Japanese Neolithic period magatama bead made out of agate (carnelian type). Magatama are curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jomon period (circa 1000 BCE), and in Korea during the Prehistoric period, mainly in the Bronze Age and Neolithic. They are found in mounded tumulus graves as offerings to deities, and continued to be popular with the ruling elite throughout the Kofun Period, and are often romanticized as indicative of the Yamato Dynasty of Japan...

Japanese Neolithic period magatama stone bead. Magatama are curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jomon period (circa 1000 BCE), and in Korea during the Prehistoric period, mainly in the Bronze Age and Neolithic. They are found in mounded tumulus graves as offerings to deities, and continued to be popular with the ruling elite throughout the Kofun Period, and are often romanticized as indicative of the Yamato Dynasty of Japan...

REMAINS OF HANIWA

Large remains of the ornament part of ancient Japanese hollow unglazed terracotta figure from the Kofun period (3rd-7th century) so-called ‘Haniwa'. 20 x 14 x 4.5 cm (7.87 x 5.51 x 1.77in). Still left original paint as a rare piece. Bonded repair as seen...

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

Rare Japanese Female Haniwa Sculpture, Kofun Period, 4th century AD. This female clay figure was set in the ground at the site of a burial mound for the wealthy and Imperial class. She is a fine and graceful piece exhibiting great feminine charm. Mounted on a wood platform. This clay female figure would have stood with others in a protective circle around the tomb-mound of a powerful ruler. Her hair is swept up into an elaborate coiffure, and she wears a fashionable dress of the Kofun Period...

INCOMPLETE REMAINS OF YAYOI EARTHENWARE

Unearthed at Tokai region in Japan, Yayoi period (c.300BCE-300CE). Bold and overpoweringly beautiful form as is. approx...

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look...

JOMON STONE GLANS

Tip part of excavated ancient Japanese ritual phallic object called ‘Sekibo’ (lit. ‘Stone stick’) dated back to the Jomon period (ca. 14000-1000 BCE), attached with wooden stand with plaster inside of hole for stabilising. Total with stand: H 6 cm (2.36in), Sekibo itself: H 4.3 x 3 x 3 cm (1.69 x 1.18 x 1.18in). Cracks due to age as is...

Extremely rare Japanese Haniwa clay bust of a young wealthy woman with a charming expression and wearing a stylish hair style, large hoop ear jewelry and a neck piece. 3rd Century, Kofun Period...

Pair of Carved Wooden Koma Inu Temple Dog Figures, each seated in the traditional posture. These are a very rare find from the early Heain Period, and could be even earlier, possibly Nara Period. The wood is aged to a beautiful patina. There are not many works of art of the period that come up for sale. There has been some conservation and restoration to stabilize these fantastic and rare pieces. 18.75 and 17.5 inches (47.5 and 44.5 cm) H, 13 and 12 inches (33 and 30.5 cm) W, 10 and 9 inches ...

Extremely rare 3rd to 7th Century Kofun Period Haniwa clay sculpture of a Horse, completed with the most fabulous trappings, a fine saddle, etc. Presented on a lacquered stand. The horse is a very important figure in the Samurai society. This figure possibly may have been found near the village of Motomachi, close to the port of Konjō in Musashi Province, in present day Tokyo. Pieces like this are usually found in private collections or museums, and rarely come up for sale. Well p...

Tumulus Period (AD 250-552) Clay Haniwa (Haniwa means “circle of clay”) forms were installed in the tumuli (burial mounds) that were built throughout Japan from the Third to the Sixth centuries. The Haniwa formed part of the rites used in sending off the dead. Today, these Haniwa, made in the shape of buildings and possessions which do not exist now, and also in the form of animals and even people, show us what things were like in those times. This Japanese Haniwa of a Woman’s Head i...

Ancient Japanese Neolithic Jōmon Culture large ceramic vessel. The dramatically flared rim and other raised decorations indicate that this vessel was likely created for ritual use rather than as a food or cooking container. Clay was mixed with materials such as fibers, micha and crushed shells to give it an adhering quality. The walls of vessels were built up using a coil technique. The wet surface of the clay was smoothed before rough cords were impressed into it creating a distinct patte...

