$1,500.00
In the Meiji era this plate was additionally decorated in moriage technique with overglaze enamels that required lower kiln temperatures. Images is a warrior hare, dressed in more or less Chinese warrior dress, a spear and war-fan in his hands, a halo with three sacred jewels behind his head. He is in the company of a horned goblin with a war-club, together sitting on the back of a winged dragon-fish (Shachihoko).
Rim decorated with karakusa.
Mingei (folk art). Older ceramics, redecorated with appealing motifs were subsequently offered for sale to tourists who started traveling Japan in the Meiji era.
Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850 with Meiji era overglaze decoration.
H 2-2.25 x diam. 13.75 in.
Few underglaze chips in the rim of the platter, overpainted by the karakusa motif. The brown enamel on the dragon fish is irregular, but not flaking or chipping. All in all very good condition.
More photos available upon request
$1,600.00
Hat and sake bottle are attached to the tanuki with braided silk cords.
Mingei.
Root wood with black staining.
Japan, Meiji-Taisho era early 20th century
H 15.5 in.
Thin cracks around the neck, where the head is attached to the body. Black stain is flaking. Other small chips and thin cracks commensurate with age and materials used. All in all, still in very good condition.
More images available upon request
$1,200.00
The broad grain of the wood was used to accentuate the round cheeks, nose and nostrils. The wood was formerly stained with a reddish-brown color, now almost completely worn off. Around the eyes there are remnants of a light-colored pigment.
There are two small holes in the top of the ears in which the attachment cords would have been fastened.
The mask was made perhaps for Kyogen, the comic interludes of a noh performance. Since it has folky characteristics, it may have been used in rural theaters, on village stages or by itinerant street performers.
Japan, 19th century
H 8.25 x W 7.5 in.
The mask comes with a black lacquered metal stand. H with stand 13 in.
Chips in the pigments on the front, unimportant chips in the wood on the edges on the back. All in all very good condition.
$1,000.00
Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper
Japan, 20th century
H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)
Excellent condition
$340.00
Very soft clay modeled in a mold and fired at low heat. Painted with gofun (ground eggshell producing the white color), natural/mineral pigments and gold, applied after the figure has cooled. The soles of the paws are left uncolored (light brown)
Japan, Meiji era, about 1900.
H 7.4 x L 7 x W 3.25 in.
The black and white of the dog’s fur is soiled, rubbed, and somewhat crumbling and fragile, showing partially the underlying brown clay, some touch-ups in the black areas; all in all, in good, stable condition
Clay dolls – kawara ningyo - have been produced in large quantities all over Japan at least since the early Edo period. They were made as toys and souvenirs for travelers. Clay was hand-modeled or put in molds to make different shapes, which were fired at a low heat. Subsequently, each figurine was painted with bright (mineral/natural) colors. It is a craft, mingei or folk art, with regional differences in colors and subject matter. In Koga, Nagasaki, the subject was mostly figures related to the foreigner traders that were living in the Nagasaki area, such as Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch, but also monkeys and other animals.
In the early days, a large variety of models were made. Although the dolls are still made today, the number of different models has been reduced.
$1,400.00
Keyaki (Paulownia) wood, carved in a slightly abstracted manner, called ittobori.
Unsigned. Mingei (folk art)
Japan, 19th century.
H ca. 11 x W 10½ in.
Tension cracks (consistent with material and age), several scuff marks, painters tape on bottom.
Daikoku is one of the seven gods of good fortune. He stands for good fortune and wealth. The rice bales (good harvest) and treasure bag are two of his typical attributes.
$550.00
Nine spurmarks in the center.
Mingei
Seto ware, Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850
H 2-2.25 x diam. 12 in.
Several small scuffs and frittings in the rim, one large chip on the underside of the time, showing that the rim is hollow
From a private collection of mingei ceramics in New Jersey
$700.00
Five spurmarks in the center.
Mingei
Seto ware, Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850
H 2.75 x W 14.5 x D 14 in.
Repaired chip on rim, one old chip under rim, several smaller scrapings and damages all commensurate with age and heavy usage. Fissures in the glaze that have no impact on stability, usability or visual appeal.
From a private collection of mingei ceramics in New Jersey
$550.00
Seto region, Japan, Edo period, 1800-1850
H 2 x Diam 10.5 in.
Several knicks and chips esp. on the rim edges and a short, old crack commensurate with age and heavy usage. All in all very good condition
From a private collection of mingei ceramics in NJ
$395.00
The finely ribbed body of middle brown coarse clay is covered with two elongated patches of thin, translucent reddish-brown glaze. The lip with splashes of greenish glaze, on the inside gray glaze.
Karatsu ware. Japan, late Edo period, mid-19th century
Height: 12.25 inches (30.5 cm).
Firing crack in bottom, NOT through and through (does not leak), otherwise mint condition
$900.00
Japan, Taisho era, 1910s-1920s.
H ca. 18 inches.
One repaired crack from the bottom going up into his left shoulder, some scuffs and chips at edges, several tension cracks. All in all very good and stable condition.
The dance Sambaso originated in noh (kyogen) theater, as a prayer for prosperity (abundant rice harvest) at the beginning of the program. The dance was adapted for kabuki and bunraku, as well. It was performed at the opening of the new kabuki season, which coincides with the beginning of the new year, or at the opening of a new theater.
$1,500.00
Japan, Edo period, 19th century or a bit earlier
H 11.25 inches
Very good condition
$1,300.00
The pin holders are decorated as a male and a female doll in court style, their mouths wide open. The words ireko ningyo are branded into the wooden board. On the back of the board paper label with a flying plover and the words ireko ningyo; another paper label shows the proper names of the different parts of a rowing oar. Ireko ningyo is almost a play of words. It means nesting dolls (doll in doll in doll), but it also means pin holder on an oar in the shape of a doll.
Wood with color pigments, iron nails. Mingei (folk art).
Japan, early 20th century.
Measurements: W 19 in.; H 8 to 10.75 in.
Paint virtually completely weathered away, upper part missing, old repairs with iron nails
$450.00
Japan, Edo period, early 19th century. Very rare pieces.
L stick 1: 15 in.; depth saucer 3.5 in. L stick 2: 16 in.; depth saucer 3.5 in.
Iron corroded and connections a bit loose (not disconnected, though!), one bamboo with very thin crack the does not impact the stability or beauty of the piece. Traces of usage.
$525.00
All light wood, wooden joints (ears on sticks for manipulation by hand).
Japan, 19th century.
H 6.5; D 9.5 inches.
Nice patina, minor traces of usage: small chip at one of ears, short and unimportant crack in skull. All in all very good condition.
$300.00
Hand modeled, soft hollow earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 5 in.
Colors somewhat smudged and chafed; frittings at the bottom edge. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
$300.00
Soft hollow cast earthenware or plaster, painted in vibrant cold-applied colors and sprinkled gold flakes.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 5 in.
Colors somewhat smudged, especially the blue. Some black smudges in the white face, affecting her left eye. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
$300.00
Soft molded earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold and silver.
Japan, 1960s or earlier.
H 4 in.
Colors and metal pigments chipping, otherwise good condition. Because of the cold application, the colors are fragile and easily wash away.
Rare subject matter