A pair of mounted panels painted with battle scenes from the Tales of Heike. One panel appears to take place during the battle at Dan no Ura. This painting of samurai contains the signature crest of the Heiki clan (the butterfly). The other panel is a portrait of the famous monk warrior, Benke, on horseback in the Shichi-henge form (where he carries many weapons)...

Japanese pair of porcelain Inari kitsune (foxes). Glazed and painted they sit on brightly colored bases, one with a scroll, the other with a ball in it's mouth.
Also called zenko, these good spirit kitsune are specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. Believed to be both messengers and guardians, kitsune served Inari in her role as goddess of agriculture, specifically rice. Part of the folklore surrounding the fox is it’s ability to shape shift into human form...

A pair of covered ceremonial Sake-Tsubo called Heiji decorated with the three auspicious winter plants, Sho-chiku-bai (Pine, bamboo and plum) by Ito Tozan II enclosed in the original wooden box Plum pine and bamboo rise up in a riot of color on the thinly crackled pale glaze covering the surface. Inside the box is dated Showa 11 (1936) 8th month, 9th day. Each is roughly 22 cm (9 inches) tall and in excellent condition, each uniquely stamped on the base with the artist seal...

Two porcelain plates, both superbly painted in the Satsuma style with brocaded borders and landscape scenes of women and children in luxurious clothing, celebrating iris and chrysanthemum respectively. Kutani, late Meiji, c 1900. Signed Kutani Eiraku (?) So. Diameter "7¼ / 18,3 cm. Condition: fine.

A charming pair of Japanese porcelain satsuma vases. The panels on each vase tell a story of ghosts and demons escaping from a woven basket. One vase shows a scene of court performers in a traditional lion dance, used to repel evil spirits. In another panel is a scene of kneeling courtesans with worrisome expression and a shrine maiden attempting to purify the area. The final panel shows a golden box, with a large clawed oni forcing the lid shut to trap the evil spirits within...

Japanese pair of 2 panel byobu screens, with hand-painted scenes of small flying birds, a pond with foliage, a blossoming plum tree branch with gold flecks.Applied gold clouds and pigment on silk. enclosed in a black lacquered frame dating circa 1930.
Yamashita Chikusai (1885-1973) was born in Kyoto and studied under the important turn of the century master Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1933) from the age of fifteen, becoming one of his highest ranking pupils...

A pair of small pottery spill vases, Japan, unmarked, probably Kyoto, 1920’s. Bottle shaped, decorated with hand painted flowers and borders in olive green and black, pink, brown and blue against a cream-coloured background. Height "5/ 12,5 cm. Condition: firing crack to the foot rimof one vase, otherwise fine (cf pictures).

Height: 23.6 cm (9.4 in)
Width: 8.5 cm (3.4 in)

Pair of Japanese Sumida Gawa vases; depicts four polychrome decorated children balancing on ledges; thick frothy glazes cascade down from the rim and down the body; one vase perfect, the other showing a repaired and stable scallop-crack to the rim (hard to see); otherwise, good condition

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"

A pair of wine cups, Japanese, Edo, c 1700. Decorated in iron red, gilt and some green. Diameter "2/ 5 cm, height "1½/ 3,8 cm. Condition: one cup re-glued (cf. pics). Price: $110, including worldwide SH & I

A good pair of Kenjo Imari dishes decorated with a central auspicious “botan-mon” ringed by a wave border with gobenka...

A pair of rice bowls with their accompanying covers cum sauce dishes dating from the late 18th century to the early 19th century decorated entirely in enamels with gilding. Their exterior is decorated with a turquoise green brocade ground intended to simulate a Chinese enamelled scrafitto pattern of the period...

A pair of Namasu or small serving bowls in revived Kakiemon style decorated with a depiction of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove in low moulded relief; here represented by just two of them. The Sages were synominous with a hedonistic lifestyle of drinking and poetry. The foliate rims of the dishes are painted with a fuchi beni, iron brown glaze...

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in so-called suhama form; a stylised interpretation of a wave washed beach often associated with the Isles of the Immortals. Painted in underglaze blue with a group of five auspicious karako, Chinese Boys, bound together with a ribbon or rope; symbols of joy and a wish for offspring. In addition a Chinese style Fan and a Double gourd are painted in iron red and gilt to complete the design...

An interesting pair of Japanese Arita saucer form dishes decorated in a transitional style incorporating elements of the Kakiemon style, notably the asymmetric elements within the reserves to the outer rim of the dish, with Katamono style motifs dating to the late 17th century or early 18th century made for the domestic market. For a more sophisticated version of this type of design in Katamono style dated 1680-1700 see Shibata Volume II no 422...

A similar pair of dishes to EW 3037 but without the additional gilding and iron red decoration. Designs featuring Karako were popular both in China and Japan at this period they were both symbolic of joy and a wish for children, kodakara; the treasure that is children...

Very unusual pair of komainu or guardian dogs to a Shinto or Buddhist shrine. The lef one has its mouth open and has drooping ears, the right one keeps its mouth closed and has the ears perked up. Very fine and smooth bronze cast with rich brown patination.
Makers mark chiseled into the bottom of each lion dog. The name consists of a single character that can be read in a variety of ways: Yasushi, but also Hiroshi, Yutaka, Toru or Akira; followed by "saku" or "made by"...

Pair of dramatic Japanese large bronze candlesticks. Each candlestick depicts strolling vines with blossoming flowers on all sides. Small detail are seen down to each petal. The bronze nail head is in great condition and could easily support large candles an be used once again.

Taisho Period (Early 20th Century)

Dimensions: 24 1/4" High x 9 1/2" wide