A Japanese Bronze mirror of circular form decorated with Chrysanthemum Sprays a pair of Cranes, Tsuru, in flight, a circular ring and a central Turtle, Kame, shaped boss. Probably late Kamakura or Nambokucho in date, first half of the fourteenth century. The mirror measures approximately 11.45cm in diameter, and 0.76cm high at the rim, and the edge measures 5.1mm in width, and weighs 273 grams. See images for condition, wear commensurate with its age. Shipping within the UK included in the ster...

4 lacquered wood panels inlaid with metals and mother-of-pearl. Very old Japanese work. Decoration of rocks boldly drawn with power but elegance, decorated with plants. Whoever has painted such a high quality drawing is an excellent artist, certainly one of the best of his time. Would it be the 4 seasons or 4 of the twelve months? The very thick and cracked lacquer is pluricentennial it is posed on a grey coating mixed with thick vegetable fibers which seem to me to be hemp.It is said that hemp...

A sublime and very rare 10th-12th century Heian Period Japanese Jizō Bosatsu wood sculpture. 8 inches (20cm) high x 6 (15cm) inches wide.

15th Century Japanese Gilt Wood Amida Nyorai Buddha. His hands are held in the vitarka mudra, the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching. Amida is captured here in his welcoming descent from Heaven to greet the soul of a faithful devotee at death. Images of his descent to earth illustrate the nineteenth of forty-eight vows made by Amida in a previous life, in which he promises to appear at the moment of death to all beings who devoutly desire rebirth in his paradise. Pai...

Rare Kamakura Period Sculpture of a of a Nio Guardian King exhibiting power and fierceness. According to Japanese tradition, they traveled with the historical Buddha to protect him. Within the generally pacifist traditions of Buddhism, stories of Niō guardians like Kongōrikishi justified the use of physical force to protect cherished values and beliefs against evil. It is rare to find such an early example. Carved wood and lacquer with some imperfection and losses, as with most works ...

During the Kamakura period in Japan (1185-1333), a remarkable form of Buddhist sculpture known as the votive Buddha emerged. Commonly referred to as kakebotoke (hanging Buddhas), pieces like this would have been mounted on spherical plaques made of bronze or copper and hung in a Buddhist temple or possibly even in a Shinto shrine. These small-scale sculptures were created to serve as objects of devotion and were often commissioned by wealthy individuals or temples. The Kurakama perio...

Two paintings of a abbots or patriarch sitting on a small pedestal. One of them holds a vajra in the right hand and a tip of his garment in the left hand. His sandals are underneath the pedestal as well as a ewer. The other priest holds a flat device in his right hand and a tip of his garment in his left hand. Underneath the pedestal are his sandals. Very detailed painting. Black ink, mineral colors, gofun and gold on loosely woven silk (ca. 30 over 14 threads). Japan, ca 14/15th century.
T...

Beautiful thick bronze hollow votive figure in the shape of Dainichi Nyorai sitting on a lotus base, former part of a kakebotoke. His head gear finely engraved with floral motives. Bronze with dark brown patina and traces of gilding. Kamakura period, 14th century.

Mounted on Japanese, old kiri-wood stand

H 4 ¼ inches

Excellent condition

Jian ware black glazed bowl with fine russet hare’s fur streaks. Southern Song dynasty. No chips or cracks but there are areas where the glaze from another piece had fallen onto it during firing- the "wabi sabi" is strong in this one, suitable for a Japanese Tea Ceremony. D: 12.3cm/4.9in and H: 6.2cm/2.4in.

Rare “kiln waster” possibly from the Qingliangsi Kiln, Baofeng, Henan- see reference in last enlargement. D: 11.8cm/4.7in and H: 4cm/1.6in. Very shiny black glaze. There is one star crack on the side as well as “slag” adhesions on the rim. Please examine enlargements. May still be used for tea ceremony if you don't mind a little "wabi sabi"

Tokoname jars were made by piling coils of clay, smoothing the interior and exterior surfaces, and allowing the clay to dry before adding another section. The wide rim and mouth were then formed on a potter’s wheel and added to the top of the jar. The small base allowed the vessel to stand safely on a narrow step on the steep slope of a rising kiln floor; such kilns were built into the side of a hill and used wood for firing. The natural ash glazes took about a week to ten days to form and cre...

