A Japanese Porcelain Figure of Guan Yin/ Kannon. Signed Aoki, Mokubei (木米), Circa, 19th Century. Aoki Mokubei 青木木米 (1767-1833). Aoki Mokubei was born in the Gion district of Kyoto as Aoki Sahei. From childhood, he was a disciple of the well known artist and Confucianist Kou Fuyou, who had a strong influence on his upbringing. When he visited Kimura Kenkadou of Osaka, he found among his book collection a book written by the Chinese Shuryuutei called “Guide to Ceramics”, whi...

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can incorporate centuries of experiential knowledge and technique into producing new and interesting forms are oh so valued. Though this Bizen jar fits into the category of mizusashi, a vessel central to tea ceremony that holds fresh water, it seems to transcend this narrow category and stands as an independent art object all its own....

Japanese inlay ceramics (zōgan) are created by making incisions on the surface of a clay body which are then filled with various colored clays, creating a pattern. After the pattern is finalized, an overglaze is applied and the piece is sent to the kiln to be fired. As can be seen here, the results are quite striking and produce unique patterns that cannot be replicated through painting alone. Inlaying as a technique is thought to have originally derived from practices in metal and ...

Written on the box in Japanese script are the words “Awai Sakura Yu” translating to English as “Pale Cherry Blossom Glaze”—amply describing the appearance of this unique and frankly stunning work of Kutani pottery by artist Nakata Kazuo. Reminiscent of pieces by well-known artist Ōno Hakuko, there are striated lines of silver leaf running vertical below the surface of the glaze, interrupted in places, allowing the eye to wander across the entire surface. Soft and inviting,...

Bashofu kimono hand-woven of ito-basho, which is a family of banana tree, for both wefts and warps. The blue stripe yarn is dyed with Ryukyu-ai, vegetable indigo in Okinawa. Bashofu has been woven in many Islands in Okinawa from old days, for everyday kimono or work wear. The first half of the 20th century. In good condition except for a few brownish stains. W:120cm, L:117cm

Bashofu kimono hand-woven of ito-basho, which is a family of banana tree, for both wefts and warps. The brown weft kasur and stripe yarns are dyed with extract liquid from tree or root of "sharinbai", which is a family of rose. Bashofu has been woven in many Islands in Okinawa for everyday kimono or work wear. The first half of the 20th century. In good condition except for a bit of wear in front. W:110cm, L:98cm

Beautiful small Qing Dynasty Ding censer with glaze emulating bronze, ideal for the scholar’s desk Perfect original condition, there are couple of small areas on a side handle where the glaze did not take- just minor firing imperfection. H: 5cm/2in and D: 5.7cm.

Chinese ceramic Buddha, circa 1900-1930 (Qing – Early Republic). The iconography is quite unusual there is a seated Buddha image on the chest, standing Buddha image on the back, and another image of the Buddha in Parinirvana reclining pose. Overall a very intriguing piece, possibly meant for export to another Asian nation. Excellent original condition- no cracks, chips or frits. H: 15cm/6in and W: 9cm/3.5in.

Chinese Tang dynasty (618-907) Lushan kiln tripod stoneware coupe with two thin upright handles covered entirely in a dark brown speckled glaze apart from the lower part of the unglazed feet. A large phosphatic splash is on both the front and back. Small bosses are spread around the circumference of the widest part of the body to imitate bronze examples. 6 1/4” diameter by 4 1/4" high. Very good overall condition except for one foot which has an old repair where it was re-secured to the bo...

Contemporary netsuke of a bee sitting on a honeycomb with grubs and honey cells. Walrus tusk, honey cells are inlaid with Baltic amber. Excellent carving, great realistic depiction of the insect, wonderful patina. Signed on the bottom by the artist Sergey Chernyavskiy. Length 1.87 inches.

A pair of rare 19th C Chinese hand carved hardwood, possibly Hong Mu wood, Scholars desk trays in a large lily pad leaf design with flower heads. Each being slightly different, one has a bird’s head and the other a nice protruding stem between the flower heads, they were made to be displayed together. These were finished with a mix of beeswax and a few other natural concoctions the Chinese used to seal the finish and give it a great mellow sheen. The beauty of the surfaces is that wheneve...

Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar - Liuwan Type

This large pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c. 2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is relatively highly-fired and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. For its type it has quite a large flat base with the body flaring out towards the wide waist where there are two sturdy loop handles. The u...

Rare Large Chinese Neolithic Machang Phase Painted Pottery Jar

This unusually-shaped large pottery jar was made over 4,000 years ago during the Machang Phase (c.2300 - 2000 BC) of the Majiayao culture, also known as the Gansu-Yangshao culture, from present day Gansu or Qinghai province. It is relatively highly-fired and made from a pale yellowish-brown pottery. It has a fairly wide flat base, wide body and tall cylindrical neck. There is one loop handle joined at the shoulder and neck base, ...

This is the only calligraphy by Kim Eung Won aka Soho (1855-1921) we have ever seen offered for sale. His skill was so revered that the prince Daewongun paid Kim Eung Won to paint many of the works for which the prince took credit. Ink on paper. Mount: 73 x 15 inches (185.5 x 38 cm), Calligraphy: 51 x 12 inches (130 x 30 cm).

LARGE Vietnamese 14th - 15th Century Blue & White Dish / Charger (41cm)

This large and impressive stoneware dish was made during the 14th - 15th centuries. It is "heavily-potted" with a wide sturdy foot. It is decorated with various floral and leaf patterns in underglaze cobalt blue. In the centre is a stylised character. It is coated in quite a thick finely-crackled clear glaze that has a greenish tint to it. Around the central design is a wide unglazed band in which are six firing marks. T...

Beautifully decorated book cover, of very refined gilded hammered copper on wood, with, on one side, two dragons with the "Ratna", or "Mani" (the Jewel of the Buddhist doctrine) in the middle, surrounded by stylised cloud motifs and framed in lotus design. On the other side, three handpainted Buddhist figures representing Manjushri, Chenresig and the Mahakala. These paintings have withstood the test of time a little less well than the front side. Otherwise, the book cover is in very good condit...

Ancient mask, beautifully carved in heavy wood, with realistic features, representing the face of a snarling tiger. Wood, with remnants of the handpainted polychrome decoration. India, Gujarat or Maharashtra, Kukana tribes, early 20th century. Height: 27 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Old accident at lower jaw, very well restored locally. Acquired in 1974.

A good Chinese Warring States pottery jar with impressed fabric decoration and 2 tiny clay-coil ornaments of "S" shape applied to the shoulder. Ht. 30.5cm. Condition: no restore, in good condition as shown. Shipping from Taipei, Taiwan via EMS at actual cost. Item selling at various platforms, please inquire before ordering.