Rare Large Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Xian (Published)

This exceptionally large and rare bronze xian (steamer) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) and actually comprises three separate vessels that combine to form the xian. The middle section sits within the lower section, and on top sits the upper section, the part that has the grill in its base to allow steam to enter the vessel. Each section is decorated with raised bands and a pair of taotie ring handles. The surfaces are c...

A Fine Chinese Tang Dynasty Sancai Glazed Pottery Groom with Oxford TL Test

This very fine pottery model of a foreign groom was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). It is made from a highly-fired white pottery that has been coated in different coloured glazes, as well as the facial features being finished in cold-painted coloured pigments. The figure has a beard and moustache and wears a flowing cloak with distinctive head gear. His right arm is raised as though holding the reigns of...

Rare Tall Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Decorated Glazed Jar

This attractively-shaped pottery jar was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and comes from Shaanxi province in the northwest of China. It is made from a red pottery, quite heavily potted, has a wide body, narrow neck and trumpet-shaped mouth. Simple decorative incised lines surround the neck and shoulder. The outer surface and inner mouth have been coated in an amber-coloured glaze with green glaze added in places to f...

Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Meiping

We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

This vase, or bottle is of meiping form. It is particularly "heavily-potted" and stands on an int...

Fine Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Dragon Cup & Saucer

We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

This exquisite cup and saucer set has smooth burnished surfaces, very smooth to ...

Fine Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Round Box

We have recently been lucky enough to have acquired a collection of very rare examples of burnished black pottery items made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such items are relatively unknown and very little has been published about them. They are found in the northern provinces, particularly Gansu province in the north-west.

This fine-quality black pottery black has a highly polished/burnished surface making it pa...

A rare large Chinese carved wooden figure of a Goldfish. The fish is covered with gold lacquer over a brown lacquer base. It has bulging black and white glass eyes, fins, scales, and a large fan shaped tail. The underside shows the brown lacquer base coat. The fish measures about 15" long x 6" wide at the broadest point of the tail, and it dates to the early 20th Century. The condition is very good, commensurate with its age, and one should expect some chips, cracks, small repairs and surfa...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) in a rare two section design made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon style locking plates and Warabite handles. Two sliding doors open to a storage area where merchant books and business records were kept. Recessed side handles on the tops of each section.

Merchant chests provided two important key elements for the store owner. The first was its functionality as a chest to consolidate the shop...

A sitting lady in Heian era court dress and hair, clutching a giant golden matsudake mushroom. She wears a bright red hakama and light blue kimono. The shape of the mushroom has a close resemblance to a penis and the sculpture definitely has an erotic meaning.

Hand modeled, soft hollow earthenware, painted in cold-applied colors and gold.

Japan, 1960s or earlier.

H 5 in.

Colors somewhat smudged and chafed; frittings at the bottom edge. Because of the cold application, t...

Perfectly shaped Ko-Seto Chawan dating back to the mid Edo Period (1603-1868). The expertly thrown body is covered with the typical white, feldspatic Shino type glaze. It differs from the Mino Shino glaze by being glossier due to a higher ash content

The importance of this sublime tea bowl is underlined by the fact that it was equipped with a tailor made double box and by the fact that the box bears the attestation of a tea master who judged that this bowl was made during the Edo Pe...

Ohara Koson
Two songbirds on a cherry tree
Size: Approximately 17 x 12 cm. 6.625 x 4.625 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Koson signature and seal at right.
Publisher: Matsumoto (no. 435).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A few foxing spots. Slight wave in paper around original publisher's label at back.
An early and rarely seen design not found in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).

asSmall ceramic jar, of translucent pale green glaze, with an incised geometric design below its neck. Thailand, Sawankhalok kilns, 14th to mid 16th centuries. Height: 7.3 cm. Small kiln defects (See photos), otherwise very good condition. NOTE: acquired from an antique dealer in Singapore in 1980.

Finely cast statue of Green Tara, of typical Newari style, wearing diadem and dhoti, sitting on a double lotus throne, a lotus flower on each shoulder, her left hand in "vitarka mudra", her right hand in "varada mudra", her right foot resting on a lotus flower protruding from the throne. Gilt bronze. Nepal, late Malla period, 16th century. Height: 8.3 cm. Gilding partly missing on some areas, otherwise very good condition.

A large Korean brass bowl that was used for mixing and preparing food in the kitchen during the late Joseon Dynasty. The bowl has been shaped and formed by pounding the brass(wrought). The resulting hammering marks can be seen on the surface of the bowl. The bowl measures 4 1/2" high x 13 3/4" in diameter, and dates to the early 20th Century. The condition is excellent, and it has been kept shined. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

An antique Japanese large Jizai (hearth hook) used above an Irori (fire hearth) and hung beneath the house rafter to support a rope and hook or a Jizai Kagi (adjustable hook) to hold a kettle or large teapot above the burning charcoal. Carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, this sculpture epitomizes the true feeling of the Japanese word Mingei (folk art). It was designed in the style reminiscent of the hat worn by the popular Shinto God Daikoku (God of Agriculture) thereby being ...

An antique Chinese skinny bench made entirely of Elm wood. Having acquired an antique patina over the years of weathering and loving use, it is sturdy and ready for its next century of function.

Contemporary uses include placement at the end of a bed, behind a sofa or in an entryway for ease of removing ones shoes before entering a home.

Age: 19th Century

Dimensions: 64 1/4" Wide by 20 1/2" High by 13" Deep

A Japanese porcelain blue and white decorated flower pot, setting on three legs, and with a drainage hole. The pot is from Arita or Imari and was made during the Meiji Period. The pot measures about 9 3/4" high x 12 1/4" in diameter, and is in excellent condition. There are water and dirt stains that can be removed. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

An antique Japanese Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made from Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware with full moon lock plates and curved Kakute handles. Side carrying handles features the rare locking pins used to connect the two sections together. Beautiful Japanese straight dovetail joinery is a testament to the expert craftsmanship used in making this chest.

Age: Early Meiji Era (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 30 1/4" Wide by 40 5/8" High by 16 3/4" ...