Catalog (6148)

Chinese round table of natural gnarled, twisted hardwood roots, and a transparent russet lacquer. The table is constructed in two parts- The trunk-like pedestal base and the rooted edge, round top. This type of natural root furniture goes back to the 12th century aesthetic. Here is an example of the round center table produced during the Republic period, bearing the colonial form true to the Victorian Era.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 30" high x 42" wide diameter

Antique Japanese natural burl wood stand. The gnarled roots twisting with knotholes cascade down the sides of the stand, the bottom appearing to have animal feet. The tabletop of the stand with dark lacquer finish.

Showa Period

Dimensions: 22" x 16" x 23 1/2" H

Chinese brush washer carved from agate, of a lingzhi mushroom form with smaller lingzhi sprigs carved underneath. The white agate stone contains natural inclusions with areas of orange coloration.

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 3" x 2"

Japanese studio ware ceramic figure of the immortal, Gama Sennin. Based on the Chinese 10th century alchemist, Liu Hai, Gama Sennin is often depicted in relation to the lucky 3-legged money-toad. Gama Sennin can assume the form of a toad and can change his skin to appear young again. In this depiction of the much loved immortal, he sits on a rocky outcropping and hold in one hand a peach, in the other a small toad. Whimsically perched on his head is a large load with a spotted belly.

Me...

Japanese antique small ko tansu (personal chest) made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with black lacquered iron hardware. This small chest has 7 drawers of various sizes; 2 large drawers on the top portion, 2 medium drawers and 2 small drawers on the lower portion. The hardware is all made of blackened iron and includes round lock plates and square drawer pulls.

Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 21 3/4" high x 24 3/4" wide x 13" deep.

Antique Tibetan cabinet with 2 large compartments. The entire front of the cabinet is decorated in kyungbur technique (designs and pictures painted in raised lines of a gesso and resin mixture) on a deep red ground. Two large compartments are covered by 8 large panels decorated with phoenixes in medallions of scrolling vines and flowers. The middle four panels open to the compartments. The bottom of the chest has 3 additional stationary panels decorated similarly with flowers. The top was o...

An unusual Japanese 2 section, 6ft mizuya (kitchen buffet tansu) from the Kanazawa region. Constructed with Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) woods, with red and black lacquer frame, and Keyaki (elm) burl front panels in reddish brown lacquer. The top of the piece holds a long open compartment behind four sliding panels with bookmatched Keyaki burl hardwood. Below are a center pair of mesh sliding panels with black lacquer wood frame, carved with floral motifs and with decorative iron pulls. The...

Antique Japanese 2 section isho tansu (clothing chest) constructed of Kiri (paulownia) and Sugi (cedar) wood. With hand-forged iron lock plates, hardware, and handles. The upper section of the piece holds two open compartments side by side, and five shallow drawers of various size. One side of the chest has a lift-away door and the other with pair of sliding door panels framed with shou sugi ban panels. The lower section of the tansu holds five drawers for clothing and three drawers for small t...

Japanese Buddhist scroll depicting the Legendary Sixteen Arhats. The Arhats are described as sage beings who have attained enlightenment, yet have not become a full Buddha. The Sixteen Arhats are traditionally worshipped for they are said to have renounced Nirvana out of compassion to help relieve human suffering on earth. Their Sanskrit names are: Pindola Bharadvaja, Ajita, Subinda, Kalika, Vajraputra, Bhadra, Kanakavatsa, Kanaka Bhadra, Nakula (or Vakula), Rahula, Chudapanthaka, Angaja, Pant...

Chinese jade carving of an ink stone, with a shallow well and a bat flying overhead. The light green jade stone has natural inclusions and outer layer of stone.

