Here is a fine example of a scholarly pursuit of finding the accoutrement for the use of calligraphy. A Japanese bronze tsuteke water dropper, in the form of an old sage or "Sennin" riding on the back of a turtle with its flowing hair-like tails. The turtle is lifting its head so that the angle would allow to pour water from its mouth. The hole is located on the back top of the turtle's shell, allowing for water to flow in. The general use is to submerge the water dropper in a bowl until the air...

Japanese okimono boxwood carving of Ashinaga and Tenaga. Old Japanese folklore tells that Tenaga (with his very long arms) would climb onto the back of Ashinaga (with his very long legs) and would work to catch fish together. Dates from Taisho Period c1920.

Dimensions: 2 1/4" x 8" H

Chinese jade seal with a serpentine chimera coiled around the top. The chimera body is finely and continuously carved with the beast's horns are carved connected to its back and its tail curls around to connect with its front leg. Dates from the Ming dynasty.

Dimensions: 1 1/8" x 1 3/4" H

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze statue of a wrathful male and female deity in tantric Yabyum pose. The pair stands on six Naga or snakes atop a gilt bronze lotus pedestal, with copper bottom impressed by a four prong vajra. Dates from the 19th century.

Provenance: Acquired from the Ashby Estate.

Dimensions: 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 8 1/4" H

Antique Chinese rectangular caligraphy box made from white brass, with built-in inkstone. The interior has old ink patina. The lid is inscribed with auspicious calligraphy and signature. Dates from 19th century.

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 2 3/8" x 2" H

Antique Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) Chinese gilt bronze scholar scroll weight in the form of a chimera. The mythical water dragon-like creature semi-coils it's body. Made of cast bronze with original gilt finish. Original finish consistent with age.
Scholar-officials were the elite class of imperial China. They were highly educated, especially in literature and the arts.

Ming Dynasty C. 19th Century (1368-1644)



Dimensions: 1 1/2" high x 2 3/4" long x 2...

Scraped cut and beat out of form with looping ribbons of clay for handles, here is a mizusashi which certainly does not let down; everything we have come to expect from this popular Japanese artist enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is heavily potted, creating a bold, lively experience. The piece is 8 inches (21 cm) tall, 7 inches (18 cm) diameter and in perfect condition.
This artist has been working with clay since the 1950s, devouring styles along the way. Seto, Oribe, I...

A Yuteki Tenmoku chawan in sumtous colors, dark blues within, midnight drizzling to sunrise pinks and sunset oranges on the side by Kimura Moriyasu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kimura Moriyasu (b. 1935) studied pottery initially at the Kyoto Ceramics Research Facility (which turned out such masters as Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro) and then under his brother Kimura Morikazu. He is well known for his use of...

Antique Japanese scrol painting of a landscape with boat. The water is very still and the moon is high over a mountain in the distance. A flock of geese swoops down from the sky on the right. On the far left, an outcropping of rocks partially obscures some rural houses. A willow tree drapes itself outward over the water. With signed tomobako. Signed Tan'yu and with the seal of his given name Moninobu. Certified by Eitoku, his grandfather. Kano Tan'yu (1602-1674) was one of the foremost...

An unusual bone handle dagger decorated with a turquoise stone and silver a copper fittings. The sheath is made of silver with a woven silver chain attached to the knife. There is piece of "stingray skin" wrapped around the middle. There is one turquoise stone decorating the sheath with two red (resin) stones that originally were red coral.The blade is made of steel. Age: late 19th Century to early 20th. Size: 17.5cm. Condition: No repairs.

Unusual Japanese ikebana basket. This gourd form basket is constructed with hand-woven bamboo and Wisteria branch feet and exterior body.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 23" L x 11" W x 18" H

A spectacular faceted work by Ueda Mitsuharu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Mentori Kabin. It is 9 x 11 x 11 inches (28 x 24 x 28 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Born in Fukuoka in 1957, and studied initially pottery in Tamba under Ogami Tsuyoshi before entering the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Research Facility, which he finished in 1983 followed by a year studying glazes in the Shiga Prefectural Kiln. That same year he entered the Koga Tea Culture Research...

A rare set of three Deshima (Scheveningen) small bowls of lobed lotus petal form, two of which have all the elements of the traditional Deshima pattern, cups in this pattern appear to be exceptionally rare in the literature compared with flat wares, and one with a Chinese interpretation of the scene, where the figures and landscape are transposed into Chinese Immortals and a traditional Chinese style landscape, examples of which appear in the Burghley Collection etc. The mark to the base “Ka...

Japanese ikebana (flower arrangement) basket, hand-woven of bamboo and Wisteria branches. Of a rounded body with a small slightly raised foot.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 10 1/2" x 15" H

An unusual vintage Japanese Choa tansu with Keyaki burl front hardwood panels. The chest is decorated with highly ornate floral motifs and filigree seen through the iron plating and hardware. Each drawer and compartment has a black lacquered interior. The tansu has side handles for transport. dates from Showa c1950

Dimensions: 21 1/2" x 13" x 31" H

A Korean hardwood bedside chest made with elm hardwood front doors, decorated by brass plate hinges, a central flower blossom medallion, and brass bat shaped handles. The interior of the chest holds six drawers with brass pulls and dramatic elm wood front panels.

Dates from 1950. Dimensions: 25 1/2" x 15 1/2" x 26" H

A very fine sometsuke dish of scalloped octalobed form painted with a mon form central motif of a symmetrically arranged pair of leaping carp. Framed by a continuous band of botan karakusa, Peonie lotus scroll, within which are reserves containing, dragons, Ryu, in clouds and a gilt rim, kin-beni. The reverse decorated with hagi-karakusa, vine pattern and a six character mark for the Chinese Emperor Jiajing. The quality of the painting is of the highest standard. The dish would date to the perio...

A very large Imari charger with a painted dragon in the center chasing the elusive flaming pearl. The panels have various paintings of dancers and country scenes. It is unusual to see dragons in Japanese Imari plates. The back has been wired for hanging. Size: Diameter. 45.3cm. Condition: Perfect.