Slightly distorted shoe shaped (kutsugata) tea bowl with a rounded brim, made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potter's knife in its lower part around the foot ring.

In the style of Ao-Kuro bowls this bowl was covered with a green copper oxide glaze...

There are only few opportunities to find antique Chosen Karatsu chawans - collectors know of what I'm talking about. Here is the second one of our collection:

Chosen Karatsu chawan from the Edo Period. The grandiose embellishment of color creates a sublime sense of tension between the dark glazed and color infusion...

A charming pair of Japanese porcelain satsuma vases. The panels on each vase tell a story of ghosts and demons escaping from a woven basket. One vase shows a scene of court performers in a traditional lion dance, used to repel evil spirits. In another panel is a scene of kneeling courtesans with worrisome expression and a shrine maiden attempting to purify the area. The final panel shows a golden box, with a large clawed oni forcing the lid shut to trap the evil spirits within...

Japanese temple carving depicting a dragon (Ryu) and a tiger (Tora), with background of bamboo forest and blossoming plum branches. The dragon is a sacred creature representing great power, strength, and good luck for people that are worthy. The imagery of the dragon fighting the tiger is symbolic of the opposing forces of yin and yang.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 26" H x 16" x 2 1/2"

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richo in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 17th or 18th century and comes with a box that looks to have been furnished within the last 100 years. Over the long history of tea practice in Japan, at varying times, Korean-ware came into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics were brought over to Japan...

Antique Japanese two section Kiri (paulownia) wood clothing tansu. The piece holds 4 drawers, with heavy, square iron pulls, and large round lock plates incised with 3 circle mon. Original, natural finish wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35.5" L x 16.5" D x 47.5" H

An interesting Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue and white Bowl. Note there is some fritting, chipping and wear to the rim, but otherwise in good condition. High resolution images may be emailed on request.

Japanese single section clothing tansu, with Kuri burl hardwood front drawers, iron lock plates with foliate edges, warabite pulls, fan-shaped iron corner hardware. The bottom corner has a safe door with round lock plate and ring pull. Inside are the two smallest drawers in the chest.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 34 1/4" x 15" x 18 3/4" H

Japanese bronze vase with a wide, flattened body shape, the tall cylindrical neck rendered with bamboo stalk texture. The handles of the vase are a pair of leaping rabbits over low relief waves. The foot of the vase is imprinted with the artist cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7 1/2" x 7" x 6"

Elegantly shaped Ki-Seto Chawan from the Edo Period, early 19th century with a rarely seen gold rim. Precious metal rings were added when the chawan was made for the aristocracy and for the high nobility.

The beautiful and glossy glaze (guinomi-de) has a fantastic crazing. The bowl has also a decoration with vivid tanpan marks ( copper green marks ).

This Ki-Seto tea bowl is in very good condition, very unusual for a chawan of this age...

Relics of the Nile is pleased to offer this brown flint curved blade knife with chipped tail style handle. This knife was created from one large piece of flint; using localized pressure (as opposed to striking the blade with a hammerstone), a craftsman precisely removed small flakes of flint to produce the ripple-flake on both sides and serrated cutting edge. This bade is typical of the Naqada II to 2nd Dynasty style, ca. 3,500 - 2,686 B.C....

Relics of the Nile is pleased to offer this rare flint mace head. These types of unusual flat flint implements of donut form with ground hollow centers and worked outer and inner edges were most likely mace heads. Penned #35. The flint mace head is professionally custom mounted for ready display. The artifact itself measures 3 3⁄4”, excluding the size of the mount. Predynastic period, ca 3,600 B.C. Provenance: Aquired from Arte Primitivo Published in catalog...

A hirado ware porcelain figure of the mythical creature baku, the dream eater. This beast is a chimera with the features of an elephant, an ox, a rhinoceros and a tiger. The expert artist hand-carved every detail of the figure with fine lines, the flames and spines along its back carved in high relief. The glaring eyes are left bare with black pupils while the rest of its body is glazed white...

