Catalog (6150)

Pair of Japanese Lacquered jubako or tiered box used for placing sweets inside. The box is decorated with motif of waves done in mother of pearl. The lid and the side of the boxes contain images of prunus done in hira-makie. The jubako was done in the Ryukyu Islands where the motifs contain influences from Japan, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Age: Mid-Edo Period (Circa 1700) Size: (per box) height 18.75" width 11.25" length 13.75"

Pair of Chinese rosewood tiered stands form the late Qing/Republic period. Set with a floating panel on top with humpback supports further joined to two lower tiers. Dimensions: 29'' X 16 1/4'' X 12 1/2''

Chinese antique silk women's robe, embroidered with butterflies and flowers, with elaborate butterflies and fruit in forbidden stitch with gold thread details on a dark, blue silk ground, edged in black silk and lined in light blue silk, also with butterfly and flower woven pattern. Interior of sleeves can be folded back to reveal beautiful forbidden stitch embroidery of multicolored flowers and butterflies.

Early to Mid 19 century

Size: 41" tall x 52" across with sleeves...

A fascinating Chinese terra cotta tomb figure of a calf or a cow-like figure. The figure retains a realistic aura, an important element for tomb figures where the figures were for the afterlife. Stunning elements of the original pigment much still intact. Age: Han Dynasty (200BC-200AD),Size: length 15.5" width 5.5" height 10.5"

Stunning antique Japanese two panel folding silver leaf screen. Oxidized silver leaf on layered gofun paper, mounted on Hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood lattice construction. Wonderful original condition with no tears or condition issues. Unframed to give a more deconstructed esthetic.

Meiji Period 1868 - 1912

Size: 65.5" L x 65.5" H

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze Dakini, with traces of silver, inlay of coral and turquoise. In her hands are a raised kappala (or skull cup) filled with the elixir of life, and a curved blade. She is dancing on top of corpses to show her rule over ignorance and ego. Her lotus pedestal is made of gilt copper.

The Dakini are wrathful female deities often shown nude with long, flowing hair and glowering expression. Their name means "sky dancer" in Sanskrit as they lead the deceased into th...

Rimpa paint on Hinoki wood carving of Daruma. With polychrome hooded robe, decorated in tessellating pattern of gilt dragon mon and scrolling clouds on red ground. His face is painted in a fleshy tone, with painted mustache, beard, and exposed chest hairs. The iconic eyes are reverse painted glass. He stands on a blue ground painted cloud platform.

Late Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 15 3/8" x 10 3/4" x 29" H

A slight smile menpo in black lacquer, with angular high cheeks, making its naturalistic ears protrude outward. The L shaped strap holders are mounted on the dimples, the sleek shaped chin with turned strap post and a small hole to vent out perspiration. The interior of the mask is lacquered in red leather. The yodare is in the kiritsuke style plates of four and is laced in blue silk, calico, and pale ocher. The menpo is mounted on steel stand for display.

Docked for Exhibition i...

Rare antique Tibetan painted chest with a trapezoid form, with lift away lid, and leather straps. The front of the chest is hand-painted in pigments of red, green, yellow, depicting a mythical creature with conch shell and flowers.

Mid to Late 18th Century

Dimensions: 54" L (widest point) 40" L (narrowest point), 17 1/2" D x 26" H

Chinese bronze figure, wearing a headdress and cast upright on a four legged pedestal. Traces of gold gilt essentiate his bearded continence, his gilt hands hold a "hu" in front of his chest, his hemmed robe is incised with cloud patterns. The richly patinated bronze displays remnants of pigment and file marks. The underside interior is hollow with a pitted surface, residual of the casting process.

Figures of the Eight Immortals are popular decorative motifs because it is belie...

Chinese small carved jade ink stone and brush washer in one piece. The ink stone side is carved with a leaning pine tree and mist. Turned on its reverse side, it functions as a brush washer. The sides are incised with a key fret motif.

19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" long x 2 1/2" wide x 1/2" deep.

Japanese framed print titled "Whispers of Love", by famous artist Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992), numbered 6/50 in its series. The print is signed in pencil with red cartouche.

Dated 1976.

