Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Sculpture (72)

Antique Japanese set of four lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered silver. Made for a Buddhist altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. Every petal of the lotus flower is carved separately. Each blossom and leaf comes fitted with a custom metal stand so they can be rearranged at will.

Age: Taisho Period

Dimensions: approx 24"hight (tallest leaf)

Japanese antique carved boxwood figure of Soko-tanuki. Here he is disguised as a monk with a large temple bell. The story goes that a tanuki (who is famous for his shapeshifting abilities) worked in the temple for many years. One day while he was taking a nap, he was caught in his original form...

Japanese antique Baku carving for temple. The mythical creature, part lion, part elephant with clouds represents the beast that devours dreams. Carved from one solid piece of sugi (cryptomeria) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 52 1/2" long x 9" high

Japanese antique fu-dog carving for temple. Also called a shishi, the mythical creature is shown here with blossoming peonies. The shishi and peony together is called Karajishi in which the ferocious beast is tempered by the beautiful queen of flowers, Yin and Yang. Carved from one solid piece of sugi (cryptomeria) wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 52 1/2" long x 9" high

Antique Japanese suiseki on base. Suiseki (sui=water, seki=stone). This natural stone formation resembles a mountain and has pleasing fine quartz striations. It sits on a low wooden base.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 11 1/8" high x 17" long x 7 1/2" wide

This antique Japanese large flying dragon shrine corbel is a stunning piece of art that is sure to impress. The sculpture is made from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood depicting a dragon that appears to abruptly change course in mid-air. The body has dramatic features that visually flow with this sculpture, making it a true masterpiece...

Antique Japanese carved wooden panel depicting a pair of pheasants. The male is seated on a blossoming cherry branch while the female looks up at him from near a spray of bamboo. Beautifully carved and painted with intricate details. The frame is lacquered.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 22" high x 16" wide x 1" deep

Antique Japanese figure of a Buddhist guardian, possibly Fudo Myoo, the Immovable One, the protector of Buddhism and true Buddhists. His stature, his curls, and his intense eyes are all traditional characteristics of Fudo Myoo. His red coloring is reminiscent of a Nio guardian. He stands on a rocky ground with one hand raised as if shielding his eyes. Carved of wood and painted with mineral pigments and gold. His eyes are painted glass...

Antique Japanese burl root wood formation. Collected for it's unusual, gnarled beauty. Mounted on a square stand of iron and cherry wood. Exhibited at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 16 1/2" high x 16 3/4" wide x 12 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from hinoki wood on both sides with a scene of a twisting pine tree. Framed in natural, unfinished hinoki wood. The carving is unusually detailed. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 84 1/2" long x 17" high x 2 1/4" deep

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from sugi wood on both sides with a scene of a twisting pine tree and stalks of bamboo. Framed in black lacquered hinoki wood. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 65" long x 14 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese ranma (transom). Carved from sugi wood on both sides with a scene of a blossoming plum tree and stalks of bamboo. Framed in black lacquered hinoki wood. This architectural detail would have been built into a Japanese home usually over a door or window.

Age: Meiji/Taisho Period (earl 20th century)

Dimensions: 65" long x 14 3/4" high x 1 1/2" deep

Japanese antique black and gold lacquered kanban (shop sign). Decorated with unusually beautiful calligraphy advertising cosmetics with words like 艶 tsuya "luster/gloss/sheen" and 白粉 Oshiroi which literally means "white powder"; the powder foundation worn by kabuki actors and especially by geisha and their maiko apprentices...

A large Japanese transom temple carving framed in black lacquer with gold leaf edging. Temple ranma is masterful made up of a single slab of Keyeki (zelkova) hardwood, carefully carved to reveal there central blossoming lotus flowers along scrolling vines. Original finish showing off natural patina consistent with age. Few loses that have been sorted and stabilized with old repairs done at a high level. Ready to be mounted and installed...

Antique Japanese set of 7 lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered gold. Made for a Buddhist temple altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. The individual parts of the lotus are carved separately then joined in an arrangement. Sold separately or together. Each comes fitted with a custom metal stand.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: range from 35 1/2" high (including stand) to 19 1/2" high.

