Catalog (6147)

An antique, Japanese boxwood lacquer comb with two kanzashi hair pins decorated with niello silver & mokoume-gane etched cat on gilt. The fine toothed comb is hand carved with floral motifs and a man walking over a bridge. The reverse side shows a house surrounded by mountains. Wooden combs in Japan were once believed to have shamanic qualities. Women would brush their black hair thinking that the combs would gather each strand’s spiritual energy. In later years, they were used to create elabo...

A rare antique Vietnamese four-legged Censer from the Le dynasty. (Later Le Dynasty, Vietnamese Nha Hau Le, (1428–1788), the greatest and longest lasting dynasty of traditional Vietnam.) The white glazed ceramic censer has a cylindrical body with lappet band above molded trigrams. The vessel is raised on four zoomorphic supports. Provenance: Prominent private collection from San Diego, CA.

Date: 15th C

Dimensions: 10.25"diameter X 10" high

A Japanese hand forged iron tsuba. A tsuba is an important fitting on a samurai's sword to protect their hands from the blade and provide balance. This tsuba has cast motifs of a 5 petal flower and oblong hole. The tsuba is from the Myochin school (1573-1867).

Date: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 2.75" in diameter

A rare Japanese Hirado porcelain Netsuke with a movable tongue. The unglazed porcelain of the Hotti has a laughing face with a tongue that moves in and out of his mouth. He is carrying a guord and walking stick. Netsuke are miniature sculptures that were invented in 17th-century Japan to serve a practical function (the two Japanese characters ne + tsuke mean “root” and “to attach”). Traditional Japanese garments had no pockets; however men who wore them needed a place to store their per...

A Japanese gold lacquer Inro with five compartments. A relief of a pair of silver horses dominates the landscape scene of a seaside village with drying racks of fish and pines and clouds in the background. The horses are galloping over a creek with foliage. The reverse side shows a lone horse under a fruit tree and thatched cottage. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). The cord has an agate ojime. Inro (seal basket) are small decorative containers ...

Antique Japanese single section isho tansu with locking bar. The upper portion has a full width drawer with a large iron money bag shaped lock plate. Below this are two drawers held in place with a locking bar (with key). The bottom portion has two smaller drawers and a safe box in the lower right hand corner with two small interior drawers. Beautiful and extensive iron work also includes raised corner handware on the drawers and square shaped drawer pulls. Original deep red lacquer finish....

Antique Japanese single section isho tansu (clothing chest). Kiri (paulownia) wood front with sugi (cryptomeria) wood frame and drawer interiors. Three full-width drawers, the middle drawer is 3/4 width with two small drawers to it's right hand side. Blackened iron hardware includes moko shaped drawer pulls and round lock plates.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 3/4" high x 32 3/4' wide x 16 1/4" deep.

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

Antique Japanese kuruma tansu (wheeled chest), made all solid quartered sawn keyaki (zelkova) hardwood with beautiful and dramatic natural grain. The upper and lower portions of the chest have open compartments which close with sliding panels. Each panel is reinforced with either vertical or horizontal wooden slats. A heavy hand forged iron plate sits in place along with hand forged iron locks and hardware with a key to keep the door panels from sliding. The back and sides have wonderful hea...

A rare pair of original Japanese six panel screens depicting the four seasons of Ginza. The panels are painted in the traditional Kano school. Using exceptional technique, the images are hand painted with natural rimpa paint and ink and gold leaf ground on gofun paper. The six panels depict the seasonal landscape of a Ginza garden. Excellent overall condition.

Date: Edo Period (Early 19th Century)

Dimensions:41 1/2” high X 110 1/2” wide (Each screen)

An unusual Japanese six panel screen of Ducks, Egrets, and Pheasants. Painted with rimpa paint on an unique mix of gold and silver leaf gofun paper, which gives the screen an incredible look and balance of cold and warm tones, depending on lighting. The painting composition shows influences of natural history and the importance of empty space.

Date: Meiji Period (early 19th Century)

Dimensions: 67” high X 147 1/2” wide

An antique Japanese six panel screen depicting a quiet pool with birds taking a rest amongst the grasses and flowers. Ink and light colors on paper. Silk boarder. Condition consistent with age.

