Catalog (6143)

Beautiful Japanese altar tansu with gilt lacquer floral motifs along many front drawers, each with a mokko style handle. Two sliding doors line the top with gold ocean scenery. Two hinged doors with gilt inlay court figures bear the signature seal of the artist. Behind the two doors are three nishiji lacquer drawers with wonderful gilt fish and octopus surrounded with shells. The interior of each door is also in nishiji lacquer with gilt lacquer boats. The top of the chest depicts arrangements o...

18th Century Antique Indian pair of sandstone architectural fragment statues of mythical beasts called Yali, who have mixed body parts of an elephant, a lion, a horse, and other such animals. They would often stand guard and protect Hindu temple entrances. One of these statues stand atop a bird, while the other stands atop a human figure. Very heavy pair in original condition, some remnants of red pigment around the mouths, interesting detail throughout. Early 18th century. Size: 29" H x 20" ...

Originating from Matsumoto Castle in Japan, this one-of-a-kind safety vault Tansu was made using thick old growth Hinoki (Cypress) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware accentuates the beauty and design of this amazing chest. Two massive doors with five hinges each with 2 upper, 1 center and 2 lower locks all requiring the included key to unlock. Vertical Warabite handles act as pulls to open the doors behind which hides 12 shelves and four small locking drawers with burled hardwood fro...

Exquisite Japanese 6-panel byobu screen painting of grand mountain landscape with high peaks and distant waterfalls. In the foreground, men water their horses before ascending the narrow mountain trail. There is a beautiful sense of whimsy conveyed in the group of horse and men as they wade in the mountain stream in the shade of weeping willows. Far in the distance, the mountain range disappears in the mist. Painted in sumi ink on paper. Signed and with a large chop seal. Size: 69" hig...

Stunning Chinese antique carved marble head of Buddha. Massive in size and weight, this beautifully carved fragment is sure to make an impression. Detailed with soft features and down cast eyes. This Buddha conveys classical Chinese features, a rounded face and chin, full lips and graceful eyes nearly closed. The high detail on the snail-shell hair curls attest to its providence. Custom built Black Iron stand. Would look stunning indoor or outdoor with amazing presence. 18th century. Size...

Chinese Tang Dynasty small round box made of silver and gold. Repouse designs of floret surrounded by tiny flowers. The design on the top side of the box is smaller and more intricate while the bottom of the box has a similar floret but simpler. The rim of both top and bottom is delineated by a raised ring and is encircled by scrolling vines and tiny flowers. Size: 2 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" high

Rare Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant chest) from the Takayama region. Beautiful solid Keyaki (elm) wood with kayaki burl front sliding panels. Unusual design of drawers and locking bar. Excellent Original translucent lacquer finish. Late Edo Period (circa 1800's). Size: 32" H x 31.5" L x 15" D

Antique Chinese large porcelain architectural tile with old glue residue along its edges. Depicted are nine gold imperial dragons and fireballs over a background of enamel rolling sea waves, bordered top and bottom with gold scroll designs on red. 18th/19th century. Rare piece in stunning original condition. Size: 48"L x 23" H

Antique Japanese nagamochi karuma storage trunk. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and solid Keyaki hardwood wheels with iron hardware and mounts. A large high relief embossed iron locking plate in the form of a phoenix created a lock and latch system on the front of the trunk. The phoenix bird represents justice and Sun obedience. Untouched and original condition, the wood is treated with a dry lacquer finish.

The Trunk also shows the family crest composed of iron mounts on the sid...

Japanese 18th century Edo age seated Dainichi-nyorei Buddha. Lacquered and gilded wood. Hands carved beautifully.
(stand and screen are not included)

Edo Period C. 1700's

height 20.5" width 13" length 16.5"

Rare Japanese Funa Tansu (captain's ship chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood in original medium brown finish. The upper portion has a large front drawer with kakute (squared) iron handles and decorative iron plating, lined in attractive silver rice paper. The bottom portion is very unusual because the right door opens on a hinge while the left door slides on a track revealing four small drawers also lined in silver rice paper. The front of each door is covered extensively in iron decorative pla...

