Not so often in the world of Japanese tea-ware do you come across something so exquisitely novel that it resists categorization in terms traditional styles...

Kawase Hasui
Snow at Heian Shrine Kyoto
Date: 1948
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower right, indicating a first state produced between 1946-1957.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.5 inches.
Reference: Hotei #510.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top margin has two original drying pinholes.

An unusual Arita saucer dish decorated with a three colour pattern of a pair of gnarled prunus , Japanese apricot trees incorporating four low relief Prunus flowers, umehana, approximately 50% larger than the painted flowers, and a central motif of a Flowering Peony branch. The reverse decorated with three further flowering prunus branches. A single underglaze blue circle to the interior of the footring and a set of four spur marks in a "Y" shaped formation...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood with hand made iron fittings. Featuring lock plates that depict the full moon, each drawer has Kakute handles...

An antique Japanese Niigata 2 section Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) with hand made iron fittings. The lock plates feature the Sho Chiku Bai motif (Pine, Bamboo, Plum Blossom known as the 3 felicitous friends of winter) with the longevity symbols of the turtles and crane. Each drawer has Kakute handle pulls and the hinged door hides 3 small drawers.

The front of the chest is made of natural Kirinoki while the tansu body was designed using a dark red wiped lacquer technique...

Nabeshima blue and white plate with plum blossoms and cloud pattern in a charming depiction. Shippo design on back with comb line foot. Perfect condition.

2 1/2" H x 8" Diameter
Edo Period, early 1800s

Unusual Japanese Cloisonne Vase, combined with decorative scrolling bronze vine panels with enamels overlay, the cloisonne panels have delicate floral designs.

Provenance McIntrye Collection
Dates from Meiji age c1920
Size H 7.5"

Pilgrim's hanten made of thin white cotton with many stamps of the sacred sites that are called "Shodo-shima Hachiju-Hachi-kasho Reijo (Shodo Island 88 holy places) located in Kagawa prefecture in Shikoku. The pilgrimage route was opened in late 17th century. The head band has stamps from Omine-san (Mt.Omine) in Nara prefecture. No sign of a place in the belly band. In good condition but has a few stains. The first half of the 20th century...

An antique Japanese 1/2 Sendai Tansu made of Kakinoki (Persimmon) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Hand made iron fittings featuring beautiful lock plates on the drawers and the hinged door.

There are 2 secret hiding compartments behind the hinged door. The first is found by sliding out the bottom drawer separator wall revealing a secret storage area where valuables could be hidden...

Antique Japanese dark green bronze suiban on four elephants head legs. Ribbed sides with kanji in raised relief (Good Fortune Fuku or Good Fortune) on sides. Key fret design on rim. Signature etched with three characters on bottom, "Tōryūshū".

Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900s
Size: 4 3/4" H 8 3/8" W 7 1/4" D

This is a mystery piece. Purchased by my mother about 30 years ago in japan. The piece is definitely quite old but the origin is not clearly Japanese, Chinese or Southeast Asian. l welcome any opinions. The glaze and patina is very attractive brown with a creme splash interior, I would venture a guess of age 18th/17th century.

Provenance Sharon Zentner Collection
18th/19th century
Origin unknown
Size H 1.5" X W 3 7/8"

Antique Japanese Hexagon Kakiemon Bowl, with floral, pine and plum blossom "Shochikubai motif". Some repaired loses on the rim but dates from the 17th, 18th century. This a very rare piece with the typical white bisque and colors of over enamel distinctive of 17th, 18th century work. Considering the age and rarity the piece is in excellent condition.

Provenance McIntyre Collection
Dates 17th/18th century
Size H 4" W 8 7/8"

Japanese antique Kakeimon porcelain cone-shaped dish. Delicately painted with chrysanthemum flowers, using palette colors of underglaze blues, overglaze reds, green yellow and grey. Raised moriage and incised white flower on white body. Good condition.

Provenance McIntrye Collection
Edo period, circa 1800s
Size: H 3 1/2" x W 5 1/2"

Japanese lacquer kogo incense container in Korin-style with rabbits gazing at the moon. One rabbit made of quail egg mosaic and the other of silvered lacquer sitting in the reeds. Square shaped container with mitered corners. Top with silvered moon. Tomobako with typed old labeling.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Size: 2 1/4"H x 1 5/8"W x 1 5/8"D

Japanese Negoro lacquer ritual server, dates from the 18th century with a spout from a bowl over a conical base, overall wear shows classic negoro red over black.

Berkeley Hills Estate
Dates from 18th century
Size H 6.75" x W 13" x D 9.625"

Japanese Silver box from the Taisho period c1920. The decoration has a inscribed leaf design with a hardwood interior and bottom, good condition.

Provenance Zelig Collection

Dates Taisho c1920
H 2.75" x W 5.375" x D 4"

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Kyoto Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All iron fittings are original and hand made. Two sliding Keyaki doors the top section open to a spacious storage area behind while a hinged door on the lower section opens to two small drawers.

Straight dovetail joinery construction using hardened wooden nails. Tansu of this configuration have become rare to find in Japan...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Handmade iron fittings featuring the raised tea leaf design on the front corners of each drawer. Sliding doors with locking bar covering a book and business document storage area with shel while the hinged door covers 2 small drawers...