A fine daisho pair of Akasaka school iron sukashi tsuba. The concentric rings motif reminds of kamon designs but also could be symbolic of the rings on a Buddhist monks prayer staff. Very good spatial design consistent with earlier, sophisticated yet austere samurai taste. These started life together for use on the long and short sword pair. Circa 1700. Excellent condition and consistent as a pair in all respects. Larger, 2 15/16 by 2 7/8 inches. Smaller, 2 13/16 by 2 3/4 inches.

A matched pair of iron tsuba. Wasp and antler motif. Relates to a Japanese saying (we’ll research and get back with an account). Not a true daisho pair, the workmanship and subject are more than just close enough to appropriately use well on daisho swords. Edo period Shoami work, circa 1800. I’ve also seen this motif attributed to Kanayama (the surface texture would be consistent). There could be overlap as Shoami was more a movement than a region-bound school. Good condition. Comparable dimension for each, about 3 1/4 inches high by 3 1/8 inches wide. One round and spatially larger.

Daisho ko-Shoami marugata form (round) tsuba. Gunbai-uchiwa motif (gunbai referring to a war signal fan and uchiwa referring to the form of the fan). A pair being understood as a daisho (though one tsuba being for the longer of two swords, and the other for the shorter sword, they are more often than not graduated in size). These started life together. It also being understood that a ko-Shoami tsuba would be iron - the Shoami tsuba movement issuing from armor makers and “ko” (old) relating these tsuba to earlier in that movement. Good, simple, Samurai taste of the late Muromachi era. 16th century. Good condition. Larger, between 3 1/8 and 3 3/16 inches diameter. Smaller , between 2 7/8 and 2 15/16 inches diameter. Thickness each, about an 18th inch.

A set of five Ao-Kutani palette rhombus form mukozuke. Hydrangea and butterfly decoration in blue, teal, chartreuse, aubergine and yellow enamels. The verso with chidori and waves in green outside the foot and yellow with green Fuku mark inside the foot. Uncommon to encounter an original set of five still together. Good condition with varying states of kiln residue. Probably mid 19th century (post Yoshidaya). Each length just over 7 inches. Each width just over 6 inches. Each height from foot just over 1 inch.

Federal mahogany pembroke table. Nicely proportioned with spacious, shaped top. Line inlay decoration on top, drawer, case and legs. New England (probably Massachusetts), early 19th century. Good, serviceable condition. One leg restored. Refinished, nice light tone. Later drawer pull. Height, 29 inches. Length, about 33 inches. Width, 21 1/4 inches.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this table

A 17th century Chinese blue and white porcelain brushpot (bitong). Waisted cylindrical form raised on ring foot. Blue underglaze literati decoration of two figures on boat in landscape. Transitional between late Ming dynasty and early Kangxi period, Qing dynasty. A star crack on the bottom with old repair (see enlargement images from bottom and interior) and a small, tight hairline from the rim (also imaged). Otherwise good condition. Height, 5 7/8 inches. Rim diameter, about 4 1/16 inches.

A Hepplewhite manner server. Having the form and proportions of a sideboard but of much smaller size. Stringing, banding, fan inlay and figured drawer fronts grace the elegant, minimalist shape. Would serve nicely in a small dining space or handsomely in any space as an occasional, writing or dressing table. With mahogany and satinwood veneer over nicely oxidized striped pine (not to mention shape and proportion), we lean toward an English, late George III period attribution - early 19th century. Good, serviceable condition with minor veneer losses and later pulls. Height, 31 1/4 inches. Length, 42 1/2 inches. Depth, 15 1/2 inches.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this server