Antique Japanese large scroll painting on silk of a buck and a doe. With incredible detailing such as the thousands of individual hairs on each deer, piercing eyes, long strands of grass with intermingled berry shrubs and blossoming flowers. Creating a tranquil nature scene. Signed "Toko" Tsuchinoto (boar) Aki. Taisho period circa 1920's. Autumn, Year 36 of 60 year cycle. Comes with original tomobako. Size: (entire scroll) 92"H x 33.25" W (artwork only) 56" H x 27.5" W

Set of two Japanese samurai warrior dolls on horseback. Possibly representing the very well known Toyotomi Hideyoshi or Yoshitsune Minamoto and Benki. One samurai rides a white horse caught in mid stride while his rider leans forward in pursuit. The other warrior is on a black horse that is standing still analyzing his next move. Both warriors have intense expressions and are decorated in full armor with bows and arrows. Very highly detailed with all original parts.

Edo Period (ea...

Antique Chinese scroll painting of a dramatic waterfall. The water crashes over tiers of craggy rock formations. On one rock two scholarly figures stand and contemplate the scene. Painted in black ink and light colors on paper. Margins on either side of the painting are full of calligraphy. Signed Fu Bao Shi (1904-1965)

Size of scroll: 75 1/2" high x 19 1/4" wide (23" wide with ends).

Size of art: 52" high x 8 1/2" wide (14" wide with calligraphy).

Charming Chinese Ming Dynasty painting of a pair of cats sitting under a branch of blossoming peonies. The larger of the two cats, a calico, has his eyes fixed on a butterfly. The other cat, a wild eyed tabby, crouches with a large spider in his mouth. Wonderfully painted with great detail and whimsy. Mineral colors and ink on silk with silk mounting (was once a scroll). There is a chop in the lower left hand corner. Provenance: from the collection of James Soong. Total size including...

Chinese scroll painting of a butterfly resting atop a blooming lily, with calligraphy and signature chop of Xie Zhi Liu (1910-1997), a well-known member of the Shanghai School who would later befriend the famous artist Zhang Daqian and joined him for later studies. His artworks can be found in the China Art Museum in Shanghai and has an art gallery named after him in Changzhou. Zhi Liu was married to another famous painter named Chen Peiqiu. (born 1922)

Size: 62" L x 16" W (entire scr...

Dramatic Indian stone carving fragment of the torso of Vamana,, the fifth avatar/incarnation of Vishnu. It has realistic hand-carved features with draped jewelry and fabric. Displayed on a custom made iron stand. Dates from the 12th century.

Size: 18.5" H x 8" L x 8" W (entire stand) 9" L x 5" W x 16" H (statue only)

An incredible Chinese Cizhou ware vase of a meiping form, the elongated oval body decorated in carved floral patterns in a cream crackle glaze, the short trumpet spout flanked by four cascading handles, the foot remains bare without glaze and slightly recessed. Northern Song Dynasty (11-13th century)

Size: 8" L x 15.5" H

Antique Chinese monochrome deep blue vase, the body of a melon form with a foliate rim, decorated with ornate gilt motifs of guardian lions / fu dogs playing with hassled "xiu qiu" balls, floral designs and scholar's objects. The foot is marked "Qianlong" (1766-1795).

Size: 9" L x 13.5" H

An absolutely stunning Japanese silk embroidery of a hound with a freshly caught pheasant in its mouth. Incredible hand-embroidered detailing and realism, with artist's embroidered chop in the bottom left corner, Hayashi Youma. Late Meiji period (1868-1912) c. 1905

Provenance: From the London dealer, Kevin Page. Reference of similar work: "Splendors of Imperial Japan, Arts of the Meiji Period from the Khalili Collection", p. 395 (shown in photos)

Size: (entire frame) 33....

A very fine Japanese framed embroidery from the renowned Sozayemon Nishimura Silks and Embroideries, depiction of a row of cherry trees along the edge of a large lake with boats. Absolutely stunning condition and incredible hand-embroidered details with tasteful framing. Late 19th/early 20th century.

Size: (entire frame) 35" L x 1.5" D x 28" H (artwork only) 26" L x 19" H

Rare and beautiful pair of antique imperial Chinese lacquer storage trunks. Made of wood and lacquered with highly detailed gold patterns of flowers and dragons on a black lacquer ground. The top of each trunk is lacquered with scenes of pavilions and figures among pine tress. Areas of woven bamboo work are framed with red lacquered carved wood. Each trunk is attached to a built on elegant lacquered wood stand. Provenance: from the imperial household of Emperor Puyi.