Dimensions: (entire frame) 42 3/4" L x 33 1/4" H (artwork only) 35 1/4" L x 26" H

A complete set of seven Japanese piercing Yajiri (Yanone) hand forged iron arrows heads. Signed with the pierced Mori clan family crest.
Watakusi (Flesh Terror / Barbed) These shapes are usually very ornamental in form and would have been originally used in battle. Each arrowheads can vary in length from 1 inch to over 6 inches and most have a saw cut piercing. The Mei (signature) on this style of arrowhead would usually be located on the nakago. The pierced designs vary from I...

Chinese pair of fu dog temple guardians, carved hardwood with old remnants of blue, red, and white pigments. Each fu dog is formed with intricate detail and expression, one with a pearl in its partially open mouth. Mounted on steel plates for museum quality presentation.

Dimensions: 21" L x 6 1/2" D x 10" H each carving (15 1/4" H on stand)

Rare Japanese four drawer gyosho bako, or peddler's chest, constructed of Sugi (cedar) wood, with iron hardware and mounts, iron rings on the sides for carrying. The chest is trapezoidal in shape and tapers towards the top of the chest. Original finish and condition. With key included. Exhibited at the Palo Alto Cultural center

19th century Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" w x 12 1/2" d x 26 1/4" h

Chinese antique pair of charming blue flame vases with side handles. Hexagonally shaped with flared lip. Showing kiln's firing glaze dripping flow and brown on edges.

Age: 19th century

Size: 10 1/2" H x 4 1/2" W x 3 3/4" D

Highly detailed unusual Japanese bronze censor of depicting Gama Sennin (toad immortal) sitting atop the censors lid. Three dragons form to make the base. Three protective dragons form the sturdy base. Prominent phoenix is seen just below Gama below the lip of the opening to the censor. Wonderful original condition.
The Japanese legend of Gama Sennin (蝦蟇仙人 "Toad Immortal") is based upon Chinese Liu Hai (劉海), a fabled 10th-century alchemist who learned the secret of immortality...

Antique Chinese belt hook of an unusual anthropomorphic figure with the head and wings of an owl but with human-like arms and legs. The opposite "hook" portion is another animal head. Made of bronze and mixed metal with inlaid swirling motifs and inset with carnelian eyes.

Age: Warring States ( 475BC-221BC)

Dimensions: 3 3/8" long x 1 1/8" wide x 1 1/4" high

Antique Japanese theatre mask of a mujina, which could mean either badger or raccoon-dog (tanuki). Both creatures are famous in Japanese folklore for their shapeshifting abilities. One of his most popular appearances is in the story of a mujina yokai (shape shifter) who becomes a kozō (little monk) and stands by empty roads at night. The other is of a tanuki who turns himself into a teapot. Mujina can also take the form of a faceless ghost. This mask is carved of wood and lacquered a deep re...

Antique Japanese okimono carving of a little skeleton on top of a larger skull. Made of boxwood with a beautiful patina. Intricately carved to show every bone of the small skeleton and the teeth of the skull. The artist's humor is displayed in both style and subject matter.

Age: Edo Period (17th century)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" high

A wonderful example of an original Japanese Armored Safe chest. Constructed of hand selected and quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova hardwood) and hand forged iron hardware / fittings. Thick hinged door opens to reveal 4 individual drawers with secret compartment located under the largest (bottom) drawer. Internal drawers are made of original light kiri (paulownia) wood.

Age: Edo Period late 18th Century

Dimensions: 19" High x 15 3/4" Wide x 18 1/3" Deep

Mat to satin finish with dramatic graining, pulling both the light and dark tones with it. Round, flat top. Very solid and heavy in weight! Makes for an incredible side table for home. Cylindrical body with use of negative space, pushing and pulling naturalistically within. Base sits flat on floor.
Mat to satin finish with natural tones.

Dimensions: 24” High x 19 1/2” wide

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Funa Hon Tansu (ship captain's document chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova) in front and Keyaki frame. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Side carrying handles made of Kaki (Persimmon) wood.

Used in a ship captain's quarters to store valuable documents and books. In the event of a pirate attack, these chests were tied by rope and thrown overboard to prevent them from becoming part of the loot. Once the attack was over, they...

Beautiful antique Burmese Sutra, printed on leaves depicting different stories of the Buddha with his teachings. With fine printed writings on the back side and around the edges. Incised and stained with ink. Held together with lacquered and gilted wood with a raised scrolling leaves designs, lions and elephants. Age: Late 19th Century / early 20th century. Size: 19" length x 28.5" height.

