Catalog (192)

White stone has a very pale celadon tinge and some translucency where the carving is thin. The curving shaft terminating in a dragon’s head has a smaller chilong winding its way toward the larger dragon’s head. The underside is carved with a button for attachment. It is well-carved and polished and in very good condition. Acquired 20 years ago in a Richmond, Va. Estate.

Length: 3 3/8 in.

The exterior of this bowl is painted overall in famille verte enamel colors of predominantly greens, with some yellows, blue, aubergine, iron-red and black. Three cartouches of people in a landscape setting are surrounded by various flowers on a dotted background that is covered overall in a pale green transparent enamel glaze. The interior is glazed white. The footring is glazed white with the foot unglazed to expose the dense porcelain body. The base is recessed and glazed. There are a few pinholes and minor glaze flaws, and some small chips and rim fritting. There are no cracks.

Width: 9 1/8 in., Height: 3 ¾ in.

Cast with flowing robe and benevolent facial expression. Stands upon a base cast in the form of sea waves surrounded by low a fence raised upon a hexagonal plinth. Figure and base were cast separately with the figure being attached to the base with two bronze pins. The figure was originally lacquered overall then gilded. Remains of this gilt lacquer can be seen especially in the creases of the robe and the hair around the edges of the hood. The figure is well-modeled, having subtle curve to the body and a flowing robe as if being blown by the wind. The sculpture exhibits evidence of its 450+ years; there are areas of light encrustation and verdigris on the base. The lacquer gilding is largely worn off. One of the fencepost finials is missing. There are minor casting flaws: a small hole in the lower garment original to the casting and flawed casting or loss of the left foot. There is also a small hole on the left wrist. The figure is somewhat loosely attached to the base, but is not removable. These issues are fairly typical with bronzes of this age and overall this is a graceful figure retaining its original patina.

Height: 8 ¼ in.; Width: 4 ¼ in. at widest point of base

The book, which translates to “Women’s Customs and Manners”, consists of 36 prints, all in excellent color and condition except No. 36, which has stains that migrated from the metallic printing on the interior back cover. Each print appears fresh with unfaded colors, some with embossing and metallic printing. Each print has the date and publisher’s information in the left margin. Dated Meiji 30 (1897), publisher: Matsuki Heikichi. The book is bound in traditional Japanese fashion with silk cords binding the prints together at the spine. The first page consists of the title and explanation. It too has been stained from migrated metallic printing on the interior cover. The second page lists the titles of each print. On the inside of the back cover the publisher’s information is given in English as well as a small reproduction of an early print of a street peddler. This sticker suggests an edition for English speaking clients or for export to England. The exterior covers show some wear and light brown staining.

This is an opportunity to own an entire series in excellent condition for about half the cost of buying the prints individually.

Height: 14 in.; Width: 10 1/8 in.

Signed Toyohara Kunichika and titled in cartouche in upper left, dated Meiji (1880), very good impression and color, very light soiling near bottom, upper corners lightly creased, very minor wear, not backed.

Oban tate-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.

The stone is of a mottled celadon to a pale creamy tone. The interior well appears to have originally been covered in lacquer, with some remnants still visible. The stone retains a soft polish and patina from handling. The round base is slightly raised and the piece fits very very nicely in the hand. Good condition, no chips or cracks.

Diameter: 2 ½ in., Height: 1 ½ in.

Good impression and color, very minor soiling, center fold

Album leaf: 9 x 13 ¾ in.

This slightly-waisted bottle vase is of a rich lavender red tone infused with overall speckling of deep red. The red glaze drains to a buff colored ring around the lip and continues into the interior for an inch or two. The glaze stops very evenly just above the neatly trimmed footring. A four-character seal mark in underglaze colbalt blue is centered within a circle of clear glaze that is bordered with two incised concentric rings. The rest of the base is unglazed , showing the fine, white porcelain paste. Excellent condition.

Height: 8 3/4 in., Diameter: 4 1/8 in.