Antique Japanese bronze hiten (Sanskrit, apsara), celestial musician. Seated on swirling clouds, she moves her flute to her lips to play. Stylistically represented in the Indian or Southeast Asian traditional garb of bodhisattvas with high crown, elaborate pectoral jewelry and flowing drapery. The billowing clouds on which she sits have a green patina.

Age: Taisho period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 15" high x 9" wide x 7" deep

Antique Japanese bronze hiten (Sanskrit, apsara), celestial musician. She sits on swirling clouds, her drum in her lap. Stylistically represented in the Indian or Southeast Asian traditional garb of bodhisattvas with high crown, elaborate pectoral jewelry and flowing drapery. The billowing clouds on which she sits have a green patina.

Age: Taisho period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 14 1/4" high x 9 1/2" wide x 6 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese carved bamboo kakehana, wall vase for flowers. This section of bamboo has been carved with the figure of Quanyin (Kannon). The Goddess of Mercy is seen floating amidst storm clouds, ribbons of lightening streaking across the sky around her. There is a small rectangular hole in the back of the vase so it can hang from a hook or nail in the wall.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8" high x 2" wide

Antique Japanese small ink stone. Carved with leaves and fruit on front and back. The front is accented with three tiny pieces of coral. The entire back side is carved with intricately interlacing vines, leaves and fruit. A small mouse sits off the the right side. Comes with kiri wood tomobako.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

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

Antique Japanese Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern carved of granite. The hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof has squared corners and the central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with a small round window, an opening in the front and one in the back. The tall post sits on top of a lotus base. Kasuga-dōrō like this one are named for the similar lanterns that line the path to the Kasuga shrine in Nara...

Antique Japanese tall Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern. Carved of granite with beautiful lichen and age. The large gem-shaped finial (Hōju/hōshu 宝珠) sits on a lotus Ukebana (請花) atop a hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof with upward curling corners. The central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with openwork lattice windows, an opening in the front and one in the back...

Antique Japanese tall stone ishidourou. Made with an elegantly simplified rounded form in 6 sections. Carved of granite with natural form base. The tall domed umbrella section (Kasa 笠) covers a squat and rounded light box (Hibukuro 火袋) which is carved with a sun shaped opening in the front through to a crescent moon shaped opening I the back.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (circa 1900's-1920's)

Dimensions: 66" high x 34" wide x 26" wide (base)

Antique Japanese stone sekitō (pagoda) with three tiers. Made of granite and carved in 7 stacking pieces. The central square section is carved with a seated Buddha on four sides. The top spire is carved with 9 tiers between lotus petals. The surface has a beautiful patina and is covered with areas lichen and moss.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 75" high x 24 1/2" wide x 24 1/2" deep

Antique Japanese sarugaku performance mask in the form of a monkey. Sarugaku, which literally means "monkey music" was one of the oldest Japanese theatre arts and consisted of many different types of performance including comedy, dancing, mime, singing and various acrobatics. The performers wore masks usually portraying human characters but this one is distinctly primate...

An antique Japanese Buddhist temple freize wooden carving of waves centered by a Hoju sacred jewel. Carved from one solid block of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. Professionally mounted on an iron stand.

Age: Edo Period (1750-1800)

Dimensions: 32 1/2" Wide by 17 1/4" High by 5" Deep

Antique Japanese mounted carving of a group of 6 flying bats. Sculpted with detail and lacquered gold, the group moves together through the air like a small cloud. Mounted and framed in a plexiglass shadow box. Bats are symbols of prosperity and good luck. This carving was most likely part of a larger temple decoration.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: Carving alone: 9" wide. In frame: 12 1/4" wide x 9 1/4" high x 5 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese large wood carving of a fish 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. Above the falls, a calm mist swirls. On either side of the water, tufts of grass grow out of the rocks. Carved of a single enormous piece of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and with traces of blue and green pigment. Finely carved with extraordinary movement and depth...