Pair of Song Dynasty soy brown, Jian type bowls from the Dongzhang/Minho kiln in Fujian, recovered from the Lianjiang shipwreck. Good condition, no damage or repairs, there is some original kiln grit in the cavetto and a minor irregularity on the rim of one. D: 10cm/4in and H: 4.5cm/1.8in. May still be used in a tea ceremony.

An Ai-Kutani plate, Arita circa 1700. Decorated in underglaze blue with various molluscs amongst seaweed clad rocks. The back is plain with three spur marks within the foot-rim. Overall the glaze has a blue tinge.

Approximately 18.8 cm diameter. Perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China must make arrangements to pay by International Bank Transfer in GBP, fees paid.

P...

Large Japanese porcelain dish, Arita kiln, compartmentalized decoration inspired by Chinese models from the end of the Ming dynasty. In the center a flowered basket and on the edge, cartouches containing flowers and emblems are boldly drawn in underglaze cobalt blue. The reverse left without decoration. The firing was perfect, the blue is bright, the glass is uniform. There is a big chip. Curiously this flake is covered with glassure which means that it was made between the first firing of the ...

Bowl with overglaze enamel ( polychrome ) decoration .Dehua ware from Fujian.Late Ming period. D : 3,4 inc. Minute rim fritting no chrack !

Purchased through Christie's a good number of years ago, this is a very rare Ko-Imari porcelain figure circa 1640. Decorated in iron-red, green, gold and black enamel, the seated official measures 7.5"x6"x2".

Condition: Excellent, with only minor wear to enamel and one almost undetectibly small old chip to the edge of the base.

A fine so-called “Deshima”, or more likely a scene of Scheveningen in the Netherlands or an imaginary composition based upon it, after an unknown original by Frederik van Frytom. The bowl is decorated with four elements of the pattern, two figures in a field, a female figure with cow held upon a leash, a rider in a landscape, and a “light-house”, beacon upon a hill. There is an Arita dish in the Groingen Museum with three of the elements, clearly copying very closely a Delft original of ...

Japanese Genroku era Imari bowl with blue underglaze and red and gold overglaze enamel decoration. The octagonal form with alternating panels on both interior and exterior of flowers and of boat in garden landscape. The cavetto with vase and flowers decoration. Flowers and vine decoration around the foot. Flower head decoration in red enamel inside blue ring within ring foot. The white glaze around the buff colored foot rim burned to a thin dark iron colored ring before the unglazed rim. The con...

An interesting, rare and early Arita crackle-glazed bottle, Japan, early to mid 17th century, heavily potted, with silvery bronze rim mount and attractive kintsugi gold lacquer repairs to the foot rim. 32 cms. A recent (mis-catalogued) purchase from the Robert Kime Collection pt. 2, La Gonette, France.

A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as being by the legendary potter Ninsei (17th C.). Though the potter’s mark suggests this could be the case, there is no way to confirm for certain other than by its age and undeniably elegant craftsmanship. Believing it to be quite precious, the previous owner bestowed it with the poetic name "Ibitsu" which means "warped" or "cu...

 

A fine Japanese blue and white porcelain dish. The foliate rim with chocolate brown glaze, the white porcelain body and glaze, and the fine attention to detail all suggest Kakiemon type. The cavetto with decoration of flowering plants including peonies, prunus and others. The center decorated with a bird (perhaps a flycatcher) in fruited branches, rockery and bamboo leaves below. Both the cavetto and center with reverse technique where the underglaze cobalt blue forms the background of the decor...

Hard porcelain dish decorated in underglaze cobalt blue. The scene represents a pavilion in a garden raised on the edge of a lake, several characters animate it. Probably scholars. The designs are artistically stylized in a very Japanese spirit. In the sky the clouds are drawn in a style typical of this period. The edge is glazed in brown. On the reverse appears the mark "Fuku". The quality is excellent, the blue is bright, the designs precise and the firing perfect. The style and quality are th...

Perfume fountain in porcelain Imari kinrandé mounted in gilt bronze from the same set of porcelain. The cup and the bowl form the base, the pot covers the perfume container.
Blue under-cover decoration with gold highlights of interlacing lotus flowers. On each of the ceramic pieces, two four-lobed spaces and sides with floral motifs (pine, yellow and red lycoris, carnation, phlox moss, bamboo) and two foxes. Top of the pot with a chrysanthemum pattern. The inside of the fountain has a ban...

