Unique handworn / polished natural burl wood brush rest in the shape of a mink okimono. The low long shape makes for an ideal brush rest for an calligrapher. Warm tones of red, orange, and black blended together with a original patina built over time.
Comes with original tomobaku (fitted kiri wood box).
Scholar’s objects were, in a sense, the luxury goods of their time, but rather than wealth what they really represented was the physical embodiment of the scholar’s int...

This is a beautiful and colorful Table Screen with a Circular Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque. It is placed on a dark rosewood Stand decorated with openwork design of floral and foliage scrolls. The plaque depicts a detailed and colorful enameled painted scene of Birds and Flowers. Artist signed. The table screen measures 22 inches (57cm) tall, and 15 inches (38cm) wide. The round porcelain plaque measures 11 inches (30,5cm) in diameter. The wooden stand, plaque frame, and porcelain plaq...

Wooden nyoi (ruyi in Chinese) scepter, an implement used by Buddhist priests during a ceremony or during formal preaching. Carved naturalistically in the shape of a lotus bud on a long stem with a lotus leaf wrapped around the stem. Rose wood or sandal wood. Made in two pieces.
Japan, 19th century.

Length 13-1/8 inches

Tiny chip at leaf edge. Fine condition.

Pale jade spots dot the incised surface of this unusual vase by Nagae Shigekazu enclosed in the original signed wooden box retaining the Shiori and Shifuku. The vase, if not for its distant, moon-like quality, has a very pop-art-presence, blending both the austerity of Japanese traditional aesthetics with contemporary art. Fun and moving; a haunting pleasure. It is 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, 5 inches (13 cm) square at the base, 7 inches (19 cm) wide at the rim and in excellent condition.
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This past summer I had occasion to visit Richard Milgrim in his Mountain Studio and asked him to pair some sake cups and Tokkuri for us. It is a rare opportunity to have an artist personally select pieces which he feels work together. This set is making use of his signature Concord glaze (Konko-yu) from America, with clay from Japan, while the cup is also using a variant of that glaze Black Concord (Konko-guro). The Tokkuri is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter, 12 cm (5 inches) tall. The rim of the...

A fine cricket cage, composed of a body made from a gourd and a rim and lid made of ivory. The lid itself is nicely carved to represent a lotus and foliage around surmounting an openwork geometric design. Its silk case, partly damaged, is joined to the cage. China, 19th century. Length: 7.8 cm. Very good condition.

A leather or skin bag with original wonderfully cast brass fittings, both ends of the chain in the form of a singha head, the mythical beast, totem for all Batak People. Shamans "datu" kept magical substances in these bags. Please compare to the "salipi" in the collection of the "Musee du Quai Branly" in Paris. Condition: wear to leather and few small holes. Dimension: leather bag: c. 30 high x 31 wide x 10.8 cm deep, chain: 2 x 44 cm long.

Beautifully plaited bamboo basket by Iizuka Sounsai of the famed Iizuka Family of reknown basket makers in the Taisho and Showa eras. Signed on the reverse with an incised signature by the artist: Kyokusho Saku or Made by Kyokusho (Iizuka Kyokusho, the go or art name of Iizuka Sounsai, active early 20th century). Late Taisho – early Showa era, circa 1920 – 1940. Iizuka Kyokusho was a brother of Iizuka Rokansai and Iizuka Hosai. He worked in Tokyo, and liked to work with slat bamboo. 12" t...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted nearly seven decades. The pieces shown here then would be from an earlier period and are evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the ones he is most well-known for. The intricate brushwork on each flask also d...

This is an antique Japanese 3 section Isho Kimono Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Each section interlocks by way of a dual carrying handle/locking bar connection. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. The top section features a shelf for additional storage while the center section has three Kimono trays behind the front doors with two large drawers for additional storage in the bottom section. It was made with remo...

Length: 6.3 cm (2.6 in)
Height: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)
Depth: 2.4 cm (0.9 in)
Weight: 130 gms

Chinese bronze scroll weight of an elephant-like creature with a foo dog with its head turned toward the larger creature; Ming Period; excellent patina

An antique Japanese rare Tanuki (badger dog) that originates from the famous kiln region of Shigaraki, Japan. It was made in an Oribe glaze and it is shown holding a sake bottle in its right hand and a burl wood walking staff in its left hand. It is artist signed on the back.

The Tanuki is a shape shifter turning into various objects or people causing it to get into mischief and often comical adventures. There are many childhood Japanese stories surrounding this creature often used to ...

A fine rare three color lacquer box with cover of irregular form. Showing two pomegranate fruits borne on a leafy stem, in carved cinnabar, ochre and green lacquer, on a carved floret-swastika diaper ground. The sides of the box with hexagonal floret diaper. The base and interiors lacquered in black. These boxes are dated to the 18th century, Qianlong period. Condition: the right part of the cover with a long restored crack (could be done better) and the side as well with restored crack (see pic...

Red and Blue Rivulets drip down over green melding into the ashen gray textured glaze on this Tea Jar by Sakuchi Ensen enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 25.5 cm (10 inches) diameter, 28.5 cm (11-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. The box top is lightly stained.
Sakuchi Ensen (B. 1922) began on the path of the potter in 1946, searching to create something unusual in the hills of Okayama. His research led him to create this highly decorative yet wildly natural gl...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Magpie and Magnolia
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left.
Shoson signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S5.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. Point-sized mark at bottom edge. A point of foxing at back right margin lin...

Antique Chinese small porcelain monochrome vase. Baluster form with high shoulders and tiny mouth. Glazed a subtle celadon color. A small spot on the shoulder where the glaze did not cover adds character and tells a story of the glazing process. The underside is white with two concentric blue rings.

Age: Republic Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 3 7/8" high x 2 3/4" wide

Width without stand: 17.5 cm (7 in)
Height without stand: 12 cm (4.8 in)
Depth without stand: 6.7 cm (2.8 in)
Total weight: 2.9 kg

Pair of carved Chinese russett jade birds; depicted holding sprigs of lotus in their mouths; no damage; wooden stands

A vintage Japanese 2 section Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. 3 drawer top section and 2 drawer bottom section. Both sections can be separated for use and display in different rooms of a home. Side handles used to carry each section from place to place with the lower section handles serving a dual purpose of also securing the top section in place.

Age: Early Showa ...