Catalog (6168)

An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Ninoki (Cypress woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. In 2 sections, the upper portion has three sets of sliding doors with storage space behind each and 3 small drawers to the right with 5 side by side drawers along the lower part. The bottom section has 2 sliding doors with spacious storage behind and a set of 4 drawers vertically aligned and 4 drawers along the bottom ...

A rare example of a Japanese bamen, samurai horse mask. Hand carved of wood to resemble the face of a dragon, this bamen was worn to express the power and prestige of the horse's owner. Custom fabricated antiqued bronze finish, ready to be enjoyed.

Age: Mid to late Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 11 1/2" high (14" high on metal stand) x 6" wide x 7" deep

A pair of Japanese vintage bronze temple lantern. Each lantern is made of 3 sections, the base, the light housing and the crown. The crown has a scalloped rim with heart shaped designs and a beautiful finial. The housing has an arabesque design and the base has matching heart shaped designs and a upper hexagon shaped platform with a design of 2 pine needles representing longevity that changes into a stylized infinity symbol.
Age: Early Showa Era (1930's)

Dimensions of each: 37" H...

Antique Japanese long tanegashima matchlock rifle with silver inlay of a water dragon in the clouds. Bronze hardware decorations including a fu-dog and chrysanthemum blossoms. A silver moku-ka mon in two places is that of the Oda clan, a daimyo family which was a strong political force in unifying Japan during the mid 16th century.

Guns were first introduced to Japan during the Sengoku era through the Portuguese in 1543. From just a couple samples, Japanese metal smiths were able to...

Japanese scroll painting of two skeletons hard at work counting money. The calligraphy verse up top appears to be influenced by the Confucian scholar, Kameda Bosai and is sealed Gakubutsu. Below, the skeletons pour over accounting ledgers next to a large scale. This painted portion of the scroll is sealed Nisekisai. Painted in sumi-e ink on paper.

Dimensions: 81 1/2" high x 30 3/4" wide (33" wide including rollers). Size of art: 53" high x 26 3/4" wide

Antique Japanese 2-section mizuya tansu (kitchen chest) from the Mikuni area. Made with hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood framing and beautifully grained keyaki (zelkova elm) wood panels on the drawers and sliders. The frame is lacquered a rich reddish-orange while the slider frames are lacquered black. The top section has an unusual, narrow full width compartment on the very top with two sliders. Below this is a large compartment also with two sliders beside a small compartment on the right op...

Beautiful Japanese kusuri medical tansu made of kiri wood (paulownia) and sugi side frames (Japanese cypress or cryptomeria). With warm original finish and hand forged hardware. Lacquer dark reddish, brown and mahogany tones that shows well in lighter and dark rooms. Total of 102 individual drawers.

Edo Period late 18th early 19th Century

39" High x 34" Wide x 9" Deep

An antique Japanese Kusuri Tansu (medicine or herbal chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware including the Hirute style handles and hand forged iron corners.. Organized into 3 distinct sections. The upper section contains 56 small drawers, the center section has 40 medium sized drawers and the bottom section has 4 large drawers for a total of 100 drawers.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 35 1/4" Wide by 35" High by 7 3/4"...

Antique Japanese suzuribako. Made for holding materials for fine calligraphy writing. The cover of the box is decorated with gold maki-e wild flowers including ferns and daisies with silver details and clouds of gold flakes. The interior of the box holds an ink stone, a copper water dropper and areas for resting brushes all treated with clouds of fine gold nashiji on a black lacquer ground. The underside of the lid is decorated with a scene of a rocky riverbank covered in wild flowers. The ...

An antique Tibetan religious storage cabinet used for food preparation with lift-off cover. Hand painted front panel depicting a scene featuring a seated Buddha with worshippers, a temple, elephants, a deer, a monkey, ducks, horse, a rabbit, and a wise man surrounded by attendants. The panel is framed with an arabesque design.

Age: 18th Century

Dimensions: 48" Wide by 27 1/4" High by 13 3/4" Deep

Exceptional antique Japanese large kannon biraki tansu (chest with hinged doors). Two stacking sections made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This chest has unusually bold hardware made of iron with traces of red lacquer. Each of the two large doors on the upper portion is fitted with a large iron kiri mon (specifically Gosan-no-kiri-mon) During the Edo Period, this crest became a well established mon of the Japanese government where previously it was used only by the imperial family. The top s...

A mid century Chinese buffet finished in a striking patinated bronze over wood. A solid stone top was designed with a bull nose edge on all sides. The finish has a checkerboard style of look. Two pairs of doors with the left set opening to 5 drawers and the right set opening to a spacious storage area.

Age: Mid Century Dimensions: 96" Wide by 33 1/4" High by 20 5/8" Deep

An antique Japanese zushi (small Buddhist shrine) with Fudo Myo-o and attendants. One of the five myo-o or Lords of Light, Fudo Myo-o sits with sword in hand, the flames of his nimbus swirling around him. Fudo's name means "the unmovable or unshakable one". He is a fierce deity who guards the Law of Buddhism from the forces of evil.
Carved of wood, colorfully painted and with gold and black lacquer.

Age: Edo Period (c. early 1800s)

Dimensions: 23 3/4" high x 21" wid...

