Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top and bottom drawer are decorated by large iron lock plates, incised with a bamboo forest, blossoming cherry trees, and small flying birds. The corner hardware on the face of each drawer also show floral motifs.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 33.75" L x 15.5" D x 18.75" H

Used for ceremonial purposes by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Traditionally, the jue vessel was made of bronze with a pouring spout on either end and a pair of capped posts rising from the rim. This ceramic jue cup is done in fine porcelain with underglaze enamel and is described on the tomobako as being a jue-shaped incense burner (korou). One of Chikusen’s finest works, the painting shows a pastoral scene in the countryside in Japan.

Miura Chikusen (1854 - 1915) was an exc...

A rare and nicely carved Pyu green fluorite elephant.Fluorite is one of the most collectible and highly sought after crystals in the world, loved by mineralogists and metaphysical healers alike. Its remarkable cubes are at times, almost too perfect to believe, emerging like magic treasure in matrix rock, or tightly stacked cube on cube like a futuristic city in miniature. Fluorite is an extraordinary creation of Nature, beautiful and luminous, soft and glassy, often vibrant in color.Condition:So...

Antique Japanese small tansu from the Sakata region, with original red lacquer top and sides and black lacquer front. The top drawer's iron lock plate is incised with the image of a flying crane and pine branches; The bottom drawer's lock is incised with an ancient turtle with many tails. This imagery represents good health and longevity. Key is included.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 32.75" L x 15.75" D x 20" H

Japanese 2-section isho tansu (clothing chest of drawers), from the Kyoto area. The chest is made with Sugi (cypress) wood in the original glossy red lacquer finish a lacquering process know asiro-urushi (色漆), literally "color lacquer"and has 11 drawers with charming heart-shaped keyholes and black iron warabite pulls. The top section houses a large open compartment behind two Keyaki (elm) sliding panels in a dark finish, with black lacquer frames.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)
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Antique Japanese small merchant's box. Although this tansu has the appearance of a gyosho bako (peddler's box), it does not have loops for carrying straps. It was probably custom made for a merchant's raised platform area. All of the drawers feature hand forged iron lock plates and mounts. One of the smaller drawers is stained with ink meaning it would have stored an ink pen for receipts and accounting. Made with all Kiri (paulownia) wood.

Meiji Period (1868-1912) Dimensions:...

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Egret in Rain
Size: Tanzaku. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1928.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
First edition bearing the Watanabe D seal (sausage seal) in the right margin as in the catalog example.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Bears Shoson signature and seal.
Reference: S14.3 (cat. #157) in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Con...

Antique Japanese choba-ko tansu (small merchant's chest), made of natural Kiri (paulownia) hardwood (original finish). The chest holds a large open compartment with a single shelf behind two large doors, lined with 7 outer drawers. Each drawer opens by a squared, black iron handle. The smallest bottom-left drawer acts as a money collection box, with a coin slot right above it.

Edo Period (1680-1868) c1800

Dimensions: 23" L x 8.75" D x 20.5" H

DESCRIPTION: A large and masterfully carved Chinese shou shan stone (soapstone) seal in tall rectangular form, the knob carved with a crouching dragon having both wings tucked back covering its sides, and whose mouth is poised to grasp the sacred pearl. On each flat surface of the base are engraved inscriptions and characters among idyllic scenes of rivers with boats, hills, houses and pavilions. The bottom seal characters leave a positive (red) impression. An outstanding seal in very good co...

A nice group of authentic Ming miniature glazed tomb items for taking into the next world. During the Shang Dynasty all the actual pieces were used and have been replaced with pottery figures from the original size to this size in the Ming Dynasty. Sizes: See photos. Condition: Very good.

Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th century Han Chinese woman's robe, with double dragon roundels, and embroidered sleeve bands executed in Peking stitch; ; Collar and border trims are embroidered with flowers & butterflies; backed with light pink lining. The robe is in excellent condition, , no fray or wear, shoulder lines are have no wear or split, but the lining around the neck area has tear. Measurements : Top collar to bottom hem 44", Sleeve to sleeve 59" stretched, sleeve width 16", width ...

Chinese Qing dynasty bronze censer or incense burner with poem mark at the base. Good conditions. 12 cm diameter. 392 gram weight.

Thirty six rare ancient long beads from China 2,000 to 3,000 years old or older. Will make a nice necklace. Size: See last photos

Over 100 years old, this exquisite lacquered box set was crafted in the fourth year of Taisho (1915). On the underside of the lid are painted butterflies and the sides and top of the box set feature Chrysanthemum flowers in gold, sumi, and mother-of-pearl. Long considered an auspicious symbol of longevity and rejuvenation in Japan, when first introduced to the island nation during the Nara period (710 – 793 AC), the Japanese Royal Family was fascinated with the Chrysanthemum. Over time, it bec...

Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th century Han Chinese woman's silk robe embroidered with peonies, orchids & chrysanthemums, peaches, "Buddha's Hand", butterflies, etc, smooth mid-night blue silk ground, together with matching sleeves bands; Collar and border trims are embroidered with flowers; inside backed with light blue lining. The robe is in excellent condition, lots of bright embroideries, clean, no fray or wear, shoulder lines have no wear or split. Measurements : Top collar to bottom he...

A superb Silk landscape by Akamatsu Unrei enclosed in the original signed double wooden box (niju-bako) titled ChikusoYusei-Ga. The title and style of the buildings indicate this is likely the Yusei retirement home of Iwakura Tomomi in Northern Kyoto, designated a National Historic Site in 1932. A narrow path hedged in soft greens leads to the rustic cluster of buildings with their thatched roofs lost in a sea of bamboo, the scene rising to precipitous mountains afar, a waterway in the distanc...

DESCRIPTION: An appealing green nephrite disk or bi, carved with two chilong dragons whose heads and bodies ring the edges with their limbs draping down on either side. From a mid-west collection, the design, color and form are quite pleasing and could be used as a toggle or an eye-catching pendant when incorporated into a necklace. DIMENSIONS: 2 5/8” diameter (6 cm), 2.25 oz. (64g) weight.

This finely crafted Japanese yakkan (copper teapot) shows the kind of beautiful patina that can only be achieved with time and careful used and looks to date from the Meiji period of the late 1800s.

The brilliant rich auburn color of this type of metalwork is achieved by adding smoked straw during the firing process and often deepens in character over time. The resulting stained metal canvas makes the perfect backdrop for the decorative autumn grasses, flowers, maple trees, and drif...