A rare and fine example of a Japanese Nihon Matsu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Honoki (Magnolia) and old growth Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Early merchant chest configuration featuring a pair of sliding doors above, a large storage drawer in the center and a pair of sliding doors below hiding small drawers, a secret box and a storage space for merchant books and records. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute style handles, the raised seed pod design c...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original patina and bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles and the Chrysanthemum incised lock plates. A configuration of 3 large drawers and 2 smaller side by side drawers provides for organization and storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. It would work well as a side chest or a bedside nightstand.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dime...

An antique Japanese Kansai Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Ninoki (Cypress woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute handles. In 2 sections, the upper portion has three sets of sliding doors with storage space behind each and 3 small drawers to the right with 5 side by side drawers along the lower part. The bottom section has 2 sliding doors with spacious storage behind and a set of 4 drawers vertically aligned and 4 drawers along the bottom ...

An antique Japanese Kannon Bosatsu (Kwan-Yin, Guanyin) large Buddhist wood statue. Depicting the Goddess of compassion, mercy and kindness she hears the suffering souls of the world using her hands to help save them through their misfortunes. With Amida Buddha atop her head overseeing and assisting her actions, she has 11 heads surrounding her crown to hear those in pain and suffering. Her manifestation of 20 hands and arms occurred when her two arms broke apart in trying to help all those in...

Ohara Koson
Siberian Blue Robin (Nightingale)
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1912.
Koson signature and seal at lower left.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Reference: K26.3 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Note: This print is very rare. We've noticed another example in the Rijks Museum collection.
Condition: A conservator has repaired tears at three corners. The artist's name is noted i...

Small Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Jar (AD 25 - 220)

This pottery jar of "hu" form 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 reddish pottery and has simple incised decorative bands surrounding the jar at its shoulder. The whole surface, including the base and inner mouth, is coated in a thin yellowish-brown glaze. The flat base has marks where the jar was removed from the potter's wheel wit...

Rare Chinese Han Dynasty Burnished Pottery Bowl

This attractively-shaped bowl of rare form was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery and has a small foot and flared rim. The surface has been burnished smooth and its colour varies from pale to dark grey, a result of uneven conditions in the kiln during firing.

Diameter 15 cm. Condition is very good; there is a small chip to the rim edge but there is no repair or restoration

*** TO O...

An antique Japanese 2 section Todana Tansu (shelf and drawer chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original bronze hardware with hand made glass and age old acquired patina. Side slats provide stability and strength. Top section has 2 sets of sliding doors with a removable shelf behind the lower pair. The bottom section has 1 set of sliding doors with 5 drawers of varying sizes.

Age: Late Meiji Period (1900-1910)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" Wide by 47 1/4" High ...

An antique Japanese Katana Tansu (sword chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite style handles. Beautiful naturally acquired patina over its long history. Long drawer for Katana storage, short drawer for Tanto storage and a small drawer for Katana parts and polishing supplies.

Age: Early Meiji Period (1870-1880)

Dimensions: 45 3/4" Wide by 12" High by 12" Deep

A vintage Japanese bamboo wall hanging featuring the famous monk Daruma with a proverb attributed to his wisdom. The saying reads Nanakorobi Yaoki or Seven Falls Down Requires Eight Times Up. This is a Zen adage that preaches tenacity and perseverance similar to the round Daruma image shown trying to right itself.

Using old growth bamboo, this art piece was hand carved and hand hewn before lacquer was applied to the saying and the body of Daruma.

Age: Prewar (1930-1940)

Dim...

Antique Japanese two-panel Byobu folding screen painting of a pair of Pheasants (male and female) and their chick. The male stands on a craggily rock with blooming Peonies nearby and Weeping trees in the background.

The Pheasant is a messenger of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and represents power, abundance, promise, and duty to the family while the family itself represents marital bliss. The Peony symbolizes happiness, wealth and beauty while the old jagged rock and the old truck of the Pe...

Lovely 13th Century Korean Celadon Chrysanthemum and Bullocho Bowl. The chrysanthemum is a Korean symbol of plenty, as represented by its many petals. The mythical bullocho plant is an ancient symbol of longevity. 4.5 inches (11.5cm) wide by 1.5 inches (4cm) high.

Japanese lacquer tray with raised gold cranes on top a hill under a large meandering pine tree along with smaller trees and grasses on a large expanse of nashiji lacquer with gold maki-e edges. The underside is performed in a darker sprinkled lacquer and has some chipping to the bottom outer edges, although the face of the tray is good with only some light surface wear. Measures 21.25" long, 15.25" wide, and 2.25" high. Dates circa 1900.

An antique Japanese bronze Buddhist temple bell called Bonsho with a carrying handle depicting diverging dragon heads called Ryuzu. The upper protrusions called Chi or Nyu improves the resonance of the sound when struck. Two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za is the point on the bell where the best and longest sound is achieved. A bell of this size was hung in a small temple to summon the monks to prayer.

Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)

Dimensions: 17 1/2" High by 11" Diamete...

An unusual antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware with Warabite handles and unusual double hinged door design. Interior holds 9 drawers of varying sizes and 2 shelves. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. Each side has swivel handles for long distance transport and pairs of carrying handles for placement in a room.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1850)