Green or Blue, which will win this contest? Two shishi lions vie for our attention on this absolutely fabulous pair of 19th century screens. The images are performed with pigment on applied silver, not an easy medium from the start. One creature pounces, mouth open, teeth barred while the other crouches, mouth shut, ready to leap. Peony, a flower typically associated with the creatures, grows about them. Each screen is 68 x 137 inches (173 x 348 cm). They have been fully remounted at some ...

A massive celebratory image of Tai (sea bream) by important 20th century artist Imai Keiju in superb mounting enclosed in a wooden box signed Gorei. These fish have attitude! Sea Bream are an auspicious image in Japan due to their name (Tai) which is a homonym with medetai (celebration). The pigment on silk image is framed in patterned brocades and features bone rollers. The scroll is 51-1/2 x 78 inches (130 x 199 cm). There are two white points on the silk where it appears the silk was onc...

Lapis Lazuli Hard Stone Pendant with three dimentional carving of Phoenix Bird in the center on both sides, 2 1/2" high(only Lapis part, not included the gold part), 1 3/8" wide, 1/4" thick, with natural color of heavy Lapis Lazuli hard stone with impressed mark of "14K" and "585" on yellow gold ring. No damages.

Probably depicting an ancestor or a Taoist deity seated on a horseshoe back chair. H. 28 cm. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Very good condition with nice wear and patina. There is a repair to the left front leg of the chair. This repair was done in iron and seems to be a repair from the period of manufacture. Old collection number on the back. Provenance: Dutch private collection.

Finely cast, with traces of gilding. H. 20 cm. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Collection number on the back. Condition: age cracks and some old damage to the headdress. From a Dutch private collection.

A pair of Chinese cloisonne horse decorated with archaic geometric designs often seen in Chinese bronzes from the Shang dynasty with motifs of dragons and phoenixes. The saddle and decorations contain motifs of scrolling vines and designs reminiscent of central Asia. Age: 20th century. Size: Height: 15.75" Width: 7.5" Length: 19"

A Japanese tobacco tray, known as tabako bon in Japanese. The set comes with a hi-ire or the container for the charcoal, two drawers to put tobacco in and a kiseru or bamboo pipe. The tray is done in lacquer emulating the pattern on wood grain, as if the tray was done simply with wood and a light stain. The metal fittings on the handle are decorated with pine and the lid for the hiire is decorate with motif of gourds. The side of the tobacco tray contain curled-like extensions and the extensions...

A Chinese purple-splashed lavender-blue glazed bowl, Jun kilns, Jin Dynasty 1115-1234AD Height: 6.8 cm Width / Diameter: 13.5 cm

A Chinese Porcelain Yen-Yen Vase with the Kangxi Reign Mark But Later Qing or republic revival piece. Height: 39 cm Width/Diameter: 19.5 cm

Ex Bonhams: From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a large gilt copper alloy and lacquered repousse figure of Vajrapani, 18th century, standing pratyalidhasana with a ferocious expression on a repousse and chased lotus throne, left hand in tarjani mudra and his right hand raised above his five-leaf crowned head. The figure is clothed in flowing robes open at the chest to reveal ornamental body jewelry and jeweled necklaces. Vajrapani's face retains a lot of cold-painted flesh colored lacquer, ...

Chinese heavily potted late Qing dynasty Shiwan (Shekwan) earthenware globular form bud vase with small cylindrical mouth covered overall with a thick, Song dynasty style Jun-type glaze that stops well above the concave base. Circa late 19th to early 20th century. 4 ½” high x 4 ½” diameter. Very good overall condition. There is a light scratch or production flaw in the body at the base (see enlargements 4 and 8). Examples of this type of glaze and ware can be found in the online colle...

A very rare ancient eye bead from China from the Warring States period. It has a hole for stringing and can be worn. Size: Diameter. 2.5cm. Condition: Excellent for its age. One eye is slightly chipped. See last photo.

Seated on a mythical beast. Finely engraved sculpture with age appropriate wear and patina. Some casting flaws; often the case on Ming bronze casting. H. 15,5 cm W. 14 cm. From a Dutch private collection. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Antique pair of dramatic bronze censers, each with a warrior seated on top, the surface of each censer is decorated all over with ornate damascene (metal inlay) patterns, standing on four feet on stand inlaid with dragon, each leg is inlaid with the face of an oni (demon protector), each warrior sits on a rocky outcropping with hidden holes to allow incense smoke to escape dramatically around the figure, Meiji Period. Provenance: from the estate of the late designer Michael Taylor. Size o...

Japanese antique wonderful set of six puppet figures, known as oshi-e ningyo. The set includes a beautiful maiden, a samurai, a female attendant, a male official, Ebisu and Daikoku, figures are made of very thinly shaved layers of wood and paper with silk clothing and painted details, each figure is held by a stick and fitted with a stand (made later), the oshi-e ningyo were often made by households in Northeastern Japan and were made to celebrate girls day or as a prayer for happiness. Tod...

Golden eyes gaze at the full moon rising over dried autumn grass and wilted flowers on this fine scroll signed Shuso (Hotta Shuso). Pigment and light color on silk in a patterned silk mounting with bone rollers. The scroll measures 19 x 78 inches (47.5 x 192.5 cm) and is in overall fine condition.
Hotta Shuso (1894-1954) was born in Nagano prefecture and studied under Ikegami Shuho, settling in Tokyo. One of his best students, Shuso later became leader of Shuho's Denshindo atelier. He ...

A large bottle vase painted in Qianjiang style with eight fishes swimming amongst aquatic plants. On one side is a poem which reads "A fisherman I am not, using brush as fishing rod. Casually sketch a few fishes, then look into the painting on the pot. Winter of Ji Si year (1929). Tie Jian Zi Deng Bishan painted at Zhu Shan Mountain." On the base is the seal mark "Bishan". Deng Bishan was one of a very famous group of artists known as The Eight Friends. We believe that this item was made durin...

A worker makes his way through the autumn tinged hills, home just a few steps away in this brilliant Nanga work by Hashimoto Kansetsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box which is in turn enclosed in a red lacquered wooden box (Nijubako). Light color on silk mounted in a superb frame of blue silk with patterned with dragon dials and featuring large ivory rollers. The scroll measures 22 x 85-1/2 inches (58 x 217 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Born into the family of literatus an...