Decidedly modern, Japanese, and minimalist; the textures, colors, and form of this fascinating tea bowl all suggest inspiration from natural objects. The grey, smooth, polished interior of the tea bowl contrasts nicely with the textured ferrous dark ochre ash glaze on the exterior. Somewhere between an ido and wan-nari shape, it rests surprisingly well in the hand and allows the user to contemplate the mysteries of nature through their tactile and visual senses.

Widely exhibited bot...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Snow at Shiba Park, 1931.
(Shiba Koen no Yuki)
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower right, indicating a lifetime edition produced between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #244.
Condition: Excellent. Very faint mark near left side of top margin.

Chinese hardstone hand-carved cup with a handle shaped like a chimera peeking inside. Below the rim of the container is a band carved with geometric pattern. The stone is pale white with areas of darker beige and brown.

The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – then known as the Great Ming Empire – for 276 years (1368–1644) following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.
The Ming, described by Edwin O. Reischauer, John K. Fairbank and Albert M. Craig as "o...

A Chinese statue of a maiden holding a lotus flower and a fan, carved from celadon jade, fixed on a matching wooden base. Condition: fine, only lotus flower with few tiny rim frits. Dimension with wood stand: c. 22.3 cm high.

Antique Chinese low cabinet. The upper portion has two drawers over a compartment opened by two cabinet doors. The doors swing on wooden dowel hinges which seat into small decorative carved peony flowers. The interior of the cabinet has one shelf. The front is finished with a rich red lacquer while the sides and top are a dark, distressed reddish brown lacquer finish.

19th century

Dimensions: 33 1/4" high x 31 3/4" wide x 19 1/2" deep.

Japanese two section clothing tansu, constructed with natural finish Kiri (paulownia) wood. Original condition. The four drawers with classic design of round iron hand-forged locks and pair of warabite drawer pulls, iron corner hardware and side handles.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 36 3/4" L x 16 1/2" D x 40 1/2" H

The shape of the this tea bowl is known as “tsutsu” in Japanese and is regarded as being especially attractive. Tsutsu bowls are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat and prevent the tea from cooling too quickly. Though most tsutsu bowls are defined by their smooth, curved edges and contoured clay bodies, this piece is distinct in having more defined edges and straight sides. Tea disciples of all stripes appreciate this type of bowl for its elegant lines and functional prop...

A Very Fine Pair of Korean Leather/Silk/Girl’s Shoes-19th C: For girls. Korea, Joseon dynasty, 19th century. A pair of shoes with a leather and red and light yellow colored silk for a royal family’s child, the soles actually are pig skin, sewing done unbelievably very well at the time. For a child (girl) shoes they’re very rare with a good condition like these shoes in these days. It’s in very fine condition, measures 5 3/8” long.

Stunningly beautiful Japanese Taisho Period C.1925 bamboo flower basket. Double ami warp and weft weaves with bamboo insers. Butterfly knots on handle are superb. In original paulownia wood box. 13" high and 9" in diameter. Ask for shipping quote.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Evening Rain in Kawarago
Date: 1947
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.75 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Edition: First. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower left corner. Used 1946-1957.
Reference: Hotei #504.
Stamped "Original works of art" on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notation at upper right margin. Partial stamp at lower right margin.

A North Indian pandan steel casket for offering betel. Of circular form with hinged lid, inlaid with flower scrolls in silver. Condition: interior with some oxidation. Dimension: diameter: 12 cm, 9.3 cm high, weight: 606 g.

A pair of large Japanese porcelain dishes, beautifully decorated in five colors: underglaze blue, overglaze black, -green, -aubergine, iron red and gold. Showing an asymetrical design of a courtesan with her servant under a cherry tree, the right side with flowers. The back with auspicious emblems, the base with spur marks and an underglaze blue apocryphal "Ming Jiajing" mark. Provenance: Swiss private collection. Dimension: diameter 27.5cm, 3.5 cm high. Condition: partial some wear tho the colo...

Frank Brangwyn and Yoshijiro Urushibara
In the Docks
Series: "Ten Woodcuts" No. 8.
Paper size: Approximately 11 x 9.5 inches.
Image size: Approximately 8.5 x 7.0 inches.
Date: 1924
Edition: No. 80 of 270 (250 +20 artist's proofs).
Yoshijiro produced this woodblock print from a watercolor by Brangwyn as part of their famous collaboration.
Publisher: John Lane: The Bodley Head Limited, London.
Sealed by Urushibara.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print....

An Edo period image of plums blossoming on thick branches by Kitayama Kangan. Ink on paper in a patterned cloth mounting with beige piping in the Mincho style so popular int eh 19th century and featuring bone rollers. It is 21-1/2 x 78-1/2 inches (55 x 199 cm). Some minor loss to the piping at the top of the scroll, otherwise in surprisingly good condition.
Kitayama Kangan (Ba Moki, 1767-1801) was the grandson of a Chinese émigré. He studied painting under his father Ba Doryo (Also us...

A delightful Japanese wood tray in the shape of a lotus leaf. Chiseled Katabori with raised veins and stem and stippled leaf rolled back on sides. The back of the tray is as detailed as the top with an intricate pattern of veins and curved stem. The tray is used in the tea ceremony.

Date: Meiji Period circa 1890

Dimensions:12" X 9" X 1"

An exquisite vessel by Bizen legend Yamamoto Toshu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Meipin. The form is perfection, covered with a dusting of ash revealing a flame colored eye on one side, everything about the proportions timeless. This is a piece I could wax on for hours about, but will leave that up to the viewer. It is 8 inches (20.5 cm) tall and in perfect condition.
Yamamoto Toshu (1906-1994) began working in a pottery at the age of 15. 12 years later (1933)...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu made of Kiri wood (paulownia). Charming round lock design, overall with 6 drawers and safe door compartment with two drawers behind. Good condition overall.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Measures: 19.25"H x 21.5"W x 12"D

Occupation era original Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Snow at Hinuma Swamp, Mito" ("Snow at Hi Marsh, Mito") by Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) dated in the lower left margin Showa 22 (1947). The artist's black ink signature and red seal are at the upper right side of the image. The 6mm circular seal of the publisher Watanabe (used 1946-1957) is at the lower right corner. Paper size: 10 3/8" x 15 3/4" (image size: 9 1/2" x 14 1/4"). The print was never framed and is in excellent overall ...