Antique Japanese Tea Room Carved Sign

Japanese: Tea Articles: Furnishings Pre 1920: item #737056
MOR2330

A wooden sign of three golden characters carved into the surface of a solid slab of burled wood enclosed in a frame expertly carved with the four gentlemen, plum, bamboo, iris and chrysanthemum. It reads Yuraku-sai, A Place of Playful Enjoyment. The sign (with frame) is 11-1/4 x 21 inches (28.5 x 53 cm). It is signed Setsuyo (?) followed by two stamps. There is a chip into a hollow in the wooden plaque, lower left (see photos) otherwise is in excellent condition. This sign would have been h... Click for details

Rare Japanese Aka Carpet, Meiji/Taisho Period

Japanese: Tea Articles: Furnishings Pre 1920: item #731428
12-185

This beautiful hand-knotted cotton pile Japanese carpet (“dantsu”) with its stunning and bold design originated from Aka in Hyogo Prefecture, an area famous for its carpet production during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Ca. 1910-1925. This particular carpet was created in classic Ako dantsu design with the pattern of “kani-botan” (the name of a family crest formed of crab-shaped peonies) with a double key fret border. The natural dyes produced wonderful subtle shades of indigo blues and tans on ... Click for details

JAPANESE TEA ROOM SIGN, ZEN PRIEST TAKADA MOKURAI

Japanese: Tea Articles: Furnishings Pre 1920: item #447630
MOR1590

A very rare heavily weathered tea room sign reading Gessha (House of the moon) attributable to the great Zen Priest of Kenninji Takada Mokurai (1854-1930). Most likely Mokurai wrote the characters on paper when naming the Chashitsu (tea room), and they were then transferred exactly as written to the wood plank and carved out. Although unsigned, the two seals on the left are visible in the book The Art of 20th Century Zen, p 72. The two characters are cut into a single plank of wood reinforced... Click for details

ONE OF A KIND ANTIQUE Japanese WOOD VASE w/ LACQUER

Japanese: Tea Articles: Furnishings Pre 1920: item #411649
MOR1487

Swirling eddies decorate the rim of this gorgeous vase of huge dark hollowed vine, golden minnows swimming up the sides of the natural current made by the winding wood. A very unusual piece which exemplifies the Japanese awe and care for nature. Minor burls and burs in the wood act like rocks under the swift moving water, the pattern rolling over them in a raucous rush. This special piece of wood, extremely large for a vine, appears to have been naturally hollowed out over time, the twisting ... Click for details

EXQUISITE Japanese Root-Wood Ikebana TEA ROOM VASE

Japanese: Tea Articles: Furnishings Pre 1920: item #410623
MOR1484

A discreet masterpiece are words which could easily describe this gorgeous chunk of antique burled vine root carved and polished to a subtle sheen in the shape of a two tiered vase inset with bamboo pots. The piece rises from pebbly textured burl, abundant with character, like a clay pot which collapsed during firing. The second level appears to float above the first on tendrils of smoke. A startling effect. This piece truly captures the Japanese sense of respect for the natural world. It w... Click for details