Fine Late 19th Century Bunraku Puppet of a Sambaso Dancer. This rare Bunraku puppet is operated by three Puppet Masters, who make it come to life to present a magical theatrical experience. He is carved of wood and covered with Gofun. He wears a beautiful Robin egg blue and Saffron orange robes. His head is adorned with a silver and black hat featuring a rising sun. He is holding bells and a fan. 24.5 inches, 62cm.

An interesting Japanese puppet head of an old woman used in Bunraku, the traditional puppet theater developed in the Edo period by Uemura Bunrakuken, which the name of the puppet theater was derived from. The puppet consists of several moving parts. The head and neck are two separate pieces that move up and down. The bar on the bottom assist the puppet master to move the head in various ways and the rope as a lever. Age: 19th century. Size: Height: 11" Width: 7" Length: 4"

Japanese Buddhist Temple Carving of a Stylized Cloud Formation. This very early 16th to 17th Century carving is the oldest one we have seen, possibly from the Momoyama Period. Carved of poloma wood. A rare early work of art. 40 inches (101.5 cm) long x 12 inches (30.5 cm) high. Fine Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Beautiful antique Japanese temple scroll from the Edo period (1615 -1867). The Buddha has left his physical being and attained enlightenment. After one of his close followers prepares a bed under the sal trees for him, the buddha dies. All the beings of the earth, good, evil, divine, and animal mourn his departure. The buddha is painted in gold leaf. Sumie ink and mineral colors. Provenance: from a Montclair, California estate. It measures 46" wide by 94" long.

Japanese Buddhist devotional plaque made of bronze with design of lotus blossoms and braided cord tied in a bow. This keman would have hung in a temple as an offering for the Buddha. Age: Meiji Period (19th century). Size: 14.50" high x 10.25" wide.

A long handled bronze mirror Kagami-e decorated with a representation of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Dai Butsu Kamakura, set against a nashiji style ground suggestive of small billowing clouds. The handle terminating with a representation of a Temple Bell. The mirror is a so-called Makyo or magic mirror, when a strong light source at a certain angle is placed in front of the mirror an image of the Buddha Amida is projected (see last image). This mirror dates to the middle of the 19th cen...

Japanese tall brown Lacquer on wood Candlestick, 28" high, 12" diameter-base diameter, 4" diameter-top, attached brass round dish on top and brass hook on the side. Lacquer surface shows wear and tear, as is condition.

A simple bronze with mixed metal applied to the surface utilizing the method known as zogan where gold and silver is used to apply the decoration and is fired on the surface. The motif is a plum branch with a bird known as an onagadori which is similar to a rooster, but is a distinct bird found in Japan. Piece is signed by Mitsufune. Age: 20th century/ Diameter: 2.25" Heigh: 6.25"

Hishaku-gata style yatate in bronze with brown patina. The hishaku-gata style was developed at the beginning of the Edo era, in the 17th century. It is characterized by an ink compartment (sumi tsubo) in the shape of a ladle. Here it is decorated with a frog.
The frog (kaeru) is associated with luck and wealth. Kaeru means both "frog" and "coming home" in Japanese. This extension of meaning is due to the ability of the frog to return each year to the pond of its birth. A gong in the shape ...

Japanese Bronze woven Pot, Meiji period, 1890-1900, with attached dark Metal "Cicada" outside the pot, resting on three(3) bright Brass Feet, 2 1/4" high, 2" diameter-top, Cicada is cling onto woven bronze wire Pot. Shows old wear and patina.

Japanese Bronze "Signed" Water Dropper, Ca. early Meiji or earlier, beautiful old Bronze Patina with little square raised opening on the top center plus little chimney on the side where water is pouring out little at a time, rectangle shape, 2 1/8" x 1 1/4" wide, 3/8" high, impressed signature on the bottom.

Antique Japanese globular bronze vase. Very simple with 3 raised koi fish swimming together and cresting the surface of the vase as if it were water. The raised details of their eyes are highlighted with gold inlay. Signed Shihou and dated July 18, 1926.

Taisho Period

Dimensions: 9 1/2" high x 12" wide diameter

Japanese bronze vase with a wide, flattened body shape, the tall cylindrical neck rendered with bamboo stalk texture. The handles of the vase are a pair of leaping rabbits over low relief waves. The foot of the vase is imprinted with the artist cartouche.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 7 1/2" x 7" x 6"

A small Japanese bronze vase, finely cast with lotus blossoms in relief. The upper and lower body cast with bands of archaic scrolls. The side handles are dragon heads with hanging rings. The side is marked with artist's two character seal.

Dimensions: 2 3/4" W x 4 1/2" H

Antique Japanese bronze vase, beautiful shape and subject matter, 3 koi swimming together, slightly raised with gold inlaid eyes, unusual rim of vase looks like surface of swirling water, beautiful and subtle, bottom of vase signed: Kano, comes with original signed tomobako, Meiji Period (c1900). Size: 11" high x 10" wide diameter.

Tall dark bronze vase decorated with a bas-relief depicting irises (hanashobu) ; the rim with an openwork border with maji-motive.

Bottom marks : Kakuha-Sei, the mark of Sano Takachika, Kakuha Kanzaemon IX (角羽勘左衛門 - active early Meiji period). In 1869 he started a bronze-ware business in Yokohama.

Japan – Meiji (1868-1912)

Height: 15.7 in. (40 cm) – Diameter: 7.9 in. (20 cm)
Netherlands Private Collection

Japanese bronze vase of a pear form, with a narrow, ridged rim, and applied green pigment to enhance the patina. Its front bears a large incised peony with leaves and a small flower bud at its sides. Included is a wooden storage box. Size: 7.75" height, 8.75" width

Vintage bronze vase with patterns of butterflies made by an artist named, Nobuharu. The piece contains an inscription dating to March of 1953 where students from Tojo Photo Studio gave the vase to their teacher in celebrating the 40th anniversary of their studio. Age: Late Showa era (1953) Size: Diameter: 13.5" Height: 10.5"