17th Century

The elephant has a Buddhistic caparisoned dress with pearl harness, tassels, and scrolling patterned blanket. On its back is a removable bulbous vase form with flared neck (tianquiping) Incised with arctic motif. The elephants almond shaped eyes, diminutive tusk, pinched ears, with trunk swayed inward. The bronze is lost wax cast method. It has verdigris patina with a dry russet color.

The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China—then known as the Empire of the Great Min...

Antique Japanese carved Keyaki hardwood Raijin, God of lightning, thunder, and Storm. A protector deity for the Shinto religion. The surface of the grain is raised with the original red rimpa paint still intact. Typically these sculptures would be very fierce with demonic features. Which in this case, is contrary which makes it more benevolent, compassionate, and sympathetic in its appeal. The condition of the piece is consistent of its age. Minor repairs on base with large iron staple. ...

The sacred standing buddha is a Abhaya mudra posture of buddha. Its missing right hand still evokes its meaning which imparting fearlessness and reassurance. The fragmented crowned head and ursna has deteriorated as a symbol of its meaning illusion over ignorance. The buddhas eyes are complete and inlaid with mother of pearl and stone. The full body is sculpted in a soft manner representing its flow of energy and showing its lifelike qualities. The overall bronze figure still shows traces o...

Antique Japanese pair of shakudo bronze vases, with very fine inlay of mixed metal, gold, and silver, design of small birds flying through branches which bear autumn leaves and gold vines with flowers and splashes of red. Finely chased and rendered in low relief creating a natural continuous scene of birds and flowers theme.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6" diameter x 12 3/4" height

A stunning Japanese two-section choba tansu (merchant's chest), made from solid Keyaki (elm) wood, originating from the Mikuni region. The upper section holds a roomy, shelved interior with two bold Keyaki grain sliding door panels. The bottom section holds a long top drawer, with elongated lock plate typical to Mikuni tansu. Below are two small drawers with iron Warabite handles, with old labels in Japanese on the fronts, and a smaller set of sliding Keyaki panel doors. The very bottom of the ...

Antique Japanese cotton woven futon cover, dyed with a paste resist technique called Tsutsugaki on an indigo ground with the mythical creature Baku, devourer of dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The Baku should not be summoned without caution, however, as ancient legends say that if he is not satisfied after consuming one's nightmares, he may instead devour their hopes and dreams.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Size: 64.5" x 53"

Antique Korean single section bedside chest, with "book matching" front panels of hardwood burl. Four drawers line the top of the chest with brass handles in motifs of lucky bats. The front of the chest features a pair of doors with incised brass plating.

Dimensions: 36.5" L x 17.5" D x 24.25" H

Unusual Japanese 2-panel calligraphy screen with highly stylized brushstrokes, bordered with silver leaf and silk. The left character reads "Gi" (or Righteousness); On the right reads "Dao" (the path or way). The inscriptions appear to mean "Righteousness must always be pursued".

Signature of a monk or a priest in his late 70s named Kakuan, appearing to date Spring 1851 with a description of the studio in which the painting was made. It is also written that Kakuan was overcome by gr...

Chinese Huanghuali altar table, its front and side aprons carved with dragons and fireballs. The side panels between the table's legs are carved with reticulated motifs of scrolls and dragons. The table's surface woodgrain shows many distinct "ghost eyes" associated with Huanghuali wood.

Dimensions: 64.5" L x 19" D x 34.5" H

Mounted on a black lacquered platform with wooden wheels. The horse is carved from Keyaki wood, which is covered in lacquered brown leather. The eyes are reverse painted glass. It has ears of leather, with real horse hair tail and mane. The horse is outfitted with iron bits and silk harness. The kura saddle is lacquered in red, with a leather cushion seat and silk straps. Cords are attached to the abumi stirrups and aori mats. The bagu tassel fringes and cords tuck under the tail. The horse stan...

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate. The two drawers below are kept secure by the original lock bar with working key included; To the right is a hinged door with a large iron Fu Dog lock plate, holding two Keyaki front lacquered drawers ...

