Catalog (6154)

Japanese antique water pump used by a brigade of firemen to put out fires. From the writing, the pump was used in December, Meiji 7 (1874). Other writing states "Edo", most likely referring that the fire company was operating during the Edo Period and/or in the city of Edo, Japan. A 3 character mark says 雲龍水 unryūsui ("cloud-dragon-water", the name for this type of pump). Below this is another group of characters: the top 3 read right to left 細工所 saikōsho or saikōdokor...

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Kasane Tansu (chest on chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original thick gauge hand made iron hardware with beautiful Chrysanthemum knobs on the lock plates. Constructed using thick solid Paulownia wood for the drawer fronts, the case was made using traditional dovetail joinery with all parts secured by hardened wooden nails. The top section features 2 side carrying handles on each side and both sections have side swivel handles for ease of carrying.

Japanese small kesa, Buddhist priest's vestment cloth to be worn over robes. Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from fragments of cloth donated to the temple by wealthy devotees. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns framed by a border with angled corners. The number of columns, in this...

A High Ranking Military Commander with the Yokohagi Okegawa Dou from the Edo Period (early 19th century). The Kabuto is finished with 64 gilt copper sleeves interlocking onto the iron Ken creating a linear effect on the bowl. The Mempo is in the Nara style with fierce gilt teeth, lacquered upper lip and horse hair mustache detail. The overall mask detail is lacquered in black. The Kiritsuke Sode (shoulder guard) is laced in navy blue and grey silk in the form of a cross.

The Kote i...

Antique Japanese long silk altar cloth embroidered with three phoenix birds, also called Hou-ou birds. The mythical birds represents fire, sun, justice, obedience, fidelity, and the southern constellations. The phoenix also symbolizes the imperial household, specifically the empress. The embroiderer expresses flowing movement in in the wings and feathers of the great birds.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 145" long

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)

This is a rare antique Japanese porcelain Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) in a side sitting pose with its left paw raised to bring happiness and good luck to its owner. It was entirely hand painted and features a Botan (Peony) flower as its main collar decoration. Its peaceful face is beautiful and serene and its fox-like raised ears shows that it is listening to the surrounding sounds.

An interesting feature is its open base and holes through each ear suggesting that its main purpose when ...

Amazing MIng white nephrite jade with vein highlights two compartments with ruyi shapes coupe with two chilong and phoenix encircling base.

Size: 7.5" Long 6.25" Wide 2.25" High

Caplan Collection, LA inventory tag

An incredible Ming Dynasty large Chinese cast bronze temple in-censor. Sitting atop with turned head an open mouth, sits a fu-dog (Chinese Imperial guardian lions). Well modeled details with high level of craftsmanship. Overall wonderful condition.

Unusual large size indicates this in-censor would have been for a temple. The fu-dogs were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat.
Stunning original patina with...

Beautiful Chinese green jade covered container with tao tie design on wooden stand, with censor shaped form.

9" High x 6" wide x 3" deep

Republic Period

Japanese Edo Period scroll painting of a yamabushi, a mountain ascetic hermit or holy man. Often believed to be endowed with supernatural powers, the yamabusi follow the Shugendo doctrine, a religion that places heavy emphasis on feats of endurance. Throughout history, they have participated in battles along side samurai. In this painting, the warrior/sage is leaning on a walking stick. He is dressed only in leaves and animal skins. A hyotan gourd tokkuri flask hangs from a chord slung...

A rare antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuwanoki (Mulberry) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. The tansu was made using solid Kuwanoki burl wood in front and solid Kuwanoki wood on the case and back. The sliding doors open to a spacious storage area while the lift-out door opens to a split shelf area for book storage. Two drawers feature lock plates in the form of stylized Cherry Blossoms.

There are secret locking tabs that lock the left and right drawer of the set of three u...

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacked chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. Alll original hand made iron hardware. Sho Chiku Bai (Pine, Bamboo, Plum) motif on the handle backplates. Interior of drawers feature side handles for ease of carrying. Upper section has lift-up side handles and bottom section has swivel side handles both designed to let a bamboo or wood pole through the handles allowing two ...

An antique Japanese Kyodai Kesho Bako (mirror & make-up box) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All original bronze hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Four drawers and a hinged cover that hides a mirror stand and a bronze hand mirror. The cover flips open to reveal a holding base to which the mirror stand is held in place. A brocade cover protects the bronze mirror which is decorated with the family Mon (crest) and a landscape scene with a large Wisteria tree as i...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Suginoki (Cryptomeria) wood. Original wiped Urushi lacquer technique finish with original hand made iron hardware including Gumbai handles. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery with hardened wood nails.

Contemporary uses for this chest include making a lovely side table or a useful and functional bedside stand and cabinet.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 21 3/4" Wide x 22 1/2" High x ...

Antique Japanese screen painting of a beautiful woman or man, possibly a taikomochi or male geisha smoking a long pipe, leaning on a padded lacquered stand and wearing elegant flowing robes patterned with flowers. In the background stands a ink painting of a mountain landscape. The right hand panel is painted with a standing kimono rack, lacquered black with gold butterflies. Hanging from the rack are two exquisitely embroidered kimonos in the manner of the classic "who's sleeves?" subject ...

Antique Japanese 2-panel byobu screen. Covered with small squares of pale gold leaf. That this is antique is told by the size and quality of the gold leaf squares.

Dimensions: 35 1/4" high x 51 1/2" long

Chinese scroll painting of a beautiful maiden. She stands in a loosely draped salmon colored gown with red chording, a transparent shawl around her bare shoulders. Atop her head is a bright pink peony flower. At her feet, is an exuberance of wide leaves, the over all appearance is that she is part of the blossoming plant. Dramatic calligraphy dominates the left hand side of the painting. Signed by Wu Fan. Wu Fan (Simplified Chinese: 吴凡; Hanyu Pinyin: Wú Fán) (born December 1923) i...