This is the Noren used at the ship merchant's house on the Japan Sea side of the Edo Period. It has Mount Fuji, a merchant ship and a family crest. The merchant ship is stylized. This is dyed with indigo. This is Tsutsugaki cotton. There are two small holes, but they are not outstanding. There is a place where a thread came off a little. The back is fading. Size 160cm x 150cm (62.9 "x 59") cace G

A set of two Japanese porcelain cups and saucers with fine decoration in the Imari palette, underglaze blue, iron red and abundantly gold. Cups with a blossom mark. Condition: fine, saucers with kiln grit residue. Dimension: cup: c. 7.1 diameter, 4.6 cm high, saucer: c. 12.2 cm diameter, 2.3 cm high.

A fine rendition of a plum by Tanaka (Zuitai) Ryurei (commonly known as Ryudojin, 1740-1804)). Ink on paper, it has been fully remounted in a silk frame with wooden rollers reflecting the original style. The scroll is 12-1/2 x 70 inches (31.5 x 178 cm).
Ryudojin was born in Owari, near modern day Nagoya. He is referred to also as Ryurei Zuitai and or Ryudo Reizui or simply Ryurei. Born into the Tanaka family, he was sent to the priesthood at Reigenji at the age of 11. Then he went to...

Slightly distorted half cylinder shaped (hanzutsu) chawan with a rounded brim, made of light, refined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was only slightly trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part. The shape is of a type frequently found in early Shino bowls.

Under the semi-opaque Shino glaze is a decoration of criss-cross lines representing grass and something which maybe a landscape, executed in iron-bearing clay (oniita).

This is a typical piece of the Ogama ty...

A small Chinese gilded silver dish standing on four splayed feet, with pierced design of dragons, bamboo chrysanthemum and prunus among rocaille. Base with maker's mark in Chinese characters. Condition: one foot with a tiny loss (see photo no. 11), maybe later gilding. Dimension: diameter: 13.7 cm, 4.1 cm high, weight: 122 g.

The female part (明妃）of a Tibetan gilt statue of Nandikesvara (歡喜佛）. 19th century or earlier. Condition: gilt lost. We noticed that there are two layers of gilt remained: the original one is glossier, and the later layer is not as glossy, and a good part of them are gone now. Dimensions: 4-1/2"w, 4"h.

DESCRIPTION: A nice old Chinese toggle carved from a striated wood in the form of two peaches. The peach is a symbol of longevity, and this thick toggle has a wonderful aged patina that only comes from age and handling. Strung with a cord through the holes under the stems, it would have hung from a sash and been used as a counterweight to a tobacco pouch or other utilitarian object. A wonderful example of Chinese folk art, this toggle dates from the 1700’s. DIMENSIONS: 2 ½” wide (6.4 cm) x ...

A Large blue and white lidded vase decorated with two dragons chasing a fire ball and other motifs. 19th century. Condition: normal wears and minor kiln faults; there is a repaired hole on the bottom inside the foot rim. Please refer photos for condition details. Height with lid on: 24-1/4".

An incredibly large and heavy hand carved wood architectural piece, with high relief carved pair of dragons on either side of a central ball of light surrounded in sacred lingzhi clouds. Depicted is a pair of mystical dragon fish on either side, a traditional symbol in China of transformation and new beginnings. The carving floats on a custom steel plates and mounts.

18th century

Dimensions: 70" L x 7" D x 7" H (11 1/2" H on base)

Girl's ceremonial kimono with hand-painted auspicious motifs such as plum tree with flowers, pine trees and bamboos. It is made of asa (taima or choma, hemp or ramie) and both wefts and warps are hand-plied. It has a charm with silk threads in the back. The second half of the 19th century. In excellent condition except for minor wear in the white lining in the wrist. 69cm x 75cm

Japanese 4 panel byobu folding screen painting of a tall tree branch with ripe persimmons against a gold leaf ground. With artist's signature and red chop.

Dimensions: 72" L x 36" H

A Japanese iron war fan, or 'Gunbai'. These were accessories used on the battlefield to fan in heat but also as lethal, close quarter defensive accessories. A rare item not commonly encountered on the market. Black lacquered and with gold lacquer kanji quoting Sun Tzu (fifth century Chinese political and war strategist). "Swift as the wind, quiet as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as the mountain", from 'The Art of War', popularized by 16th century Japanese warlord and Buddhist layman, Tak...

Rare silver mounted boar's tusk opium pipe from the Himalayas in the Tibetan area. The bowl is in the form of a dragon's head with dark blue glass eyes and has a cover fashioned as the dragon's nose with a chain attached. Marked 925. This is real treasure for the collector and is in excellent working condition. Following the outer curve it measures 7.5 inches. Dates circa 1900.

A rare pair of Japanese double gourd shaped porcelain vases, decorated with a ho-o bird flying over "prunus mume" in overglaze blue, green, yellow, aubergine, iron red and gold. Standing on a broad footrim, the rim with "kuchibeni". Condition: fine, only one vase with a short hairline ending in a tiny rim frit on the rear side (please see photo no. 12). Dimension: 19.3 cm high.

A small cast iron Japanese tetsubin of slightly flared cylindrical form, decorated in relief to one side with maple leaves floating on a stream against a textured ground. The backside is plain save for the textured ground and the foundry mark for Kinshudo. The cover is flat with a pine cone finial and the handle can be moved to either side. In excellent condition, it measures 2.5 inches high excluding the handle, diameter about 3" at widest. Dates late 19th Century.

A very high quality white nephrite pendant carved as a figurine of He-he Erxian (和合二仙）. According to Wikipedia: He-He Er Xian, translated as the Immortals of Harmony and Union and as the Two gods of Harmony and Union, are two Taoist immortals. They are popularly associated with happy marriages. He and He are typically depicted as boys holding a lotus flower (荷, hé) and a box (盒, hé）. The pendant is in excellent condition and carved with superior craftsmanship. It measures appro...

Technically superior transcription of a Mughal Padshshnama 17th century album page in the Royal Collection Windsor. Depicting part of The Weighing of Shah Jahan. (ref: plate 13 of Kings of the World catalogue 1997 ISBN 1 898592 ll X) See reference image for comparison. Hand painted with gold on card. 41x29 cm. Undated, estimated to be early 20th century

A seething dragon in white bronze by Mitsui Yoshio dating circa 1930 enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The very distinct character of the creature is similar to the famous dragons of Yakushiji temple in Nara. It is 32 cm (12-1/2 inches) long, 25 cm (10 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Mitsui Yoshio (1899-1959) was born in Tokyo and initially studied metal craft under Tsuchida Katsue and then Unno Kiyoshi. While studying at the Tokyo University of Art (then Tokyo Bijut...