Antique Japanese 2-section kaidan tansu, or step/stair chest of drawers. Made of solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood, the bold woodgrain is well-complimented by the original deep red lacquer finish and heavy iron hardware. With original set of keys.
Exhibited at the Prestigious SF Fall Art and Antique show, 2017.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 55" L x 26 1/8" D x 80" H

Antique Chinese hardwood brush pot. Made of huanghuali wood (Dalbergia odorifera) of a cylindrical shape, the base with a slight protruding lip. The front of the brush pot is carved with a stylized bamboo forest; The opposite side carved with a calligraphy inscription and artist's chops. The original finish brings out the natural "ghost eye" woodgrain characteristic of huanghuali.

18th/19th century

Dimensions: 6 5/8" x 6 5/8" x 6 1/8" H

Antique Chinese pair of oxbow arm chairs with a matching rectangular stand, carved with a pierced scrolling vine motif, the heavy golden hardwood with classic Huanghuali "ghost eye" grain. Very heavy in weight.

Dates early 20th century Dimensions: 29.5" L x 26" D x 39" H (each chair) 20" L x 16" D x 28.5" H (stand)

Antique Chinese pair of square hardwood tables. Each table is inset with a large square porcelain panel which sits into the top and is removable. The panels are glazed with scrolling vines and flowers with bats in the corners on a greenish blue ground. Each table has a solid shelf and swirling aprons.

Late 19th Century

Dimensions: 27" high x 25" wide x 25" deep.

Antique Japanese 2 section 3 ft. Mizuya (kitchen tansu) made with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood, with Keyaki (elm) hardwood burl panels. The upper section holds two open compartments behind sliding door panels with chrysanthemum pulls, the lower pair also decorated by horizontal carved panels with floral carvings, and three small drawers below. The lower section is the largest compartment for storage with no shelving behind two large sliding doors with slats.

Dimensions: 35"...

18th century consecrated Japanese dragon (Ryu) temple carving. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The high relief carving engulfs the dragon in flames. The rendering of the dragon's face exudes power and compassion.
The dragon carving was part of the architectural decoration of a Buddhist temple. It has been sanctified with sutras, located in the dragon's eye during the "Eye Opening Ceremony" (Kaigen-Kuyo). The ritual of venerating an image b...

The expression of this armor, with its dragon and carp maedate transformation, sets the tone of its mythological meaning. The red armor has a Zunari Kabuto decorated with a Nichirin sun motif, which supports the dragon and carp conversion. The menpo is a Reisei-men with rabbit hair mustache, rendering a fierce warrior’s expression. The menpo is attached with four Kiritsuke yodare in blue and gold silk cords. The Renzan Dou is decorated with slivers of silver in the Ronin pattern from front to ...

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout. The box interior is black lacquered with copper sprinkle...

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempts to reach out to all those...

Maeda Toshinaga was a Japanese daimyo, who was the second head of the Kasa Domain. He was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Oda Nobunaga's daughters, Ei-Hime. He supported Tokugawa Ieyasu and, after receiving his brother Toshimasa's lands (Noto, 215,000 Koku), controlled a total of 1,250,000 Koku, an amount exceeded only by the Shogunate. Toshinaga built and resided in the Kanazawa Castle. He had no children and adopted his brother Toshitsune as his heir.

2-panel s...

Japanese small choba tansu, constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cypress) natural finish wood. With hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The choba has hirute handles, with foliate edge motif lock plates, small pair of sliding middle doors with slats, and a corner bottom safe box with two small drawers inside.

Late Edo / Early Meiji Period (circa 1850's)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" x 14" x 24" H

Chinese brush pot made of huanghuali hardwood with the classic "ghost eye" grain seen throughout. Carved of a squared form with four very short feet.

Dimensions: 3" x 3" x 5" H

A Sino-Tibetan gilt bronze statue of Maitreya, regarded by this world as a future Buddha in succession after the current Sakyamuni Buddha. Tradition teaches that Maitreya is a Bodhisattva who will one day appear on earth to achieve enlightenment and teach the pure dharma. The Bodhisattva is seated on a double-lotus pedestal to represent purity untouched by Samsara, the copper base impressed with a four point vajra to represent the four poisons of the earthly realm.

Late 18th Century ...

A collection of samurai arrows, or yajiri, mounted on a custom built museum display stand.

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 1 1/4" x 9 3/4" H (overall)

A collection of twelve samurai arrows, or yajiri, mounted on a custom built museum display stand.

