Catalog (6146)

Antique Japanese small bronze vase with a round body and long neck. With a reddish finish and patina.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 12 1/8" high x 3 1/2" wide

A small antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuri (Chestnut), Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. A pair of sliding doors and a lift-out door housed the tea accoutrements for serving guests. A built-in split level shelf was used to display seasonal ornaments or favorite small collectibles while 6 drawers of varying sizes provided additional areas for storage and organizing.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1900-1910)

An antique Japanese single section Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Sliding main doors hide 6 drawers of varying sizes and a shelf where merchant books and records were kept. Three side by side drawers below the doors were used to keep valuables and store inventory. With 6 keys.

Age: Edo Era (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 34 1/2" Wide b...

A very rare antique Japanese Choba Biraki Safe Tansu (merchant safety chest with hinged doors) made of old growth Keyaki (Zelkova) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the main drawer lock plate of Pine trees with matching corners of monkeys reaching for peaches, the hexagonal hinged door lock representing the owner's family crest and Furui (old) Kakute handles. Hinged doors open to 7 drawers of varying sizes. The front of the bottom right drawer has an ...

Rare antique Japanese Biraki Choba (merchant chest with hinged doors). The doors open to reveal 9 drawers of various sizes over a single large exterior drawer. Heavy iron hardware includes extensive cross bracing, large hinges, warabite drawer-pulls, a large round lock plate, a lock and 3 keys.
The lock plate has a large Minamoto Clan family crest-likely that of the Seiwa Genji clan. Warriors such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate; and Ashikaga Takauji, ...

Antique Japanese small cha tansu (tea chest). Made with chestnut wood frame and burled hardwood drawer fronts. Two slider panels and a drop in panel are covered with gold-leafed silk on wood. The center of the chest has a small display area with a staggered shelf and two small drawers. The lower portion of the chest has three small drawers and a full-width drawer on the bottom.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 25 7/8" high x 23 1/4" wide x 10" deep

Antique Japanese kyodai (vanity box with mirrors). With three hinged mirrors that close inward. The back mirror swivels up and down. The box has 8 drawers of various sizes. The box is carved with peony flowers. The backs of the mirror panels are carved so that when it is closed they display large peony flowers on one panel and a fu-dog on the other. Carved all over with a faceted texture and finished with red and black negoro lacquer.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dime...

Antique Japanese kyodai (box with drawers and mirror). Made with burled mulberry wood with intricate grain. The interior is all kiri (paulownia) wood with a wiped lacquer finish inside the drawers. The box has 5 drawers of various sizes for storing personal items. The spandrel under the mirror is carved with a bird flying in front of a full moon and tall grasses. Original beveled glass mirror which swivels up and down.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 64 1/2" h...

Antique Japanese kimono made of chirimen silk died black with a dramatic paste resist and painted design depicting a group of shōjō. The red-haired mythical fairies that live in the sea are shown drinking sake from a large jar. They have long handled ladles and red sake bowls. They are dressed in beautifully patterned robes. The shōjō characters are made famous by the Noh play with the same name and a folklore tale of a man who comes across them while looking for a sip of sake, his fathe...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a skeleton. Realistically rendered for use in a doctor's office. Great detail and shading. Frontal view with a top view of the foot. Painted in sumi-e ink and light colors on paper. Signature seal.

Dimensions: Total size: 77 1/2" high x 27 3/4" wide (30 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 55" high x 23 1/4" wide.

Antique Japanese porcelain figure of Manjushri. The bodhisattva is seated on a moss covered rock with one hand on a sword and scroll and the other on the fu-dog in his lap. Manju is usually seen riding on a large fu-dog, this image is a sweet departure from that tradition. The fu-dog look up admiringly. Mulit color glaze and gold details.

Age: Late Meiji Period

Dimensions: 18" high x 9" wide x 7" deep.

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware including the stylized Gumbai handles and the metal embossings symbolizing the four seasons; Maple leaves on the handles representing the Fall season, Mums representing Spring, etc. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 23 1/4" Wide by 16 1/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (cabinet chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Warabite handles. Two sliding doors behind which lies a large storage area, a lift-out door where additional storage was used and 6 drawers of varying sizes used to organize ones belongings. Side slates added strength and support. Constructed using both single and double through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji Peri...

An unusually small and rare antique Japanese Cha Tansu (tea chest) made of Kuwa (Mulberry) and Kuri (Chestnut) woods. All original bronze hardware. Two sliding doors behind which tea accessories were stored. A lift-out door behind which housed a tea canister of dried tea leaves ready for brewing. With four drawers of varying sizes to store additional tea accoutrements.

Age: Meiji Era (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" Wide by 18 1/4" High by 9" Deep

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Urushi lacquer on Kuri (Chestnut) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles. Featuring 4 drawers of varying sizes and a safety hinged door hiding two small drawers where valuables were kept.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 24 3/8" Wide by 22" High by 12" Deep

Antique Chinese porcelain plate with blue and white glaze design of a water dragon. Surrounded by clouds, the dragon holds a large pearl. The rim of the plate is decorated with waves. The back of the plate has a four character Chenhua mark 1464-1487. Old repairs.

Dimensions: 10 3/4" wide x 2" high

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...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original cast bronze hardware including the Warabite handles. Straight dovetail joinery construction with hardened wooden nails. Versatile storage with 6 drawers of varying sizes.

