Inrō with four boxes in black and gold lacquer, representing characters and a pavilion in a snowy landscape.

Small boxes formed of compartments that fit one on top of the other, inrō (印 籠) are traditional Japanese clothing items. Since the kimono had no pockets, everyday objects were carried in small boxes (sagemono) hung on the belt (obi)...

Mid Meiji black lacquer gold maki-e borders document box. Features three raised gold designs with very fine details and Japanese characters. The has a gold sprinkled nashiji interior. In excellent condition, it measures: Length 10-1/8" x Width 3-3/4" x Height 2-1/8". Circa 1890. More photos available upon request.

Vintage Japanese box and tray set, made of black lacquered wood with shell inlay in classic Art Deco design of stylized phoenixes, good condition, Showa Period (circa 1933). Tray is 11 1/2" long x 7 3/4" wide. Box is 5" wide by 4" wide.

Lovely black lacquer Japanese vase with 2 crickets. On the back side is a red dot (2 gold dots are on the front), a very interesting and subtle design element. Note in the photos, there is some minor chipping around base. Measures: 8.5" high, 4.25" across shoulder.

Suzuribako box (empty) in black lacquer. Gold maki-e decoration of a river bordered by peonies, one with red highlights. The edges of the lid are in gold lacquer. Nashi-ji interior.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 1.8 in (4.7 cm) – width : 8.3 in (21.3 cm) – dept: 10 in (25.5 cm)

Japanese Boy's Day display set with a helmet (Kabuto) and a screen. The lacquer screen is very shiny like a mirror. See Photo #10.

The dimensions of screen is 21 1/4"H x 50 3/4"W (extended). Screen box: 23" x 25 3/4" x 1/2"H Helmet Box: 15" x 13 1/4" x 10"H

Finely detailed Japanese brown lacquer box measuring 6 inches across and 2.5 inches high. Featuring a shell motif, this octagonal box is in excellent condition. This box is just wonderful and we guarantee you will not be disappointed. Circa 1850.

A Japanese Contemporary Large Bamboo Sculpture made of thin strips of madake bamboo and lacquer. The artist is using an irregular, open work plaiting technique creating a kind of large cocoon shape. It can be seen from different angles and it can also be use for flower arrangements as there are openings through which a receptacle can be placed inside. But it can be admired simply as a sculpture. Made by Homura Reiryu ( b. 1970 ) from Oita prefecture, Kyushu, Japan...

Japanese Dragon decorated Lacquer and crushed Egg shell inlaid Document Box, 2 7/8" high, 11 3/4" wide 4" deep, with copper color metal hinges, lock box with key hole in front. Some lacquer losses are all around, eggshell decorated dragon is looking upward towards Mt. Fuji. The condition is fair, shows some lacquer losses.

Natsume in dark red lacquer, decorated with autumn leaves and cherry blossoms in hiramaki-e and nashiji. Interior in black lacquer.
Maple leaves (Momiji) are celebrated in literature for their beauty. Cherry blossoms (sakura) are symbols of renewal and the ephemeral nature of beauty. Embodying the flowers and leaves typical of autumn and spring, they are true visual spectacles to be admired during walk or a picnic...

Japanese deco period wood lacquer letter box, red/orange with a diagonal field of black sprinkled with mother of pearl and Tsugaru Nure texnique, bold design, signed as a dedication on back "Masakazu Chiba",

Dates c1930
Size H 1 1/2" x W 12" x D 9 1/4"

Japanese rectangular suzuribako, lidded lacquer box with artfully and beautifully done with a dramatic design of blooming red hibiscus and its leaves, lacquer is raised and colors appear in layers, a most unusual and lovely technique, Taisho Period, signed and sealed tomobako: Setaro Imai, born Meiji 26 (1894). Size: 12 1/4" long x 11" wide x 2" high

Distressed Japanese Iki mask with crystal eyes. Gofun finish over dry lacquer composition. Details including veins, wrinkles and furrows. The surface is in a distressed state with significant losses and some 'alligatored' texture possibly from exposure to elements. Would make a worthy conservation project for someone with the patience to recoat and touch up losses (the missing left ear being most challenging.) Length, about 9 1/4 inches (23.49 cm)

A contemplative and artistic rendering of a lotus leaf bowl with deteriorated edges. The lotus is a symbol of purity, beauty and a metaphor in teaching Buddhism. The lotus bowl has a small frog sitting on the leaf's edge with outstretched leg. The underside of the leaf bowl has 3 characters of the artist's signature.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 9" x 8 1/2" x 1 3/4" H

Sizable Japanese Edo period Buddhist traveling shrine (zushi) with black lacquered wood case and copper metalwork. Two hinged doors open to reveal a central standing carved wood Kannon figure on a pedestal base set against a gilt ground. A round metal halo is behind his head and he wears a metal crown and neck ornament. The interior doors are painted in polychrome with Bodhisattva figures. The case measures 12” high. 19th century. The zushi is remarkably intact and stable for its age...

Gold lacquer suzuribako (writing set) representing a pine tree in a rocky mass in takamaki-e on a kirigane background.

The inside of the lid and the writing case is decorated with an interlacing of hiramaki-e foliage on a dense nashi-ji background.

Accompanied by its original box with partially identified inscription, "Suzuribako with lid - gold nashi-ji [...]" (金梨地 [1 unidentified kanji]画 [2 unidentified kanji] 硯筥覆).

Japan – Edo era (160...