Dimensions: 8 3/4" x 3" x 16" H (overall)

Antique Chinese blue and white porcelain vase. With images of peony flowers and double blue band below the lip and above the foot. The tall cylindrical neck flutes to a rounded body with slightly tapered foot.

19th Century

Dimensions: 5" x 9 1/2" H

Chinese carving of immortals on a boat, made entirely of Zitan hardwood. The boat appears to be made of an ancient, gnarled tree sprouting flowers, with its canopy of leaves covering the passengers underneath. The 3 male immortal figures sit huddled closely around a lingzhi mushroom, which holds medicinal properties and is a symbol of longevity. One female immortal peers into the waters at the side of the boat with bottles of medicine at her side. The other female immortal figure has taken to t...

A massive Japanese solid Keyaki (elm) hardwood Kannon Biraki merchant's chest. Decorated with hand-forged iron plating, the motifs seen throughout the piece's hardware include the image of Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Fortune, proudly holding up a freshly caught fish, a large Mokko (melon) shaped lock on the front pair of doors, with flowers and pine trees adorning the drawer below in the form of its lock and handle plates. Inside the chest are six more drawers, with a secret compartmen...

Very Rare and unusual highly inlaid Korean two section chest. Decorated with nine serpentine dragons of mother of pearl and faux tortoiseshell in horn. The front Nong has a brass escutcheon in the form of a butterfly with cut out detialing in its wings. It has complete circle knob brass locks and key. The confronting 4 clawed dragons are tessellated in mother of pearl, twisted brass wires, and faux tortoiseshell in horn. The dragon's bodies continue on to decorating the sides and top of the ches...

Antique Japanese scrol painting of a landscape with boat. The water is very still and the moon is high over a mountain in the distance. A flock of geese swoops down from the sky on the right. On the far left, an outcropping of rocks partially obscures some rural houses. A willow tree drapes itself outward over the water. With signed tomobako. Signed Tan'yu and with the seal of his given name Moninobu. Certified by Eitoku, his grandfather. Kano Tan'yu (1602-1674) was one of the foremost...

Chinese porcelain figure of a seated Daoist monk. The monk's skin is left unglazed, his draping robes and seat with Sancai "three colors" of yellow, green, and dark purple underglazes. One of the figure's ears is pierced through for gas to escape during kiln firing.

18th/19th century

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 11" H

Antique Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cedar) wood. With hand-forged iron lock plates, hardware, and handles. The upper section of the piece holds two open compartments side by side, and five shallow drawers of various size. One side of the chest has a lift-away door and the other with pair of sliding door panels framed with shou sugi ban panels. The lower section of the tansu holds five drawers for clothing and three drawers for small t...

Chinese round table of natural gnarled, twisted hardwood roots, and a transparent russet lacquer. The table is constructed in two parts- The trunk-like pedestal base and the rooted edge, round top. This type of natural root furniture goes back to the 12th century aesthetic. Here is an example of the round center table produced during the Republic period, bearing the colonial form true to the Victorian Era.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 30" high x 42" wide diameter

Japanese mingei water wheel of hinoki wood. Constructed with iron nails, joinery, complete with 17 spokes and paddles with kanji characters. The central hub has an iron piston protruding for rotational function. The wheel comes with a contemporary custom steel mount which allows it to spin smoothly and silently.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" wide diameter x 9 1/8" deep (paddle)

The whole body, except for the top, is carved in relief with lingzhi fungus of hardwood of rosewood family. The waist, the apron, and the connecting joints are also decorated. The legs are slight cabriole leg with block carved hoof feet.

Republic Period

65" x 33" x 25 1/2"

The set is entirely carved in high relief of lingzhi fungus intertwined and layered, creating an imaginative form of a deer, frog, and other figures. The throne-like chair with a waist, five panel slats and stiles, and slight carved cabriole legs all finely carved and connected. The tea table is waist high with a mitered corner and a smooth surface. The cabriole legs are supported with an additional stretcher for strength.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 19 3/4" x 20" x 3...

Incredible Antique Japanese kannon biraki tansu (storage chest with hinged doors) made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with original deep brown lacquer finish. The interior consists of 10 drawers of various sizes made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. Each drawer has a square lock (with key) and warabite shaped drawer pulls. Extensive hand forged iron hardware on the exterior includes 9 hinges on each door, cross bracing and two locks (with key). Original finish and condition.

Mid E...