Dimensions: 2 1/4" x 3"

Japanese hand-forged iron tsuba, used to protect a swordsman's hand from sliding up the blade during use as well as to provide balance. The openwork motifs depict a man and ox resting below pine trees and a cottage with gold gilt, with a faint signature illegible from wear.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 2 5/8" x 2 3/4"

A whimsical Japanese boxwood carving of a toad, with inlaid eyes, crawling atop a functioning cylindrical box carved of bone. The box is hand-carved with flying insects and leaping frogs in a lily pond, the base carved with a floral band. Signed by the artist.

Dimensions: 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 6 3/4" H

Japanese small amber carving of a frog resting on a leaf. The golden yellow amber has natural inclusions.

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

A contemplative and artistic rendering of a lotus leaf bowl with deteriorated edges. The lotus is a symbol of purity, beauty and a metaphor in teaching Buddhism. The lotus bowl has a small frog sitting on the leaf's edge with outstretched leg. The underside of the leaf bowl has 3 characters of the artist's signature.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" x 8 1/2" x 1 3/4" H

Chinese ceramic arrow form vase, with thick green crackle celadon glaze and wide squared mouth. An arrow vase is a type of vessel used for the game Touhu in which players would throw arrows into the cylinders attached to the sides of the neck.

Dimensions: 3" x 2 1/2" x 5" H

Korean blue and white porcelain water dropper in a squared form. The top surface adorned with cobalt blue underglaze landscape scene of mountains and boats and its sides with cobalt blue geometric motifs. The piece stands on four L shaped feet. With old crazing.

Dimensions: 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 1 6/8" H

Among popular Japanese symbolic animals are frogs. There are many species of frogs in Japan as a result of flooding rice fields in Japanese agriculture. These creatures are often used in poetry and art, and are sometimes carried by travelers to make sure they return home safely from their journeys. The word "frog" in Japanese means "return" which is why the frog is considered a Japanese lucky animal and seen as good fortune in things returning.

Japanese boxwood carving of a female f...

Japanese five section lacquer inro in the hiramaki-e technique. The low relief gilt lacquer adds depth throughout the landscape composition of pine forest, distant ocean, mountainous terrain, and the famous Uji bridge. The black ground lacquer also shows the use of nashiji gold flecks creating mist and cloud formation. The interior of the compartments are covered with the nashiji gold flecks, resembling a pear skin effect. The ojime bead is of sliver and gold in the form of a laughing face of Ho...

A high grade Japanese Kura samurai saddle detailed in high relief lacquer. The maewa (front arched plate) and shizuwa (rear arched plate) display a lacquer relief carp climbing a waterfall motif. The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are slotted for stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. Mounted on custom stand. Signed ...

Japanese Kura samurai saddle in red lacquer, with black and gilt lacquer. The maewa (front arched plate) and shizuwa (rear arched plate) are adorned with a copper inlay flying crane. The red lacquer area surrounding the crane is hand-carved with scrolling vines of flowers and shippo pattern in gilt lacquer. The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo...

Chinese antique small display shelf with stand, made of hong-mu. A staggered shelf in the middle breaks up the square area. The front and sides of the unit is carved with delicate lined details and cusped edges. On each side of both the top and bottom shelf is a little window (four total) and the back is open. The underside of the base has a black lacquer panel painted with a butterfly and chrysanthemums.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 13 1/4" high x 12" long x 5 3/4" deep.

A pair of mounted panels painted with battle scenes from the Tales of Heike. One panel appears to take place during the battle at Dan no Ura. This painting of samurai contains the signature crest of the Heiki clan (the butterfly). The other panel is a portrait of the famous monk warrior, Benke, on horseback in the Shichi-henge form (where he carries many weapons).

The paintings are fragments of a hand fan, or uchiwa, and the surrounding paper are decorated with gold and silver le...

Chinese pair of carved jichimu wood stools. The curved legs are carved with cusped edges and narrow to lingzhi mushroom shaped feet. The seats are inset with white dali marble.

Republic Period 1912-1949

Dimensions: 18 high x 13 1/2" wide

Antique Korean ceramic bottle, glazed with rich white glaze with brown crackle. The cylindrical body tapers dramatically to the thin neck and dramatic rim. The foot is slightly recessed with glazed center and natural bare edges.

