Catalog (6143)

Chinese snuff bottle, made with lapis lazuli, of a flattened flask shape, with carved Kirin front, and stopper made with yellow peking glass and agate.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 1.25" x 2.5" H

A diminutive carved wooden Shishi, used as architectural elements placed under the eaves of Shinto and Buddhist temples to ward off evil spirits. Carved Hinoki wood with glass reverse-painted eyes. Mounted on custom steel metal display stand.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.5" x 4.25". Mounted on a step metal base 5 x 7".

The three-sided style of the phurba comes from an ancient tool used to pin down sacrifices. The phurba has 3 segments to represent its power to transform negative energies. These energies are known as the "three poisons" and are attachment, ignorance, and aversion. The 3 sides of the phurba also represent the 3 spirit worlds and the phurba itself unites those worlds. The handle of the phurba represents "wisdom" while the blade represents "methods".

The phurba symbolizes stability and...

House-shaped box with copper hinged lids. Open frame design with copper hard mounts, handles, and Keyaki wood construction. The Kandouko compartments hold the copper rectangular brazier and a square copper water container with lid, spout and a handle. Fitted with the essentials of travel for a hot drink and food. The brazier has a vent hole in the Sakura motif. The brazier devise heats the water for warming the sake and it can also be used to grill food; The warmer has a spout to let out the wat...

An original Tibetan trunk, all hand-painted in red pigment with yellow pigment motifs of flowering vines and central mandala wheel. The sides of the chest are carved with foliate edge apron just below the iron locking clasp. The trunk's lid lifts away to access the roomy interior.

18th/19th Century Tibet

Dimensions: 52" x 20 1/2" x 25 1/4" H

Chinese Zitan hardwood brush pot hand carved from solid heavy Zitan wood. Dramatic foliate edges and interior are nicely detailed. The zitan shows "gold threading" with the grain of the dark hardwood.

Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 6 1/4" H

A large Japanse woodblock print, by famed artist Tadashi Nakayama. The depiction is the shadow of a bronze Giboshi (architectural post) against a large Buddhist temple door, with silver leaf accent hardware. Signed, dated in pencil, number 24/50.

Dated 1961

Dimensions: 33"L x 26" H (overall) 31" L 24" H (image only)

A fine Japanese ikebana basket hand-woven from bamboo, cane, cedar root, and urushi lacquer. Signed by artist Jiro Yonezawa (b.1956). Jiro Yonezawa attended the Beppu Vocational Arts Training Center in 1981 and spent a year as an apprentice to Masakazu Ono. Later on, he continued his training at the Oita Prefectural Beppu Industrial Art Research Institute. He lived and worked in the United States from 1989 to 2007. In 2008 he returned to Japan and built a new studio in Oita Prefecture.

A fine Japanese ikebana basket hand-woven from bamboo, cane, cedar root, and urushi lacquer. Signed by artist Jiro Yonezawa (b.1956). Jiro Yonezawa attended the Beppu Vocational Arts Training Center in 1981 and spent a year as an apprentice to Masakazu Ono. Later on, he continued his training at the Oita Prefectural Beppu Industrial Art Research Institute. He lived and worked in the United States from 1989 to 2007. In 2008 he returned to Japan and built a new studio in Oita Prefecture.

Japanese pair of finely cast bronze Nio Buddhist temple guardians. Dressed in traditional robes with auspicious motifs. Each figure stands on a four legged base with cartouche impression underneath.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 8" H

Pair of Exquisite Chinese soapstone carvings of fu dogs, one male and one female with her baby. The pedestals on which the fu dogs stand show motif panels of horses in various form and pose.

Provenance: From a private estate, originally purchased at Morcom's House of Beautiful Things - Oakland, which closed in the 1920s.

Dates from the 18th/19th century Dimensions: 3" x 2" x 6 3/4" H

Japanese black lacquered wood stand, with shell inlay courtyard scene of scholars practicing calligraphy on a scroll, bamboo forest and other floral motifs, a butterfly, and a central figure holding an auspicious two character sign. The side panels have openwork carvings and scrolling apron. The feet all connect to a squared stretcher base.

Dimensions: 24" x 15" x 7 3/4" H

Japanese pair of bronze chicken and rooster, finely cast with detailed bodies. The male rooster is posed with head bent down to peck at the ground while the female hen is posed with head faced forward.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 4 1/2"

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a hawk standing on the branch of an oak tree. The hawk is detailed with great attention to every feather. Painted in sumi ink and light colors on paper. Signed Shunkei with seal, possibly Mori Shunkei (1775-1841).

Edo Period (Late 18th - Early 19th century)

Dimensions: Total 79" high x 27 1/4" wide (29 1/4" wide including ends) Art: 51 1/2" high x 21 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese half section Mizuya, or kitchen buffet tansu, made of Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood frame. The chest has bold Keyaki (elm) front drawers along the bottom and right side with copper handles. The large sliding front panels are reinforced with attractive horizontal slats, and open to the large interior compartment.

Dimensions: 70 1/2" L x 18" D x 32" H

Japanese 4-panel screen painting depicting a scene of ducks swimming along the edge of a pond or stream. Tall grasses and rocks rise from the water. Painted in mineral colors on gold ground.

Showa Period (circa late 1940's)

Dimensions: 34 1/4" high x 60" long

Antique Tibetan repousse plaque depicting a flying Kinnara or Apsara, celestial beings similar to the Western concepts of angels. The high relief image is done with gold gilt over copper with natural patina from oxidation.

Late 18th Century

Dimensions: 17 1/4" L x 6 1/2" H

Antique Chinese hardwood altar table with hand carved lingzhi spiral apron joined in upturned flanges. The feet are spanned by an openwork of hand carved panels with drapery motifs. Original warm finish. Very sturdy, condition consistent with age.

Mid 19th Century

Dimensions: 63 1/2" L x 15" D x 33 3/4" H