Guanyin carved from a piece of white jade. She is depicted standing, holding a vase of flowers in her hands. The simplicity of the sculpture, the strength it exudes make me think of an ancient time. I think early Qing or Ming period. The base is original because it is made of bamboo, although it is simple it is of good quality,its feet are carefully executed; perhaps of the same period. Height about 12cm without the base. Good condition, however I think part of a ribbon has been reground becau...

Antique Japanese theatre mask of a mujina, which could mean either badger or raccoon-dog (tanuki). Both creatures are famous in Japanese folklore for their shapeshifting abilities. One of his most popular appearances is in the story of a mujina yokai (shape shifter) who becomes a kozō (little monk) and stands by empty roads at night. The other is of a tanuki who turns himself into a teapot. Mujina can also take the form of a faceless ghost. This mask is carved of wood and lacquered a deep re...

Antique Japanese okimono carving of a little skeleton on top of a larger skull. Made of boxwood with a beautiful patina. Intricately carved to show every bone of the small skeleton and the teeth of the skull. The artist's humor is displayed in both style and subject matter.

Age: Edo Period (17th century)

Dimensions: 1 1/2" high

A wonderful example of an original Japanese Armored Safe chest. Constructed of hand selected and quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova hardwood) and hand forged iron hardware / fittings. Thick hinged door opens to reveal 4 individual drawers with secret compartment located under the largest (bottom) drawer. Internal drawers are made of original light kiri (paulownia) wood.

Age: Edo Period late 18th Century

Dimensions: 19" High x 15 3/4" Wide x 18 1/3" Deep

Pair of hard porcelain vases, enamel decoration of butterflies, birds and flowers. Dragons chasing the sacred pearl surround the collar inside and out. Golden details. The flared shape is elegant and very rare, the enamels are of excellent quality, the patterns are well drawn and the presence of dragons is also rare on this type of porcelain which, almost always, was intended for Europe. Good general condition, no restoration. However one vase has a crack and the other a small chip, 2 photos sh...

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Funa Hon Tansu (ship captain's document chest) made of Keyaki burl (Zelkova) in front and Keyaki frame. All original hand forged iron hardware and Urushi lacquer finish. Side carrying handles made of Kaki (Persimmon) wood.

Used in a ship captain's quarters to store valuable documents and books. In the event of a pirate attack, these chests were tied by rope and thrown overboard to prevent them from becoming part of the loot. Once the attack was over, they...

Very rare sundial in cast bronze, enamel, glass paste and steel, Chinese work from the 18th century. Two similar examples are housed at the Palace Museum in Beijing and are illustrated in the catalog of scientific instruments in the collection. It is interesting to note, thanks to our sundial, that the feet are missing from the sundials of the Palace which was not remarkable at first glance, although on examination it was shocking that simple threaded rods acted of feet on such precious instrume...

A striking work of lacquer art in unusual blue by the ever-challenging Okada Yuji dating from early in his career, circa 1975. The work is performed on a panel with built up mounds over which has been applied colored lacquer and gold foil. Down the center a zigzag line of mother of pearl is inlaid. To this design has been added extruded lacquer decoration bordered in burnished Suzu-ita metal overlay. The panel is 80.5 x 145 cm, about 2.5 cm thick, in excellent condition.
Okada Yuji was bor...

A Japanese inro made in lacquer with great craftsmanship and decorated with the image of six monkeys. The outer surface of the Inro is coated in gold lacquer which creates an elegant contrast with the metal monkeys. This Inro depicts a scene in the round, in which monkeys interact in an evocative natural environment. Some climb Matsu pine trees, while others rest gracefully on raised rocks. The wooden netsuke, depicting a monkey with a peach in its paws, contributes to the narrative of the...

Ivory netsuke depicting a dromedary with a long neck that bends backwards. The surface is distinguished by its shine and blonde patina, with color transitions ranging from yellow to lighter ivory. To the touch, the netsuke feels soft and smooth. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 1.7 cm. State of conservation: Very good

Antique Kano school ink Landscape/suiboku sansui and fukurokuju; god of happiness, prosperity and long life that is said to originate from a Chinese hermit. Usually, he is depicted with a crane or turtle, which are symbols of longevity, and his trademark long head and white beard, but in this painting he is depicted wearing a huge traditional Chinese hand-woven bamboo hat. Painted with ink on silk. Signed Tsunenobu and sealed. It is also inscribed as it is a piece of Hogen Tsunenobu(Hogen (the ...

Buddha in bronze cast with lost wax and gilded with mercury. The walls are very thick, the statuette is heavy. The gilding is original, certainly baked several times to obtain a nice thickness. The reverse of the dress is chiseled with stylized flowers. The base is closed by an incised copper plate of Vajra. The base does not appear to have been opened. The two arm bracelets were originally to have stone beads, today replaced by a colored coating. In the palm of the hand, we can see a hole left ...

Startled to enlightenment, this is a large Edo period figure of a Rakan (Sanskrit: Arhat), a Buddhist saint kozutsucarved in the Yosegi-zaiku method of joined blocks of wood. Originally covered in polychrome colors, much has grayed and flaked away with time, a fitting aspect of the image. He has glass eyes which seem to burn violently with realization. The image is 43 x 36 x 51 cm (17 x 14 x 20 inches) and is in solid condition. The head is removable, slotted into the body at the collar. For ...

Appearing to be from a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be a former residence of the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one rule—this lovely Mishima tea bowl is one of just two I have seen appear on the Japanese art market over the years. The previous bowl also listed on our site had a large portion reconstructed with a gold repair. This piece meanwhile is entirely intact and even has its original box. Details about t...

This is an authentic Nephrite jade carving of a mythical beast known as a Bixie, as those of you who collect in this area will recognize. The piece measures slightly less than 3-1/2" in length and is1-5/8" in height. The stone is a pale celadon in color, showing substantial alteration in the hindquarters. There is a minor loss at the tip of (one branch) of the tail. Fully carved, with fangs, snout and paws all clearly defined. A very dynamic carving, dating to the late Qing dynasty. PLEASE NOTE:...

This is an authentic nephrite jade dragon pendant measuring 3-1/2" in length and 2-3/8" in width. The stone is somewhat more olive in tone than is shown in the photographs. The sinuous dragon is situated on a bi disc which is beautifully carved on the underside, as shown in the photographs. PLEASE NOTE: if you collect in this area, you are undoubtedly aware that the market is flooded with later copies and fakes, often labeled "archaistic" and selling for relatively low prices. This piece has be...

Ancient Iga pottery works had been made for a few decades since last Momoyama period from early Edo period. They were fired over 1250 degrees Celsius for 10 days and repeated 3 times and more with no glaze, they has natural glaze that is consist of melted ashes, burnt deposits and scarlet by fire. They are well known as dynamic style and loved by many tea ceremony master like as famous Oribe Furuta. However, they needed expensive costs, so they could not be continued. And Sadamitsu Sugimoto re...

Very fine bronze Shan State Buddha with an exquisite black-gold patina seated on a stepped throne decorated with knobs. The sculpture displays an elegant smartness and is well proportioned. The Buddha is seated in the Vajrasana position with the right hand in the gesture of touching the earth (bhumisparsa mudra) and the left hand rests in the gesture of meditation (dhyana mudra). Excellent condition, 18/19th Century. Size: H. 26 cm. x W. 13.5 cm. x D. 8 cm.