DESCRIPTION: A fine and very sculptural Chinese Duan ink stone in the form of a bell with a deeply carved water well on one end, and a flaring flat surface on the other for mixing ink. The stone is raised on two elongated prong feet, between which is a five character inscription. Worth noting is the attractive coloring of the stone, best described as a plumb or eggplant color mixed with dashes of scattered sea-green inclusions, often called “eyes.” CONDITION: One tiny chip on raised lip at...

This is a very fine Japanese cloisonne vase done in the style of Namikawa Yasuyuki. It is not signed but we believe it was made by Honda, another great Meiji era artist. The enamels are rich in color and this heavy vase has a superb high gloss sheen. It stands 4 3/4 inches tall and is in excellent condition.

Shakudo tsuba with a relief decor representing foliage and flowers, with gilt highlights on a background of tiny dots. The tsuba is unsigned. Japan, late Edo period. Height: 7.2 cm. Very good condition despite a slight erosion all over the piece. Sold with its box.

A tall beaker of bell form decorated in underglaze blue with a pair of auspicious Dragons each clasping a “tama” pearl above its head set against a lightening field with auspicious ruyi form clouds supporting respectively artemesin leaves on which are a pair of scrolls bound by ribbons and a flaming pearl. The design has been adapted from a Chinese precedent of the sixteenth century but with a Japanese twist to the design. The fierce Chinese Dragons have been replaced with benign Buddh...

A tall beaker of bell form decorated in underglaze blue with a pair of auspicious Dragons each clasping a “tama” pearl above its head set against a lightening field with auspicious ruyi form clouds supporting respectively artemesin leaves on which are a pair of scrolls bound by ribbons and a flaming pearl. The design has been adapted from a Chinese precedent of the sixteenth century but with a Japanese twist to the design. The fierce Chinese Dragons have been replaced with benign Buddhist...

Chinese snuff bottle, made with lapis lazuli, of a flattened flask shape, with carved Kirin front, and stopper made with yellow peking glass and agate.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 1.25" x 2.5" H

Chinese monochrome peking glass snuff bottle, made of an intense bright orange glass, with hard stone stopper. The bottle shows imagery of dragons carved in relief over ocean wave ground. Its base is signed with 4 character mark.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 2.25" x 1.25" x 3.5"

Paul Jacoulet
Hokkan-zan, Seoul, Coree (Hokkan Mountains, Seoul, Korea)
Date: December 6, 1937.
Size: Approximately 18.25 x 14 inches.
Jacoulet signature and watermark with tea jar seal.
Edition: 144/350.
Carver: Maeda. Printer: Honda.
Reference: Print #45 in The Prints of Paul Jacoulet by Richard Miles
Condition: Excellent color and condition. The back margin edges are toned. The back top margin has three pieces of archival tape.

A similar pair of dishes to EW 3037 but without the additional gilding and iron red decoration. Designs featuring Karako were popular both in China and Japan at this period they were both symbolic of joy and a wish for children, kodakara; the treasure that is children. The more famous Hirado patterns also date from this period. It was also a relatively common practice at this period to represent the Eight Immortals as children, so the design could also connote a wish for immortality, longevity ...

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in so-called suhama form; a stylised interpretation of a wave washed beach often associated with the Isles of the Immortals. Painted in underglaze blue with a group of five auspicious karako, Chinese Boys, bound together with a ribbon or rope; symbols of joy and a wish for offspring. In addition a Chinese style Fan and a Double gourd are painted in iron red and gilt to complete the design. These are symbols associated with the Taoist Immortals Zhongli Quan and Li ...

A pair of a very well painted Kutani porcelain sake bottles painted in “Kenjo Imari” style painted with gilt karakusa to the neck with various marumon, a band of diaper to the shoulder, and further aka-e dama, and stylised karahasna-mon. to the body of the bottle. The vases are thinly potted and wreathing to the interior of the neck suggests that they were originally thrown in two parts. Dating probably late Meji period. Each vase measures approximately 17 cm in height and are approximately...

Height: 3.5 cm (1.3 in)
Length: 4.2 cm (1.7 in)
Depth: 2.2 cm (0.8 in)

Japanese dragon fish netsuke modelled in the form of a Mokugyo bell; natural material; inlaid horn eyes; signed within an oval panel

Antique Japanese tansu from the Iwayado area. Made with Sugi (cypress) wood frame and dramatic Keyaki (elm) burl front panels, in original red/orange lacquer finish. The extensive iron plating is incised into flowers and Kiri leaves; The top drawer features a large flying Phoenix as its lock plate. The two drawers below are kept secure by the original lock bar with working key included; To the right is a hinged door with a large iron Fu Dog lock plate, holding two Keyaki front lacquered drawers ...

Chinese hardwood altar table. With jade "coins" wrapped into the wood apron, carved to resemble rope. Standing on four tall and narrow legs.

Dimensions: 48" x 16" x 33.25" H

Made of camphor wood, gold and red lacquer. The countenance of the Buddha has a full broad complexion and down cast eyes in complete contemplation, flowing robes, hand forming the crown mudra. The back has a consecration covering and three guardian entities; Goat, man, and pig.

The crown chakra (sahaswrara in Sanskrit) is the seventh of the main chakras and it is located outside of the physical body just above the head. It opens upward and comes to us in the ethereal realm and the di...

Mounted on a black lacquered platform with wooden wheels. The horse is carved from Keyaki wood, which is covered in lacquered brown leather. The eyes are reverse painted glass. It has ears of leather, with real horse hair tail and mane. The horse is outfitted with iron bits and silk harness. The kura saddle is lacquered in red, with a leather cushion seat and silk straps. Cords are attached to the abumi stirrups and aori mats. The bagu tassel fringes and cords tuck under the tail. The horse stan...

“I am here” she whispers as the bespectacled gentleman pours the last drops from his bottle and says “I am going home”…a lithograph by Kei Hiraga numbered 50/120 and signed Key Hiraga ’88 with the artist’s seal in red. The paper sheet, matted and framed, measures 50.5 x 42 cm (20 x 16-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition. This is an superb example of his work, showing both his eros and playful nature in the abstracted figuration for which he is most remembered. Included is ...

A striking abstract work in red on silver over textured washi paper embedded with strands of tatami mat by revolutionary artist Hori Kosai signed ‘91 Hori. It is 13 x 23 cm (5 x 9 inches) mounted floating in a modern frame, pigments on hand-made Washi paper. Here is an opportunity to acquire an important abstract Japanese artist as yet entirely unexplored in the west.
Hori Kosai (b. 1947) is a contemporary artist and Lithographer from Toyama prefecture living in Tokyo. He entered the ...