Age: Meiji (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 24" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 11 1/4" Deep

Antique Japanese large single section mizuya (kitchen chest) with 8 wide drawers. Made with all fine-grain hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood on the front and frame. Each drawer has iron corner brackets, hirute shaped drawer pulls and square lock plates.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/2" high x 74" wide x 21" deep

Antique Japanese todana tansu (storage chest). Large sliding panels with wide horizontal slats open to a series of interior drawers: four drawers on the right (two large and two small) and three large drawers on the left. The front and frame of the tansu is made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with kiri (paulownia) wood drawers. Iron hardware includes hirute shaped drawer pulls.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 31 1/2" high x 72 3/4" wide x 22" deep

Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) from the Sakata area, made of keyaki (elm) wood with kiri (paulownia) wood interior. The upper and lower portions of the chest have drawers of various sizes. In the center is a compartment opened by two hinged doors. To the right of this is a safe box with a door that opens to reveal two small interior drawers. Substantial iron hardware includes decorative pierced designs of a crane and turtle on the safe door, raised fruits on the double doors, squa...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a koi jumping up a waterfall. Symbolizing strength, perseverance and aspiration, the large koi moves against the raging water which crashes below in a torrent of waves. Painted in sumi-e ink and white gofun on paper.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: Total size: 72 1/2" high x 24 3/4" wide (26 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 50 1/4" high x 20 3/4" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a tiger. Every strand of his striped fur is painted. The tiger stands under a pine tree, facing the viewer. His mouth is open, displaying large teeth. Painted in ink and light colors on paper. With artist's seals.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Total size: 74" high x 24 1/2" wide (76 1/2" wide including rollers). Size of art: 46" high x 18 1/4" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a view of lush garden flowers. Large yellow and red poinsettia and cockscomb grow beside a bamboo fence. Painted in mineral colors on silk. Signed by 祥雲 Shо̄un ("Auspicious Cloud"). A label identifies the artist as as Nonouchi Yasutarо̄ (Nonouchi is the family name), who used the artist name Shо̄un until 1932. After that he used his original given name Yasutarо̄, but this one has the Shо̄un seal, so it should be from 1932 or earlier.)...

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a pair of skeletons dancing beneath a poem. The poem is signed Shinyodojin. Painted in ink on paper.

Dimensions: Total size: 74 1/2" high x 14" wide (15 3/4" wide including rollers). Size of art: 50 3/4" high x 9 1/2" wide.

Antique Japanese scroll painting of a ghost leering over a painted screen. The specter's long hair falls over the image of a weeping willow, a tree often associated with ghosts and spirits. Painted in ink on silk. Signed and sealed: Chokuto-sei.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Total size: 71 1/2" high x 20 1/2" wide (22 3/4" wide including roles). Size of art: 41 3/4" high x 15 3/4" wide

Antique Japanese Karatsu ware chawan (tea bowl) with crackle glaze and kintsugi. Beautifully crafted with a small flattened area for the hand to grasp and a magical elegance to the touch. Evaluation done in the 1930's by TZ Shiota when the family was inheriting the collection from their great grandfather, Federic Torrey. The collection was stored in a trunk since his death in 1935.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 2 3/4" high x 6 1/4" wide

Provenance: From the persona...

Antique Japanese Yatsushiro Ware chawan (tea bowl) with gray and cream color Hakeme glaze. Magnificent deep tea bowl with gray white crackle glaze and indention for thumb. Evauation by TZ Shiota (#4) done in 1930's, a tea ware expert from San Francisco Bay Area. A great piece.

Age: 18th century

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

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm ...

Chinese antique tea bowl with crackle celadon glaze. Old cracks and repairs, residue from use. Evaluation TZ Shiota from 1930's (#27).

Age: Song Dynasty AD960-1279

Dimensions: 1 3/4" high x 4 5/8" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic 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...

Japanese antique Mishima ware hagi tea bowl with pink and gray glaze and wave pattern. The Chawan has an evaluation from TZ Shiota (#7) done in the 1930's when the family inherited the collection from their great grandfather.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" high x 5 3/4" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm and art gallery founded in San Francisco in 18...

Japanese antique Tsutsu chawan (tea bowl) with yellow crackle glaze. The bottom displays lovely glaze drips. Raku school, Kyoto. Very rare tea bowl. Evaluated by TZ Shiota (#12) in 1930's when the family inheritied the collection from their great grandfather.

Age: 17th century.

Dimensions: 4 1/4" high x 3 5/8" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vickery, Atkins & Torrey, interior design firm and art g...

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 Seto ware chawan (tea bowl) with horses. A raised horse gallops on the outside of the cup near a fence. On the inside bottom of the cup is another running horse. Both have a celadon crackle glaze. The cup shape has an undulating surface and is glazed a rich, mottled brown with yellow flecks.

Age: 19th century

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

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner of Vicker...

Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a dead man being whisked away in a flaming carriage bound for hell. He is escorted by three demons brandishing weapons and pulling the cart through clouds of smoke. A section of the poem translates as "whether old or young, rich or poor [...] on the fiery carriage..." Painted and signed by the artist Kawamura Jakushi (1638-1707) with a verse possibly written by Banjisei. Kawamura Jakushi was closely associated with the powerful Ryuzoji Family in Sa...

Antique Japanese ema of a horse. This ema is a dedication plaque that was made as an offering in a shinto shrine. Horses are considered vehicles of the gods, so this ema was made at the highest level in order to convey an important wish as speedily as possible. Painted in mineral colors on keyaki (elm) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" high x 43 1/4" wide x 2" deep

Large contemporary carved sculpture "The Pearl" made of acacia wood and fashioned from a natural knot formation. Natural light color and finish.

Dimensions: 37" high x 36" wide x 26" deep