Japanese iron tetsubin, or tea kettle, with finely cast decoration of a bird seated on lifelike branches with berries in high relief. The handled and lid are made from bronze with a flower and orb shaped finial. The side of the tetsubin is signed with 4 character artist's mark.

Dimensions: 7" x 6 1/2" x 10" H

Here is a fine example of a scholarly pursuit of finding the accoutrement for the use of calligraphy. A Japanese bronze tsuteke water dropper, in the form of an old sage or "Sennin" riding on the back of a turtle with its flowing hair-like tails. The turtle is lifting its head so that the angle would allow to pour water from its mouth. The hole is located on the back top of the turtle's shell, allowing for water to flow in...

Pair of Japanese damascene candlesticks, the body of each with dramatic imagery of serpentine dragons and fireballs. The foliate petal rims decorated with chrysanthemums and coiling vines, and the tripod feet with auspicious objects and flowers. Both candlesticks are signed "Kuma" in gilt pigment on the base.

19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 4 1/4" x 9" H

The Japanese bronze maker is known for its high quality and attention to detail rendered in bronze, silver, and other precious materials. The exposure to the world's fair has showcased the Japanese skilled artisan in many different styles and categories. Naturalism and realism was the template to the Western taste during the Meiji period.

This is a fine example of a great horned owl in bronze depicted in naturalism. The okimono owl is perched on a gnarled branch preening itself...

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 front depicts two joyful festival performers, one holding a drum and the other holding a fan, the figures in relief with gilt accenting throughout. The backside of the tsuba shows a large mallet and mortar traditionally used for pounding rice into mochi.

Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3"

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)

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 small bronze censer for a Buddhist shrine, made in a squat round form with inlaid gold metal shapes in a random pattern. Cast mark on the bottom. Nice patina.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2" high x 2 7/8" wide diameter

A Japanese bronze vase decorated with dragons and clouds. Meiji period, mid to late nineteenth century. Unsigned. The work is reminiscent of Murata Seimin.

Approximately 21 cm high...

Japanese antique finely detailed and articulated patinated copper rhinoceros beetle. During the peaceful time of the Meiji Period, samurai armor smiths turned their attention and skill toward making these exquisite creatures. The individually crafted movable parts of this rhinoceros beetle spotlights the skill needed to create the articulation required in a suit of samurai armor. Wings open slightly to reveal another pair of wings underneath...

A Japanese bulbous shaped bronze censer on four supports. There is a rectangular, three characters mark on the bottom - "Cast by Suiun". 19th Century. Condition: Nice patina; there are restorations on two locations, please see enlargement #2 and #6 for details. Diameter: Approximately 6-1/2"; height: 3".

Japanese bronze sculpture of a coiling dragon, holding a clear quartz crystal ball in its raised claw. The foot is cast with the two character seal of the artist.

Early 20th Century

Dimensions: 7 1/2" x 6" x 7" H

Antique Japanese copper and bronze tsuri-doro, Buddhist temple hanging lantern. Six sided lantern with doors decorated with pierced designs of kiri blossoms and scrolling leaves. The base stands on feet which have a repouse design of lotus leaves. The top finial and handle is in the shape of a budding chrysanthemum flower. The double door is latched with a flying crane...

Hand-forged iron Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully repousse hammered, creating a natural realism. The lobster is fully splayed on steel plates and armature wire. All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg. Exquisitely crafted, showing off a very high skill of the metal worker. With artist signature underneath the lobster.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 13" x 7" x 5" (8 1/2" on stand)

Antique Japanese bronze sutra container of a pagoda form with very tall finial and calligraphy inscription. The bronze shows beautiful green patina inside and on the foot and the lid shows old corrosion. The burial of sutras in sutra mounds began in 1007 when Fujiwara no Michinaga had a gilt bronze sutra container inscribed upon its burial at the Kinpusen sutra mound in Yoshino. It is apparent that a variety of reasons lay behind the creation of these sutra mounds...

Antique Japanese pair of silver shokudai or candlesticks Made of repousse silver with motifs of scrolling vines and chrysanthemums. The base and top of each candle stick is lobed in a lotus pod form with scalloped edges.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/4" W x 21 1/2" H

Japanese hand-forged iron jizai, used for suspending a tea kettle over a fire pit within the home. Made with a charming iron fish with incised details of scales, face, and separately attached fins.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8" w x 48" - 53" long

A large, heavy Japanese bronze temple bell or bonsho, with a handle of dragon heads called a ryuzu, protrusions called chi chi or nyu to improve resonance of sound, the tsuki-za striking panels, and the mei-bun inscription of the bell's history...