Antique Japanese carved wooden ranma (decorative transom). Beautifully carved with blossoming lotus flowers on a background of swirling water. The lotus flowers range in different stages of blossoming, a Buddhist symbol for the different stages of enlightenment. Carved of keyaki (zelkova Japanese elm) wood and framed in brown and gold lacquered wood.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 46 1/2" wide

Antique Japanese wood carving of a pair of fu-dogs (shishi) near a waterfall. Playfully, they chase each other over the flowing stream. Clouds billow over head. Carved of keyaki (zelkova - Japanese elm) wood with details in black and red pigment.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" high x 28 1/2" long

Antique Japanese suiseki, a stone for contemplation. The art of suiseki viewing stones emphasizes an appreciation for the natural formations. Each stone tells a story not only of it's geological creation but of it's path through time, how it has been shaped by other elements like wind and water. Viewing a stone such as this, a person can feel transported to a world where the stone is a mountain (or a sleeping dragon) and the viewer is quite small.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th cen...

Antique Japanese wooden temple carving of a dragon in swirling clouds. Beautifully carved of heavy keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with intricate details. The large dragon clasps the sacred wish-granting pearl in one claw. Around him are billowing rivulets of clouds. Some of the details of his face are painted with red mineral pigment and his eyes are made of reverse painted glass. Dragons have long been used in Buddhist art symbolizing the endless cycle of transformation.

Age: Edo Perio...

Antique Japanese bamboo walking stick. Carved with scenes of snakes chasing frogs. The frogs and snakes appear on the surface of the cane as if through holes in a tunnel. With details painted in ink and light colors. Signed by 吉明刀 Yoshiaki.

Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 36" long x 3/4" wide

An antique Japanese Mikawa Maneki Neko also known as a beckoning cat made of clay and natural pigments. Beautiful aged patina and natural wear over its 100 years of providing luck and happiness. With its raised left paw, it is beckoning customers, friends, family, guests and good luck for its owner. Often displayed in a prominent place in a store or restaurant, they are a lucky mascot known to attract clients and patrons into the business establishment.

Age: Meiji/Taisho (1900-1920)
...

Antique Japanese carved wooden Kyōgen theatre mask of Zo-onna (middle-aged woman). Still beautiful, she is more serious than her younger counterparts. Her face is longer and narrower and she does not smile but her mouth is open, showing both rows of perfect teeth. Beautifully carved of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, signed on the inside.

The characters of the signature read 工藤則朝作 (作, saku, here means "work of _" / "made by _", and the name is 工藤則朝). 工藤 i...

A rare pair of 18th century hand carved Edo period solid keyaki (zelkova) peonies that would have been mounted on temple doors. Finely carved three dimensionally with great detail, condition is very good.
Custom fabricated stands with antique bronze finish float each carving securely and ready to display.

Age Edo Period 18th Century

12" wide X 12 1/2" high (each) X 16 1/2" high w/stand X 5" wide

A large pair of temple foxes carved from granite. The Inari foxes come complete with separate plinth bases. This pair of Kitsune (foxes) is finely rendered with ears pricked back, tail upright, with paws and hinds seated on its bases. The stone Imari foxes have bryophyte moss growth which is now dormant. The granite has a blackish grey ombre patina due to its age being left to oxidize in the elements.

Inari is a popular diety associated with foxes, rice, household wellbeing, business ...

Lovely maiden of bronze holding basket of sea life including octopus and walking with sandals, signed with rectangular cartouche reading 誠谷作, Seiya saku. That would point to Genryūsai Seiya (源龍斎誠谷). Realistic Tokyo School bronze dating from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). With natural burl wood base.

Size: 19"H x 8" D, stand 3.5"H x 21" D

Antique Japanese carved keyaki (zelkova, Japanese elm) wood panel from a temple or shine depicting two dragons. The dragons are intricately carved and have reverse painted glass eyes. They coil amidst swirling clouds.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 49 1/2" long x 7 1/2" high x 1 3/4" thick

Antique Japanese wooden temple carving of a fu dog (fu lion, or shishi). Carved of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood with wonderful details including characteristic swirling fur and wide, toothy jaws, this fu dog is a powerful Shinto temple guardian. Wide eyes are made of reverse-painted glass with irises of two different colors and with pupils of varying width, adding an intensity to his expression.

