Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Xian (Published)

This exceptionally large and rare bronze xian (steamer) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and actually comprises three separate vessels that combine to form the xian. The middle section sits within the lower section, and on top sits the upper section, the part that has the grill in its base to allow steam to enter the vessel. Each section is decorated with raised bands and a pair of taotie ring handles. The surfaces are c...

An antique Japanese Tsuruoka Bo Tansu (chest with locking bar) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. The locking bar features a flying crane amidst a forest of Sho Chiku Bai (Pine trees, Bamboo and Plum blossom trees). The lock plate on the bottom drawer features an auspicious sea turtle. Longevity is represented by the crane (1,000 years), the turtle (10,000 years) and the Pine tree while strength and tenac...

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Original iron hardware including the Warabite handles. Eight drawers and a pair of sliding doors allows for spacious storage. Original used in Japan as a family multi-purpose storage chest, it would function well as a buffet or sideboard chest.

Age: Showa Era (1930's).

Dimensions: 47 5/8" Wide by 33 3/4" High by 17" Deep

An antique Japanese Sakata Kasane (stacking chest on chest) Tansu in 2 sections made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged Iron hardware. Using Japanese joinery including straight dovetails and age consistent hardened wood nails. Originates from the famous tansu making town of Sakata in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Secret box is well hidden behind bottom drawer hidden behind small hinged door.

Formerly used for kimono storage, its contemporary function includes using it for ...

Antique Japanese tall ikebana basket for flower arranging. Woven of split bamboo of varying widths in an wild yet ordered pattern. The foot is woven of a finer bamboo twisted into a rope. The tall handle is made of beautifully gnarled wisteria branches.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 20" high x 9 3/4" wide

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Shotei catalog title: Plum Tree Takes a Boat Ride
Japanese title: Sakigake Bune
Date: Pre-1923.
Size: Approximately 25.9 x 12.8 cm. 10.25 x 5 inches.
Shotei seal at upper right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: S-135 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Two pieces of white tape at top back margin.
- The blocks for this print were destroyed in the Great Kanto E...

Antique Japanese lacquer jingasa, samurai's hat. Round rim with a gradually pointed top. Lacquered black and decorated with a design of 3 flying cranes in swirling clouds and with a Narabi-ya (double arrows) mon in raised gold lacquer.

The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather. Kasa shares its etymology with the Japanese word for "umbrella" (which is a...

Fine Tall Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Soldier

This fine and impressive pottery model of a warrior was made over 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It is made from a dense grey pottery and is particularly "heavily-potted". It has been "cold painted" in a variety of coloured pigments. Most known Han soldiers are painted in only red, black & white pigments; this figure is exceptional with traces of green and blue pigments also. The figure stands aler...

This is a 2 section antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya (Kitchen) tansu made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Both original hand forged iron hardware and rare copper hand twisted door netting.

This chest was made for the Japanese kitchen to store jars of water, chopsticks, utensils for cooking and dishes. Its elegant design would suit any home decor as well as add storage functionality.

Meiji Era (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 45 3/4" Wide by 64" High by 16" Deep

Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870 - 1949)
Ueno Shinobazu Pond
Date: 1939. First edition.
Size: Oban. Approximately 17 x 11.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Sadaichi.
Carver: Kataoka. Printer: Yokoi.
Koitsu catalog no. TK-DH-58
Condition: Tape residue at top margin. Pencil note on back.
This rare first edition features differently printed clouds than in later examples. There are gofun highlights throughout the print.

Very Rare Chinese Liao Dynasty Glazed Pottery Ewer with Oxford TL Test

This very rare and unusual (possibly unique?) ewer was made during the Liao Dynasty (AD 907 - 1125). The body is decorated with moulded leaf and floral designs, and coated in an attractive amber glaze. The mouth opening has been formed into the shape of an opening leaf or blossom and is glazed in green. To the shoulder, opposite the handle, is the short spout. The glaze falls short of the flat base revealing the pale pink...

Ancient Chinese Hongshan culture jade carving possibly of a turtle shell. Smoother surface on top with two holes. The underside carved with horizontal ridges. Carved of green jade with orange striations. Likely a burial or ceremonial artifact. Hongshan culture was located in the Liao river basin in northeastern China.

Age: 4700 - 2900 BC

Dimensions: 1 7/8" long x 1 3/4" wide x 1/2" thick

First born son to Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Koichiro (b. 1974) has quickly made a name for himself as an independent artist. Not content to rely solely on family reputation, he has set off on his own path, making innovations in clay and also in the ideas and principles surrounding his craft.

With its well-proportioned ridged design, natural ash glaze, and coarse grade of Bizen clay still containing visible stones; the vessel seen here would be a good choice for someone ...

Antique Japanese safe box with hinged door and 3 interior drawers. The outside is beautifully decorated all over with raised gold and colored lacquer scenes of birds and morning glories, grape vines, and pomegranates on a black lacquer ground. The door opens to reveal drawers decorated with butterflies on a nashiji ground. The inside of the door, with peaches. The inside of the drawers is lacquered black.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8 1/4" high x 7 3/8" ...

Antique Indian miniature painting of Radha and Krishna in the garden. Best known for their love to each other, the God Krishna and his true love, the Goddess Radha are two of the most adored deities in Hinduism. While strolling the hills, Krishna often played his flute for the grazing cows. A young and beautiful gopi (caretaker of cows) heard his flute and the two fell in love. In this painting we see the young couple flanked on either side by two attendant girls. In the background is the...

An image of the sleeping Shojo (sake Sprite) by the 12th generation Sakaida Kakiemon enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Taihaku Shojo Bori Okimono. The ordinarily playful figure is performed in pure white, a serene look upon his sleeping face creating an almost holy feeling, the ladle fallen at his knee, leaning against a barrel of sake, the empty jar the only color. The image is 31 x 21 x 16 cm (12 x 8 x 6 inches) and is in excellent condition. Sakaida Kakiemon (1878-1963) w...

Antique Japanese small ko tansu, personal chest. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood with iron hardware. This chest has three large drawers and two small drawers on the bottom. Every drawer is outfitted with a round lock plate, warabite shaped drawer pulls and lovely fan-shaped corner brackets.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 12" deep.

An antique Japanese small Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Original bronze and hand forged iron hardware. 6 Drawers for spacious storage and 2 sliding doors behind which a large compartment where merchant books and records were stored. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wood nails. It would make the perfect bedside nightstand or functional side table in any home decor.

Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-...