Utagawa Kuniyoshi or Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Black ink and colors on paper, mounted as a scroll, cut and framed. Japan, Edo period, 19th century.

Frame H 49 ½ x W 27 ¼ in. Image H 38 x W 20 in.

Some restored horizontal tears and worm holes.

Snake carved out of a natural piece of twisted keyaki (paulownia) wood, stained dark brown. Japan, Showa era, perhaps a bit earlier.

H ca. 24 in.

Excellent condition.

Set for carrying lunch. Bamboo and rattan basketry box lined with green brocade, the outside with an intricate diamond pattern woven in two colors, the corners fortified with leather. Dangling from one of the brass handles is a natural gourd with silver stopper and a lacquer sake cup, imitating Tamba stoneware. Japan, Meiji era, early 20th century.

Basket: H 3; L 6; D 4 ¼ inches (7,5 x 15,2 x 10,6 cm). Gourd: L 7 ½ inches (18,5 cm). Sake cup: diam. 2 inches (5,2 cm).

Traces of usage at basket, all in all good condition.

Mid-size stoneware jar for storing tea leaves or other.
Brown stoneware with white inclusions and a green splash of natural ash glaze. Slightly widening from bottom to shoulder, with a short more or less straight neck with everting lip.

Japan, Momoyama – Edo period, 16/17th century.

Height 12 ½ inches.

Excellent condition.

Figure of an eight-armed octopus, lying down in an almost elegant pose. Stoneware with gradient brown-beige color glaze. Signed on the back Hakushi or Hiroshi. Japan, later part of Showa era.

Length ca. 13 ½ x D ca. 9 inches.

Mint condition

Vase or jar with globular body, standing on a short foot and with everting rim. Moon jar. Underglaze blue decoration of carp swimming in water. Signed and sealed. Bottom marked as well. Korea, late 19th or early 20th century.

Height 12 in., width 12 ½ in.

Mint condition

Ex coll. Peter K. Warren, CT