Catalog (438)

A fine Japanese lid rest or futaoki as it is known in the tea ceremony. The lid rest is done in a technique known as karakane or bronze and has been hammered. The tachizuru or motif of standing cranes is often seen in various tea accessories representing the rise of auspiciousness. The lid rest comes with a tomobako with the name of the lid rest and the artist, Seishu. Age: Late Showa Period Size: diameter 2.1" height 2.1"

Antique Japanese bronze Bishamonten or guardian. Taisho period, 1912-1926. The Bishamonten is the protector of Buddhism, distributor of treasures and wealth and protector of warriors. He is the Shitenno guardian of the north, of riches and scourger of evil doers, and healer of illness. The Shitenno are the four heavenly guardians that protect the Buddha and his attendants. There is a seal on the base reading Nobu. It measures 38" tall.

Antique Tibetan Prajnaparamita made of patinated bronze. It has an elaborate crown framing the face with angular facial features. The figure is seated in royal ease pondering a shell in its right hand. The left hand holds a lotus sprig with traces of orange pigment. The figure has traces of prance, red, and yellow pigments. The robes are incised with a floral design. 20th century. It measures 12.25" tall.

Antique Chinese, 18th century, small bronze vase with incised decorative rings. It has three small feet on the base. It measures 6.5" tall 3.5" wide at mouth.

Charming bronze figure of the reclining Buddha. This stage depicting the death of his body and his attainment of the realm of his true self and ultimate enlightenment is called Mahaparinirvana. He is beautifully sculpted with an expression of peace and his body is relaxed. Wonderful attention to detail and overall very pleasing form. Thailand. c.1900. Size: 24" long x 7" deep x 7" high

Antique Japanese Meiji period, 1868-1912, bronze cast deer. The deer is lightly walking across a surface. Excellent naturalism. It measures 10" long 6" tall.

Antique Japanese bronze usubata made of woven bronze. An usubata is a floral arranging container for ikebana. The base is made in the form of an open weave bamboo basket with a six point star pattern. The top is a close weave. The handles are bamboo branches with leaves climbing over the basket. Meiji period 1868-1912. It measures 12" wide 11" tall.

Rare large pair of beautiful original Japanese bronze temple lanterns with gilt highlights. A Sasarindo crest on the section where the light would be placed; the Sasarindo is the bamboo leaves and gentian flowers crest of the Minamoto clan.
The doors are fully functional. Each lantern is made of 6 individual cast bronze sections. A pearl in a flame sits on top of each lantern. Two very intricate dragons wrap around the lanterns. There are abundant motifs of dragons, flames and clouds. The...

Antique Chinese cloisonne flower container, footed rectangular body beautifully colored, scrolling vines and flower on a turquoise ground. Bronze. A large four character mark on the bottom in cloisonne. Period: 19th Century. Size: 12.375" length x 7.5" width x 5.5" height

A bronze brazier, also known as a hibachi. The workmanship of the brazier is intricate with one side showing a motif of Chinese stye lions mingling among peonies and the other, geese flying over reeds in a marsh. The sides are demon or beast like shaped heads with an insert to put rings to decorate the piece. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter 8" Height 13.25"

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 pair of dramatic bronze censers, each with a warrior seated on top, the surface of each censer is decorated all over with ornate damascene (metal inlay) patterns, standing on four feet on stand inlaid with dragon, each leg is inlaid with the face of an oni (demon protector), each warrior sits on a rocky outcropping with hidden holes to allow incense smoke to escape dramatically around the figure, Meiji Period. Provenance: from the estate of the late designer Michael Taylor. Size o...

A large bronze sculpture in the form of a censer decorated with auspicious motifs, cranes, and scrolling clouds. The lid has a small sculpture of Shoki, the demon queller standing on top of a rock with crashing waves. The side of the censer are two dragons staring at the central figure. The bottom of the censer is held up by four spirits known as shojo, known for drinking large amounts of sake and often seen in Kabuki and noh plays. The base is emulating a five legged cinnabar lacquer with geome...

A simple bronze with mixed metal applied to the surface utilizing the method known as zogan where gold and silver is used to apply the decoration and is fired on the surface. The motif is a plum branch with a bird known as an onagadori which is similar to a rooster, but is a distinct bird found in Japan. Piece is signed by Mitsufune. Age: 20th century/ Diameter: 2.25" Heigh: 6.25"

The subtle pair of Japanese bronze vases with the detailed work done of motifs of lotuses, herons, and carp fascinate the eyes. The gold metal are arranged to show the changes in color of the lotus leaves and to bring forth the beauty of the lotus blossoms. Work is signed by Miyabe Atsuyoshi who was active during the Meiji period and paved the way for contemporary Takaoka Bronze. Age: Meiji Period Size: Height: 5" Diameter: 2.75"

Pair of bronze vases with mixed metal inlay of motif of herons perched and flying near a willow tree. The vase contains the inscription: Dai Nippon Kyoto Ju, Ikkodo Bunryu Atsuyoshi. Trans: Residing in Kyoto, Japan Ikkodo Bunryu Atsuyoshi followed by a kao or a distinctive signature of the artist. The artist, Miyabe Atsuyoshi was active during the Meiji period and paved the way for contemporary Takaoka Bronze art. Age: Meiji Period Size: Diameter: 3.25" Height: 9.75"

A fascinating Japanese shrine bell known as, Waniguchi, or directly translated as Crocodile's mouth, which resembles the wide mouth of a crocodile. The bell is usually found in shinto shrines that enshrine deities that were imported to Japan or Shingon temples. The bell contains an inscription stating that the bell was originally donated by the ancestors of the donor in 1686 and a new bell was rededicated in 1839. The bell appears to be dedicated to Sometani Shinbei. Age: Late Edo Period, 1839. ...

Beautiful and unusual antique Thai gilt bronze figure of the Bodhisatva Ksitigarbha, called the Bodhisatva of Hell Beings because of his vow: "If the Hell is not empty, I will not attain Buddhahood". He is dedicated to revealing all the secrets of the teachings of Buddha to all sentient beings whether they be on earth or in Hell. In this sculpture, a group of seven wonderfully strange hell beings, some with animal heads, stand around a square form with an offering and pray to Ksitigarbha...