Small box and cover made of very thinly cut kiri (Paulownia) wood, in the shape of a Daruma doll. The cover is decorated in gold, silver and red kiji makie technique (lacquer decoration applied to natural wood) with three tumbler dolls: rat, farmer girl, samurai boy...

An armorer's iron tsuba, possibly for a wakizashi as it is somewhat diminuitive in size. Or perhaps more in keeping with its apparent age, an early example of a proportionately small tsuba used with an uchigatana as was first the fashion. Sukashi decoration of a conch (horagai) traditionally used for ritual practices and for signaling on the battlefield...

Small porcelain ko-sometsuke plate made in China for the 17th century Japanese market. Blue and white design of three running rabbits. A bird, possibly a phoenix flies in the sky. Around the rim of the plate are four galloping horses. The underside of the plate is decorated with three thin blue rings and a simple dot pattern. The edges of the plate and the many small irregularities in the firing are especially prized in this type of ware...

Small mask of the Kyogen Theater, with a strong expression. Lacquered wood. Eyes made of glass painted inside. Japan, 19th century. Height: 16,5 cm. Several small chips, otherwise very good condition.

A small pair of Japanese Imari porcelain bowls (or small, deep dishes) with Namban (or Nanban, Southern barbarian) subject bowls. Imari palette decoration in three reserves, each of a figure among blossoming karakusa, in the cavetto. The center with blue underglaze decoration of Shishi with auspicious objects. The verso also with decoration in blue underglaze of precious objects around the raised, glazed ring feet surrounding a recessed, unglazed band around glazed, further recessed center...

Small pipe in cast bronze or brass, decorated with a very elegant incised geometric decoration, inspired by textiles. Japanese work from the 19th century or before. Very nice finish. Bamboo tube. Good condition, no restoration. Natural use wear for a century-old bronze object. Length:20.2mm

A lacquer box decorated with a Rimpa style thatched house under blossoming tree by Kamisaka Sekka dating from the late Taisho period. It is 12.5 x 12.5 x 6 cm (5 x 5 x 2 inches) and is in excellent condition. An identical box which was part of the permanent collection of the Ruth and Sherman Lee Institute along with the original design sketch is visible on page 154 of the book Kamisaka Sekka: Rimpa Master - Pioneer of Modern Design published by the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art in 2003...

Small Japanese circular covered box in gold nashiji and maki-e lacquer with the lid having a lovely display of iris flowers in a stream setting created in both low and raised relief lacquer work The sides also feature raised delicate designs that complete this perfect little box. In excellent antique condition, it measures 2-1/2" diameter and 1-7/8" high. Dates Late Edo or Early Meiji and a piece worthy of a collector.

A small, decorative Satsuma dish. Figures in Spring landscape. One of the five lakes vicinity Mt. Fuji. Flowers, wisteria, torii gate and structures. Anonymous. Good condition. Diameter 6 1/8 inches (15.55 cm)

Wooden figure of an unidentified patriarch of one of the many Buddhist sects, sitting on a double base. He sits in the classic posture with the soles of his feet laid together. From underneath his left sleeve pops out a ryui scepter. His widely spread-out red garment is decorated with flower designs in gold, as are the sides of the upper part of the base he is sitting on. His head is covered with a black cloth with traces of flower decoration in gold...

A fine, small ginbari cloisonne vase with pale blue, silver background and peonies decoration; one panel with pale purple background and bird, bamboo and flowers decoration; and another panel with blue background and flowers decoration. Impressed artist's mark on the metal base. Meiji period (1868 - 1912). Good condition with tiny, oxidized pinholes in the enamel surface from the firing (not detracting from condition or presentation). Height, 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm)

Small food dish for vegetables, relish etc. of round shape with small indentations in the rim. Thin, light colored stoneware, covered in cream-colored glaze with very fine crackle and pinkish brown swirls. In the bottom a highly stylized kotobuki character (longevity) in iron brown and three green glaze splashes on the rim. Glazes have left a few spots uncovered. Oribe ware, Japan, early Taisho era, 1920s.
H 2 x diam. 4-1/2 in.

Minimal traces of usage, fine condition.

Wall vase for ikebana flower arrangement, to be hung at one of the vertical beams of the tokonoma. Brown stoneware with white inclusions, splash of greenish glaze...

DESCRIPTION: A small Japanese Sumida vase with round neck rim covered in a rich, thick flambe glaze running to the shoulders; a high relief figure of a young boy in a green robe is balanced upon rockery on the ribbed red body of the vase. Excellent condition with no chips; unmarked base. DIMENSIONS: 4 3/4" high (12 cm) x 2 1/2" diameter (6.5 cm)...

SMALL TEAPOT

Traditional Japanese pottery teapot called 'kyusu', but smaller and unique tri-footed make attached with natural vine handle, with primitive surface by the warmth of handmade. Anonymous artist, Showa period, 20th century, Japan. Total: H 12 x 9.5 x 5 cm (4.72 x 3.74 x 1.96in). Practically usable...

A black stroke circles this white-washed earthy bowl by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a signed wooden box titled simply Kowan (small bowl which also sounds oddly like Koan, or Zen Riddle). It is 10 cm (4 inches) diameter, 7 cm (3- inches) tall and in excellent condition, enclosed in a wooden box annotated by her nephew.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima...

Small round zushi consisting of two parts. The outside of both are covered in nashiji lacquer. On the inside of the one part in relief is carved in fine detail the image of Bishamonten holding a trident and a pagoda, subduing two demons. Inside the cover sits Benzaiten playing the biwa...

Tiny zushi, or hand shrine, with double doors on two sides. Inside a two-sided reliquary with tiny stones, in the shape of a flaming jewel, or tama, on a lotus base in gilt copper alloy and glass. Shrine made of kiri wood (paulonia), inside covered with lacquer with nashiji gold sprinkle. Outside mounted in gilt metal hardware with nanako decoration. Japan, Edo period, 18th century, possibly earlier.

H 2 ½ inches

Some age and use related chipping along the edges, minor damage in the la...