Torii Kotondo
Combing Hair. From the Twelve Aspects of Women Series.
Date: 1933 (ca. 1980s edition)
Paper size: Large at 19 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Ishukankokai ("moneybag" seal).
Carver: Ito. Printer: Kajikawa.
Artist's signature and seal. Publisher's watermark below stamps.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
The color of the margin is uniformly bright on all sides. Please see adjusted lighting in subsequent photos.
Condition: Faint small dot on nose...

Kawase Hasui
Ishizue, Niigata
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.25 x 7.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Date: 1934.
This edition 1930s.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Bears the oval Hasui seal.
Reference: Hotei #352.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.
Condition: Excellent. Uncirculated.

A finely carved male ibeji, with typical coiffe, scarifications on the abdomen and the back, arms alongside the torso, standing on a rounded base. Wood, with nice dark brown semi glossy patina. Africa, Nigeria/Benin, Yoruba ethnic group. Height: 30 cm. Very good condition. Provenance: Old French provincial collection.

Muto Katei (b. 1910)
Engakuji Temple in Kamakura
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe 6mm seal, indicating an early edition.
Date: 1954
Size: Oban: Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Condition: Pristine. Never displayed. Removed from original folder for archival storage.
Muto Katei studied printmaking under Kawase Hasui.
The unusual color palette works beautifully in this image.

A beautifully sculpted image of a pheasant by Ogawa Yuhei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 37 cm long and in excellent condition.
Yuhei Ogawa (1885-1945) was born in Takamatsu, Okayama prefecture an came to pottery a bit later than most. In 1923, while working part time at the Naval Hydrographic Department, he was deeply moved by seeing the solo exhibition of ceramic sculptor Kazumasa Numata. This gave him impetus to begin sculpting in his free time...

Rare "Mbangu" deformity mask, showing a distorted face. Wood, with traces of black and white pigments. Africa, Gabon, Pende Peoples. Height: 12" (30 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Old accident restored locally, chips, age cracks, otherwise good condition. NOTE: Representations of distorted faces are rare in African art. They symbolize the effects of epileptic crisis, which are supposed to be a manifestation of the spirits...

Size: 19.5 cm high. Condition: excellent.

This striking chawan is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre...

A pair of Blanc de Chine prunis trees. One has two birds resting on it's branches surrounded by prunis blossoms. Each set in a rectangular planter with a center hole.

Age: 18th century and earlier

Size: One is 8-3/4" high by 4" wide by 3-1/8" depth. One is 7-3/8" high by 4" wide by 3-1/8" depth.

Condition: Good overall condition for their age. The branches on these are quite delicate and there has been some breakage...

A Chinese lingbi scholar's rock on fitted wood stand. The black and smooth stone of smooth, naturalistic form.

Age: Qing Dynasty

Antique Chinese porcelain waterpot handpainted in famille rose enamels on a white ground with peonies and prunus flowers with butterflies flying above. Glazed in white on the inside as well as the base. On the base is a four character Qianlong mark in overglaze blue surrounded by double borders.

Condition: Very good condition, no breaks or cracks

Size: 4" diameter

 

A Huanghuali Table Stand, Republic Period. Carved with foliate scrolls, the top of the legs with lion faces and cabriolet legs with clawed feet. 35 x 22 x 13 cm

A Huanghuali Table Stand, Republic Period. Carved with foliate scrolls, the top of the legs with lion faces and cabriolet legs with clawed feet. 35 x 22 x 13 cm

The creator of this lovely Hagi chawan, Hirose Tanga (b. 1939) is the master-potter of Tenpozan kiln in the city of Hagi. When I acquired my first tea bowl by this artist it reminded me of bowls produced by Yoshida Shuen (apprenticed under NLT Miwa Kyusetsu). As it turns out, Yoshida worked alongside Hirose in establishing Tenpozan and in training young potters in the art of “Oni” Hagi which utilizes a rough textured clay and a milky translucent glaze...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1925)
Crabs
Date: 1925.
Size: 11.25 x 6.0 inches.
"Toshi" Japanese signature and seal.
Pencil signed and titled in English.
Condition: Excellent. Small tape remnants at top back.
This is the first woodblock print created by Toshi Yoshida. He was 14 years of age.

A framed etching and aquatint print by Tanaka Ryohei. Scene of a thatched rooftop with a large flock of birds flying and trees branching out from behind the house. Signed in pencil and numbered 19/120. Dated 1994.

Framed: 22.75" high x 26.25" wide

Size of artwork: 13.5" high x 17" wide

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Crows on a Cold Night
Date: Pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 7.125 x 4.875 inches.
Shotei seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: S-19. Watanabe #173
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tiny lower left margin corner bend.