Catalog (6140)

Wonderful and rare Japanese antique small kiri (paulownia) wood choba tansu (merchant's chest), made all of thick kiri wood with unusually heavy iron work, sliding panels have horizontal slats that are reinforced with iron bracing, behind sliding panels is a compartment with an open shelf and two small kiri drawers each with heavy iron lock, every drawer has iron lock and square shaped drawer pull, a dramatic piece!, Edo Period (early 19th century). Size: 24 3/4" high x 25" wide x 16" de...

Unusual choba tansu made with keyaki (elm) wood with large persimmon wood beams running horizontal with through tennon joinery in the frame, identical top and bottom drawer with beautiful keyaki wood, sliding panels also of keyaki wood open to compartment with shelf, iron hardware, Edo/Meiji Period (early 1800's). Size: 35 1/2" high x 28 3/4" wide x 16" deep.

A sculpted Chinese hardwood box with auspicious motifs decorated on the lid of the box. The lid contains motifs of butterflies and a central medallion with peonies and a stylized form of the Chinese character for longevity. Age: 20th century. Size: height 3" width 6.75" length 10.75"

A Chinese hanging scroll depicting a pair of golden pheasant like birds flying above a group of flowers including peonies and orchids. The work contains the signature of Yu Xing. The work was done possibly around the mid 20th century or later. Age: 20th century Size: 78" long 28" wide

Snuff bottle made of beautiful white Peking Glass. This bottle has carvings on both sides of a face, most likely a protective deity. The bottle stopper is carved green agate in the shape of a ram-like creature with a single curved horn, its entire body coiled around itself. The carvings on this bottle are very detailed and beautiful. 19th 20th century Size: 2.25" tall, 1.5" wide

Clear small glass snuff bottle with light pink quartz topper, brick red paint around rim, base, and sides with etched dragon handle, intricate inside hand-paintings of black and orange koi on one side and beautiful, mountainous scenery on the other side. 19th century Size: 1.85" height, 1.25" width

Chinese Blue and White Tea Caddy from the 18th/19th century. Beautiful painting of large tea house in the mountains, animals walking through a field, stone bridge over a flowing river set along in a detailed landscape. Seal Mark Xuande Dimensions: 11 1/2" High (on stand) 8 3/4" (no Stand) X 6 1/2" Wide

Beautiful Chinese tall scholar's rock, made of yellow Taihu stone from the bottom of Lake Tai, Jiangsu Province, China, stands on wooden base, very pleasing and captivating form. Total Size on stand: 23" high

Pair of beautiful iron Abumi (horse riding stirrups). Gorgeous imprinted geometrical flower design all over iron, contrasted with red lacquered foot areas, from Edo period (18th century) . The black may be Shakudo, copper and gold. Dimensions: Height: 10in X 10in wide

Elegant two tiered Chinese Rosewood stand, hand carved with inlaid marble top. Hardwood is hand carved with flower images encircling the marble top. Leaves and vine carvings down each of the sides. The Legs of table have dragon like faces at top leading down to claw feet. Wonderful condition with radiant original finish, Circa 1900 Dimensions: 32" High X 21 1/2" Wide

Antique Chinese biyanhu porcelain snuff bottle with nine playing lions. Molded soft past porcelain with reticulated designs with rose quarts stopper. animals playfully playing with the xiu qiu balls over a background of swirling ribbons. Marked on bottom.

19th Century

Size: 2.75" height, 2.25" width

Chinese Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 220) belt hook. Made of bronze and gilded over entire surface. This belt hook has two Taotie masks, one on either side. The end of the hook itself is shaped in the form of a tiny chimera. Comes with stand.

Size of belt hook: 5 7/8" long

Antique Japanese two section isho tansu from the Sakata region, made with gorgeous Keyaki (elm) wood in original reddish brown finish. Each drawer has an iron lock incised like a flower over crossing leaves. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Wonderful original condition. Size: 44" height, 35 width, 16.5" depth

Antique Chinese Jumu (elm wood) Long altar table, with beautiful red original finish, carved with pierced spiral panels, nicely detailed leg panels. Beautiful condition with original finish.. 18th century. Size: 38.5" H x 97" L x 13.5" D

A beautiful Chinese unmounted scroll painting of a pair of beautiful women seated under pine trees. One of the women is playing an instrument called a guzheng. Signature and chop of Jingzhe Cui (born 1980).

Size: (entire scroll) 56.5" H x 29.5" W (painting only) 46" H x 24.5" W

Antique Japanese fireman's helmet, or kaji kabuki. Made from iron and copper plated, with red lacquer front bill incised with smoke clouds. Beautiful lotus shaped finial details the top of the helmet. Round kanji emblems on its sides. Iron display stand is also included. Original finish and condition. Comes with custom Iron Stand for safe proper display.

Edo period (1615-1868)

Size: 12" W x 13.5" D x 7" H (on stand) 11" H

Very fine Chinese antique belt hook carved in the shape of a knot with a butterfly on either end, made of beautiful mottled jade ranging from white to grey to bright blue/green, a silver fitting on the back was added later to convert this clothing hook to a pin or broach.

19th century

Size: 4" long x 2" wide

Antique Japanese 4 panel screen with rooster and hen. This unusual screen has gold lacquered open lattice work backed with the original sheer white silk. A beautiful scene of a blossoming plum tree, yellow daisies and chickens makes up the carved and painted foreground. The bottom portion of each panel is pierced carved and painted with scenes of rocks and cymbidium orchids.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 42" high x 60" wide.

Antique Japanese rare Funa tansu from Fukushima, made of Kiri (paulownia) wood. All original condition/finish. Five drawers of various size in front with simplistic iron hardware and four locks. Each drawer has it's own key.