A set of two Japanese porcelain cups and saucers with fine decoration in the Imari palette, underglaze blue, iron red and abundantly gold. Cups with a blossom mark. Condition: fine, saucers with kiln grit residue. Dimension: cup: c. 7.1 diameter, 4.6 cm high, saucer: c. 12.2 cm diameter, 2.3 cm high.

Hard porcelain dish from the Arita kilns. Decor painted in cobalt blue underglaze high-fire. A couple of fallow deer are represented in an autumnal landscape. It would seem that the female is reluctant to fall mating because she is lying down while the male at her side rears up desperately to attract attention. In the background clouds (erotic symbol of the "game of clouds and rain") and a maple tree for autumn. On the right a weeping willow tree symbol of lovers. The small building on stilts se...

Antique 17th century (circa 1650-1680) Japanese Arita porcelain ewer of oval form with a waisted neck and loop handles, painted in underglaze-blue with panels of peonies reserved on karakusa, the neck is with stylized peonies. The top of the handle has two holes whilst one is pierced and the other is not; the holes were made prior to the firing process of the porcelain at the request of European merchants importing Japanese porcelain for European markets because many of these types of ewer w...

A very rare and early imari that more closely resembles the kakiemon palette, but with the heavy use of gold and some under glaze blue, it would fall under the imari family group. This is a very rare dish as it displays the pomegranate fruit in the center well, its seeds being exposed as to suggest the hope of many sons. 5 cranes are symmetrically arranged, 3 on the garden rock, 2 in flight. Condition is excellent, save a very tiny glaze flake to the rim. No other damage, chips, hairlines, or...

A fine late 17th century oval porcelain bowl molded in the form of a chrysanthemum. 6.375" x 5.5" x2", it is decorated sparingly in the Kakiemon palette. Ex-Christie's.

Condition: Excellent

Fine Japanese Arita Imari Wucai Dish c.1700. # 1 An attractively decorated dish styled after late Ming wucai enamelled wares, noted for their bold and vivid colouring. A meandering vine with various flowers surround a central kotobuki or good luck character. The back is decorated with various lingzhi motifs and within the foot-rim is a apocryphal Chinese Ming reign mark for Jiajing.

For a similar dish see pp 282-3 No 157 of the complete catalogue of the Kurita Museum where it is des...

Two very rare Ko-imari rice bowls from the Genroku period. C. 1690-1710. These are just gorgeous, the bottoms are painted in the chevron pattern, and various geometrical patterns of roundels with honey comb patterns throughout. Two dragons adorn either side of each cup and each surrounded with colors of iron red and green enamels with gold gilt accents. Each bowl and cover are in perfect condition with very little wear to the enamels, almost non-existant. They measure with lid on about 3 1/8" ...

An Ai Kakiemon dish decorated with a repeating pattern of Hosoge, flowers of Precious appearance, which in this case would appear to be representations of auspicious Pomegranate fruits constructed from Ruyi, Acanthus style leaves and other disparate elements. The ring of Hosoge pierced by a circlet binding them together with a gobenka motif in the centre. The reverse decorated with a lotus arabesque, karakusa, and a stylised fuku mark within a double square; a mark exclusively used by the Ka...

The shallow dish with a roundel containing a very finely painted coiled dragon, Danryū mon, within a double circle. The cavetto is decorated with a stenciled trellis or Chinese lie-wen design against a pale ruri background. Within the foot-rim is found an apocryphal Chinese Ming Chenghua reign mark.

See Shibata vol II #612, for another example, dated to 1690-1710.

Approximately 17.4 cm diameter. In perfect condition.

Please study the photographs.

Within...

This is an exquisite antique Japanese Imari porcelain jar and cover from the late 17th century, precisely from the Edo period, circa 1680-1700 AD. The jar is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship of the Japanese artisans of the time. The ovoid body of the jar is expertly decorated underglaze with peonies and chrysanthemums in iron red, cobalt blue, and gilt. The decoration seems to be growing out of rockwork, which adds an extra layer of depth and texture to the piece.

The neck of t...

