Catalog (6147)

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

Antique Tibetan Buddhist ritualistic bone flute, or kangling. The kangling produces a wailing sound, meant to create a mystical atmosphere during tantric rituals. It is played as a gesture of fearlessness and as a way of cutting off the ego. With silver mounts intricately decorated with floral scrolls and inlaid with turquoise and coral. Provenance Ashby Collection

19th century Dimensions: 12 1/4" L x 3" W

Japanese Nabeshima ware porcelain dish decorated with a bird on a branch looking over a pond of omodaka (water plantian). The dish stands on a high, deeply recessed foot with outer "comb" cobalt blue design around its edges.

Dimensions: 8" diameter

Date: 19th Century

An antique Vietnamese jar with covered lid with blue under glaze. The lustrous ivory glaze covers the whimsical 3 blue floral images. The bowl's interior center has splotches of blue paint intermingled with a rust colored paint. The rim is unglazed, as is the small footing. Provenance: Prominant private collection from San Diego, CA

Date: Tran Dynasty (1225 - 1400)

Dimensions: 8" diameter X 7"high

A rare antique Chinese apple green Peking Glass snuff bottle with stopper. The bottle has rounded shoulders and a thin carved oval shaped foot. The jade lid with a coiled dragon and bone spoon. Chinese glass was largely used to imitate more precious materials such as white jade, Lapis Lazuli and other valuable minerals.

Provenance Howard Capland Collection Dimensions: 3.25" X 2.5"

Date: early 1900's

An antique Chinese monochrome cucumber green beaker. The beaker was used as a drinking vessel. It has a cylindrical shape with a trumpet shaped top and flared base and with no handle or stem.

Date: 18th C, Qing Dynasty

Dimensions: 5.25" high X 3.5" diameter

A pair of Chinese Huanghuali trays with scalloped edges.

Date: Republic Period (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 11" diameter X .75 deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) from the Niigata region of Japan. The front section is made of burled keyaki (Zelkova) and the sides are sugi (Crytomeria). The tansu has a pair of burled wood sliding doors over two burled drawers with heavy iron locks. Exceptional burled Keyaki wood.

Date: Early Meiji - 1870's

Dimensions: 34" tall X 32" wide X 20" deep

An antique Japanese two section tansu with lovely fan lock made of Kiri and Sugi. Mokko hardware with raised tea leaf corners. The chest's top portion has two large drawers with an adjacent small drawer and locked door with two interior drawers. The bottom section has two large drawers. Good condition overall.

Date: mid Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36" tall X 40 " wide X 17" deep

An antique Japanese Sakata Bo Tansu also known as a locking bar chest made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish using a wiped lacquer technique. The bottom drawer lock plate features a Chrysanthemum blossom motif surrounded by outstretched Chrysanthemum leaves.

There are two small drawers hidden behind the hinged door. Working key unlocks the locking bar. Two lift-up side handles allowed for a large pole to go through where two attendants could ea...

Japanese antique bamboo basket, with beautiful handle attached at the lower sides and bound with special decorative stylized knots. Hexagonal body of woven herringbone pattern. Feet at bottom are made of special decorative knots that are attached to ribbed shaped splines. Signed at bottom. The characters are: 寿雲斎作 "Made by Juunsai (寿雲斎)". Overall excellent condition.

Mid Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)
Size: Height 16 1/2" Width 11" Depth 10 1/2"

An antique Japanese 2 section Nihon Matsu Tansu made of Urushi lacquered Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original finish and hand made iron fittings. Features double plum blossom Atari (handle stoppers) above and below the handles with Sho Chiku Bai (Pine tree, Bamboo, and Plum Blossom), lock plates featuring Chrysanthemum knobs. Two small drawers hide behind the hinged door.

The Nihon Matsu tansu is traditionally a large kimono storage chest that has spacious storage...

An antique Japanese 1 section Todana Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Four sliding doors open to a spacious storage area behind. Four drawers along the bottom allow for additional organized storage below. Original hand made iron fittings complete this beautiful chest.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 66 7/8" Wide x 33 1/2" High x 23 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako also known as a merchant peddler's chest with the outer case and hinged door made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and the inner drawers and drawer floor boards made of Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original Urushi lacquer finish and hand made iron fittings. Side handles swivel up allowing a wood or bamboo pole to slide through so that two attendants can easily transport the chest. Alternatively, the horizontal wooden bar securing a rope in conjunction with the two rope h...

Antique Japanese wooden bowl carved in the form of a wide lotus leaves. On the inside of the bowl, a frog with turquoise eye climbs the stalk of a lotus blossom. Two more frogs cling to curling leafy edges. The underside of the bowl is carved like the underside of a lotus leaf including it's spiraling stalk.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 12 1/4" wide diameter x 3 1/4" high

Antique Japanese Bronze Temple Bell (Bonsho). Inscribed on body with name of location, temple and date. The first 4 lines (from the right side of the 2nd photo) say: 門々不同八万四　Mon-mon fudо̄ hachi-man-shi 為滅無明果業因　I metsu mumyо̄ ka gо̄in 利剱即是弥陀号　Riken soku ze Mida gо̄ 一聲称念罪皆除　Isshо̄ shо̄nen zai kai jo I found a translation in the Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics (1914): The 84,000 doors*, each different fro...