Large flatten-formed snuff bottle carved from translucent agate having various smoke-like inclusions ranging from dark brown to a light brownish-ochre. The two narrow sides are carved with a stylish mask motif with a pendant handle. A low, shallow carved foot forms the base. The stopper is a large cabochon of aventurine quartz. Few very small chips to the mouth edge from use and wear, otherwise very good condition.

Overall height: 3 ¼ inches; Width: 2 ¼ in.

Even, whitish celadon tone, intricately pierced and carved on both sides with a scene of a daoist immortal rowing his log craft over the waves. A crane flies overhead symbolizing wishes for longevity. The raft terminates in a pine tree. The pine tree along with a flower basket in the center, are symbols of one of the eight immortals, Lan Caihe. This plaque was original intended to be used as a pendant ornament. There are two small holes in both the top and bottom edges to permit a fine silk cord to be inserted for suspension. One side of the carving retains an old collector’s inventory label. The plaque was fitted at a later date with a carved hardwood display stand permitting it to be used as a miniature table screen.

Stone height: 2 3/8 in.; width: 3 in. Height with stand: 3 ½ in.

Small beehive-form pot is covered in a rich, lustrous copper-red glaze that drains to a pale celadon tone on one side. The interior is glazed white with the glaze crackles being highlighted by ink staining from long term use. The copper has drained from the mouth leaving the often seen attractive white ring. The glaze stops at the beginning of the foot which though left unglazed has burnt a pale orange tone in the firing. The foot has kiln grit adhering to it from the sandy clay pad on which it was fired. The base is glazed and has a pale celadon tone. This piece has seen much use and there are areas of old ink residue around the mouth and interior. The potting of the mouth is slightly uneven but not damaged.

Purchased in Japan in the 1970s

Height: 2 in.; Diameter: 2 1/8 in.

Signed Kogyo with artist’s seal, fan-shaped publisher’s seal, very good impression, color and condition, remnants of attachment paper on back of four corners.

Oban yoko-e: 10 x 14 ½ in.

Well-potted brushpot with a very carefully painted dragon and fish design in a deep sepia-toned enamel that is slightly raised on the biscuit-fired background. Like the exterior, the interior is also unglazed. The base is slightly recessed and marked with a spurious six-character Xuande mark. This piece most likely dates to the Guangxu period, 1875-1908. Very good condition with no damages or restorations. The painting is extremely well executed.

Height: 4 3/8 in.; Diameter: 3 in.

This vase is covered overall in brushed slip (hakeme) with three registers of incised horizontal lines from which issue simple flame-like patterns. The brushed slip decoration extends into the flaring mouth and down to the footring. The foot is completely obscured by adhering fused sand from the firing. There are a couple of unintended copper red dots from the glaze. The condition is very good, having no chips cracks or repairs.

Height: 5 ¾ in., Diameter: 3 ½ in.

This incense-burner was cast with Mongolian script encircling body and has two handles with lion masks. It is raised on a slightly flaring footring and a slightly convex base showing wear and an old original surface with a mottled brown patina. The Bombay form rises to end in a flattened rim displaying evidence of long, continued use. The grayish-bronze interior shows its use as an incense burner. An old crack is visible to the head of one handle.

Width: 5 in. across handles, Height: 2 5/8 in., Weight: 302 grams exactly, about 10 ½ oz.

This bowl is covered overall in an attractive bluish green celadon glaze except for the footring, which shows the buff-toned porcelaneous stoneware body. The glaze is somewhat unevenly applied to the exterior. The interior has a glaze bubble that popped in the firing. Acquired in the early 1980s from an antiques dealer in Alexandria, VA.

Diameter: 4 ½ in., Height: 2 3/8 in.

Heavy black ink on thick paper, slight embossing effect, minor soiling, slight creasing to corners, not backed

Overall size: 10 x 14 ¼ in.

Glazed with turquoise, amber and green enamels, this laughing Buddha holds his large belly with one hand, and clasps a rosary in the other. The back is unglazed and a stabilized hairline extends from the foot to the top of the base. There is a collection inventory number incised on the rear base and there is a small chip to the foot. It is accompanied by a later carved wooden base.

Height: 11 in., Width: 6 ¾ in.