A very finely made Satsuma alms bowl form kōro (incense burner). Clear glaze pooling to a light, warm green tea tone over the off-white earthenware body. The reticulated surface of the vessel enclosing a smaller, solid surface to hold burning incense (a technical feat demonstrating the imagination and skill of the potter). Relief key fret band around the rim and comb pattern around the base. Similar relief decoration on three shaped feet. The cover a single reticulated surface allowing essence from the incense to pass. An unglazed ring on the bottom, centered within the three feet, surrounding a smooth surface where at least two incised kanji characters are almost legible under the glaze near one of the feet. With fitted wood box, the cover inscribed ‘Satsuma [?] kiln, basket weave incense burner’ and signed ‘Gyokumeizan’ (a celebrated line of ceramists), each with seal stamps. “Satsuma” is the old name of the province and the namesake of its ceramic tradition. We are not sure if “Satsuma” on the box is reference to a municipality or a market enterprise (as the trailing kanji character could be the same for ‘city/town’ or for ‘market’). We believe this tour de force to be about Taishō era. Condition is good. The reticulated work of the top has one tiny surface loss which does not disrupt the pattern and is barely discernible. The side of the vessel has one spot of thicker glaze softening the definition of the reticulation with opacity at that point. Diameter, about 5 inches. Height (covered), about 4 inches.
Ex collection, Robert Berg (Ichiban Antiques)
Ex collection, David Callens (Meiji Bijutsu)

A Hepplewhite mahogany shield back chair. Carved wheatsheaf motif splat. The frame of the back, and the supporting stiles, are scribed inside the edges. The work of an able furniture maker of the late 18th century to earliest 19th century, made in the popular manner of Hepplewhite. We favor an American Federal attribution. Secondary wood is a darkly oxidized hardwood with hand kerfs and planing. Peeling back the under lining more wouldn’t help us with identification. Good condition with old surface and with no losses or restoration. Expected movement and minor stress of the wood. A strongly made, handsome and serviceable chair, complementary to any period interior. Back height, 36 1/4 inches. About 17 1/2 inches to the upholstered seat. Seat depth about 17 inches. Seat width about 18 1/2 inches at the front.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this chair

A large Japanese footed dish. Ao-Kutani palette polychrome enamel Chinese style decoration of a fisherman in landscape and the crimped cavetto with karakusa pattern with three pomegranate and stem reserves. A chocolate brown glazed rim. The back with two prunus sprays and the base with blue underglaze double ring and Fuku mark. Subtle, broad chatter marks can barely be seen within the foot under the glaze. “Ao” refers to blue and complimentary colors yellow, green, aubergine and iron red enamels used on a matte white glazed biscuit porcelain. Ao-Kutani and Ko-Kutani are often confused. “Ko” refers to old Kutani (at least 17th century). Most, not all, Ko-Kutani pieces are in the Ao palette. An entrepreneur going by “Yoshidaya” revived the Ko-Kutani tradition in the 19th century and all such works are in the Ao (blue) palette. A 19th century example similar to this dish (same motif) can be seen in The Met, accession #91.1.144 (Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891), in their Gallery 199 as of this writing. This dish is probably a bit later and is in excellent condition. About 9 3/4 inches diameter. Stands just over 2 inches from the foot.

A nicely proportioned, elegant Sheraton cellarette. The case joined to the framed base, raised on turned legs. Escutcheon with associated lock but no key. Bottom of the case interior fitted with 4 1/2 inch high dividers for eight bottle positions. Old finish. Appears to be white pine secondary with a red paint wash and quite oxidized on the underside. Looking at our picture of the underside, one board from the back of the supporting frame can be discerned as a replacement. Also from that image, an illegible (to us) maker’s scrawl, large across the bottom of the case, is observed. We believe this cellarette is American Federal rather than English late Georgian. Circa 1820. Good condition. Easily holds champagne and other 750ml bottles. An easily placed size at 26 1/2 inches high, 20 inches wide and 11 1/4 inches deep.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this cellarette

