Length: 10.7 cm (4.3 in)
Height: 4.1 cm (1.3 in)
Width: 7.7 cm (3.1 in)
Weight: 430 gm

Japanese Komai box produced by the Komai family in the late 19th century; shows inlaid gold and silver depictions of bamboo and birds over a black iron ground; gilt interior; minor age marks; signed Komai Seibei; good condition

Antique Japanese bronze temple bell, or "bonsho", with a handle of dragon heads called a ryuzu, protrusions called "chi chi" or "nyu" to improve resonance of sound, the "tsuki-za" striking panels, and the "mei-bun" inscription of the bell's history...

An exact miniature version of a Tanegashima matchlock rifle in the form of a Netsuke with a little gilt metal loop as himotoshi. The match-lock rifle was introduced by the Portuguese in 1543 and is rarely seen in Netsuke art. The rifle is iron with brass and black lacquer and gilding. In good condition with minor wear to lacquer and gilding...

Width: 3.7 cm (1.5 in)
Height: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)
Weight: 60 gms

Rare Japanese Komai box; depicts buildings within a landscape surrounded by leafy borders; 24 kt inlay throughout; internal engraved depictions of birds and butterflies; engraved and signed on the base with the Komai Otojiro dragonfly; very good condition

Unusual original Japanese flint lighter netsuke. Constructed of iron and brass, this piece would have been used to create a steady fame in less then perfect conditions. The striker would create contact friction and create a spark igniting the fuel source. Firearms at this time required a flame in order to ignite the fuse. Original russet patina with all parts still intact.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Size: 2" L x 1" W x 1.5" H

Regal and Compassionate Ca. 1930 iron standing bodhisattva 'Kannon' diety. Standing 81cm tall x 26cm wide x 22cm deep. Lovely patina and facial expression. Ask for shipping quote.

Width: 9 cm (3.6 in)
Height: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Depth: 6.8 cm (2.8 in)
Weight: 300 gm

Japanese Komai box; an iron box inlaid with gold and silver to depict a dragon moving through clouds over Mt Fuji; the sides show various detailed insects; internal gilt decoration shows phoenix and florals; Komai Otojiro dragonfly mark to base; minor wear to lid; good condition

Rare and very refined metal box, decorated with gold and silver hirazogan and takazogan inlays on a black background, pagodas in a mountainous landscape, cottages and bridge near a river in rippling shibuishi. The sides are enhanced with flower bouquets, crab and snail. Ryumin's signature is encrusted in a silver metal cartridge. Dimensions: 7.2 x 6 x H 2.5 cm.

Original Early Meiji period Japanese abumi. These stirrups are made for riding horses brought to Japan. They are forged out of iron with stunning original silver inlay with designs of flowers. Great natural patina. Early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912). Size: 10" H x 12" L x 5.25" W

Hand-forged iron Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully repousse hammered, creating a natural realism. The lobster is fully splayed on steel plates and armature wire. All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg. Exquisitely crafted, showing off a very high skill of the metal worker. With artist signature underneath the lobster.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 13" x 7" x 5" (8 1/2" on stand)

Japanese hand-forged iron tsuba, used to protect a swordsman's hand from sliding up the blade during use as well as to provide balance. The front depicts two joyful festival performers, one holding a drum and the other holding a fan, the figures in relief with gilt accenting throughout. The backside of the tsuba shows a large mallet and mortar traditionally used for pounding rice into mochi.

Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3"

A Myochin iron forged Jizai Okimono articulated spiny lobster. Each iron plate is carefully reppouse hammered iron creating a natural realism representing the spiny lobster. The amount of fine detail that goes into this piece is equal to that of one of his most well known helmets. The lobster is fully splayed on a well mounted bronze stand.
All ten legs and long antenna and articulated with multiple joints on each leg...

This is an exquisite decorated iron Koro signed Nihonkoku Kyoto ni sumu Komai sei. The condition is excellent and actually better than the images show. A glue/cloth residue was left on the underside and side of the base.This is easy to remove.The piece stands 4 1/8 inches tall and is 3 1/8 inches wide. The delicate lid appears to be silver.

Very rare antique Japanese cross and Buddha made of cast iron. Extremely unusual as most pieces at this time where in bronze. This is a secret object of the Kakure Kirishitan, "Hidden Christians", devoted Japanese members of the Catholic Church who went into hiding during the beginning of the Edo Period. Brought to Japan mostly by the Portuguese, the practice of Christianity was forbidden when Japan closed itself off to the world in the early 17th century...

Exquisite Antique Japanese pair of large garden lanterns. Each is made of cast iron in 10 sections. The roof of each has raised writing, the lantern portions are decorated with kiri blossoms. The pedestals are coiled around with dragons in low relief, the base of each has high relief fu-dogs. Very difficult to collect. Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) All original iron Size of each: 62 1/2" high x 24" wide at widest part. (Each base is approx 20" wide)

The box is made of iron embossed with a hammer, the forging work itself is admirable, it presents a particularity rarely encountered in works of this type, in fact the artist sculpted the trunk of the tree hollow in the iron and forged the branches in relief. The inlays are in shakudo (copper and gold alloy), sentoku (copper alloy) in silver and gilded copper. The details are solid gold. The tree, rocks and plants are admirably drawn and perfectly executed...

Wonderful Japanese figure of the Buddhist deity Bishamonten (Hindu name: Vaisravana), made out of iron. Bishamonten is cheif of the Four Heavenly Kings and is the guardian of the northern direction (in Japan he is one of the Seven Lucky Gods), he holds a small pagoda in one hand symbolizing the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away. Signed by the artist: Seiun. circa mid 1930's. Size: 25" high x 12" wide x 9" deep.

Here is a rare Jizai mantis. It is by an artist named Tomiki Munenobu, one in a line of artists carrying on the Myochin style of metalwork. Teh piece likely dates from somewhere in the later Meiji, 1890-1910. Life-size, it is roughly 3 inches long, the same height and in fine condition. It is as found, not yet cleaned or tampered with. The head is mobile; the thorax with retractable arms and folding wings...