Considered auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune; foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or koma-inu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. These mythical effigies have deep religious and social symbolism and can be seen in countries across Asia.

This exquisite incense burner features three guardian shishi—one adorning the lid and one on each side—and appears to be made from cop...

Rare semi antique supplementary warp silk embroidery on handspun indigo cotton, blanket from the diverse Tai ethnic group Vietnam/Laos. I collected this in Chiang Mai around 15 years ago and would date it around 50 to 90 years old. Nowadays you just can’t find this sort of textile anymore. Some minor embroidery losses but overall in very good condition. Dimensions: 80cm/31.5in x 137cm/53in.

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. Bowls made using this technique display...

A rare Korean celadon oil jar, with small hole to mouth rim. Koryo possibly 14th century in very good condition.

A broad, tapered silver bracelet with six links, showing pierced decoration in repousse, featuring a dragon and different figural scenes. No mark, but silver tested. Condition: few traces of usage. Dimension: internal diameter: c. 5.5 cm to 6.4 cm, 5.3 cm broad, weight: 100 g.

A Large/Rare/Fine Korean Copper-Red/Bue Hae-Tae Water Dropper-19th C.: Korea, Joseon dynasty, late 19th century. An unusual large carved in the form of Hae-Tae (sea lion) with curling tail and hairs, its open round jaw forming the spout, decorated in coppter-red on the mane, and in blue on the ears, its neck wearing a large neck belt with bell, the body glazed thick white with slight tinges of blue, unglazed on the flat base. It’s in very fine condition without any repairs or cracks. It...

Width approximately 31.5 cm. Height approximately 39.5 cm. There is one part of broken on the bottom. There is one part repaired at the bottom. More pictures are available. In good condition.

Korean blue and white porcelain water dropper in a squared form. The top surface adorned with cobalt blue underglaze landscape scene of mountains and boats and its sides with cobalt blue geometric motifs. The piece stands on four L shaped feet. With old crazing.

Dimensions: 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" x 1 6/8" H

Among popular Japanese symbolic animals are frogs. There are many species of frogs in Japan as a result of flooding rice fields in Japanese agriculture. These creatures are often used in poetry and art, and are sometimes carried by travelers to make sure they return home safely from their journeys. The word "frog" in Japanese means "return" which is why the frog is considered a Japanese lucky animal and seen as good fortune in things returning.

Japanese boxwood carving of a female f...

Japanese five section lacquer inro in the hiramaki-e technique. The low relief gilt lacquer adds depth throughout the landscape composition of pine forest, distant ocean, mountainous terrain, and the famous Uji bridge. The black ground lacquer also shows the use of nashiji gold flecks creating mist and cloud formation. The interior of the compartments are covered with the nashiji gold flecks, resembling a pear skin effect. The ojime bead is of sliver and gold in the form of a laughing face of Ho...

A high grade Japanese Kura samurai saddle detailed in high relief lacquer. The maewa (front arched plate) and shizuwa (rear arched plate) display a lacquer relief carp climbing a waterfall motif. The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo) and are slotted for stirrup straps (chikara-gawa or gekiso) to pass through. Mounted on custom stand. Signed ...

Japanese Kura samurai saddle in red lacquer, with black and gilt lacquer. The maewa (front arched plate) and shizuwa (rear arched plate) are adorned with a copper inlay flying crane. The red lacquer area surrounding the crane is hand-carved with scrolling vines of flowers and shippo pattern in gilt lacquer. The maewa and shizuwa are connected by two igi (contoured side bands). The igi rest on either side of the horse's spine and serve as the under frame for the leather seat (basen or kura tsubo...

Chinese antique small display shelf with stand, made of hong-mu. A staggered shelf in the middle breaks up the square area. The front and sides of the unit is carved with delicate lined details and cusped edges. On each side of both the top and bottom shelf is a little window (four total) and the back is open. The underside of the base has a black lacquer panel painted with a butterfly and chrysanthemums.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 13 1/4" high x 12" long x 5 3/4" deep.

A pair of mounted panels painted with battle scenes from the Tales of Heike. One panel appears to take place during the battle at Dan no Ura. This painting of samurai contains the signature crest of the Heiki clan (the butterfly). The other panel is a portrait of the famous monk warrior, Benke, on horseback in the Shichi-henge form (where he carries many weapons).

The paintings are fragments of a hand fan, or uchiwa, and the surrounding paper are decorated with gold and silver le...

Chinese pair of carved jichimu wood stools. The curved legs are carved with cusped edges and narrow to lingzhi mushroom shaped feet. The seats are inset with white dali marble.

Republic Period 1912-1949

Dimensions: 18 high x 13 1/2" wide

Chinese Qing dynasty Bronze censer with xuande mark. 19,5 cm wide, 15 cm mouth diameter. 1,2 Kg weight. Censer has single dent (Please see on the photos).

What a great Chawan! Cylinder shaped (hanzutsu) tea bowl thrown on a kick wheel. The little iron oxide bearing clay has been fully (except the footring and its surrounding) covered with a wood ash glaze which reacted with the iron oxide in the clay.

The thick and glossy glaze (guinomi-de) has a fine beautiful crazing. Before the glazing a flower and patterns have been incised, which where highlited by wonderful and vivid tanpan marks ( copper green marks ).

Ki-Seto is said...

A large and rare Chinese blackwood day bed low table. This table was designed to be placed in the canopy bed for reading and eating. Date: Middle Qing. Size: L.81 cm,W.50 cm, H.31 cm. Condition: Very good. Possible old repair on top table. See last photo