Antique Japanese horagai, conch shell trumpet made from the shell of Charonai tritonis and outfitted with a wooden mouthpiece. Horagai were used by samurai during war times to communicate location to each other over mountain terrain. They are also closely associated with Yamabushi, warrior monks of the Shugendo tradition. The Japanese conch shell horagai is special in that it can produce a range of 3 to 5 different notes. Today, horagai are still used by monks during ceremonies such as the...

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care. Later in Edo, the large-kiln style of production or “ogama” was introduced ushe...

Flower arranging is one of the great arts that Japan has managed to take to ever greater heights of refinement over its long history. Here we have a classic example of a kake-hanaire (hanging flower vase) fashioned from bamboo by a lineage of craftsmen that started in 1578 with the first Kuroda Shogen. Now in its 13th generation, this prominent Kyoto family is one of only 10 crafting families from various disciplines to make up the “Senke Jishhoku” (artisan families approved to craft impleme...

An antique Japanese Ko Choba Tansu (small merchant chest) made of Sakuranoki (Cherry Wood) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria). All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. The front hinged door hides 7 drawers of varying sizes.

Originally used by a merchant to keep valuables and store records and documents. In a present day home, this chest would function well as a side table or an accent piece.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions:...

A fabulous large Mizusashi with a rugged, natural shape covered in cool blue and gray by Hagi icon Kaneta Masanao enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hagi Hai-Kaburi Kurinuki Mizusashi. It is roughly 18.5 cm (7-1/4 inches) tall, 26.5 cm (10-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, complete with the artists shiori and shifuku.
Kaneta Masanao likely needs no introduction, certainly one of Hagi’s most well-known and easily identifiable names. Although an eighth-gener...

An antique Japanese Tansu chest called Oki Getabako (Large shoe chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Large two sliding doors hides 2 full width shelves. Originally used in a large Ryokan (country inn) in the Kansai region of Japan to store wooden clogs and shoes for guests staying there. Traditionally kept at the entrance of the inn, guests would remove their footwear and change into slippers that were provided. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery acq...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles which mimics the angular square lock plates of the drawers. The six drawers of varying sizes allows for functional organizing and spacious storage. Side handles allow one to carry the tansu from room to room.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 26" Wide by 22 1/2" High by 13" Deep

Chinese Tang dynasty or Five dinasties bowl with Cikade or Butterfly motive. 13,7 cm diameter. Bowl have chipped at the rim on restorations.

An antique Japanese Iwayado Tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Yamasugi (slow growth mountain Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Main top drawer lock plate has a flying Phoenix with surrounding drawer lock plates featuring Paulownia leaves from which the bird drinks the collected dew to get its energy. A locking bar secures two drawers and a hinged door opens to access four small drawers.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions:...

Matte colors in olive and silver coat the fiddle head fronds sprouting from this clump of clay studded with mysterious orbs by Masatomo Toi from his germination series of ceramic sculptures. The treatment of the rising horns is unusual in this piece, ordinarily more direct and threatening, these appear to be shy. The sculpture is 39 cm (15-1/2 inches) tall, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
(The price includes professional packaging and shipping by private air ...

An antique 2 section Korean Nong made of Elm, Genko and Pine woods. Nickel hard mounts with foliated central lock plate medallions. Ryu shaped hinges. With bat mounts representing happiness and articulated Chau ornaments symbolizing longevity. The front elm wood is book matched for visual symmetry and balance. Original paper lined interior.

Age: 19th Century

Dimensions: 33 1/4" Wide by 52 7/8" High by 14" Deep

An antique Japanese Funa Tansu (ship chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron fittings and finish. Top handle in the Warabite design for carrying. Safe door opens to reveal 5 drawers where important documents, papers, writing brushes, an inkstone and valuables were stored. A trick secret storage box was used to hide important trinkets.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 13" Wide by 14 7/8" High by 16 5/8" Deep ...

An iconic bowl flaring out in pure celadon by Fukami Sueharu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Hachi (here he is using a play on sound, as he uses the Kanji character for eight pronounced Hachi in place of the character for bowl with the same reading). It is 22 cm (8-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Fukami Sueharu is synonymous with seihakuji celadon. He has been displayed numerous times at the prestigious Nitten, Nihon Togei Ten (National Japanese ...

A small Chinese marble torso fragment, Tang dynasty, 10 cms wide. This has been in a UK collection for 25 years. Purchased in Beijing 1990's.

A spectacular collapsed pottery jar from the Karatsu tradition with a purpose-warped wooden lid covered in powdered silver enclosed in a top quality ancient red-lacquered kiri-wood box lined with wave-patterned colored-paper. The ancient box has silver lacquer writing on the top reading Kodai Karatsu Tsubo, Kamakura Ki, Mizusashi (Ancient Karatsu Tsubo, Kamakura Period, Mizusashi). The pot is 17 cm (7 inches) diameter, 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in overall excellent condition.

Very Fine and Rare Large Chinese Qin Dynasty or Warring States Pottery Model of a Stove featuring Fish & Seafood

This extremely rare and impressive pottery model of a cooking stove was made during either the Qin Dynasty (221 – 206 BC) or possibly earlier, during the latter part of the preceding Warring States period (475 – 221 BC). It is made from quite a high-fired grey pottery that has a distinct ring to it when tapped. Its main upper surface is wonderfully decorated with finely-detail...

Antique Indian miniature painting of a scene with two beautiful ladies in a courtyard. It appears that the ladies picnic has been disturbed by the antics of a cat and bird. At their feet is a spread of fruit and wine. Also a small cage. One could imagine a scene where the bird has escaped and is being chased by the cat. The women pursue the cat and the escaped bird. White doves fly in the blue sky above the walls of the inner courtyard. Painted in gouache on paper. Minor losses to paint.D...

Japanese antique Bugaku theatre mask for Genjoraku dance. The imperial court dance has been performed for over 12 hundred years. During the Edo Period, the dance was performed as part of shrine festivals to celebrate prosperity and peace. This mask is carved of wood with a moveable jaw. It has traces of red and colorful pigments. Mounted on a metal stand.
Provenance: From the Collection of Sandra Miller, New York.

Age: Edo Period (c. 1800's)

Dimensions: 14" high ...