Japanese Buddhist temple stand for a bell bowl with a beautiful red lacquer, black lacquer bottom, and gold lacquered accenting. Bell bowls (or singing bowls) are played by striking the rim with a padded mallet. The sound is used for relaxation and meditation. Meiji period (1867-1912) Size: 8.5" height, 9" width

Japanese antique 2-section butsudan, a Buddhist shrine for use in the home. The front exterior of the shrine is made with beautiful red finish hardwood with black lacquer sides, folding silk meshed interior doors with gilt lacquer panels of flying cranes, a beautiful miniature temple scene inside where the image of a deity and offerings are to be placed. A carved gilt panel with dragons hangs overhead...

An antique Japanese calligraphy box (Kakesuzuri Bako) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with locking drawer and working key. Hinged cover opens to a removable tray used to house a calligraphy inkstone and ink sticks. Three drawers for storing writing paper, brushes and money.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 11 1/4" Long by 8 1/2" High by 8 1/4" Wide

A carved lacquer box which pays homage to Chinese literary taste while presenting itself clearly in a modern, Japanese way (for turn of the century lacquerware at least) by 2nd generation lacquer artist Ishii Yusuke enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The tsuishu lacquer technique requires applying layer upon layer of lacquer which is then carved through and polished, a painstaking process...

An antique Japanese three-case Inro. The Inro is reddish brown cherry bark lacquered with a dragonfly hovering over a lotus leave and pond. The other side is a continuation of the lotus leaf motif with small gold leaf flowers. The interior has a continuation of the cherry bark surface. The Inro is signed by 'Zeshin" (Shibata Zeshin 1807-1891) with a cursive monogram. Fitted with an orange oval ojime bead.

Date: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2.25" tall X 1.5"

An antique Japanese Buddhist family altar called Butsudan in 2 sections. All lacquer finish with gilt lacquer interior. Exterior doors open to inner sanctum doors. Upper transom was hand carved with religious figures meditating in a wooded forest. The altar features a centerpiece dragon with 3 flying Phoenix birds above each compartment. Hanging ornaments on each side...

Antique Japanese Funa Bako or ship safe chest with an original black lacquer finish. Ornate iron hardware decorates the front of the box with a side locking mechanism. Behind the front door are six drawers with ring pulls. Two of the drawers are precious and small, one labelled in kanji. Outside is made of Hinoki wood (Cypress) while the inside drawers are made of Kiri wood (Paulownia). Dates from the Edo age 19th century. Size: 15" height, 17" depth, 13" width

Gorgeous Japanese lacquer box with allover gilt lacquer designs over black lacquer backgrounds with gold flakes. The front has two drawers with a crane flying beside a pine tree in lacquer. The top opens into two compartments with hinged lids decorated with a phoenix and a cherry tree. Panels of floral scenes with lucky motifs decorate the sides. Signed tomobako included. Dates from the Meiji period 1868-1912. Size: 6.25" H x 11" W x 10.5" D

A beautiful Japanese lacquer jubako, or tiered storage box, with nishiji background made from sprinkled gold flakes. Each side is decorated by maki-e lacquer imagery of shochikubai, meaning "three friends of winter", bamboo, plum, and pine with gold and silver leaves and flowers. The interior of each level is coated in bright red lacquer. The jubako comes with its own tomobako, or storage box, as well as a second lid. Size: 17" height, 9" width

Antique Japanese small container for the storage of incense, made with mulberry wood with raised gilt lacquer designs of gourd leaves, nashiji (sprinkled gold flakes) lacquer inside, with a gold scene of chrysanthemums on the lid's underside. Late Edo Early Meiji Period (circa 1860's). Size: 2" H x 4.25" L x 3.25" W

Japanese gold lacquer inro with five compartments, decorated in low relief landscape scene of lakeside mountains, cottages, pagodas, pine trees, and bridges in gold lacquer and accents of silver. The reverse side shows a tiny man in a boat traversing the waters. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). Underneath the bottom compartment is an artist's signature with red chop...

A rare antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (Peddler's Chest) in a three stacking section set made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. In its original finish it features iron and bronze fittings . Through rope holes at the bottom to allow the stacked sections to be securely fitted allowing the peddler to carry the chest like a backpack...

An antique Japanese Gyosho Bako (peddler's box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and bronze hand made hardware. Carrying handles through which a pole would be inserted with outer Japanese writing advertising the peddler. Straight Japanese dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. Four drawers of increasing heights from top to bottom.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 6" Wide by 13" High by 11" Deep

An antique Japanese Hibachi with Maki-E gilt lacquer and inlay in a melon shape made of kiri wood. The gilt lacquer designs are of a bird in peonies and ivy trailing around the edge. Gilt nashiji flakes and inlay add depth to the nature scene. Interior has an old patina.

Date: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 11" diameter X 8.5" tall

A spectacular Meiji to Taisho period Golden box decorated with a spray of flowers under an imperial Chrysanthemum. The interior and bottom are elegant Nashiji, and the border between box and lid is protected by a solid silver rim. Kirigane cut gold flakes decorate the raised leaves. It comes enclosed in a custom made kiri-wood storage box. The gilded receptacle is 30 x 24.5 x 14 cm (12 x 9-3/4 x 5-1/2 inches) and it is in excellent condition.

Japanese black lacquered wood stand, with shell inlay courtyard scene of scholars practicing calligraphy on a scroll, bamboo forest and other floral motifs, a butterfly, and a central figure holding an auspicious two character sign. The side panels have openwork carvings and scrolling apron. The feet all connect to a squared stretcher base.

Dimensions: 24" x 15" x 7 3/4" H

An exquisite Japanese gold lacquer Inro of boat scene with five compartments. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). Underneath the bottom compartment is the artist's signature, KAJIKAWA, with red chop. Inro (seal basket) are small decorative containers that hang from the waist. They originate at the end of the 16th century and were worn by men to hold seals and herbal or other medicines...

Japanese gold lacquer Inro with five compartments, decorated in low relief landscape scene of temple in the mountain surrounded by pines and connected by a small bridge over a river in gold lacquer. The reverse side shows mountains in the distance and a small seaside village. The inside compartments are covered with dense nashiji lacquer (fine gold flecks). The cord has a metal ojime. Inro (seal basket) are small decorative containers that hang from the waist...