Ikebana basket (hanakago) in wickerwork of polished bamboo of elongated cylindrical shape, with a twisted handle in shape of a bamboo.

Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike Western floral art, ikebana does not aim to emphasize only the beauty of the flowers and the harmony of colours. This art wants to enhance the vase, the stems, the leaves, the branches as much as the flower itself.

Th...

Tall dark bronze vase decorated with a bas-relief depicting irises (hanashobu) ; the rim with an openwork border with maji-motive.

Bottom marks : Kakuha-Sei, the mark of Sano Takachika, Kakuha Kanzaemon IX (角羽勘左衛門 - active early Meiji period). In 1869 he started a bronze-ware business in Yokohama.

Japan – Meiji (1868-1912)

Height: 15.7 in. (40 cm) – Diameter: 7.9 in. (20 cm)
Netherlands Private Collection

Four-compartments inrô in black lacquer with a hirameiji background with peonies and butterflies in gilded maki-e. Rocky promontory in takamaki-e and kirigane. Interior in nashi-ji lacquer.

Boxwood netsuke in the shape of a toad on a leaf. Signe with the name of “Masanao from Yamada”. Ojime made of hard stone.

Inrô are small compartmentalized boxes hanging from the belt that are part of sagemono (hanging objects). Indeed th...

Fine iron jizai of a butterfly with articulated wings.

The butterfly (choho) in Japan is perceived as "the soul of the living and the dead", the spirits of the dead taking the form of a butterfly on their journey to the other world. The butterfly spreading its wings is a symbol of femininity. It can also symbolize joy and longevity. This last motif is taken up by the samurai, seeing in its twirling figure a motive of good omen allowing them to reach immortality. The...

These pieces are a part of smoking set tabako-ire. It consists of a kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of a tonkotsu(tobacco pouch) in black lacquered crocodile leather. Both parts are bound by a leather link decorated with a red stone ojime.

The tonkotsu is decorated with a menuki (metallic decoration) gilded and skated copper. The menuki has the form of a sitting cross-legged man, joint hands, hidden by the long and wide sleeves of its coat. His eyes a...

Sculpture in chiselled and stained wood representing a hare lying down.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to...

Chiseled wood sculpture representing a sitting hare.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to see in this star...

Wooden netsuke of the demon Oni hiding in a foot warmer (anka) in order to protect himself from the bean seeds that are thrown at him. The beans are represented by two inlaid stones. His right arm stands out, a part of his head is visible through a small hole in the foot warmer.

The Setsubun festival came from China it is introduced in Japan around the 8th century. Its celebrates the arrival of spring. On this occasion, Japanese households expel bad luck and invite ...

Funny brown-patinated bronze featuring a mouse standing on its hind legs on a squash.

Japan – Meiji (1868-1912)

Height : 14 cm (5.51 in) - Length : 24 cm (9.45 in) – Width : 8 cm (3.15 in)

Very beautiful Japanese table with four legs in gold, black and brown lacquer with two richly decorated tops. The upper tray presents a decoration of bats, kumori (蝙蝠), in flight in gold hiramaki-e lacquer on a brown lacquer background. The openwork side panels feature the same motif. The lower tray and the legs display a decoration of moving or lying sika deer (鹿), also in hiramaki-e gold lacquer on a black lacquer background.

This small piece of fur...

Rectangular and flat lacquer Kobako (small box) representing a furoshiki knot seen from above. Fundame background, furoshiki in takamaki-e with floral pattern, inside the folds of the fabric with black and gold sayagata pattern with togidashi maki-e technique. The saya (or sayagata) pattern is composed of Chinese swastikas. This symbol, linked to Buddhism, represents qualities of intelligence, strength and peace. It is a sign of good o...

Pair of ceramicware toads with three legs on their bases engraved in wood. One of them holds a pearl in his mouth.

The tree-legged toad, derived from Chinese mythology, is a Feng Shui symbol representing prosperity and wealth. Chan Chu, the three-legged toad, is mentioned by the poet Qu Yuan in Chu’s Songs. He compares the moon to a toad with a rounded body, whose three legs represent the three lunar phases.

According to some authors, the toad on the moon is no...

This is nishijin-Weave kinran silk Wonderful small bag in Edo period(1800-1868). There is a mirror in Edo period in the inside. There is neither stain nor damage. The state is very good. I recommend it for your collection. size::Width15cm (5.91inch) 　Vertical width 9cm ( 3.54inch)

Antique Japanese stoneware jar from Shigaraki kiln. Beautifully uneven form with high shoulders, tapered body and a narrow foot. Made using the local sandy clay from the bed of Lake Biwa, Shigaraki ware is identified by the embedded granules of feldspar. Mineral glaze is spattered over the surface and areas of dark ash adds depth and a prized natural beauty. Shigaraki is known as one of the 6 great pottery regions of Japan.

Age: Edo Period (c. 17th century)

Dimensions: 17" hi...

This is a Dark brown used in the house of the merchant of Kyoto in the latter half of the Meiji(1868-1911). As for drawing the same line on the both sides of the noren, an expert technique is required. With the boldness that people get a lot of looks because it is a signboard, it is an impressive item. There is no hurt stain really. In thick cotton, dye of Bengara-dye is completely left. Noren of this form was popular in Kyoto during one period to strongly insist on the existenc...

Antique Japanese iron tomyodai Shinto votive candle holder in the form of a hoju (precious jewel). 12 circular rings for candles and one at the very top of the jewel's point. Attached to a stand with four feet and a rectangular tray to catch the wax from melting candles. From a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine.

Age: Meiji Period (circa 1900-1910)

Dimensions: 25 1/2" high x 17 1/2" wide x 8" deep

Antique Chinese carved jade snuff bottle. An even pale green jade carved with peaches on one side and four characters on the other. The jade is an even tone accented by two slightly diagonal striations running through. The lid is a mottled yellow glass and bronze with a bronze spoon.

Provenance: Howard Capland Collection

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 2 1/4" high x 1 7/8" wide x 3/4" deep

Antique Chinese densely rutilated quartz snuff bottle. Simply oval form with low foot. Subtle flashes of rainbow. Coral lid with bone spoon.

Provenance: Howard Capland Collection

Age: Republic Period (c.1920)

Dimensions: 2 5/8" high x 1 5/8' wide x 1" deep