Rare and unusual Antique Japanese Keyaki (elm) burl chose tansu. The pair of sliding doors has elegantly hand carved paneling with multiple storage shelving within. Bold pierced iron hardware decorating each drawer corner with kakute (square) handles and locks. Stunning original deep red finish complimenting the natural burl woodgrain. Excellent hardware and unusual design. Edo Period (circa 1840's). Size: 36" H x 35" L x 15"D

Antique Chinese small porcelain lidded cup, etched with wave patterns, famille rose enamel heavenly scenes with an immortal riding a dragon, flying cranes, and a lotus.

Jiajing period (1521-1566)

Provenance: From the Josephus Beard estate, former president of IBM World Trade Corporation in Japan.

Size: 3" W x 3.75" H

A Chinese robin's egg ceramic brush washer, with a rounded body tapering to the flat, unglazed foot, the round wide opening shows the interior is all glazed in robin's egg glaze. The sides are in the classic mottled turquoise and purple glaze with stipple texture from the time of firing. The robin's egg glaze technique requires low-firing and uses two different colors of mottled purple-blue and turquoise. Period 18th centnury.

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 4" H

Antique Chinese large cloisonne censer. Standing on 3 legs, the round body of the censor has two large wing like handles, a tall neck, and is topped with a domed lid. 4 pierced characters around the lid allow for incense smoke and a seated fu-dog acts as a finial and lid handle. Everything but the fu-dog finial and parts of the side handles is covered with cloisonné enamel. The most dramatic portion of the design is the large fu-dogs amidst exuberant peony blossoms. The bottom of the cen...

Chinese dragon robe woven with 8 dragons (3 on the front, 3 on the back, and 1 on each shoulder). Dragons and Taoist symbols woven in silver on a blue silk ground. Black silk sleeves and collar are also woven with silver dragons. The robe is lined in blue silk.

Princes or noblemen were permitted to wear blue (the Qing Dynasty’s official color) while blue-black fabric indicated the wearer was a court official.

Age: Qing Dynasty (19th century)

Antique Japanese Raku ware chawan (tea bowl) with green crackle glaze. Kyoto. Incised ridges so the bowl molds to your hand. Magnificent.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3 1/2" high x 4 1/4" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm and art gallery founded in San Francisco in 1888.
The gallery, most famous for its role in helping to introduce California to Impressioni...

Antique Japanese Keyaki (zelkova wood) Choba tansu (merchant chest). Solid Keyaki hardwood used on the top, sides, front and Frame. The front panels are made of a gorgeous, warm Keyaki burl wood in original finish. There are several round iron lock plates that are incised with kiri leave. The handles to the sliding doors are also incised with floral patterns. There is a side lockbox with beautiful decorative hardware that conceals three small drawers within. Original Condition with Original Key...

Chinese Jade brush pot. Fairly light green jade with darker markings mixed throughout. Smooth clean look with nice proportions. Dimensions: 4 1/2'' High X 2 1/8'' Wide

A Chinese rock crystal carving of a mythical beast called a Qilin. Resembling a fu dog, the creature is a chimera mixed with a lion, a deer, a dragon, and sometimes other animals. The Qilin is said to appear with the arrival and the passing of a sage or high ruler.

19th Century

Dimensions: 4" L x 1 3/4" W x 4 1/2" H

A small Japanese bronze vase, finely cast with lotus blossoms in relief. The upper and lower body cast with bands of archaic scrolls. The side handles are dragon heads with hanging rings. The side is marked with artist's two character seal.

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

Rare three piece set of Chinese porcelain Doucai for wine serving, beautifully and delicately painted floral roundels with reds, greens, blues outlined with black on white porcelain ground. A pair of small wine cups and their wine server, each with the Drunken Ink Studio mark on their recessed bottoms. Perfect condition.

Size: Cups 2 3/8"D 1 1/4"H, Saucer 1 1/2" Opening 1 3/4" Widest 2"H

Charming antique Chinese small teapot with Daoist figures encircling body, lid with flowers and figures, signed on body and on recessed base.

Size: 3.5"H 5.5"L 3.5"D

Republic Period

An antique Japanese Buddha statue of Shaka Nyorai standing on a Lotus stand made of wood and finished in gilt. The Buddha has the Vitarka Mudra hand gesture symbolizing the wisdom and teachings of Buddhism. The mandala has 7 sitting Buddha in meditation surrounding Shaka Nyorai.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 30 1/2" High by 9" Wide by 9" Deep

Antique Japanese 2 section Soma isho tansu from the Northern Honshu area, beautiful keyaki (elm) wood on front, sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame, deep red translucent lacquer finish, iron hardware with incised warabite shaped drawer pulls and very large round chrysanthemum shaped lock plates, safe box in lower right hand corner with 2 small interior drawers, safe box has key, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 44" high x 45 1/2" wide x 18" deep

Chinese monochrome porcelain brushwasher, ox-blood glaze with white rim and underside. Period: 18th century Size: Height 3", Diameter 3.75"

Antique Chinese purple hued agate censor. The base and lid are carved with a scrolling foliate design on two oblong registers. The base has bird-like head handles with loose rings. The censor has scrolling foliate handles with loose rings. The top has simple vine like handles with loose rings. The lid is topped with a dragon. The agate has natural white and yellow/brown inclusions. It measures 15.5" tall, the base measures 8" tall, the top 7.75" tall.

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...