Japanese conical ichimonji gasa (military jingasa) with a gradually pointing top and unusual, wavy brim mimicking cloth material. Lacquered a deep brownish black with areas of red lacquer showing through in a negoro lacquer effect. The raised red lacquer mon is that of either the Katakura or the Matsukura Clan. The underside is lacquered in the same manner as the top except for a round red lacquer circle in the center. On one side of the red circle are 4 rings for attaching chord.

...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Todana Tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Two large sliding doors open to a spacious storage area with a center shelf. Horizontal wooden slats on the doors and the sides allow for visual aesthetics and strength of the chest. Side swivel handles were used for transporting this chest by running a long wood pole through the handles allowing a group of helpers to easily carry this chest from location to location.

The Japanese philosophy th...

Stunning Antique Japanese moon handle basket for ikebana flower arranging. Made of split bamboo that has been twisted into rope and woven tightly together along with criss-crossing whole bamboo stalks. The deep reddish color of the split bamboo contrasts dramatically with the light color bamboo stalks. The wildness of the weaving highlights the tidiness of the overall form of the basket. Excellent original condition.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16 1/2" high ...

An antique Chinese chest made of hardwood and featuring 2 side by side drawers with removable 2 doors and separator. Used as a side table, it has spacious storage space behind the doors. Original metal hardware.

Age: 19th Century

Dimensions: 37" Wide by 32 1/2" High by 16 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) in a rare two section design made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon style locking plates and Warabite handles. Two sliding doors open to a storage area where merchant books and business records were kept. Recessed side handles on the tops of each section.

Merchant chests provided two important key elements for the store owner. The first was its functionality as a chest to consolidate the shop...

An antique Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket in a free-form nest-like shape created using multi-layered 3/4" wide strips interwoven with rope made of woven bamboo. The voluminous handle was created using interwoven bamboo rope in an abstract style. Patina is in a natural smoke and chestnut color. Flat foot with a three star patterned base. Unsigned. It comes with a cylindrical metal water and flower vessel.

Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22" High by 12" Diameter

Antique Chinese blue and white glazed bowl with low walls and flared rim. Painted with a five-clawed dragon in the center and swirling mist. The low walls are decorated with scrolling flowers and vines on both the inside and the outside. There is a lovely crackling of the glaze on the bottom interior.

Age: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

Dimensions: 11 1/4" wide x 2 1/4" high

Unusual pair of black lacquer small traveling hinged boxes. Each box is the same size with three individually sized drawers located behind the hinged front door. All original hand forged iron hardware. Side handles swivel up allowing insert of a hardwood pole for ease of carrying them about.

Age: Early Meiji period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 7 3/4" wide x 12 1/2" deep x 11" high Each

Single section Hinkoki (Japanese Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood merchant glass display tansu. Originally used in a merchant shop to display the stores wares for sale.. Shallow in depth with countertop height. Two shelves are located inside for storage needs with the glass support panes in line with the shelves preventing visual distraction of items being shown. Beautifully finished with natural blond tones. Overall in very good condition.

Age: Meiji period (1868 - 1912) ...

Ancient Chinese tomb pottery figure of a horse and rider. Made of gray clay and painted with polychrome slip pigment. The figure is clothed in flowing robes and a hat that covers his ears. Facial details on both the figure and the horse are wonderfully well preserved.

Age: Tang Dynasty A.D. 618-906

Dimensions: 8 3/4" high x 7" long x 3" deep

An antique Japanese 2 section store glass display Tansu made of Kurinoki (Chestnut frame) Kirinoki (Paulownia drawer fronts) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria for the balance of the chest) woods. Most glass panes are original showing their wavy characteristic when viewed at an angle. Original hand forged iron Hikute handles. Constructed using double and single through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery. The interior shelves visually line up with the supports for the panes of glass so as not to distr...

An antique Chinese wardrobe cabinet made entirely of Jumu wood. Large circular nickel/brass plate door hardware representing a coin which symbolizes wealth and prosperity. It was originally commissioned and made for part of a woman's wedding dowry. Two large doors open to reveal a spacious storage area with a removable shelf which can adjust to two levels. Below the doors are three drawers with looped handles and a hand carved foliated apron.

Age: 19th Century

Dimensions: 42 1/2...

An antique Japanese single section Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. 2 sliding doors designed with individually cut vertical slats (as opposed to a solid board carved to look like slats). Side horizontal ribs add visual strength and structural support to the chest. Contemporary uses include using it as a sideboard or a spacious bathroom counter (space permitting).

