This exceptional tanto is very original, unique in its kind, it represents a bundle of lotus flowers wrapped in a canvas. The mount is in silver, embossed for the leaves of the sheath and cast for the flower buds at both ends. The seppa are in shakudo and gold. Some elements in gilded bronze. The design of the sheath is unique, it is a perfect imitation of a fabric canvas. It is made of woven bamboo fibers covered with lacquer...

Antique Caucasian Azeri runner rug, hand-woven all wool in repeating Shirvan motifs in navy blue and rust colors.

late 19th century

Dimensions: 4' 7" x 16' 8"

18th Century Japanese Edo Period pair of Kyoho-Bina Ningyo, an exceedingly rare early 18th century. An exceptional example of this early style. The finest quality in all aspects, featuring rich silk matching brocades in an elegant floral pattern with auspicious treasures on multilayered robes creating a classical form. All accessories and stands are original, very rare for such an early piece. Fine faces of gofun (oyster shell lacquer) aged to a burnished tone, with painted details...

Remarkable and exceedingly rare bronze life-size kannon statue. From a buddhist temple, c. 1920. Holding a lotus about to blossom. Had a halo but had damage so we are selling without it. We feel the proportion of the halo was too big for the piece regardless. In excellent condition. Shipping from CA warehouse. 5ft. tall by 23" wide.

Bronze sculpture representing an owl on a tree stump covered with ivy. The owl, detachable from its base, has shakudo eyes. It is certainly an Ryûkyû scops owl (Otus elegans), present in the south of Japan in Ryûkyû Islands.
Red fabric glued to the base of the trunk to protect the base and the pedestal (not original).

The owl (fukurô, 梟) symbolizes good luck and protection from hardship...

A one of a kind, very large early example of this Musha-Ningyo (Boys' Day Figure). This legendary figure first appeared for Boys Day in the late 19th Century. He is the Japanese equivalent to Hercules. He is always shown with a ruddy complexion, as seen in Japanese woodblock prints, scrolls and screens. He is a magnificent sculpture, Iki and Gosho in style. He holds an Axe and wears a sumptuous embroidery brocade featuring a mythical Turtle. 19th Century (circa 1880)...

Japanese Late Edo Period very large rare pair of Musha Ningyo representing Empress Jingū (Jingū Kōgō) and the old minister Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding the baby Ōjin (a son of the Empress Jingū who later became Emperor Ōjin) and is seated on a camp stool. These are among the largest examples and are of the highest quality and artistic workmanship...

Rare and exceptional tanto of the Koto period with a polishing perfectly revealing the metallurgical qualities of the blade accompanied by a completely extraordinary lacquer and inlays sheath. The blade is in hira zukuri with a forge (hada) itame, a quenching in suguha. The tip (boshi) is chu maru. On the nakago in ubu keitai there are 2 mekugi ana...

The last work by this important artist, a five piece stacking box decorated in iconic Dragonflies by Okada Yuji enclosed in a custom made wooden storage box. This piece was completed in 2022, shortly before he passed away. The dragonflies are performed in colored lacquer and gold powder with carved and polished Yellow and White Oyster-shell eyes. They fly over a swirling sea of Mother of Peral flakes. Inside is all Nashiji powdered gold...

An Extraordinary and Scarce, Museum Quality Find. Early 16th Century Muromachi Period Saga Ningyo of the Goddess Kannon, in a rare and elegant standing form. Carved entirely of wood, her costume is built up with pigments in a technique called 'moriage'. Her gorgeous robes are decorated with foliate scroll slightly raised in relief. This rarest of all Ningyo forms almost never comes up for sale and are never seen except in museums or important private collections...

Antique Japanese tall Kasuga-dōrō 春日灯籠 stone lantern. Carved of granite with beautiful lichen and age. The large gem-shaped finial (Hōju/hōshu 宝珠) sits on a lotus Ukebana (請花) atop a hexagonal umbrella (Kasa 笠) roof with upward curling corners. The central light box (Hibukuro 火袋) is carved with openwork lattice windows, an opening in the front and one in the back...

Early 19th Century Edo Period Standing Gosho Ningyo with fine Mizuhiki ribbons painted hair. There are several forms of Mizuhiki, including one used to tie the hair of samurai. This fine ningyo has a round, well executed face with a charming expression, and is covered overall in a fine white gofun with painted features, sexed, and dressed in red chirimen silk crepe. Gosho-ningyô (Palace Dolls) are one of the most distinctive forms of Japanese doll. They were given as gifts within the imperial ...

Rare Large Edo Period (circa 1830-1860) Japanese Gosho Ningyo Depicting a Sumo Wrestler, clothed in exceptional finely embroidered textile with a floral design and Shishi (guardian of Buddha) on chirimen silk crepe. This large scale, wood-carved Ningyô has a beautifully rendered expressive face lacquered with Gofun (Oyster Shell). The pose is most striking, as well. Really an extraordinary find for the Ningyô enthusiast. 18 inches, 46 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that ha...

19th Century Japanese Late Edo Period Two Panels Rimpa Flower Screens. Rimpa School represents the highest standard of decorative painting of all schools of Japanese painting. The flowers and other elements are raised by the use of Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer). This masterpiece features wonderful color with gilding and silver leaf. A great work of art. 67.5 inches (171.5 cm)h x 48 inches (122 cm)w. Very Good Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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.

Antique Japanese choba tansu made of solid quartered sawn keyaki (zalkova) wood with burl wood front. The upper portion of the tansu has a large full-width drawer and another full-width drawer on the bottom. The right hand side has three small exterior drawers. The middle section has sliding panels with unusually fine vertical slats. The interior has 3 small drawers in a vertical row. All original lacquer finish and iron hardware including square drawer pulls and elaborately cut out lock pl...

One of the best tea bowls I have ever seen. Wonderful Raku Chawan in the style of Donyu (Nonko III) Kichizaemon, made by greatest Raku 12th generation Kônyû Kichizaemon. Holding this masterpiece is like a universe held in the palms of your hands.

Among the various generations of the Kichizaemon family, it has always been customary to devote themselves artistically to at least one of their ancestors and produce a work of art commemorating the great work of their ancestors. And so d...

Exceedingly rare and very large Japanese Meiji Period Imari Porcelain Vases Adapted as Lamps. These great vases are one of a kind, not to be seen or found again. Gorgeous, rich, colorful glazes featuring flowers and birds with a charming fence design, all featured on a translucent white glaze. Height: 41 inches, 104 cm.