A dish of scalloped rim form of six-sun size decorated with a central motif of a bouquet of Cherry blossom wrapped in the traditional manner for formal presentation with a sheath of washi paper, tsutsumi, shaped into a horn and tied with cord. The rim of the dish decorated with auspicious motifs of gobenka and cho butterflies in the typical Imari three colour palette dating to the Kyoho period circa 1710-40. The reverse decorated with ribbon ties and trailing flowers. The dish is in good cond...

A Japanese Edo period 17 - 18th century Arita Imari Kakiemon blue and white and over glaze enamel large ewer / kendi. Good condition with crack lines at the body, please see picture for detail, size: 20.5 cm height.

Japanese porcelain Arita export ware box with lid decorated with a peony spray in underglaze Blue. The box measures 4 3/4" in diameter x 2 1/2" high. Condition: The box is in excellent condition with one very small chip in the glaze along the edge of the lip, and some evidence of burial. The box is 17th Century. Free shipping within the USA.

A high quality Arita porcelain dish decorated with an auspicious pattern composed of a central motif made up of three shippo or cash symbols bound together by a stylised Peony leaf vine; a variant of the more usual ribbon tied cash see EW3193. The cavetto decorated with a Tako-karakusa ground and the rim with a diaper band. The reverse is meticulously painted with a band of stylised lotus pattern to the base of the footrim. A design typical of higher quality porcelain of kenjo presentati...

Bowl with overglaze enamel ( polychrome ) decoration . Dehua ware, Fujian.Late Ming period. D : 3,2 inc. Very good condition !

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to come by in Japan at the time. Later, during the Muromachi period, Seto potters established kilns in Mino thus starting the period known as ko-Seto, or “old Seto.” These pieces were distinctive as they were produced in small batches and with great care. Later in Edo, the large-kiln style of production or “ogama” was introduced ushe...

Porcelain ewer from the Kyushu Arita oven second part of the 17th century. We only know a few identical models, one, with its lid, is kept in the British museum, another is housed in Tokyo at the Idemitsu Museum and happens to be one of the major pieces of the collection, finally a last one, damaged and without a lid, was sold by Sothebys London on June 1, 1981. To our knowledge there are no others. Curiously the porcelain of these ewers is atypical and could be confused with soft porcelain but ...

Porcelain plate made in China for the 17th century Japanese market. Blue and white design of 2 boats in a misty bay with land outcroppings and a mountain pavilion. The underside of the plate is decorated with three thin blue rings and two flowers. The edges of the plate and the many small irregularities in the firing are especially prized in this type of ware.

"Ko-sometsuke ('old blue and white') porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of th...

Ko-sometsuke porcelain was produced specifically for the Japanese market during the final decades of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A small Japanese porcelain plate glazed with 3 images of a person on an island, a row boat and mountain.

Dimensions: diameter 6" X 1.5"

Date: 17th C

The russet iron menpo depicts an older man's face with wrinkles and a long hair mustache (missing). The removable nose plate has small perforated holes for the insertion of horse hair for the mustache. The rivets are rendered in a plum blossom configuration, and the strap posts holder is in the form of petals and stems. The ears are pierced with plum blossoms. The yodare has four plates laced with blue, calico, and pale orange silk cords. The backside is lacquered in red for the face and black f...

Japanese porcelain soup tureen whose shape is inspired by European goldsmith pieces. On the sides two heads of modeled Buddhist lions and on the lid a crown. Simple decor of phoenixes, flowers, plants and waves in the color palette of the Imari style. An old collector's label indicated that this tureen was part of the service of Augustus the Strong. Probably verifiable statement for motivated collectors. From memory, a Japanese porcelain sauce boat whose shape was also inspired by European gold...

An Arita Blue and White Dish. Decorated in the centre with a grasshopper on a rock. Japanese L17thC Diameter: 8 3/8" (21.3 cm ). Condition: excellent

White porcelain dish decorated with underglaze cobalt blue and colored enamels in the Kakiémon style. Japanese work from the end of the 17th century around 1700. It seems to be a creation of the Arita kilns rather than those of Kakiemon because the blue is underglaze. But the exceptional quality begs the question. We know of only one example of porcelain bearing an absolutely identical decoration, it is a small bowl housed in the Baur museum in Geneva. Underside typical Fuku mark. Diameter: 232...