A fine example of Edo period Kano painting, this generously proportioned hanging scroll illustrates a late autumn scene from the Japanese countryside over 300 years ago. The poem on the scroll reads:

Solitary, with the color, of nothingness
A close to autumn, on a ring of mountaintops

The painter, Minenobu Kano (1662 - 1708), was greatly admired by the Ienobu Tokugawa shogunate who eventually promoted him to the position of inner-court artist...

Rare japanese urushi lacquer box of a calabash shape. Beautiful Hoteï sleeping on his bag on a black ground. Nashiji lacquer inside with two figthers. A rare border of checkerboard and mother of pearl inlays.

A fine Japanese porcelain plate, the centre painted with a pair of Ho-o birds perched on rocks amongst flowers. There are several versions of this design featuring different borders. This border is unusual, it features three Ming-style elephant headed dragons and a profusion of blooms. The back has a particularly delicate depiction of trailing blooms and an inner border of clouds. The mark is associated with the Old Kakiemon kiln, 1680’s.

Approximately 20.7cm diameter...

Rare bronze ewer Japan Muromachi period, cast in one part. Signature of the artist incised under the base. This type of ewer is very rare, we know only one other similar example, smaller and less elaborate which is housed at the Minneapolis institute (usa). Excellent state of conservation, beautiful original patina. H:290mm

A vermilion Negoro lacquered tray with fluted corners on an elongated stem with heavy round foot in black lacquer dating from the Muromachi period with the temple name Zentoku-in written in red on the base. It is 27 x 27.5 x 25 cm tall (10-1/2 x 10-3/4 x 10 inches). Originally undoubtedly square, the discrepancy in width is due to shrinkage against the grain over the centuries. It comes in a late custom made wooden storage box...

Antique Japanese scroll painting of Buddha Amitābha also known simply as Amida Buddha and two Bodhisattva attendants: Sanzon Bosatsu (with both hands holding a lotus blossom) and Seishi Raigo Bosatsu (with hands in gassho adoration mudra). The central figure, Amida Nyorai stands with each foot on a lotus blossom, floating on swirling clouds as he descents. His hands are in vitarka mudra, also known as Raikō gesture of welcoming souls to Paradise (Jōdō or Sukhavati in Sanskrit)...

An Arita porcelain whistle in the form of a reclining Chinese boy. Decorated in Kakiemon-type overglaze blue, green and iron-red enamels. Circa 1680 ~ 1700.

A similar whistle is illustrated in Christiaan J. A. Jorg’s ‘Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections.’

Approximately 7.6 cm long...

A shaped Arita blue & white porcelain dish in the form of Mt. Fuji, circa 1680 - 1700.

A similar but smaller example is illustrated in The Complete Catalogue of the Shibata Collection, item 2276.

Approximately 16.5 cm wide...

An Arita small dish in ai-Kutani style decorated with a bird beneath a tree, all within a dog-tooth border. The plain back with an apocryphal four-character Ming Wanli reign mark. Circa 1700.

Approximately 16.9 cm diameter...

A Very rare an extraordinary antique Japanese Kuruma tansu (wheeled chest) made of kirinoki (paulownia) wood. Extremely rare design, Most possibly a tansu from the Akita Castle.
All original including the finish and hand forged iron fittings. Top hinged lid over a thin flat compartment, sliding door compartment locked door reveals inner drawers, bottom sliding door compartment has key that reveals small drawers...

Rare lacquer box with nashiji background. Gold lacquer decoration in relief of pavilions in a lake landscape. Kirikane gold and silver, pine needles in yellow metal inlaid in high relief blackened by oxidation and dirt. Early Edo period, late 17°or earlier. Inside there is a tray. 18 x 10 x 8cm. A broken and badly glued interior edge (visible on photo). Sold as is, never restored nor cleaned. No lack. Very good condition considering the venerable age.

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku-ware and especially in works produced by the Tamamizu kiln, such as the 300+ year old ceremonial tea bowl seen here. The first in this line of potters was Yahē (1662 - 1722), an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (1615 - 1768) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho)...

Rare porcelain dish decorated in cobalt blue underglaze. In the center the prestigious mark VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) of the Dutch East India Company. The decoration of flowers and birds in cartridges inspired by the Chinese style of the late Ming.This dish was created for a member of the powerful company. Japan Genroku period end of 17th century. Perfect condition. Diameter: 35 and 35,5cm.

Extremely rare and probably unique porcelain and gilt copper ewer.The body of the object is a Japanese porcelain covered pot of the 2nd part of the 17th century around 1660 coming from Arita of the Kakiemon kilns but maybe from the Yambeta kiln. The pot was transformed in Europe into a teapot by the addition of a handle supporting a horse and a spout forming a dragon in gilded and embossed copper, the lid is formed by a swan. All these animals in relief are certainly in cast bronze...

17th century Karatsu ware Tea Bowl (Chawan) made in Kihara kiln in Kyushu region

Kihara kiln of Kyushu region was operating during the transition times between the decline of Karatsu tea ceremonial ware and the raise of Shoki-Imari ware (approx. 1624-1671)...

Perfume fountain in porcelain Imari kinrandé mounted in gilt bronze from the same set of porcelain. The cup and the bowl form the base, the pot covers the perfume container.
Blue under-cover decoration with gold highlights of interlacing lotus flowers...

An Arita porcelain whistle in the form of a reclining Chinese boy. Decorated in Kakiemon-type underglaze blue, green and iron-red enamels. Circa 1680 ~ 1700.

A similar whistle is illustrated in Christiaan J. A. Jorg’s ‘Fine & Curious, Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections.’

Approximately 7.4 cm long. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank to bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China...

A bronze bell dated Kanbun 10 (1670) which would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. Inscribed in the surface around dials of lotus flowers is: An auspicious day in the 7th month of Kanbun 10, followed by the names Honda Yasutoki Ko and Hiramoto Sukeyuki opposite a dedication to the god of water the Hachidairyu-jin followed by a place name near Awazu in modern day Shiga prefecture. The Hac...