Japanese hirado ware porcelain figure of a tiger. With fully hand-carved fur pattern, whiskers, a wide grin with front fangs exposed. The tiger is glazed in white with the pupils of the eyes left buff. The four paws of the tiger have been hand-sculpted with the toes and claws on the bottom of the figure. The bottom and nostrils of the tiger are pierced through for air to escape during firing.

Published in:
"Hirado Ware, by C. Philip Cardeiro, pg...

Thangka of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Manjushri, the central figure holding her flaming sword. Depicting the five peaceful manifestations of Manjushri, including the wrathful Mahakala as protector deity of the thangka...

Maeda Toshinaga was a Japanese daimyo, who was the second head of the Kasa Domain. He was the eldest son of Maeda Toshiie and married one of Oda Nobunaga's daughters, Ei-Hime. He supported Tokugawa Ieyasu and, after receiving his brother Toshimasa's lands (Noto, 215,000 Koku), controlled a total of 1,250,000 Koku, an amount exceeded only by the Shogunate. Toshinaga built and resided in the Kanazawa Castle. He had no children and adopted his brother Toshitsune as his heir.

2-panel s...

A high quality porcelain deep sided saucer decorated with an untied bouquet of flowers slightly off center and two small blossoms on either side of the bouquet. The underside inside the foot is impressed with the Nymphenburg mark, the letter “K” and the fraction “1/7”. The saucer is 5 1/8 inches (13 cm) diameter.

Condition: No chips cracks hairlines or repairs. Some very light scratching on the inside of the saucer and a couple of very minor firing flaws.

Unusual Japanese stacking box comprised of 10 shallow compartments for the storage of important documents or calligraphy implements. The edges of each compartment are reinforced with hand-forged iron plates. The tall box is held together by a long cord.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 9.5" : x 14" D x 16.5" H

A porcelain plate with a gilt edge, embossed border, the molded edge of the well decorated with elaborate gilding centering on a hand painted botanical specimen of a Feverfew; a member of the daisy family. The plant name is written in script in red enamel and the number “857” in gilt are written on the back. The combination of the embossed border, the botanical sample and the heavy porcelain all indicate that the plate was made and decorated at Spode. 8 7/8 inches diameter.

Condition:...

Antique Japanese bar tansu with dramatic natural Keyaki burl front hardwood. The locking bar has hand-forged iron bamboo motif plating; Its handle is a 16 petal chrysanthemum Imperial seal mon. The piece has 4 large drawers and a safe box containing 2 smaller drawers. Original condition lacquer finish.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24" x 12" x 24.5" H

Unusual Japanese single section kannon biraki tansu. This safe chest holds an open top shelf and 2 drawers behind the front hinged locking doors.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 27.5" x 14" x 13.5" H

The pistol has an octagonal russet iron barrel with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". The dai stock is of a hardwood and brass jiita arquebus's firing mechanism, sakura ramrod intact. Good condition.

Dimensions: 16" L x 3" x 2"

Japanese 2 section kimono tansu. Made with Kiri (paulownia) wood, all natural finish. The upper section holds 8 drawers, which is considered an auspicious number. The bottom section contains 2 drawers with warabite pulls mounted on pierced metal plates. The piece also contains a secret hidden compartment beneath the bottom drawer.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 39.5" x 17.75" x 66.75" H

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteshvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from Samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into 11 pieces. Amitabha, seeing his plight, gives him 11 heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempts to reach out to all those...

A kartika referred to in Tibetan as a "trigug" or "drigug" is a small crescent-shaped handheld ritual flaying knife, used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism. The kartika is said to be one of the quintessential attributes of the wrathful tantric deities. It is commonly known as the "knife of the dakinis". While the kartika is normally held in the right hand of a dakini in Vajrayana iconography and spiritual practice, occasionally it can be seen being held by esoteric male deities, su...