Age: Edo Period (circa early 1800's)

Dimensions: 39 1/4" long x 11 1/4" high x...

Japanese antique pair of zenko, good spirit kitsune (foxes) specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. These figures are carved of wood and painted with gofun, a white paste made from oyster shells. Details are painted using black and red pigments. Gold lacquered hoshi no tama, resembling flames and symbolizing magical jewels that hold part of the kitsune's power, are held by each fox on the tip of it's tail. These foxes were believed to be both messengers and guardians serving In...

Extremely rare Japanese antique usagi (rabbit or hare) mask for a Noh performance. Carved of wood and covered with gofun, a raised paste made from ground oyster shells. The surface of the usagi mask is carefully textured so that every hair is visible and some areas are polished from wear. The eyes of the hare are a pink color, similar to those of an albino snow rabbit.

Usagi is the creature most closely associated with the moon. The tale of how the hare came to inhabit the moon o...

Antique Japanese natural burl wood low stand or pedestal. Stunning original warm lacquer lighter tones with darker touches of brown and black. Shapely form as the burl sways right then drifts upward and to the left as it flattens out onto a perfect surface.
Would make for an excellent side table for a contemporary home.

Edo Period C. 19th Century

18" x 13" x 22 1/2" High

Pair of beautifully hand carved dragon temple corbels. Each is made of solid keyaki hardwood and hand carved with great detail. Original pigment can be seen highlighted in red, gold and black tones. Each dragon is twisting and swirling both looking in different directions. These would have originally been mounted up high within a temple shrine. Hand forged iron mounts are included which can be used to mount or float off a wall for a dramatic display.

Late Edo early Meiji Period ...

Antique Japanese ranma (architectural transom carving for over a door). Made all of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, this carving is a rare beauty in it's detail. A cross section view of a gnarled plum branch in bloom along side a stand of bamboo. The straight leaves of the bamboo contrasts sharply with the curving tendrils and round blossoms of the plum tree. Carved in a 3 dimensional style so that the view is different on each side.

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dim...

Japanese antique transom made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved with a scene of Ushiwaka and Benkei battling on Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. The young samurai, Yoshitsune (also known as Ushiwaka-maru) is depicted in an acrobatic pose, leaping over Benkei, the giant wild-man who was intent on stealing Ushiwaka's sword. Another samurai is carved below them, his much smaller form suggesting he is far below the action. On the right hand side of the carving, another samurai stands among the pine tree...

Japanese antique transom made of keyaki (elm) wood and carved with scenes of samurai warriors. On the left hand side, a general gives orders to his troops (small figures carved in the round) partially behind a camp curtain. On the right hand side, another samurai rides a battle horse and raises his weapon high over his head. All around them are pine branches and swirling mist.

Edo Period (19th century)

Dimensions: 17 1/4" high x 45 1/2" long x 5 1/2" deep.

Antique Japanese keyaki (elm) wood temple carving of a fu-dog. Beautifully carved with mane of swirling curls and mouth full of sharp teeth, this fierce guardian would have once graced the eves of a buddhist temple roof. Edo Period. With contemporary black metal stand. Size: 15 1/2" high total (10 1/2" high not including stand) x 15" wide x 7 1/2" wide.

Stunning large Antique Japanese ishidoro - stone temple garden lantern, carved all of granite in 6 sections. The lotus base is carved so that it is still connected to the natural rock. The lantern section is different than most ishidoro in that it's roof is rounded and does not have curling corners but instead is more mushroom like in form. The light box is hexagonal and is carved in relief. Edo/Meiji Period. Size: 66" high x 24" wide x 30" wide (at widest point of base).

