A cricket sings it song perched in the side of this fine squat bronze vase in marbled patina, which comes enclosed in the original wooden box signed Fuzan dating from mid 20th century. The small creature is well detailed, made of mixed metal. The surface of the bronze vase changes from iron red to olive green, with every shade between. An excellent example of this style. It measures 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) diameter, 8 inches (20 cm) tall.
Unusually, this zushi is made from bronze, its domed lid surmounted by a pearl shaped knop.
On the exterior it is quite plain but opening reveals the engraved lotus flowers and clouds on the backs of the doors. The opening is crested with a sixteen-petal chrysanthemum, the symbol often used to denote a gift or presentation piece from the Imperial family, though in t... Click for details
This spectacular Japanese bronze flower vessel was cast in futabana style with a classic low body, crisply cut shoulder and wide flaring trumpet-shaped mouth. Mid to late 19th century. Just above the shoulder and completely encircling the neck, which is decorated with a low relief Chinese-style lappet design, is a sculpture of a sinuous 30” long three-toed bronze dragon holding a pearl in one of its claws. This dragon is cast in exquisite detail, illustrating the animal’s horns, whiskers, beard ... Click for details
Japanese Meiji Period two-part bronze vase or urn decorated on the neck with high relief birds and flowers and on the body with four panels of relief birds and flowers. Two applied phoenix bird handles at the neck. Late 19th century. 14 3/4"H. Very good overall condition.
I have never seen anything like these before in 30 years of dealing in Asian art. They appear to be a true pair of figures, each depicting the infant Buddha. From each head rises a column surmounted by a sconce to hold a candle; the sides open to make the removal of the used candle stub easier. It is possible that the figures are of Nikko and Gakko, Bodhisattvas of sunlight... Click for details
A lovely early 20th century Tokyo School bronze figure of a wiseman leaning upon a heavy staff the color a deep brownish/green. It is very well made with distinct features on the elders face. Wear to the bottom seen as golden colored patches where the patina has worn through to the base bronze is indicative of age. The figure stands 10-1/2 inches (27 cm) tall.
An absolutely stunning early 20th century (late Meiji/Taisho period) heavy bronze trumpet form caramel vase with raised foliage about which are silk worms, butterflies and scattered cocoons. A large silver worm chews on the edges of a freshly opened leaf, a transformed silk moth flying by and cocoons waiting to burst below. Into the base is engraved a later inscription stating the piece was given as a wedding gift in 1963. It comes enclosed in an old kiri wood box.
This elegant Japanese cast bronze vase has a spherical base rising to an elongated narrow neck which flares to a trumpet mouth, and its front side is decorated with a high relief crab on lotus leaves. The engraved three character signature on the base reads “made by MASANOBU.” Ca. 1885. Masanobu was a member of the Myochin family, master metalsmiths from the 16th century and noted in the late 19th century for the production of metal animal life. The lotus leaves and the ripples in the water were... Click for details
A fine late Meiji/Taisho period lantern of thick Bronze made up of 4 individual fitted pieces, with hinged doors allowing access to a compartment which would have contained an oil dish. The lantern rises from a wide base decorated with Chinese style manjirushi, blade-like frets extending both up and down from a ringlet in the center of the upright before flaring again in a six petaled stand, upon which is fitted the lamp chamber of 6 lattice panels. The hinged doors operate smoothly. The uppe... Click for details
The stylization of this minogame or mythological turtle with dragon head and long tail symbolizing longevity is typical of Japanese bronze work of the mid-19th century. The four marks on the underside are where the turtle was most likely attached to a larger entity, possibly a large urn. This does not detract from the strength in the modelling. The faint black writing on the underside is illegible. Dimensions: 5 ˝” x 3” x 2 ˝”
