Early Meiji Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat), believed to bring wealth and good luck, from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The fur is white with random black and orange patches. This tri-coloring is considered especially lucky. This belief may be related to the rarity of this coloring in the Japanese bobtail cats, after which the Maneki Neko is modeled. This coloring is called Mi-ke in Japanese, meaning three-fur. 7.5 inches, 19 cm tall.

Early Meiji Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat), believed to bring wealth and good luck, from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The fur is white with random black and orange patches. This tri-coloring is considered especially lucky. This belief may be related to the rarity of this coloring in the Japanese bobtail cats, after which the Maneki Neko is modeled. This coloring is called Mi-ke in Japanese, meaning three-fur. 10 inches, 25.5 cm tall.

Korean Choson dynasty front opening bandaji (storage chest) decorated with elaborate openwork brass hardware and the original fish-form lock. A large handle at the bottom is accented with three plates in the form of bats. The drop-front door opens to reveal a single small shelf in the interior. Late 19th century. Side carrying handles. 31”H x 33 ¼”W x 17”D. Very good overall condition with original finish. There are two fine hairline cracks on the top. The interior shelf is warpe...

Vintage Korean front opening bandaji (storage chest) decorated with white brass hardware incised with fish and yin/yang designs. The front drops open to reveal three interior drawers and a removable shelf above a large hidden lower compartment. Complete with the original functioning key and lock, which is finely incised with a calligraphy motif. Side carrying handles. Appears to dates from the first half of the 20th century. 31 ½”H x 38 ¼”W x 17”D. Very good overall condition. Th...

Very Fine and Beautifully Rendered Hono Ema from the Tensho Shrine, dated October 7, 1695. The inscription reads Mikawa Province (modern day eastern Aichi Prefecture), Tomifuku-gun ('county'), Oshiro Mountain. While the wealthy would often give a horse as a gift to a Shinto shrine, the common person would give a Hono Ema (literally 'gift horse picture'). These plaques are then left hanging up at the shrine for the gods to see. This is a rare and museum quality work of Japanese Folk Art from the ...

This rare and exceptional Japanese Mirror Chest of Japanese Ash and Elm with Hand Mirror of fine Persimmon and Gorgeous Brass Metalwork is from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The brass hinges are adorned with Chrysanthemums, the Japanese symbol of health, happiness and well-being. Truly a wonderful and rare piece. 14.25h x 9.75w x 9d inches, 36h x 25w x 23d cm. Excellent Condition.

The two fine and old haribako (Japanese Sewing Box) that we offer here on our site are likely the oldest ones you will see offered for sale. They come from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. This lovely chest of paulownia and pine has the original hardware, original ruler, and original pincushion. 18.5h x 9d x 7.5w inches, 47h x 23d x 19w cm. Very Good Condition.

Very Rare Japanese Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Terracotta torso (broken off at waist) in the form of a female figure with a bird head. Overall incised decoration. Accompanied by a small terracotta disc found in the same grave lot. Figure: 4.5 x 4 inches, 11.5 x 10 cm; Disc: 2.25 x 1.5 inches, 5.75 x 4 cm. Very Good Condition.

A very rare and fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Terracotta Plaque of a Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased from the H. Taneguchi Gallery of Kyoto in 1985 by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because o...

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu Head, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased in Japan in 1962 by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This prim...

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased at a Parke Bernet auction by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This ...

Fine example of a Jomon Period (13,000-300BC) Dogu, the earliest known Japanese figure. This figure was purchased at a Parke Bernet auction by a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This ...

Limited edition serigraph print titled "Oriental Masterprint - 7" by Roger Shimomura (b. 1939) dated 1975. This is an original, pencil-signed, edition of 20. Paper size 19"V x 19"H (image: 15"V x 15"H). Full margins. Excellent condition. This image is illustrated on page 50 of "Roger Shimomura Delayed Reactions," Spencer Museum exhibition catalogue, 1995.

Fine and rare two paneled silk embroidered “wedding blanket” from the small Maonan minority people of northern Guangxi Zhuang Province. This piece is 60 to 90 years old with a hand spun cotton foundation and hand spun silk. The frontal surface of the blanket is decorated with embroidered floral and phoenix symbols and key fret pattern highlighted by “floating weft” threads. The Maonan number just a little over 100,000 souls and are closely related to the Zhuang who are probab...

Description: A Lohan head was finely carved from a buff-tinted sandstone. By a downcast gazing look, the handsome Buddhist disciple was depicted neatly on the features. The slanted eyelids, the slightly bulged eyeballs, the slender and pointed nose, and the vivid and lightly closed mouth etc. all of them were rendered in a natural and vivid way. In a plain form without any decoration, the Lohan head piece was expressed with a serene atmosphere that the traditional Buddhist sculptures would own. ...

Rare and beautiful antique Chinese scholar's box, made of huanghuali hard wood with gorgeous grain, hinged top lid opens to shallow compartment for writing implements, two doors open to reveal 6 small drawers, beautiful details throughout, 17th century. Size: 12 3/4" high x 13 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" deep.

Unusual Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (Captain's ship safe), made of very heavy solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely dovetail joints used in its construction. Original deep red-orange and black lacquer finish, iron hardware, Sakata area of Japan, Edo Period. Stunning original condition. Size: 10 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 13" deep.

Two very rare foo dogs that served as joss stick holders, done in the famille jaune palette. These date to the pre-1891. They are in very good antique condition, save some minimal lost of enamel glaze and a short hairline on the backside of the holder of one of the foo dogs which is clearly pictured, this can be easily restored. The hair curls are individually hand made and painted and applied by hand, the paws are textured and slightly protruded; each eye is hand rolled and no two are exactly...