Antique Japanese pair of rare black lacquer dowery tansu for clothing. These fine lacquer cabinets would have held folded clothing and been carried to a brides home containing her dowery of fine textiles. Hinged doors open to reveal 4 shelves inside. Hardware includes 5 hinges on each door, corner bracing, handles for carrying by hand and by pole, and large lock plates all of which are incised with scrolling floral details and made of bronze...

An unusual mid-century Kaki (flower receptacle) in the shape of a blunted horn in black lacquer and eggshell by Kawai Masazo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Perfectly representative of the era, it is 44 cm (17 inches) long. There are some surface scratches typical of use.
Kawai Masazo was born in Osaka in 1928, graduating the Osaka Municipal School of Art and Design. In 1948, at just 20 years old, he was awarded the Mayors Prize at the Osaka Art Exhibition...

Japanese modern era lacquer hibachi. Carved of wood in round form with stacking bands of 5 alternating colors called Koma Urushi (literally translates to spinning top lacquer). Inset with traditional copper lining.

Age: Showa Period (1926-1989)

Dimensions: 9" high x 17" diameter.

A dry Lacquer Yellow Vase by Izumi Atsuhiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kanshitsu Kaki (Dry Lacquer Vase). This piece is a quintessential example of the mid-century design aesthetic that swept postwar Japan in the 1950s, a period quite unique unto itself. The vase is made in a free-flowing form without a solid core, a labor intensive process in which the shape is rendered from cloth, paper, lacquer and tonoko...

Mother of pearl blossoms and rich colored carved lacquer flowers decorate this distinctive mid-century lacquer box by Izumi Atsuhiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nuriki Tachiaoi Tebako (Lacquerd box with Hollyhock) and dated Showa 29 (1954). The edges between lid and box are protected by bands of solid silver. It is 30.5 x 22.5 x 13 cm (12 x 9 x 5 inches) and is in overall excellent condition. Both pieces of lacquer are signed...

A set of six anonymous colored lacquer trays decorated with rock garden imagery in lead, mother of pearl and raised lacquer techniques. Each tray is roughly 48 x 27.5 cm (19 x 11 inches) and all are entirely unique, with different colors and designs and in overall excellent condition. Each comes wrapped in a faded blue cloth pouch.

A Te-bako lacquered box decorated with pigeons in colored lacquer on pale white with mother of pearl inlay by one of the most important 20th century lacquer artists Banura Shogo enclosed in the original signed wooden box dating circa 1935. Sharp corners, the cream-colored box raised on a dark colored foot, the rim edged with two beads of solid silver, all typical of the design aesthetic of the 1930s. It is 30.5 x 21.5 x 12 cm (12 x 8-1/2 x 5 inches) and is in excellent condition...

An exquisite lacquer dish with black Tessen (Clematis) flowers over a mottling of pale layers by Ikeuchi Kaho enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Choshitsu Tessen Hana Moyo Kazari-sara. The work is performed by applying layer upon layer of cream-colored lacquer, with a final layer of black, which is then carved through to reveal the lower layers of white, leaving only the one top layer of black as the design. A very labor-intensive process with little room for error...

An amusing and very rare complete collection of 12 lacquer iki ningyō masks with their original tomobako (storage box) representing the 12 moods. Fear, contentment, fun, worry and many other funny expressions, are all finely crafted and contained in the original box. Bone teeth and fangs. Meiji period 19th century Sizes: Smallest mask is 8 x 8 x 4 cm. and the largest is 10 x 8.5 x 5.5 cm. Tomobako size: 41 x 31 x 6 cm. Condition report: Good condition

Wooden urushi katakuch which is called "Johoji-nuri" whose name is originated from Johoji-shi (Johoji family) who dominated the north part of Iwate prefecture in Tohoku since 12th century. According to the local story, Gyogi founded "Tendai-ji" there and urushi wares for Buddhist priests were made. It is used for sake ( Japanese wine ) or liquid. The outside is painted with black urushi and inside is painted with red urushi. Generally in good condition except for urushi came off in the bottom...

Japanese lacquered basket for flower arrangement (Ikebana).

Age: Japan, Showa Period, Mid-20th Century
Size: Height 14.8 C.M. / Width 17 C.M. / Length 17 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.

Original round box. On a gold lacquer ground, the decoration represents a monkey, wearing mother-of-pearl and gold carving, holding a longevity peach branch encrusted with mother-of-pearl and carnelian and waving it to hunt bees. The interior is covered with gold dust (nashiji) with a decoration of Mon (coat of arms). The edge of the box is finely decorated with foliage. On the back, an old Bon Marché label. A small chip and crack on the border, visible in the photo.Diameter 6,2cm.

Rectangular in shape, the lid, on a black lacquer background, is decorated with a cherry branch in shibuishi (silver and copper) and mother-of-pearl. The interior consists of a tray on which is presented a pair of abumi (stirrups) and a horse dressage whip. Under the lid a fabric stretched in red green and gold polychrome lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays. On the whole portour the decoration represents stylized clouds in silver lacquer. Superb quality box...

Suzuribako in roiro lacquer decor of a setting sun behind the waves in red and gold lacquer. Inside a couple of gold lacquer cranes on a nashiji background. Edo period 19th century or before. Good condition, no repairs. Normal use wear for this period. Very interesting subject. Dimensions about 21x21 cm

Antique Japanese lacquer raised tray. Standing on four legs with square frame and decorated all over with scrolling vines and pine bows in maki-e lacquer on a black ground with clouds of gold nashiji. Prominent in the design is the appearance of the aoi mon (crest) of the Tokugawa clan, marking this tray as the property of the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 8" high x 14 1/2" wide x 14" deep

Perhaps because of its proximity (or lack thereof) to central Japan, the beautiful lacquer wares of Akita may be lesser known than other regions. Here is an exquisite sake cup and katakuchi serer of turned wood covered in multiple layers of soft, black lacquer by Sato Fumiyuki of the Kawatsura lacquer tradition. A belt of gilded binding wrapping the body is the only decoration...

An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper carrying handle and hinged door that hides 4 drawers of varying sizes used by a merchant to store writing paper, receipts, money and calligraphy brushes.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 10" Wide by 12 1/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep

A fabulous 17th century Koro (Momoyama to early Edo period) covered in black lacquer inlayed with minute mother of pearl shippo designs around circular windows featuring floral motifs. The lid is solid silver, pierced with overlapping floral designs. The windows feature grape, plum, bamboo and other seasonal imagery important in Asian cultures. It is 11 cm diameter and in overall excellent condition considering the age.