19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of a blind masseur or Totsuka Beggar crouching and trying to lift a stone, or possibly his hugely distended scrotum. He has the typical bump on his head. He squints as he attempts to lift the large object. He is wearing only a fundoshi. His right eye is inlaid with light colored horn. Excellent detail and patination. Netsuke measures 1.38 inches (3.5cm) wide, and 1.22 inches (3.1cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition, as...

19th century finely hand-carved Japanese boxwood netsuke of Shogun Yoritomo (General Minamoto no Yoritomo 1147-99) sitting in his court; ready to begin audiences with his advisers and subjects. Netsuke measures 1.35 inches (3.4cm) wide, and 1.35 inches (3.4cm) tall. It is in excellent preserved condition, as may be seen in the posted photo Note: A reference to carver Ransen and his signature may be found on page 862 of Lazarnick's Netsuke and Inro Artists and how to Read their Signatures...

1800's, excellently hand-carved Japanese mix-materials netsuke depicting Okame performing the Japanese custom of Mamemaki (bean scattering) during Setsubun (the day before the beginning of Spring) to cleanse away all the evil (demons) of the former year, and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. In the scene depicted by the netsuke, Okame is covering her face while grinning when she sees the Oni's (demons) trying to hide from the beans that she is throwing and that are ...

Koma Inu Shrine guardians decorate this unusually vivid Ako carpet dating from the early 20th century. The color combination is quite striking, especially when held up to the more standard subdued works typical of Ako. It is 95 x 195 cm (37-1/2 x 77 inches) and is in stunning condition. We found this wrapped in paper in the attic of a Kyoto home which had been sealed off during renovations in the 1950s. With a relatively small quantity produced within the rather short history of Japanese car...

A nice well formed etched silver elephant box from Burma. Age: Pre 1900 Size: H.6.6cm. W. 10cm. Condition. No repairs.

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in Ko Sometsuke Kraak style decorated with a pair of scholars playing Go, one of the four accomplishments of the Chinese gentleman scholar. In which the first of the pair of figures is parodied in mitate style one of whom has a board on his head and one presumes losing opponent has a miserable expression. A short eight character poem is incorporated in the design, but is probably unrelated to the figures, reflecting the contemporary popularity of haigu combinatio...

A pair of Arita dishes moulded in Ko Sometsuke Kraak style decorated with a pair of scholars playing Go, one of the four accomplishments of the Chinese gentleman scholar. In which one of the pair of figures is parodied in mitate style as a proud Rooster and Hen. A short eight character poem is incorporated in the design, but is probably unrelated to the figures, reflecting the contemporary popularity of haigu combinations of painting and poetry during the late Eighteenth century. The second dish...

This is an Amygdaloidal Basalt , well hollowed, of circular form, with a round neck, a flat, wide lip, and a recessed oval foot surrounded by a footrim. The background is dark gray, almost black, and the attractive mineral inclusions of various shapes are light brown, blue, gray and some shades of red. Some of them have multicolor burst like forms. It comes with a like material stopper that shows various shades of blue. This very fine bottle is in excellent preserved condition. Bo...

Amygdaloidal Basalt Snuff Botle of flattened rectangular shape, supported on an oval footrim, the gently slopping shoulders rising to a cylindrical neck; the mottled dark stone ground suffused by gray-blue epidote and calcite irregular but attractive intrusions. Well-hollowed. It was probably made during the Qing Dynasty, 1780-1850. This bottle comes with a green jadeite stopper with metal collar. Note: Amygdaloidal Basalt is also referred as volcanic puddingstone. According to Bob C....

This is a fine Famille Rose Figural Molded Porcelain Snuff Bottle, of flattened ovoid form, with a waisted neck, a flat gilded lip, and an oval concave foot. The body of the bottle crisply molded with bright colors a scene of the Nine Buddhist Lions at play amid clouds. The neck decorated with a leiwen border. There is a Qianlong Period (1,711 - 1,799) seal script Mark in iron red letters to the base. It comes with a red coral stopper. There vividly colorful bottle is in remarkable p...

This is a 19th century, Molded and Enameled Snuff Bottle, of flattened ovoid form, with shoulders slopping to a waisted neck and everted mouth rim, tapering toward a slightly concave oval foot, molded with a dragon that is enveloping the entire piece. It has been carved and colored to look like cinnabar lacquer. It comes with a green jadeite flattened stopper. This interesting snuff bottle is in excellent preserved condition Bottle Measurements Height: 2.58 inches (6.6cm) Width: 1.4...

This is a fine, flattened, vase shape, snowflake Glass snuff bottle, overlaid with Ruby-Red colored glass, carved in the form of an oval plate placed on both sides of the bottle, with side bars. It has an elongated neck with wide mouth, and a flat foot that has been carved with the Chinese Longevity symbol: Shou. It comes with an amber colored agate stopper. The bottle is in excellent preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.60 inches (6.6cm), not including the stopper Width...

This is a rare, seldom seen, Snuff Bottle made from Coconut Shell, of a rectangular form, tapering towards base, with a raised rectangular footing, and a short rounded neck. It has been decorated with an incised landscape in the front, and an inscription, possibly a poem, in the back. It has a deep chocolate color with specks. It is very light in weight. It comes with a metal stopper with a coral dome, and a brass spoon. This rare and curious bottle is in excellent preserved conditio...

This is a rare and rather unique Snuff Bottle made from Bamboo, and shaped in the form of a double Gourd. It has a flat footing. It is carved in high relief all around, and it depicts monks within a temple, surrounded by trees. A crane making a landing can also be seen. Well established cavity. Excellent rich patina. It comes with an aquamarine hardstone stopper. This excellently carved bottle is in excellent preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.0 inches (5.0cm...

This is an early 19th C., excellently carved, Pear shaped, with a flared neck, and a raised oval footing, decorated with a black overlay of a ferocious dragon on one side, and an elegant Phoenix on the other. It comes with a red stone stopper. The bottle, which is about 200 years old, is in outstanding preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.52 inches (6.4cm), not including the stopper Width: 1.93 inches (4.9cm) Thickness: 1.10 inches (2.8cm) Weight: 1.8 ounc...

This is an exceptional Famille Rose and Encre de Chine Porcelain Snuff Bottle of globular form, with a gilded ruyi band decorated straight neck, a wide gilded mouth, and a raised recessed oval footing. The entire bottle is decorated with scrolling Encre de Chine Vines and pink lotus blossoms, set atop a white background. It comes with a two-tone green celadon jade stopper in the form of a flattened capsule. The underside bearing, in blue, the mark of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795). This super...

This is a rare, seldom seen, Snuff Bottle made from Shagreen (Stingray Skin), of a flattened rectangular form, with a flat footing, and a rounded neck. It shows the natural bumps of the stingray skin which have been shortened, and now have a back background with hundreds of gray dots. It is very light in weight. It comes with a coral over a yellow calchedony band stopper. This rare and curious bottle is in excellent preserved condition. Bottle Measurements Height: 2.25 inches (5...

According to the potter who crafted this fine piece, “The clay from our area in the north is alive. We listen to it in order to divine the most suitable objects to create.” Here we see the clay wished to become a well-formed ceremonial tea bowl with an impressionistic rendition of a Japanese Iris. Simple, well formed, and with a soft rusticity; a cup of tea becomes a meditation on the charms of quiet country living.

Originally from Iwate (b. 1937), Murakami currently resides in ...