Edo Period (1605-1868)

Size: 21.75" L x 15" W x 22" H

Hand-forged iron Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully repousse hammered, creating a natural realism. The lobster is fully splayed on steel plates and armature wire. All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg. Exquisitely crafted, showing off a very high skill of the metal worker. With artist signature underneath the lobster.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 13" x 7" x 5" (8 1/2" on stand)

An antique Japanese Fukushima Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original Urushi lacquer front with a wiped lacquer technique for the balance of the piece. Hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and the lock plates featuring auspicious good luck symbols like the treasure bag, the Gunbai paddle, and the lucky mallet. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-...

An antique Japanese large bronze shrine vase cast in a loss wax technique. Depicting waves of a rough ocean with sea spray floating in the air, the female turtle carries a hatchling on its back while facing downward with its mouth open to expel evil spirits. The male turtle is jumping above the waves with its mouth closed to retain the good spirits. All three turtles have their wisps of sea algae growing from their shells as a symbol of the parents old age and the hatchling's life beginning. ...

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Kyoto Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made entirely of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles. Copper sliding door handles. Top section features two sliding doors behind which is a spacious storage area where store books and records were kept and below which are 5 drawers. Bottom section features 8 drawers of varying sizes with two sets of sliding doors and a hinged safe behind which are 2 small drawers where valuab...

Antique Chinese bronze ding, tripod ritual vessel. Large swooping handles extend from either side of the relief decorated neck. The round body is supported by three feet, each decorated with the head of a horned animal. Great patination and mineral encrustations.

Age: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Dimensions: 11 1/4" high x 9 3/4" long (including handles) x 8" wide.

Neatly Framed behind glass, original watercolor wash of a woman bust by California native artist Nathan Olivera. Subdued tones.

Signed and dated 1964

Dimensions Frame:16 1/2" wide x 19 1/2" high
Unframed 9 1/2" wide x 12" high

note on rear, Good friends acquired directly from N. Olivera in a trade

Nathan Oliveira was born in Oakland, California in 1928 to a family of Portuguese immigrants. He studied painting and printmaking at the California Co...

Tokoname jars were made by piling coils of clay, smoothing the interior and exterior surfaces, and allowing the clay to dry before adding another section. The wide rim and mouth were then formed on a potter’s wheel and added to the top of the jar. The small base allowed the vessel to stand safely on a narrow step on the steep slope of a rising kiln floor; such kilns were built into the side of a hill and used wood for firing. The natural ash glazes took about a week to ten days to form and cre...

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Hangai Tansu (captain's business transaction chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. All original translucent Urushi lacquer with hand forged iron hardware. Security door with a working top lock and key that hides 6 interior drawers of varying sizes. Constructed using traditional dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wood nails.

Similar use to a merchant Choba Tansu except the Hangai Tansu was seaworthy for travel on the open seas.

Beautiful Japanese antique storage tansu with locking bar, made with all keyaki (elm) wood front and frame, iron hardware, top portion has three drawers covered by a vertical locking bar, bottom portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats, bottom right side opens to reveal two small interior drawers, deep red translucent lacquer finish, Edo Period. Size: 41" high x 38" wide x 19 1/2" deep.

Japanese antique highly intricate carved boxwood okimono depicting an elephant with a group of seven children in Chinese dress, extraordinary detail, signed, Meiji Period. Size: 2" high

Antique Tibetan silver statue of the Tibetan Vajra Buddhist fierce deity Mahakala. He stands on top of two bodies atop a lotus pedestal, wielding two important symbols of Tibetan Buddhism: A dorje and a bell. He wears the skin of a tiger around his waist, a crown of five skulls to represent the Five Poisons- anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy, and pride- transformed into Five Wisdoms. A snake wraps itself around Mahakala's neck and arms. The copper base of the lotus pedestal is embossed with a f...

Antique Indian Bindriware lidded container. Made of iron with fine gold inlaid designs of scrolling vines and flowers. A rounded body sits on a high foot with a round base. Two handles on either side continue the scrolling floral pattern. This type of metal work originates from the area of Bindar, India and has long been valued as a symbol of wealth.

Age: circa 1880

Dimensions: 6 1/4" high x 7" long x 5" wide

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made entirely of old growth Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original patina and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Designed with 6 exterior drawers, 2 sliding doors and a hinged security door that hides 2 interior drawers. A spacious storage area and shelf behind the sliding doors stored the merchant's books and business records.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 31" Wide by 31" High by 16 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese Tansu Chest (merchant 2 section Gifu Choba) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper section has a pair of sliding doors with two side by side drawers below. The lowe rsectino has 2 sliding doors with 4 large drawers and a hinged security door that protects three small drawers.

Merchants and store owners used to keep business records and books in the spacious cabinets and brushes, inkstone, paper and supplies ...

Original Early Meiji period Japanese abumi. These stirrups are made for riding horses brought to Japan. They are forged out of iron with stunning original silver inlay with designs of flowers. Great natural patina. Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Size: 10" H x 12" L x 5.25" W

Gorgeous and dramatic antique Japanese Satsuma ware lidded container, stands on 3 legs, decorated with three lively fu-dogs, body is decorated with designs of noblemen on one side and children playing on the other, minor repair to one leg, Meiji Period (c. 1880's). Size: 17 1/2" high x 13" wide.

Burmese 18th/19th century marble Amida Buddha with his hands forming the gesture of "welcoming to paradise" which signifies Amida's descent from heaven to great the souls of devotees (Vitarka Mudra). Beautiful details to the face and robes. Size: H 25" x L 18" x D 10"