This large and expressive sculpture is made, as expected, from joined segments, each separately carved. This technique is a diagnostic "telltale" which helps to date the piece. The figure sits in a devotional posture, leaning slightly forward with hands joined in a gesture of worship. Extensive remains of gesso and pigment. The piece measures 14-1/2" in height and is free of re-carving or repair. Kindly examine the photographs, as they are part of the description...

A Japanese Arita Export porcelain spoon tray after a design by Frederik Van Frytom. Within the foot-rim is found an eccentrically written apocryphal Chinese reign mark, a feature seemingly of most wares the with Van Frytom designs. The shape is taken from an European silver dish and the porcelain clearly intended to be exported to the West.

A spoon tray of this design was included in a Christie’s auction in 2009.

Approximately 13.2 cm long...

A Japanese Export heart-shaped dish with an European harbour scene by Frederik Van Frytom. Arita 1680 ~ 1700. Frederik Van Frytom was a notable painter in 17th century Holland who was commissioned to produce Delft pottery samples for copying at Arita. This dish is a copy of one of a special set of five Delft dishes that were taken to Japan in 1684 and used in the tea ceremony. The moulded shape of the dish is reminiscent of silver tableware...

A Japanese porcelain plate decorated with a dignitary beneath a parasol, attended by his servant, in a garden. The cavetto is unusually decorated with a continuous landscape, a device not often encountered on Arita porcelain. The use of linear shading is reminiscent of Chinese “Master of the Rocks” style. The back is entirely plain with four spur marks within the foot-rim. Arita, circa 1680~1700.

Approximately 21 cm diameter...

Antique Japanese Hexagon Kakiemon Bowl, with floral, pine and plum blossom "Shochikubai motif". Some repaired loses on the rim but dates from the 17th, 18th century. This a very rare piece with the typical white bisque and colors of over enamel distinctive of 17th, 18th century work. Considering the age and rarity the piece is in excellent condition.

Provenance McIntyre Collection
Dates 17th/18th century
Size H 4" W 8 7/8"

This is a mystery piece. Purchased by my mother about 30 years ago in japan. The piece is definitely quite old but the origin is not clearly Japanese, Chinese or Southeast Asian. l welcome any opinions. The glaze and patina is very attractive brown with a creme splash interior, I would venture a guess of age 18th/17th century.

Provenance Sharon Zentner Collection
18th/19th century
Origin unknown
Size H 1.5" X W 3 7/8"

Four Japanese Tsuba dating from 16th/17th century with display stand.
-iron circular tsuba with gold incised patterns on edge with interior incised groves.
-iron clover shaped tsuba with interior heart shaped openings, applied gold groves of trees.
-iron persimmon shaped tsuba with moon showing through a cherry blossoms and leaves. Back side has bamboo with gold leaves. Overlay uses silver, gold over raised iron bamboo and cherry tree...

Pair of Japanese iron tsuba (sword guard), mounted on a stand, dating from the 17th/19th century with Hidden Christian motifs. The first tsuba composed of three iron interlocking circles, the image of the Cross can be seen. The second iron tsuba has a very delicate wire design in the interior representing the Crown of Thorns, also has a cross in the overall pattern.

Provenance Private Collector
Dates 17th-19th century
Size w/stand H 9 1/4" x W 2 1/2" x D 2"

A set of early wood panels, once doors on a votive shrine, painted with guardian shishi lions (Also called Fu-dogs) in polychrome colors, much worn with time. The doors are of clear grained hinoki (Japanese cypress) and have shrunk horizontally over the centuries, evidenced by the ari (wooden support) which is inset into them. On back one can see clearly the silhouette of the original metal-work...

This is a unicum! We like to offer you one of the highlights of our collection. A very fine and aesthetically pleasing Karatsu Tea Bowl from the early stage of the Edo Period (1603-1868).

It has one of the most beautiful Kintsugi repairs we have ever seen. A mixture of lacquer and gold powder showing a traditional Karakusa pattern. There is no comparable bowl - a real unicum.

The 'kara' of Karakusa means 'China', while 'kusa' means 'plant'...

A fine and large Arita export octagonal jar, 1680 ~ 1700. The jar has similar painting around the neck and shoulder as those produced at the Kakiemon kilns.

Approximately 40 cm high. In fine undamaged condition. I have shown some very shallow flakes on the inside of the neck, this appears to have occurred before the firing...

A fine gourd-shaped bottle decorated in Chinese Transitional style. Arita 1660 – 1680.

The bottle is decorated in late Ming style with the enjoyment of nature. These bottles are not uncommon but are seldom encountered with such fine painting.

The Catalogue of the Shibata Collection exhibits two similar bottles.

Approximately 20.4 cm high...

This lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” that shows the iron-rich clay this antique piece is fashioned from. The milky glaze varies in consistency across the curves and contours of the bowl with areas tending towards pale ash, ivory, and faint lavender. The surface of the bowl displays many interesting features including an “ishi-haze” or area where a stone partially exploded out of the clay during firing—difficult to plan intentionally and admired for the u...

Beautiful and striking large Japanese ceramic Tokoname jar, wonderful shape, large kiln fragments, thick ash glaze with unusual subtle blue and yellow striations and free flowing drip lines, Momoyama Period (1573-1615). (The Tokoname Kiln is considered one of the "6 Ancient Kilns" and was located at Tokoname on the Chita Peninsula, bordering Ise Bay.) Size: 19.25" high x 12" wide x 12" deep.

This lovely Shino tea bowl from the Edo period is fashioned from coarse Mino clay and is covered in feldspar glazing. As with many pieces of this period and style, it has classic abstract painting across the sides created using ferrous pigment—contrasting nicely with the ivory background. Not only does this piece have a lovely wabi feel to it bestowed by age; it also has several exquisite gold repairs that contrast nicely with the soft patina and the crackled glazing.

Shino-ware d...

An antique Japanese Edo era Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original finish and hand made iron fittings. Made with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Original used to store daily documents, ephemera, small utilitarian accessories and personal items. Present day uses include using it as a small side table or a bedside nightstand.

Size: 19 7/8"W 14 3/8"D 14 3/4"H Age: early Edo Period (1644-1868)

An Early Arita “Snowflake” plate. Circa 1680. The thickly potted porcelain dish decorated with snowflakes and flowering prunus. The back with a lozenge mark.

Provenance: R&G McPherson Antiques, London W8.

Approximately 18.7 cm diameter. A tiny piece of kiln dross on the front, otherwise perfect.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by Int...

An early Arita porcelain dish, Kakiemon, 17th Century, circa 1655~1670.

The centre of the dish with a table display of bonsai-like foliage. The curved cavetto with plant-filled lozenges against a blue ground.

The mark within the foot-rim was used at the Chokichidani kiln and the Old Kakiemon kiln in the period 1655 ~ 1670’s.

Dishes with similar designs are to found in the catalogue of the Shibata Collection, Kyushu Ceramic Museum.

Approximately 21...