Bamboo toad on a bluebell flower. The node of the wood is used as the base of the statuette.

The toad and the frog, referred to under the same term in Japanese (kaeru) are associated with good luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "toad/frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the toad to return to the pond of its birth every year. A gong in the shape of a toad can thus sometimes be used as a door hammer or to protect a house. The bluebell...

Wooden sculpture of a hare with coral eyes. In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare has an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years. Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912) Height: 7.28 in. (18.5 cm) - width: 6.5 in. (16.5 cm) - depth: 13.58 in. (34.5 cm)

Wooden suzuribako decorated with two hares with red eyes in gold and silver lacquer surrounded by grass.

The interior is made of negoro-nuri lacquer. This is an ancient technique, developed in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) at the Negoro temple in the ancient province of Kii (now Wakayama prefecture). It is characterized by vermilion color, made from cinnabar and showing natural brush marks. These irregular patterns are typical of the wabi-sabi aesthetic which relies on simplicity ...

Celadon tea cup with corded patterns glazed in the Jômon zogan style made by Tatsuzô Shimaoka (1919-2007, Mingei school). Developed by himself, this style is inspired by ancient processes such as the Jômon string-printing technique (ca. 13,000 – 800/300 B.C.) and the Korean process of the Joseon period (1392-1897) of adding white slip with decorative indentations. The salt gaze was imported from Europe.

Accompanied by its original transport box with signature and seal of the ce...

Pair of amusing maki-e lacquered wooden spoons with an insect motif on the spoon, a cicada and a butterfly. Handle with braided rope pattern. Label on the back : 坧耒 ? (uncertain transcription).

Japan – 20th century
Width: 1.38 in. (3.5 cm) – length: 6.57 in. (16.7 cm)

Shino Yunomi shape tea cup made by the Hayashi Shotaro, one of the top names of contemporary Shino ceramics. The cup is covered in irregular and thick bands of Shino glazes in white, blue, pink, russet iron and lavender colours. Measurements: H 9,5 x 8, 5 cm. Signed at the bottom and inscribed and signed tomobako storage box; the documentation paper and stamped cloth are also included. Perfect condition. Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) learned first pottery under his older brother Kotaro and in ...

Dark brown wooden netsuke of a rat on a radish, horn eyes, holding a seed between its paws.

In Japan, the term "nezumi" refers to both the mouse and the rat. They are considered the messenger of Daikokuten, the deity of trade and wealth. In the Chinese zodiac, which has been adopted by Shintoism in Japan, the rat (or mouse) is the first of the twelve animals, a position which, according to the many legends telling the story of the twelve animals and their election, is due to its cun...

Bronze vase with reddish-brown patina, oblong shape with small hemmed neck and rust-colored marks.
Unidentified signature under the vase.

Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912)
Height: 8.1 in. (20.5 cm) – diameter: 6 in. (15 cm)

A beautiful vessel / seashell Kara of organic shape with a sideways, seedpod opening in mat mottled turquoise glaze producing a feeling of underwater ambiance. The rest of outer body and the side, elongated shell is done with his usual technique of grooving the surface with needles and rubbing iron into the grooves resulting in those great dark brown and white lines. The contrast between the two techniques is producing a fantastic visual effect. Signed: Tanoue Shinya. ***** Tanoue Shinya (...

You are considering an authentic set of three arc-shaped pendants from the Neolithic or Shang period, circa 2000-1500 BCE. Similar published examples can be found in Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Ching at pages 158-159 (the latter illustration showing a similar item from the collection of the British Museum). As with the other examples, these three pieces join together to form a ring. To quote Rawson: "This set of pieces belongs to a distinctive category within the very wide ran...

Korean Joseon dynasty lacquered wood hinged scholar’s document box with brass edge brackets and brass lockplate. One shelf to the interior. 19th century. 14 3/8” long x 7 5/8” wide x 7 1/2" high. Very good, solid overall condition with great patina and typical wear and soiling from use. Ink stains and unreadable ink calligraphy are evident on the underside of the lid. There is a split in the bottom and one small chip to the interior corner of the inner shelf. A tiny pin is missing f...

Finely woven Iban women’s kain skirt, circa 1940 with “eye of the green pigeon” and bamboo pattern, from the Kapit area, Sarawak, Malaysia. Fine and tight weaves like this, indicate that owner was from a high status. There is one repair noted in enlargements. This ikat is made from all handspun and natural dyes while the colored bands are commercial thread. L: 115cm/42.5in and W: 57cm/22.5in.

Chinese Qing dynasty ink and color on paper painting executed in three sections to represent the protectors of Heaven, the world of humans, and the earth. The top features three Buddhas seated cross-legged on lotus thrones among clouds with their hands held in various mudra positions. The midsection holds four Bodhisattvas. On the left are Puxian holding a ruyi scepter astride an elephant and Wenshu holding a sutra scroll atop a lion. On the right riding mythical creatures are Guanyin holding a ...

A beautiful ceramic bowl in shattered layers of celadon by master of the genre Minegishi Seiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Beishoku Rinka Hachi (Flower Shaped Bowl in Beishoku Celadon). It is 22.5 cm (9 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Born in 1952 in Saitama, Minegishi Seiko studied under various masters in Nagano, Tochigi and Ibaragi, going solo at the young age of 22. He worked in Kohiki ware initially, but moved to celadon, and is considered one of a...

This is a rare cloisonne bowl from Gonda that features 16 wireless egrets. This bowl is stoutly made and is heavy. It measures 7 inches across and is 5 1/4" tall. The condition is very good with some expected wear. The bowl has 2 very minor, under the surface lines that can be seen in the last image.

Old Japanese Sumida Gawa Ware Jardiniere on Pedestal with Sage & Children Marked Ishiguro Koko 石黒香々

It is 30.2 inches (76.7 cm) tall by 14 inches (35.6 cm) wide.

It has minor rubbing of paint, skip glazes, glaze crazing, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

For another similar jardiniere on pedestal by Koko, see the book "Sumida according to us" by Herbert Karp & Gardner Pond, page 127, item 317.

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Pair of 1900's Chinese Beijing Gilt Silver Enamel Vase with Lion Heads & Rings Marked

They are 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall by 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide. They are 283.5 gram.

They are tarnished and have missing enamels, enamel stress cracks, enamel bruising, loss of gilding, bent rings, gaps at the rings, and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).

PROVENANCE: Previously sold Jackson's Auction May 25, 2011, lot 879.

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