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 70 1/4" Wide by 32 1/2" Hi...

An antique Japanese Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" Deep

An antique Chinese side or table. All hand carved. Side arms connect the legs for strength and support. Beautiful original patina. Marked "Canton China" on the underside.

Age: 1900-1920

Dimensions: 16 1/4" Wide by 19 7/8" High by 11 1/2" Deep

Antique Japanese scroll painting of Kannon also known as Guanyin. The Goddess of Mercy sits on a rock overhanging a still body of water. She is silhouetted by the full moon. Painted in sumi-e ink on paper. There is a seal in the lower right hand side.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: Total size of scroll: 70 1/2" high x 15 3/4" wide (18" wide including rollers). Size of art: 37 1/2" high x 11 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese carved wooden panel depicting a pair of pheasants. The male is seated on a blossoming cherry branch while the female looks up at him from near a spray of bamboo. Beautifully carved and painted with intricate details. The frame is lacquered.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 22" high x 16" wide x 1" deep

A two drawer Japanese box done in a kinji or gold background with fine paintings of pine and flowers with a family crest set in the open areas of the piece. The box has metal fittings for the drawers and a handle to carry the chest. Often lacquer works with family crests were made for dowries for high ranking samurai families. Age: 19th century Size: length 10.75" width 10.75" height 10.25"

Japanese antique two section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing), made of sugi (cedar) wood and finished all over with an opaque black lacquer, beautiful ornate raised iron hardware included four lock plates each with a different design depicting birds and pines, the bottom lock plate has a turtle, the bottom section has a safe compartment in the lower right hand side, inside the safe are two small drawers, Sakata Area, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 39" high x 33 1/4" wide x 16" de...

A Japanese Butsudan, or Buddhist shrine for in-home use. The exterior of the shrine is lacquered in red with black lacquer and gold gilt pigments. The gilt hardware of the butsudan are highly ornate with motifs of chrysanthemums, lotuses, vines, and dharmachakra wheels. The lower area of the shrine features two pull-out platforms and hidden drawers. Above are several black lacquered platforms with gold gilt nashiji lacquer panels, carved gilt panels of floral motifs, with miniature temple ranma ...

"Yacchimatta!" the lost soul seems to say as he slaps himself on the head, a sake cup and Tokkuri wine flask in front of him. Ink on dark paper with patterned dark cloth boarder with wide gray piping and featuring bone rollers. The skeleton and or skull have long been featured in Japanese art, both secular and Buddhist. It is used as a symbol of impermanence and as a Zen teaching tool. In this case, perhaps this fellow spent too much time in the bottle and not enough in more meaningful endea...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kyoto Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and HInoki (Cypress) woods. The upper and lower sections feature sliding doors behind which removable shelves allow for split level storage with 5 drawers for organizing small items. The small hinged door to the upper right features a secret sliding locking panel that opens and closes the door. Side horizontal ribs for additional strength and visual design. Mortise and tenon Japanese joinery was used in its construction...

An antique Japanese Mikuni Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. 5 drawers allow for spacious clothes storage with a hinged security door hiding 2 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Side ribs add strength, support and a visual design element to the piece.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering. Built with slide slats for strength and visual...

Beautiful contemporary Japanese todana tansu (shelf chest) with two sections, made from a very light keyaki wood with a nice smooth finish and attractive grain. It has two large sliding doors with open wood panes and interior shelving, two smaller sliding doors below with horizontal slats, and two sliding drawers with hirute shaped handles. Size: 74.75" height, 34.75" width, 17.75" depth

Japanese noh theater mask of a young woman, carved with pierced eyes, mouth, and nostrils for the wearer, as well as two pierced holes at the temples to be secured against one's head. Lacquered in flesh tone, black hair and blackened teeth and eyes, red lips, and black lacquer interior. With kiri (paulownia) tomobako, inscribed with the name "Juuroku".

Size: 5.25" L x 3" D x 8.25" H

Antique Japanese set of 10 imari plates with foliate edges, underglaze motifs of and scrolling vines with gilt accents. The underside features cobalt blue underglaze auspicious objects and a four character signature.

Size: 9.5" W x 1.75" H

An antique Meiji Period two sectional tansu made from kiri wood with iron hardware. The top section has two large drawers. The bottom section has two medium size drawers and on the right side a door with lock. Behind the door are two smaller drawers. And below one small drawer.

It originates from the Yamagata tansu district of Japan in the Tohoku northern Japan region.

Date: Meiji (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 38"tall X 48"long X 18"deep

An antique pair of architectural corbels of mythological elephant baku’s are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese Buddhist temple and Shinto Shrines to ward off evil spirits. The baku devour dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The baku cannot be summoned without caution, however as ancient legions say that if the baku is not satisfied after consuming the nightmares, he may devour ones hopes and dreams. The open mouth is to scare off demons and the closed mouth baku shelter...