Date: Taisho Period (early 20th Century, 1912-1926

Dimensions: 65” high X 148” wide

An antique Japanese 4-panel screen painting. Each of the flowers shown has a meaning known as the Language of Flowers, depicting Love, Loyalty and Family. Painted with mineral pigments and raised gofun on gold leafed paper.

Date: Taisho Period

Dimensions: 67 1/2” high X 96” wide

A truly stunning Japanese six panel screen hand painted with raised rimpa paint on gold ground leaf gofun paper. The subject matter is a view of a natural overgrowth of hollyhock, sweat peas, and morning glories cascading and creeping over the bamboo fence.

The Hollyhock flower in Japan represents is fertility and fruitfulness. During the end of its life cycle when the leaves and stem begins to droop, the hollyhock produces a round disk that encompasses many different seeds so th...

A monochrome porcelain Vietnamese bowl from the 14th-16th Century. The clear ivory glaze has an incised design of a flower with 2 lines above it. The exterior of the bowl has a carved lotus pattern that extends to the bowl's small footing. During the 14th century, a second stacking method for firing was introduced using a ring-shape separator. It became the preferred stacking method by the 15th century. Vessels fired using this method have an unglaze ring on the inner base. The stacking process...

A lustrous antique Vietnamese tea bowl from the 11th-13th Century. The ivory coloring glaze has hints of blue in the central portion. The bowl is incised with 2 little boys surrounded by floral and pomegranate with a ring of dots. Indication that this piece was pressed from a mold. The rim is unglazed, as is the small footing. Yingqing (“shadowy blue”) ware is distinctive for its light buff-to-white, usually translucent body covered with a white (bai) glaze that is tinged with a pale blue (...

A beautiful antique Annamese Vietnamese jar with a clear ivory glaze. On the shoulder are 4 applied rosettes between 2 raised lines. Vertical lines extend from the rosettes to the unglazed base. The jar has a short neck and rolled rim. Some imperfections. Annamese refers to Vietnamese porcelain, since Annam was the name of the southernmost province of China after the Tang dynasty. The name is the Vietnamese form of the Chinese name "the Pacified South". In modern time, Annam was a French protect...

Japanese gold lacquer Inro with five compartments, decorated in low relief landscape scene of temple in the mountain surrounded by pines and connected by a small bridge over a river in gold lacquer. The reverse side shows mountains in the distance and a small seaside village. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). The cord has a metal ojime. Inro (seal basket) are small decorative containers that hang from the waist. They originate at the end of the 1...

A rare antique Chinese Longquan, celadon glazed charger dating from the Ming Dynasty 15th Century. Thickly molded with a raised edge to the rim flange and a band of recessed petals tapering inward along the cavetto toward a peony flower roundel impressed to the center of the well. The rich olive green glaze covering all surfaces except a cinnamon-burnt firing ring within the recessed base (glaze abraded). The plate has a raised rim with a surrounding comb design. The center has an incised flora...

A unique Ko-sumetsuke tea ceremony plate with an unusual motif of a raging bull. The center of the plate is divided into 5 sections with scrolling vines and chrysanthemums. The central figure is a raging bull in a pine forest with rounded fronds. The perimeter of the dish is ringed with a classic cloud image. Ko-sometsuke (old blue and white) porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The bottom of the plate has a marker...

A boxwood carving netsuke in a classic mushroom shape with very fine detailing.
Mushrooms are associated with the natural beauty of the forest. They are considered a good-luck symbol. Finding a mushroom is considered to be very lucky and means good fortune is at hand.
This netsuke has the signature mark of Yamada.

Provenance: The Avery Brundage Collection

Date: 19th C

Dimensions: 2" X 1.5" X 1.5"

An exceptional antique Japanese bowwood carved netsuke - the Yama Inu - a dog resting his paw on his masters scull. Protecting him in even past the point of death. Superstition related to the okuri(yama) inu are extremely old, and are found in all parts of Japan.
The meaning of the dog also speaks about patience, reliability, and obedience. It focuses on protection, guardianship, and service. The dog spirit animal is a noble animal. It's selfless, and never asks for praise or expects an...

Antique Japanese 6-panel byobu screen painting depicting a noble woman's carriage (gosho-guruma) parked under a blossoming cherry tree (sakura). The tassel cords are untied. The yoke rests on a black lacquered stool. The cart is decorated with irises and peonies with raised rimpa paint. The sudari is shut closed with chrysanthemum pattern curtains billowing out. Painted in mineral colors and raised gofun on gold leaf. Provenance: Warren Imports, La Jolla, California.

