Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box) with image of a crane standing on the bank of a lake or stream. Looking up at the crane from the swirling water, is an ancient turtle. A pine tree and fruit tree grow on the hillside behind the crane. Fine gold maki-e lacquer with dense gold nishiji on a black lacquer ground. The interior of the box is entirely covered in gold nishiji. The rim of both the bottom and lid of the box is edged in silver...

Sakura blossoms begin to open among the draping branches of a weeping willow soughing in the breeze on this beautiful lacquer box by Inami Kirokusai enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Wajima Nuri Soshun Maki-e Suzuri Bako (Ink Stone Box of Early Spring Design from Wajima). The design is performed over highly polished black, the interior in nashiji with pine saplings in raised design around the ink stone and water dropper...

A unique antiqueJapanese suiban inlaid with natural mother of pearl red lacquer over wood. Suiban are traditionally shallow oval or rectangular dishes used to display viewing stones (suiseki). Suiseki. Japanese viewing stones. 水石 - Suiseki is the Japanese art of stone appreciation, which values aspects like stability, longevity and immortality. Formed through time by wind and water, stones can take several sizes and shapes, reminding us of natural objects...

A pair of antique Japanese lacquer presentation processional boxes finished in original Urushi. Constructed of Hinoki (Cypress) wood it was made for both strength and to make it light in weight. The tops each have a hook style hinge on one side and a clasp on the opposite side where a cord or a lock would have kept the contents secure. The interior is lacquered and the floor contains two rings which were used in conjunction with a cord to secure the valuable content from shifting about...

Snuffbox carved out of a dried marrow decorated with lacquered leaves. The rim and stopper are made out of wood. Signed in golden lacquer in a black lacquer cartouche.

Japan, 20th century
Height: 4" (10 cm)

Very rare small silk holder in black and gold lacquered wood. Similar models but of normal size to carry kimono are not frequent but of this small size it is quite exceptional. I am not sure about the function, but as the object can be dismantled easily, I think it is a travel silk stand, probably for towels. The decoration of gold powder tendrils on a black lacquer background surrounds the Mon of 2 families which leads me to believe that this silk holder was a wedding gift...

Koi frolic, splashing gold and silver waves as they leap and battle for the top of this stacking food dish dating from the later 19th century. The design is striking! Outside is polished black loaded down with gold and silver maki-e with applied kirigane cut gold squares. Inside is festive red. The box (assembled) is 25 x 23 x 38 cm (10 x 9 x 15 inches). Some minor dings but overall, very nice condition for something which has seen use.

Antique Japanese small lacquer safe box with hinged door and 3 small interior drawers. Decorated on all sides including the drawer fronts with detailed harakusa (octopus vine) design in fine maki-e lacquer on a dense nashiji ground. The drawers are covered on all sides in fine nashiji gold flakes. Hardware is made of silver and incised with a similar scrolling vine motif.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 3 1/4" high x 3" wide x 5 3/4" deep

A rare stacking Bento (picnic) box in the shape of a tea leaf storage jar decorated in a realistic fashion with black, silver and gold maki-e lacquer. It consists of four pieces, stacked they are 28 cm (11 inches) tall, and all are in excellent condition.

Kobako box decorated with stylized foliage in black and gold hiramaki-e lacquer. The motif is karakusa, a growing plant extending in all directions. It symbols prosperity and longevity. Interior is lined with a floral fabric and topped with a pewter border.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 2.5 in / 6.5 cm – width: 3.5 in / 9 cm – depth: 3 in / 7.5 cm

Porcelain cranes in a lead tree decorate the lacquered top of this gilded wooden box enclosed in the original wooden box titled Romatsu Sokaku Zu (Ancient Pine Two Cranes) and signed Sekka, with signatures of Tozan II (porcelain decoration) and Suzuki Hyoetsu (lacquer artist) inside...

A box for keeping incense – kogo – decorated with a carriage used by court nobles and members of the Imperial family of the past in dense gold dust sprinkle on a black lacquer background. The sky sprinkled with clouds of nashiji. Insides with dense nashiji. The bottom section decorated with a rock surrounded by bamboo in gold togidashi and kao of tea master Hisada Soya...

Antique Japanese Lacquer Fubako, a box used to store document. Of deep rectangular shape, decorated with twigs of different flowers, mainly chrysanthemum and morning glory and leaves in gold and silver hira maki-e on a gold nashiji ground. The interior in loose nashiji on black ground. Fitted with two metal mon rings. Size: L 38 x W 7,5 x 8,5 cm. Edo (1603-1868) 19th century. Condition: Good with a few minor nicks along the inner corner of the lid(see last picture)...

A fabulous cabinet covered in polished black lacquer inlayed with mother of pearl designs in the style of Nagasaki containing various boxes, trays and dishes for an outing. To allow any steam to escape, it has windows which were once lined with silk. Brass hardware secures the hinged doors which swing out with small boxes and trays in one side, a square sake bottle with brass spout encased in a wooden stand on the other...

Pine Tray with Kintsugi gold and silver lacquer repairs featuring an intricate depiction of a butterfly in silver and gold maki-e flying around a pool formed of the natural dark and light wood grain. Splits on both ends are perfectly joined with inset wood “Butterflies”. Cracks have been filled with gold and silver creating streaks of light on the aged wood surface...

Antique Japanese wooden horse saddle frame, lacquered and inlaid with shells in chrysanthemum motif with Soroban (abacus beads) mon, bronze hardware, Edo Period (late 18th/ early 19th century). Size: 17 1/2" high x 21" wide x 26" deep.

Antique Japanese figure of seated Quan yin, made of carved cinnabar lacquer. She is seated on a lotus throne and holds a scroll in her hands. Her robes are carved all over with floral and Buddhist motifs. Her facial expression is serene, befitting her role as goddess of compassion.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 6 1/4" high x 3 1/2" wide x 3 1/4" deep

Maki-e Cranes soar and a gilded tortoise takes refuge on a rock on this magnificent sake set made of wood covered in lacquer with elaborate maki-e and applied gold designs. About the edge of the stand is a solid silver rim. The scenes are depicted with powdered gold and applied gold kirigane on red and black grounds. This is of the highest quality. The largest cup is about 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter. The cups come in a red lacquered kiri-woood box with a padded silk pillow between each cup...