A Rare Group of 6 Korean Monster/Dragon/Louts Petal Roof Tiles-6th C.: Korea, Silla dynasty, 5th to 7th century. A rare three monster faces, two dragons and one lotus petal roof tiles from the Silla period, appear natural patina with old dark clay due to age. it’s in fare condition in their ages but one has a small chip on the edge, it measures 15.2cm d. and 15cm d. around each

This is a Chinese antique brocade dragon costume of blue and gold satin silk, which draws five nail dragons on the front and back featuring Chinese treasure, longevity sign. In a very good condition No stain, no damage, yarn is not loose. Almost perfect condition. This was brought to Japan in the Qing Dynasty era. It was rarely used c1890. Height about 129 cm Width of a garment - From sleeves to sleeves 199 cm (78.3 "50.7").

House-shaped box with copper hinged lids. Open frame design with copper hard mounts, handles, and Keyaki wood construction. The Kandouko compartments hold the copper rectangular brazier and a square copper water container with lid, spout and a handle. Fitted with the essentials of travel for a hot drink and food. The brazier has a vent hole in the Sakura motif. The brazier devise heats the water for warming the sake and it can also be used to grill food; The warmer has a spout to let out the wat...

Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. The document box lid is decorated with the Hiramaki-e technique in gold and silver sprays of the Uji bridge and a cascade of Sakura blossoms on to a copper based nashiji ground. It’s complete with a black lacquer interior tray decorated in a minor composition of a riverside scene, with copper sprinkles throughout. The box interior is black lacquered with copper sprinkle...

The forked arrowhead (karimata) was named after its resemblance to the V-formation flight of wild geese. Such arrows of different sizes were highly prized on the battlefield and for hunting large game. The Japanese arrowheads, many resembling miniature spears, were made in hundreds of varied shapes of folded, tempered steel.
They were attached to the bamboo shafts by means of long, thin tangs (Nakago). The most common were narrow, roughly-filed, pointed arrowheads used to penetrate armor...

The three-sided style of the phurba comes from an ancient tool used to pin down sacrifices. The phurba has 3 segments to represent its power to transform negative energies. These energies are known as the "three poisons" and are attachment, ignorance, and aversion. The 3 sides of the phurba also represent the 3 spirit worlds and the phurba itself unites those worlds. The handle of the phurba represents "wisdom" while the blade represents "methods".

The phurba symbolizes stability and...

Architectural element --- probably the end of a beam --- carved in the shape of a stylized lion. Wood, with fine dark brown patina. Nepal, 18th century, maybe earlier. Length: 22 cm. Height: 10.5 cm. The back of the element was partly attacked by insects, but there is no more danger. The element is nicely counted on a custom stand. Good condition.

Edo period Japanese lacquered leather covered munitions box for gun powder. The leather hinged top has a gilt edge, on center is a copper metal clasp closure, and an iron chain handle. Double stamped in red lacquer with the Omodaka mon, which belongs to the Mizuno family clan. The box is in good condition.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8.75" x 2.75" x 4.5" H

Japanese Negoro lacquer (red over black) shrine table with squared slated legs detailed with brass hard mounts. The table expresses wear true to its age.

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 20 ¼” x 9” x 10 ½”

The Japanese tantutu pistol has a octagonal russet iron barrel, with flat sighting plains on top and bore of 3/8". A stock dai of Keyaki wood and brass plate jiita of the arquebus's firing mechanism. Mounted for display on a custom museum iron mount.

Exhibition at the 2018 San Francisco Tribal Art & Textile Show

19th Century Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8"L x 1.5" (5.25" H on stand)

A pair of Chinese famille rose bowls, decorated with gourd and butterfly motifs on green grounds. Gourds and butterflies together have an auspicious hidden meaning of "Guadie Mianmian (瓜瓞绵绵)” - may there be ceaseless generations of sons and grandsons. There are six character "Daqing jiaqing nianzhi" marks inside the foot rims, and of the period. Condition: nearly perfect condition,the only flaw is one tiny chip on the rim. Please refer photos for details. Diameter:7"; Height: 3-1/2".