Edo Period (...

An elegant pair of amber gold flecked Chinese Peking Glass vases. The 8 sided, octagonal vases have a long neck and recessed base.

Date: 19th century

Dimensions: 8" X 4"

Antique Japanese kannon biraki isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing with hinged doors). Made with kiri (paulownia) wood on the front with sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides, top and interior. The top section has two hinged doors which open to reveal two interior drawers. The bottom section has two large exterior drawers of different sizes. The lower right hand corner has a safe box with a hinged door and two small interior drawers. One of the small drawers is shortened from the back f...

A 19th Century Japanese six panel screen of Nara preparing for the Matsuri Wakakusa Yamigaki festival. This elegant bird's eye view of the city of Nara in the Edo period depicts a scree of village life in preparation for the traditional rice festival. Dancing and drinking are on display and the excitement fills the air with anticipation. The Nara temple is the major sponsor of the activities. The temple is open to patronage and veneration. This festival celebrates the rice harvest for the city. ...

Early 18th C Edo period Japanese byobu painted screen of scholars in retreat. It is composed of 2 panels. The screen has a predominate gold leaf ground on gofun paper. Paint composition is a mineral rimpa paint. The subject matter is a belief of mythology made real. Shu-ton (a scholar's attendant) found a longevity turtle that is believed to be 1000 years old. This turtle is also known to be a messenger to the gods. The expression on the master's face reflects wonderment. He is able to find an ...

Japanese 17th century Momoyama Period six panel Byobu painted screen of the Tale of Genji. This remarkable screen is in great form painted with rimpa polychrome mineral paint on gold gilt gofun paper. The composition is complex and it allows the viewers to have a bird's eye view of the scene and events amidst swirling clouds. The exaggerated foliage and scale of the courtly figures are dynamically composed with tranquility and balance.

The Tale of Genji is a masterpiece of Japanese lite...

A mid-century 18th C Japanese Tosa school six panel byobu painted screen. Rimpa paint of gofun paper with gold leafed clouds dividing each of the scenes. The screen begins by exposing us to the art of seduction by listening to poetry. The proper approach to a desired lady was through poems written on scented paper of the finest quality by an elegantly dressed go-between of appropriate social ranking. Gifts are exchanged & elegant conversation is followed with the female dressed within layers of ...

A medium sized Japanese Oribe dish with a rich, brilliant green glaze and plum blossom brush painting. The crackle in the glaze adds to the design and the edging is painted. The bottom is unglazed and has 4 indented strips. Invented in Japan in 1605, Oribe ware introduced vivid pattern and color to a ceramics tradition that had previously favored somber, monochrome designs.

Dimensions: 9.5" diameter

Date: circa 18th C

Chinese monochrome yellow Peking Glass brush pot. Historically, many pieces of Peking glass were made with yellow glass (dubbed "Imperial Yellow") due to the colors' strong association with the Qing Imperial clan of Aisin Gioro. The glass was commonly used in vases and brush pots where it was used to imitate the harder to work jade and other precious stones.

Dimensions: 5.75" X 3.25" diameter

Date:Republic c 1900

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

A gilt bronze figure of Heruka with fierce rolling tongue expression, holding a chopper and skull cup. The deity stands in a warrior's pose with right knee up and pivoting. The flowing drapery suggests movement and dance rituals. The figure is mounted on a bronze base.

Heruka is the name of a category of wrathful deities in Vajrayana Buddhism. These enlightened beings adopt a fierce countenance to benefit sentient beings. In East Asia, they are called Wisdom Kings. Herukas repres...

Ko-sometsuke porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A small Japanese porcelain plate glazed with 3 images of a person on an island, a row boat and mountain.

Dimensions: diameter 6" X 1.5"

Date: 17th C

Chinese monochrome golden yellow Peking Glass brush washer with relief carvings of a repetitive petal design. The bottom is marked by a four character cartouche.

Dimensions: 5"diameter X 3"

Date: Circa early 1900's

Antique Chinese carved zitan wood table. The curving legs on which the table top stands are ornately carved with pierced details. The edges of the round table top is carved to match. All original.

Early to Mid 19th century

Dimensions: 26 1/2" high x 38 1/4" wide diameter