Antique Japanese ishidoro - stone temple garden lantern, carved all of granite in 6 sections. The lotus base is carved so that it is still connected to the natural rock. The lantern section is similar in style to a hanging lantern with it's curling warabite corner roof and pointed finial over a hollow hexagonal light box. This style of ishidoro originates from the Kasuga shrine and for that reason it could also be called a Kasuga-doro. Edo/Meiji Period. Size: 64" high x 22" wide x 30" wide (at w...

Antique Japanese bamboo container for flowers. Beautifully carved in high relief with a scene of a tiger in a bamboo grove. The tiger is carved with great detail and expression standing on an outcropping of rock, mouth open in a roar. The bamboo stocks and leaves around him are enormous in comparison and are carved so deeply that the branches are not attached to the body of the container in some places. Lined with a copper insert. Signed on the back: Koseki. Size: 14 1/2: high x 6" wi...

Antique Japanese pair of wonderful Koma Inu shrine guardian fu-dogs, carved from keyaki (elm) wood. Traces of painted details in green, white and brown. Expressively carved with great curling manes and tails. One of the fu-dogs has a single horn on top of it's head. Edo Period. Size of taller fu-dog: 19" high x 9" wide x 16" deep. Size of fu-dog without horn: 17 1/2" high x 9" wide x 16" deep.

Charming original Japanese antique bronze figure of a swimming koi, very beautiful detailed work especially on face, fins and scales, graceful naturalistic movement of the fish, Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Size: 11 2/4" long

Antique Japanese reclining black bull, wonderfully sculpted in Ceramic. Painted low-fire ceramic in good condition. Very heavy and charming. Great life like detail. Meiji Period (c. late 1800's). Size: 11" high x 23" long x 11" deep.

Very Charming and fortunate Large antique Japanese Hotei. Hotei, The god of contentment and happiness, guardian of children, and patron of bartenders. Hotei 布袋 has a cheerful face and a big belly. He is supposedly based on an actual person, and is widely recognized outside of Japan as the Fat, Laughing Buddha. Hotei is most likely based on the itinerant 10th-century Chinese Buddhist monk and hermit Budaishi (d. 917), who is said to be an incarnation of Miroku Bodhisattva (Maitreya...

Antique Japanese tray carved in the form of a leaf out of burl wood, beautifully modeled with twisting branches, a smaller leaf and seed pods, the beauty of the burl is highlighted in this naturalistic carving, Meiji Period. Size: 19 1/4" wide x 19" wide

Beautiful Japanese antique highly carved butsudan panel, carved with scene of two dragons in swirling clouds and crashing waves, black and gilt lacquer with details in red, the eyes of the dragons are made of reverse painted glass, framed in black lacquer frame with copper hardware. This piece was once a ranma or transom over the interior doors of a large Buddhist butsudan shrine. Meiji Period. Size: 9" high x 44" long. Carving is up to 3" deep.

Massive antique Japanese fu-dog temple carving made of keyaki (Elm) wood. Wonderful expression, beautifully weathered. Highly carved with flowing mane. Age: Edo Period. 200+ years old. Size: 26"L x 17"H x 13.5" W

A bronze statue of a fisherman about to cast his fishing net into the water. The statue is well crafted showing the veins on the legs, the knitting on the nets, every piece of straw on the dress. This meticulous detail work in Japanese bronzes is often seen during the Meiji Period. The bottom of the statue contain two inspection labels.
One is a stamp with the inspector's name, Yamashita and a number, 28. The other is an official stamp with the seal of the inspector's name set in the mid...

Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of Nio (Buddhist temple guardian), carved of wood with wonderful details and intensity of expression, traces of original pigment, once guarded the exterior gate to Buddhist temple, on metal stand, Edo Period. Size of figure: 30" high x 17" wide x 7" deep. Size on metal stand: 32" high x 18" wide x 12" deep.

A masterful rendering of an unusually large rooster posturing in full stance. The metals used are copper, silver, and gold. The major body of the cockerel is called shibuichi which is meticulously composed of silver and copper mixture. The feathers are beautifully sculpted and chased in details. The movement of the feathers pronounce the figurative composition. Its tail feather is patinated and infused into the silver.