An unusual and fun Kakiemon dish. Decoration in underglaze blue, persimmon red, teal and yellow-green enamel. The rim meticulously lined with chocolate brown enamel resist before adding the glaze. A central ‘Ju’ character similarly encircled with a band of persimmon red enamel resist on the biscuit before glazing. The porcelain surface exhibits an early feel (I think of it as a fine ‘pear skin’ texture) that later production doesn’t achieve. The ‘Ju’, or ‘Toshi’, kanji character is a celebratory wish here for longevity. This would not be unusual in context of a superior’s or esteemed’s birthday. There is some precedent for longevity motif from Chinese doucai porcelains, with stylized ‘Shou’ character (the same as for ‘Ju’), of Qing dynasty China (from which much decorative arts influence has conveyed to Japan over the centuries). The surrounding chrysanthemums number twelve, each with 12 main and 12 overlapped petals (24 petals each). The main imperial line would use 32 (16 petals and 16 overlapped petals). The use in this case could relate to a lesser line of the family, a feudal lord or it may be simply an exuberant expression. A group of five kiln spurs appear within the foot revealing the well refined kaolin retaining light, fine grit from the kiln. Edo period, first half 18th century. A small round chip just inside the rim, otherwise good condition (an excellent candidate for 'kintsugi'). Diameter, about 9 1/2 inches

This Federal lift-top chest with lower drawer reminds of southern American sugar chests. With proportions being comparable, this low-height chest is more formal with mahogany, on the small side and without a divided top compartment. With yellow pine secondary wood, the frame is raised on french feet. Sourced from Middleburg, Virginia. The line of inlay across the front of the lift-top is old but not original (old hinge marks showing that the top was reversed back to front at some point). The other inlay was replaced by us to fill routing where inlay (probably also added later) was missing. The front pulls were added to replace cheap Chippendale style brasses which weren’t appropriate. We’ve used it as a cellarette. Wine bottles fit perfectly in the drawer (as you can see from one of our pictures). Other practical uses may have been as a silver chest or a campaign chest. The top compartment with lift top is likewise well proportioned to take accessories, wine bottles on their side and other, smaller bottles standing upright. Good, restored condition. Height, 27 7/8 inches. Width, 23 3/16 inches. Depth, 17 1/16 inches.

An appointment would be necessary to inspect this chest

A small Japanese porcelain footed dish. Chrysanthemum sprays in the cavetto, issuing from the rim. Butterflies further adorn the bowl. Probably late 19th century Koransha production. Some Nabeshima characteristics are used including the deep form of the dish, the tall foot with comb pattern, precious objects decoration around the outside, partial blue underglaze decoration in the bowl finished with polychrome enamel, and cash motif along the flattened rim. Departure is made from Nabeshima style, however, with the prolific use of various colors and abundant details. Excellent condition. Dimensions will be added later.

A Federal sewing table of elegant form. Mahogany legs and mahogany veneered skirt - both with string inlay. Stylized, bentwood stretchers with mahogany veneer bracing the graceful, tapering legs. The top a later replacement and the key escutcheon without a lock mechanism. Early 19th century and later. Refinished. Serviceable condition. Height, 31 1/4 inches. Width 18 5/8 inches. Depth, 14 3/8 inches.

This table may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland

A George III mahogany table. The pie crust tilt on turned pedestal with three legs terminating on slipper feet. The form and style generally known by reference to Chippendale. The size between what might be used for wine or for tea. 18th century. Fair and serviceable condition with an old repair to the base of the column and to one foot. Height, 27 inches. Diameter, about 24 1/8 inches.

This table may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland

Federal card table. Figured mahogany single board top leaves and legs. Crotch mahogany veneered skirt. The shaped top leaves with reeded edges. The skirt frame conforming in shape, joined legs with carved flower head decoration within rectangular reserves over tapering, reeded legs on turned feet. Probably Philadelphia based on the form and feeding. Circa 1815. Good condition with some minor veneer loss along the skirt edging. The top with minor stressing of the wood. Height, 29 2/2 inches. Width, 35 1/2 inches. Depth, 17 3/4 inches.

This table may be inspected at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Maryland

The small, scalloped bowl with persimmon, light teal and yellow floral decoration with red and black outline. A molded decoration of dragon with jewel in the center. A nicely executed chocolate brown rim consistent with tradition. The verso plain and exhibiting impurities and open bubbles in the white glaze. Raised on a ring foot exposing a relatively refined clay. This could be work from another Arita kiln, but perhaps as likely relaxed Kakiemon production after collapse of the supporting export market. We estimate later 18th century. Good condition. Diameter, 5 1/2 inches. Stands about 1 and 1/2 inch from the foot.