Funeral mirror of circular shape decorated around its center with two chimeras facing each other. Bronze, with a nice slightly encrusted red and green patina on some areas. China, Jin Dynasty. Diameter: 8.5 cm. Very good condition. NOTE: this mirror is part of a small collection of funeral mirrors collected many years ago that we are starting to offer presently.
Heavily distorted shoe shaped (kutsu) Chawan from the early 17th century with a strongly flaring mouth made of light, coarse, unrefined Mino clay. The expertly thrown body was trimmed with a potters knife in its lower part and covered with a very deep black iron oxide glaze inside and outside.
Two 'windows' on two sides have been left unglazed...
Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th century Han Chinese woman's robe, and embroidered sleeve bands executed in seed stitch; 5 toggle-loop gilt buttons. The robe is in excellent condition, no fray or wear, shoulder lines have no wear or split, Except there is a very tiny hole in the front left. Measurements : Top collar to bottom hem 36", Sleeve to sleeve 65" when fully stretched, sleeve width 20", width between arm pits 25" narrowest, width of hem 36" widest.
We present a rare medium sized Tenmoku tea bowl with partrige feather mottles (Chinese: 'Zhegu Ban'), made during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) or earlier. Looking inside this Tenmoku chawan is like glazing deep into the cosmos. There one can understand the meaning of microcosm and ask whether one is looking inward or outward; probably both...
Kimono, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. "Suzu" means bamboo grass. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. It is made of thick cotton and dyed with sumi (ink)...
An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and wood patina. Used primarily for Kimono storage when first made, it later stored western clothes as it passed through the family generations...
An antique Ryobiraki Choba Tansu (merchant chest with double doors) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. Behind the doors are 7 drawers with 2 shelves for merchant books and records. The bottom shelf has a coin slot where coins were dropped into the drawer below. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails...
An antique Japanese Kimono Tansu made of 100% quartered sawn Keyaki (Zelkova) hardwood and Suginoki interior (Cryptomeria) woods. All original Urushi lacquer and hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles. 5 large drawers with a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers where valuable were kept hidden...
Nanban means earthenware made in southern islands including Okinawa in Japan. Among them, vases like this piece has been liked to call "Oni-no-ude, Ogre's arm". Wild flowers would fit it very well. It's "Wabi Sabi" feeling.
Size: 10.8cm(D) 28.0cm (H)
Accessary: old wooden box
Hanten, called "suzukake" worn by a Shugen-sha or Yamabushi who practiced Shugendo. Shugendo is the Japanese unique religion combining Buddhism, Shintoism, and worship of nature (mountains). A practitioner (shugen-sha) trained himself in the holy mountains that is ascetic and very painstaking. This one is made of asa (hemp) and both warp and weft are hand-plied...
A Rare Chinese ‘SHEN DE TANG BO GU ZHI’ Bowl, 16th ~ 17th Century
A fine and large porcelain bowl with a brown glaze draining from the mouth and leaving the rim with an attractive white line showing off the foliate edge. Within the foot-rim can be found the six-character mark shen de tang bo gu zhi, which may be translated, 'Antique made for the Hall for the Cultivation of Virtue'. The clear glaze has a distinct pale blue-green tinge...
An unusual Arita wall-vase, kakehana, circa 1750. The seed-shaped hollow body is moulded with trailing vines supporting a dragonfly. The painter has used two different greens, aubergine, yellow and black. The unglazed back is pierced for suspension. It is probable that this kakehana was made for the home market.
In 52 years of business I have found only two of these unusual vases, this one I kept for my collection.
Approximately 16.7cm long...
An eye-catching combination of red lacquer and gold repairs on a classic Karatsu tea bowl dating from Edo. Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century Korean potters heavily influenced the development of this form—helping to endow it with the earthy, simple, and natural qualities it is so appreciated for...
From our collection of Japanese Chawan with Christian Cross design: highly 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...
An antique Japanese hibachi (brazier) cast in bronze and hand crafted with a dragon and thunder bolts flying amidst the stormy clouds on one side and a crouching tiger with its playful partner hanging from a bamboo limb in a forest of bamboo on the opposing side. The handles feature converging phoenix birds with their tails as the apex.
Originally used as a hand warmer in a country inn (Ryokan) in Japan, in present day it can be used as a planter or decorative centerpiece of a room.
An antique Japanese Sakata Kotansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulowani) wood. All original hand forged iron hardware and natural Urushi lacquer finish. Main lock plates feature stylized Chrysanthemums and their leaves. Five drawers for spacious storage and a hinged security door that hides two small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using straight dovetail Japanese joinery and hardened wooden nails.
Age: Edo Period (1800-1850)
26 3/4" Wide by 24 3/4...
A Kutani “Yoshidaya Revival” dish, early 19th century.
The Yoshidaya kiln was a short-lived venture, situated in Yamashiro, intended to revive earlier Kutani-style wares. The founding investor was Toyota Denuemon IV (aka Sekio, lived 1751-1827), a businessman who used the professional name Yoshidaya. He chose not to situate his kiln in Kutani because of the site's remote location, but his wares emulate the earlier Kutani wares in a variety of ways.
Approximately 15...
Splendid Kuro Raku Chawan by one of the most important potters of all time, the 3rd Raku Donyu also known as Nonko. It was made around 1650 and was named 'chidori' which means 'a thousand birds' or 'plover'.
It is in great antique condition and has one of the best and finest Kintsugi gold repair landscapes I have ever seen. You can still find the tong mark on the bowl - please look at picture number 9 and 4.
Born the eldest son of Jôkei. He is also known as Nonkô, later...
