A leather or skin bag with original wonderfully cast brass fittings, both ends of the chain in the form of a singha head, the mythical beast, totem for all Batak People. Shamans "datu" kept magical substances in these bags. Please compare to the "salipi" in the collection of the "Musee du Quai Branly" in Paris. Condition: wear to leather and few small holes. Dimension: leather bag: c. 30 high x 31 wide x 10.8 cm deep, chain: 2 x 44 cm long.

Beautifully plaited bamboo basket by Iizuka Sounsai of the famed Iizuka Family of reknown basket makers in the Taisho and Showa eras. Signed on the reverse with an incised signature by the artist: Kyokusho Saku or Made by Kyokusho (Iizuka Kyokusho, the go or art name of Iizuka Sounsai, active early 20th century). Late Taisho – early Showa era, circa 1920 – 1940. Iizuka Kyokusho was a brother of Iizuka Rokansai and Iizuka Hosai. He worked in Tokyo, and liked to work with slat bamboo. 12" t...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted nearly seven decades. The pieces shown here then would be from an earlier period and are evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the ones he is most well-known for. The intricate brushwork on each flask also d...

This is an antique Japanese 3 section Isho Kimono Tansu made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Each section interlocks by way of a dual carrying handle/locking bar connection. Constructed using Japanese straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails. The top section features a shelf for additional storage while the center section has three Kimono trays behind the front doors with two large drawers for additional storage in the bottom section. It was made with remo...

Length: 6.3 cm (2.6 in)
Height: 1.8 cm (0.7 in)
Depth: 2.4 cm (0.9 in)
Weight: 130 gms

Chinese bronze scroll weight of an elephant-like creature with a foo dog with its head turned toward the larger creature; Ming Period; excellent patina

An antique Japanese rare Tanuki (badger dog) that originates from the famous kiln region of Shigaraki, Japan. It was made in an Oribe glaze and it is shown holding a sake bottle in its right hand and a burl wood walking staff in its left hand. It is artist signed on the back.

The Tanuki is a shape shifter turning into various objects or people causing it to get into mischief and often comical adventures. There are many childhood Japanese stories surrounding this creature often used to ...

A fine rare three color lacquer box with cover of irregular form. Showing two pomegranate fruits borne on a leafy stem, in carved cinnabar, ochre and green lacquer, on a carved floret-swastika diaper ground. The sides of the box with hexagonal floret diaper. The base and interiors lacquered in black. These boxes are dated to the 18th century, Qianlong period. Condition: the right part of the cover with a long restored crack (could be done better) and the side as well with restored crack (see pic...

Red and Blue Rivulets drip down over green melding into the ashen gray textured glaze on this Tea Jar by Sakuchi Ensen enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 25.5 cm (10 inches) diameter, 28.5 cm (11-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. The box top is lightly stained.
Sakuchi Ensen (B. 1922) began on the path of the potter in 1946, searching to create something unusual in the hills of Okayama. His research led him to create this highly decorative yet wildly natural gl...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Magpie and Magnolia
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1931. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower left.
Shoson signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: S5.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent. Point-sized mark at bottom edge. A point of foxing at back right margin lin...

Antique Chinese small porcelain monochrome vase. Baluster form with high shoulders and tiny mouth. Glazed a subtle celadon color. A small spot on the shoulder where the glaze did not cover adds character and tells a story of the glazing process. The underside is white with two concentric blue rings.

Age: Republic Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 3 7/8" high x 2 3/4" wide

Width without stand: 17.5 cm (7 in)
Height without stand: 12 cm (4.8 in)
Depth without stand: 6.7 cm (2.8 in)
Total weight: 2.9 kg

Pair of carved Chinese russett jade birds; depicted holding sprigs of lotus in their mouths; no damage; wooden stands

A vintage Japanese 2 section Tansu chest made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nail construction. 3 drawer top section and 2 drawer bottom section. Both sections can be separated for use and display in different rooms of a home. Side handles used to carry each section from place to place with the lower section handles serving a dual purpose of also securing the top section in place.

Age: Early Showa ...

A fine deep grey Saji river stone in the form of a miniature mountain landscape with high peaks and deep ravins; looking from the front and back sides there is a long passage in between the peaks, completely natural! The stone has a perfectly fitted rosewood base, daiza. Suiseki are highly appreciated for their aesthetic or decorative value in Japan but also by collectors in the western world. It comes with an old collector storage box with a Japanese label: Old stone; three Famous Sto...

A mid century Japanese single section Kimono chest called Isho Tansu made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original hand made bronze hardware. With 2 sliding doors that cover a large storage area, 3 small side by side drawers and 2 large drawers below. Side handles allow for moving this tansu from place to place. Constructed using hardened wooden nails and Japanese joinery.Age: Showa Era (1960's)

Dimensions: 33 7/8" Wide by 37" High by 16 7/8" Deep

Antique small Hirado ware figure of a tiger. Made of porcelain and glazed white with great detail especially in the fur. Hirado ware was first developed in the village of Mikawachi located in the area of Kyushu which was, along with neighboring islands, controlled by the Hirado daimyo. Initially Hirado ware was made exclusively for the daimyo's use. Later, Hirado ware found it's way west through Japan's trade with the Dutch East Indian Company.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
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Tatsuzo Shimaoka (1919-2007) Square Bottle Vase with iconic Aka-e Designs

With tall rectangular sides, decorated with impressed rope patterns inlaid in slip and with Aka-e designs.
It is rare to see Shimaoka bottle with such design which he mainly applied for tea ware.

Tatsuzo Shimaoka was a Japanese mingei potter who studied under Shōji Hamada and later became the second Living National Treasure of Mashiko, Japan.
He was best known for his unique Jōmon zogan ...

Fine Large Chinese Western Jin Dynasty Warrior with Oxford TL Test (AD 265 - 316)

This impressive and very rare pottery model of a warrior was made during the Western Jin Dynasty (AD 265 - 316). It is quite "heavily-potted" and made from a fine-grained grey pottery that is relatively highly-fired, having an almost metallic ring to it when tapped. The surface has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment. The facial features, head and hair have been painted in a black pigment on to...

A pair small statues of a woman and a man in traditional costume, cast and cold-worked in bronze and fixed on the original wooden stand. The woman is rolling cheroot cigars and the man is smoking one. Such small bronze figurines were souvenirs and gifts from British Burma. Condition: the man's cigar is bent, the woman's bronze base with a tiny dent (please see photo no. 7), traces of usage. Dimension: total height: c. 11.3 and 11.5 cm, base: c. 11 x 8.5 cm, figure: 7.3 and 7.8 high, weight: 1'10...