19th century netsuke of a seated peasant woman having a snack as she takes a break from carrying a huge bag on her back. Nicely carved, wonderful face, beautifully carved and etched textile patterns. Old smoothed loss to the front of her right foot (does not take away from the sculptural quality of the piece), beautiful patina consistent with age. Signed RYOMIN on the bottom - the artist is Ono Ryomin III listed on p...

A set of rare and complete Burmese manuscript (KAMMAVACA) made from thick cloth coated with gold and lacquer in nice condition. It was written in the Pali language using Burmese script. The square letters were written in thick and black cinnabar lacquer. This set has 16 leaves and 2 wooden covers made from teak wood. Each leave was inscribed on both sides with illustrations of deity figures from Hindu-Buddhist mythology on some leaves...

An antique Japanese Tsuruoka Bo Tansu (chest with locking bar) made of Sugi (Cryptomeria) wood. Original Urushi lacquer finish and hand forged iron hardware including the Kakute handles. The locking bar features a flying crane amidst a forest of Sho Chiku Bai (Pine trees, Bamboo and Plum blossom trees). The lock plate on the bottom drawer features an auspicious sea turtle...

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's storage chest). Made with keyaki (zelkova elm) wood frame and front. Sugi (cryptomeria) wood sides and top. 2 large sliding panels open to a large compartment. Below this are 4 drawers of various sizes. Iron hardware includes warabite shaped drawer pulls. Deep reddish wiped lacquer finish.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37" high x 35 1/2" wide x 18" deep

Fiddle dinner spoon from Hall & Elton (1839 -1890), Connectitcut, the pointed shape of the blade indicates mid 19th century. Hall & Elton is known to have made lots of silvered cutlery. However, this spoon is tested for a silver content of at least 830/1000 (= Swedish silver standard), and so probably is coin silver. Sterling silver was introduced 1870 in America. Length "8 ¾ / 22.5 cm, weight 45 grams. Condition: fine.

Offered is a wonderful example of a late 19thC Pharmacy "tool of the trade" known as a pill machine but often referred to as a pill roller.

Pill machines were designed to enhance the productivity of the early pharmacist, and this design was, indeed, popular for many, many years. This pill machine is designed with 24 tubes for medicine-making.

The condition is very good, sporting a nice patina commensurate with its age and use...

This traditional Chinese spoon was used for spooning out powdered herbs and other ingredients when mixing Chinese medicines. The spoon is bone, patinated with age and use. The spoon is 4.75 inches long... It is a nice ethnographic artifact of former time and place

Needles were a valued woman's sewing tool and were carefully secured in a special case hanging from the belt. This Chinese silver needle case has 6 sides, each with a delicate repousse floral design. The bottom is weighted with a small turquoise and larger amber bead.

Five assorted old Chinese beads. Four glass and one (large) stone bead. Size in cm: see last photo.

Offered is a fabulous pair of antique Apothecary Show Globes which includes one fancy Victorian style hanger. Photos provide close-up views of these intricately detailed, high-end show globes, and the 1891 photo from the WHITALL TATUM COMPANY catalog, establishes the age of these beauties.

The overall condition of the globes is very good with the imperfections and wear expected given their 130+ years of age. The decorative frames are sturdy and the globes hold water with ease...

Large Chinese late Qing dynasty slightly rounded cylindrical form jar with lid decorated in underglaze blue in a continuous landscape scene with historic warriors from the Three Kingdoms Period fighting on foot and on horseback set against a white porcelain ground with a grayish tint. The interior and base are glazed. 12" high x about 10 1/2" diameter. Weighs 11 lbs. Late 19th to early 20th century. Solidly potted and in very good overall condition...

Offered is a very difficult-to-find and highly decorative group of six, matching, 19th century, iron, apothecary cabinet drawer pulls featuring stunning labels under glass!

Each wonderfully appealing drawer pull exemplifies the high style era of Victoriana design predominating the second half of the 1800's. Each pull measures about 4.7/8"W x 2 3/8"H x 7/8"D...

Japanese Meiji period Sendai style zelkova (keyaki) wood single-section tansu with characteristic rectangular carved lockplate on the upper drawer, Mokko-style (melon) drawer handles, and hinged door on the right side opening to two drawers. Two side carrying handles. Late 19th century (circa 1880). 46 3/4” wide x 18” deep x 34 1/2” high. Very good overall condition with typical wear, some separations in the wood, and shrinkage to the drawers...

From our European Porcelain Collection, a lovely three-piece Dresden ensemble, 19th century, very finely painted in the Baroque style with a central scene of figures involved in musical pursuits, all executed in polychrome enamels against a deep cobalt blue ground surrounded by lavish gilding.

Size and Condition: The main tray is 12 3/8 inches wide, 9 5/8 inches deep. The cosmetics box and ring stand are each approximately 3 inches tall and 3 inches wide...

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles and Sakata lock plates. 5 drawers provide generous storage and organization. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" Wide by 23" High by 11 3/8" Deep

Antique Japanese small two-panel screen painting of Kiyomizu-dera temple. The scene shows the famous main hall platform that stands high above the trees on a cliff overlooking Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera temple was founded in 778 and is now a World Heritage Site. This painting also shows the surrounding area with it's many smaller buildings, stone walls and elaborate gates...

An ornately hand-engraved English sterling silver pierced sifter spoon, fully hallmarked for Sheffield 1893. This 5-3/8" spoon has a finely pierced bowl and a PW monogram; it has the maker's mark for Atkin Brothers and it weighs 29.3 grams. This spoon is in excellent condition with no dents, bends, corrosion, losses, damage or repairs. All items are thoroughly and conservatively graded and all condition issues are noted; all items are vintage or antique and may have slight signs of gentle ...

Japanese antique small tansu chest for personal use. Made all of kiri (paulownia) wood. This tansu has 3 large drawers of different sizes and 2 small drawers in the lower right hand corner. Iron hardware includes pierced corner bracing, round lock plate and drawer pulls.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 27 1/2" high x 29 3/4" wide x 15 1/4" deep.