A fine and unusual Hizen-yaki, Kakiemon type, small foliate dish. Chocolate brown rim in iron oxide. Unusual blue and white decoration of a samurai with a young monk across the saddle on horseback - bow drawn to ward off pursuing Buddhist monk. This appears to depict one of many tales of old Japan - perhaps The Take of the Heike as relates to Minamoto Yoshitsune and the warrior monk Benkei. A reading of the kanji may shed light. The back with auspicious symbols, key foot rim, and two character mark in underglaze blue inside the unglazed ring foot. Ca 1800. Good condition. 5 inch diameter.
An interesting Hizen-yaki, Arita kilns foliate rimmed bowl. Center decoration of a Chinese scholar in tropical landscape. The cavetto and exterior decorated in the Kraak manner. A spurious four character Xuande mark on the bottom, inside the unglazed high foot rim. 19th century. Good condition. Diameter, about 6 5/8 inches. Height, about 2 2/8 inches.
A fine pair of Hizen-yaki, Arita kilns blue and white porcelain dishes in the Kakiemon style. The molded, spiral foliate cavettos sporting similarly shaped undulating shonsui panels with ‘three friends of winter’ decoration and other, typically shonsui shape patterns. The Peony motif centers surrounded by a band of auspicious symbols in shironuki. Chocolate colored, iron-oxidized rims. The unglazed foot rims encircle glazed bottoms with chatter marks nearly reaching the blue underglaze Fuku marks. Four kiln spurs on the bottom of one dish, five kiln spurs on the other dish. Edo period and probably Ca 1800. Both in good condition. Diameters about 8 1/8 inches and 8 1/4 inches.
A good, small Japanese cloisonne vase. The alternating dragon and phoenix chevron panels symbolize harmony and balance. Lots of engaging, balanced color. Sparkling goldstone embellishment technique demonstrated in backgrounds below the shoulder and in decorative details around the waisted neck. Ginbari (enamel over silver foil) technique demonstrated around the shoulder with opaque sakura and karakusa decoration floating over the clear red background offset by the underlying foil. It's one of those seemingly simple objects that is immediately, visually alluring and then even more captivating as the multiple techniques and attention to detail is appreciated. Meiji era (1868 - 1912). Very good condition. Height, 4 13/16 inches (12.22 cm)
For the tea and cloisonne collector: A signed totai cloisonne on Kyoto ceramic cha-ire (tea jar). Decoration in red, black rose, pink, green, blue and yellow of flowers, butterfly and other motifs on blue background. The jar with both lid and cover. Late Meiji era (1868 - 1912). Good condition. Height, 3 5/8 inches (9.2 cm)
A fine, small ginbari cloisonne vase with pale blue, silver background and peonies decoration; one panel with pale purple background and bird, bamboo and flowers decoration; and another panel with blue background and flowers decoration. Impressed artist's mark on the metal base. Meiji period (1868 - 1912). Good condition with tiny, oxidized pinholes in the enamel surface from the firing (not detracting from condition or presentation). Height, 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm)
The large vase with silver wire cloisonne on ceramic with "tree bark" textured surface. Decoration of butterflies and peonies, with the blooms depicted in enamel tones of sienna, umber and dark mica, and the stems and leaves in dark green - almost black. The body of the vase covered with a dark, warm brown lacquer on intentionally course texture like tree bark - which it emulates. The Kyoto, crackle glazed greyish porcelain body visible from the foot. Taisho era (1912 - 1926). Good condition. Height: 12 1/2 inches (31.75 cm)
A Japanese totai cloisonne (on ceramic body) bottle vase. Blue, white, rose, green, red and yellow enamel decoration of flowers. A silver rim encasement original to the vase. Good condition. Height: 5 inches
A teal colored cloisonne enamel vase with peony and vine decoration within fine silver wire and with subtle blue on yellow hues accenting the petals and leaves. Two character signature on the silver footrim and in the box (and with printed material) accompanied when acquired. Excellent condition. Height, 8 1/2 inches
Small Chinese Bi-form white jade ornament in the Mughal manner with cupped chrysanthemum petals in three, concentric, graduated circles surrounding a cross-hatched, pierced center. The flat verso cupped slightly toward the face along the rim, with small drilling (exhibiting hand craftsmanship) either side of the central aperture and with the surface exhibiting natural texture of the hand worked surface. Qing dynasty. Good condition. Diameter 2 1/8 inches.
A scarce and nicely formed bronze netsuke. The sculptural group depicts festival musicians playing a Taiko drum and Shinobue flute - the drum player with mask pulled back. Nicely detailed, down to the fingers and expressions of the musicians. The himotoshi is formed by the extended arm of one figure supporting the figure atop the Taiko. Edo period, 19th century. Good condition with rich, natural patina. Height, 1 5/8 inches
A rare late Koryo dynasty Punch’ong bottle vase. Olive toned green ware glaze simply but finely decorated with off-white skip within carved pattern. Height, about 3 5/8 inches. Excellent condition and conveying with Japanese collector’s box. 14th century
A large Korean black lacquered wood box with mother of pearl inlay. The depiction of pairs of cranes and songbirds within the decorative panels likely relevant to a wedding gift.. Joseon dynasty, 19th century. Condition is fair to good, with some some light loss to inlays and minor distress from age and use. From the hardware, 19 1/4 inches wide, 10 1/8 inches deep, 10 3/4 inches high.
A Japanese woven bamboo reed ikebana basket. Of small size and fine work. Having handled a good number of ikebana baskets over time, this one strikes us as quite sophisticated. Of baluster form, meticulously consistent woven pattern, defined foot and rim, sparse and well balanced decorative intertwined bamboo shoots across the face, and confidently woven handles. Excellent condition. Height, 8 inches.
A finely carved Suzhou school agate snuff bottle. Decoration of figures, picked out from natural colors of the stone, in landscape of hilly bluffs with overhanging pine and whispy cloud. Based on the gourd in the sash of the larger figure - possibly depicting the immortal, Le Tieguai. Nicely defined foot rim. The top rim with broad, just slightly concave surface. Very well hollowed. Height of bottle without cap, 2 5/8 inches. Height with cap, 3 1/8 inches. Excellent condition of the bottle.
The top is also in good condition but the bone spoon is a bit short and wrapped tape keeps a snug fit to the bottle. The top may be a replacement.
A well made 19th century Japanese porcelain haisen (sake up rinser on stem foot). Rare Shunga decoration depicting a bondage scene within the bowl. The manner of the painted decoration in comic fashion similar to that found on some shunga makimono. Shunga paintings and prints are rare enough but encountered. Edo period porcelains with shunga decoration are exceedingly rare. Good condition. Height, 4 1/2 inches. Diameter, 6 3/4 inches.
A good Chinese boxwood carving of Budai. Three children clamor over him. A bat appears on his right hand. Bone and horn inlays detail his eyes and teeth. Rich, mellow old patina. Nice grain figure in places. Late Qing to early Republic. Ca 1900. Very good condition with typical minor distress checks in the old hardwood surface. Remnants of old label. Height, about 4 5/8 inches high.
A pair of boldly carved pale blue peking glass vases. Birds in flowering branches. Good condition. Height, eight inches. Early 20th century, Republican era.