Lovely antique Japanese large rectangular tray with a scene of a woman gazing at the moon (inlaid mother of pearl), she is sitting near a small stream with flowers and grasses, misty clouds above, the tray is made of kiri wood and the decoration is made of beautiful cherry wood bark, outer sides are also covered in cherry bark, Taisho Period. Size: 24 3/4" long x 15 1/4" wide x 3 1/2" deep.

Rare and Beautiful late Edo period (circa 1850's) small bar tansu from Tohoki area in Japan. Made of keyaki Hardwood with Stunning original glowing finish, accented by round black iron handles with locking bar. Includes hand forged iron stand that supports and floats the piece off the ground. Great original condition. Measures 24" high x 18.5" wide x 14.5" deep.

Five chinese blue and white tea cups made for the Japanese market. Grey/white glaze and underglaze cobalt blue of a deep indigo color depicts birds and flowers in a whimsical design. The cups were used in the Japanese tea ceremony. Fretting on the edges. 17th century. Cups measure 5" at lip.

Japanese box made of boxwood carved in the shape of a giant clam shell upon which sits an arhat. His robes are beautifully decorated with gold maki-e lacquer. He holds a sharp tool as if he may attempt to open the enormous shell. Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Large shrine board (known as an ema) of Bishamonten chasing after a demon. Polychrome pigments, gold, and sumi ink on wood.Dated Second year of Enki, year of the wooden bull (kinotoushi):1745, November (Shimotsuki). Board was donated by Omiya Souhachiro, who was living in the Kudara-cho district of Osaka City (near the vicinity of Shinsaibashi area). The board was painted by Hanai Bunsen Tsunemine (active early 18th century). Age: Mid-Edo period (18th century) Size: Length: 39.26: Height 33.3" ...

Antique Japanese pair of gilt copper candle holders (shokudai) engraved with Kodaiji style pattern on the base and the bottom of the holder. The Kodaiji pattern contains repeating pattern of chrysanthemums and paulownia flowers. The pattern originates from the noted temple on the eastern hills of Kyoto which the name is derived from. Age: Edo Period 17th/18th century. Size: Height: 24.5", Diameter: 9.5"

A small sized Kutani ware censer decorated with motif of chrysanthemums and calligraphy inscribed on a circular base and on the lid's hand scroll like design,all the work meticulously executed by hand. On one sides of the censer is a small detailed calligraphy of the entire poetry collection of the Manyoshu and Shinkokinshu. On the side with the silvery circular design are two poems, one from the Manyoshu, composed by Otomo no Yakamochi reads: In the garden, among the bamboo groves, the bush war...

Beautiful ancient Chinese jade neolithic axe with calcification in the edge with an intricate fine carved image (Taotic). It is preserved in a case. Age: Neolithic Period, Liangshu culture c3000 BC. Size: 5.5" L x 2.75" H

Beautiful boxwood okimono of a Hazel Grouse/Ptarmigan, native bird to Hokkaido. Feathers and feet are naturalistically rendered and delightful carved details all over. In excellent condition. Signed Ryoshun. Age: Meiji Period (c1900). Size: 3.875" height x 9" length.

An interesting Chinese table separated into two sections. The six legs fold together, making the table easy to store. The fluted stripe like moulding on the table appears often with Chinese furniture from the Republic period. Age: Republic Period (c1900). Size: height 28.5" diameter 33"

Set of two bronze Thai sculptures portraying a similar look to a pair usually seen in Thai temples of Buddha's main disciples, Ananda and Mahakasyapa. The one with hands held together is often the style seen for the image of Ananda and the other, interestingly enough, is holding a flower which represents a famous parable when the Buddha silently picked a flower and smiled, Mahakasyapa too silently smiled marking the transmission of the dharma. Age: 20th century Size: length 10" width 15.5" heigh...

Fantastic antique Japanese Kutani ware sculpture of one of the fortune deities known as Hotei. The figure is carrying a child who is trying to clean the ears of Hotei. Hotei is interestingly dressed with motifs of dragons and scrolling clouds, inspired by Chinese brocades. The different symbols used on the figure are associated with the auspicious character of the deity. Age: Taisho Period c1912 Size: Length 5" Width 4" Height 10.5"