Period: 18th century Dimensions: 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 7 1/2" H

Chinese antique porcelain brush container with unusually detailed scenes skillfully incised into each of its four sides. These pictorial reserves show figures in various scholarly pursuits including the study of written texts, scroll painting, playing music and board games, all in garden settings with various trees and vertical rock formations. The body of the container stands on four small corner feet. Glazed a turquoise blue and incised with a Qianlong mark (1735-1796).

Most likel...

Chinese white Peking Glass vase with painting in reddish-pink overglaze of a mountain palace scene. On one side, three figures approach a mountain pavilion where rocky crags rise out of the mist, trees bend and flocks of birds fly. On the reverse side is a lake with fishing boats and mountain peaks rising up in the distance. An inscription in black ink is written on the lake side of the vase. A thin painted ring of gold encircles the rim of the vase. A large character mark is painted in b...

Chinese antique trunk. Rectangular form with beautifully woven dark and light color rattan. Iron and brass hardware with nice patina. The inside of the trunk is made of wood with black lacquer, old calligraphy paper, and patterned cotton on the underside of the lid. Ring hinges.

Early 19th century

13 3/4" high x 27 3/4" long x 10 3/4" deep.

Antique Chinese guan pi xiang (document box), made of huanghuali. Top opens to a tray-shaped storage area. The doors are made with dramatic huanghauli wood burl panels and open to reveal 5 drawers (4 small drawers and 1 larger one).

Republic Period

Dimensions: 18 1/2" high x 19 3/4" wide x 15 1/2" deep.

Tibetan antique silver tripod censer. Rounded form with pierced lid. The lid has a simple incised detail around a decorative finial.

18th/19th century

Dimensions: 5 1/8" high x 3 1/2" wide.

Japanese hardwood tobacco ban (smoking box) or ladies vanity box with carrying handle. The lid is inlaid with shell and enamel coins and birds, with an animal and wire finial. The middle hardwood divider lifts away to allow access to the lowest sections with four compartment.

Circa 1920s

Dimensions: 8 1/4" x 6" x 8 1/2" High

Antique Japanese small porcelain Kakiemon ware dish. With enamel scene of a tiger chasing a flying bird, bamboo and scholar's rocks, accented in gilt. Slightly flared rim with the recessed foot left unglazed around the edges.

19th Century

Dimensions: 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" x 3/4" H

Japanese bronze vase with fine, inlay cranes in silver and copper. The vase form has a short mouth and dramatic tapered body to the platform foot. The reverse side of the vase has a commemorative inscription and the base with artist's cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 8" H

Japanese large, rectangular suiban, finely cast with stylized motifs of waves and flying birds in relief. Suiban are shallow trays meant to be filled with suiseki or viewing stones, sand, and bonsai. The rim of the suiban are flared with a cast apron of reishi mushrooms. The 4 feet of the dish are in the form of rolling waves. The underside is textured with artist signature and cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 21 1/4" L x 14" W x 5 1/2" H

Japanese half section Mizuya or kitchen buffet tansu. Constructed of Hinoki (cypress) and Sugi (cedar) wood. The piece opens by two large front sliding panels to the large interior with 2 recessed shelves. The sides of the chest have horizontal bracing slats for reinforcement.

Dimensions: 69 1/4" L x 19 1/2" D x 32 1/4" H

Japanese Nabeshima ware porcelain dish, with blue and white pair of birds and a camellia branch. The dish stands on a high, deeply recessed foot with outer "comb" cobalt blue design around its edges.

Dimensions: 8" x 8" x 2 1/4" H

Japanese iron tea kettle, or tetsubin, all hand-cast iron with landscape scenes of oceanside cottages around the body. The handle is inlaid with two silver birds and held into place by a pair of iron chimera on each end. The bronze lid is signed underneath, and the backside of the iron body has a 4 character artist's cartouche.

Dimensions: 7" x 6" x 8" H (with handle up)