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)

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...

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 ...

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)

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...

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 ...

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)

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...

Bamboo sitting toad. The node of the wood is used as the base of the statuette.

The toad and the frog, referred to by the same term in Japanese (kaeru) are associated with good luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "toad" 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.

Japan - Taishô Er...