This scroll contains a sutra written as [寿至蓬莱不老僊], pronounced in Japanese as “Jyu-Ita-Hōrai-Furō-Sen.” Originating from Chinese, the characters “蓬莱” refer to the mythical land of “Penglai,” home to the immortals. According to legend the trees that grow here cure all disease; there are rice bowls and flasks of wine that never go empty; and its great castles are built entirely out of gold and silver.

The brushwork is done by a Rinzai sect m...

Antique Japanese 4-panel small screen painting of landscape. Mountain landscape with rocky outcroppings, huts and trees on the edge of a wide expanse of water. A group of scholars contemplate a water fall. More figures sit outside waterside huts. A lone figure fishes from a boat. Painted in ink and light colors on paper. Signed Unkoku Toeki (1591-1644).
Unkoku Toeki was the second son of Unkoku Tōgan. (1547–1618), heir to the artistic legacy and patrons of Sesshû Tōyō (1420–15...

This piece was fired in the kilns of one of Kyoto’s most prolific Raku-yaki workshops by an artist known as Heian Shoraku. In 1905, the first generation Shoraku established a kiln near the famous Kiyomizu temple, nestled at the foot of the eastern mountains in Kyoto. In 1945, the kiln was moved to Kameoka near Yada shrine where it remains today. While not directly associated with the famous Kyoto potting family now in its 16th generation and stretching back over 450 years, this pot...

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and often adorned with intricate designs—as can be seen here with a cherry blossom motif and a what appears to be a pine-cone for a gripper—they became an essential tool in the Japanese tea ceremony. These kettles were prized not only for their practicality in boiling water bu...

Antique Chinese pair of ceramic roof tiles in the form of flying horses. Galloping through swirling clouds with back legs kicking. Glazed yellow with black details.

Age: Qing Dynasty

Dimensions: 9 1/2" high x 10 1/2" long x 5" wide

A pair of 1950’s variegated green serpentine jade stone Chinese phoenix birds with rosewood stands. The birds have great sharp details with wonderful coloring, and the polishing is simply gorgeous. The stands are deep rosewood and carved to fit each piece. In excellent condition, they measure 9.5” high on stand. Birds only measure 8" high, 4" wide, 1.5" thick. NOTE: Serpentine stone as is often referred to as "serpentine jade" due to its many similarities to jade such as its hardness, ...

Antique Chinese fudog. Carved of heavy, hardwood and lacquered red and gold. Intricate details especially in the carving of the fur.

Age: Mid-Century

Dimensions: 13 1/2" high x 25" long x 14" deep

The snuff box is made with a mold in 2 parts. On the sides are two Buddhist lion heads in relief, their eyes are made by 2 small clay balls. stuck to the slip. The decoration is painted in underglaze cobalt blue, the design is vigorous and goes to the essential, it represents 2 dragons pursuing the sacred pearl in the sky, surrounded by clouds and sparks. Below is written in 4 Chinese characters the apocryphal mark of the Ming emperor Tcheng-Hoa. The style of the dragons allows us to date this s...

Ota Shumin (1884-1950, Japanese)
Boats on River (given title).
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. 17.25 x 12.625 inches.
Signed "Shumin" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Tonal difference at edges where formerly matted. Light creasing visible in side light.
Note: Shumin participated in a painting event at the 1936 Olympics.

Fine Chinese Song Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Bowl with Moulded Floral Decoration

This fine porcelain bowl was made in the Southern Song Dynasty (AD1127 - 1279) around the 13th - 14th Century. The inner surface is decorated with a deep and crisp moulded pattern featuring lotus blossoms above which is a key fret band. Save for the unglazed rim, it is coated in a very finely-crackled qingbai glaze of a pale yellowish-green colour.

Diameter 15.5 cm (6 inches). It is a lovely example in...

Very Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Textured & Interior Glazed Porcelain Wine Cup

This extremely rare (unique?) porcelain wine cup was made during the 12th - 14th Century (Song - Yuan Dynasty). The inner surface is coated in a finely-crackled pale olive-green celadon or qingbai type of glaze. But its most interesting feature is the unglazed textured outer wall, decorated with cord or fabric impressions. There is a firing bubble to the inner surface.

Height 3.8 cm. It is in fine conditi...

Fine Small Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Celadon Glazed Porcelain Jar

This attractive small porcelain jar was made in the 12th - 14th century during the Song (AD 960 - 1279) or the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368). It is quite "heavily-potted" and coated in a thick pale olive-green glaze. The body, when soft, was indented with five wide vertical impressions to give it a lobed appearance. The foot remains unglazed revealing the pale grey body. There is a small kiln scar to the body.

Height 6.5 cm...

Fine Chinese Yuan / Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Porcelain Bowl with Incised Design

This "heavily-potted" porcelain bowl was made in the 13th - 14th century during the Yuan (AD 1279 - 1368) or early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), most likely at the Longquan kilns in Zhejiang province. The upper outer wall is decorated with an incised wave pattern. It is coated in a crackled celadon glaze of good colour. The glaze, that has a very pleasant "silky-smooth" feel to it, stops short of the foot, rev...

Fine Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Porcelain Bowl

This attractively-shaped monochrome glazed porcelain bowl with flared rim was made during the 13th / 14th Century (Late Song - Yuan Dynasty). It is coated in a glossy finely-crackled transparent pale greenish-blue qingbai glaze save for the inner surface of the small foot that remains unglazed.

Diameter 13.5 cm (5.25 inches). It is in fine condition and is free from any restoration or repair.

From a group of Song to Ming...

Chinese Song /Yuan Dynasty Qingbai Glazed Incised Porcelain Bowl (with characters)

This porcelain bowl with flared rim was made during the 12th - 13th Century (Late Song - Yuan Dynasty). It is fairly "heavily-potted" and coated in quite a dark greenish qingbai glaze that is finely-crackled. The rim edge remains unglazed and in places has fired to a deep reddish-brown. The inner surface is simply decorated with an abstract incised pattern whereas the underside is more elaborately decorated wi...

Chinese Southern Song Dynasty Moulded Qingbai Porcelain Vase

This attractive pear-shaped vase was made during the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1127 - 1279), most likely at one of the kilns in Fujian province. Interestingly it is made in several sections that have been luted together. The mid section is decorated with a scrolling lotus blossom pattern, below which is a repeating lotus leaf pattern. It is coated in a finely-crackled greenish-blue qingbai glaze that stops short of its foot. The in...

An antique Japanese Ikebana bamboo basket in an elegant satchel style with woven bamboo rope handle. Original smoked patina with flattened bamboo panels interwoven with the construction of the weave. Finished with a volcanic ash. Bottom has three bamboo slats woven into a triangular structure. Comes with lined bamboo insert.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1900)

Dimensions: 16 1/2" High by 10 1/2" Diameter

A Japanese painting of a pair of songbirds perched atop a Peony Tree. Mounted single panel using a colored Sumie technique. Silk bordered on a silver leaf background.

Age: Taisho Period (1912-1926)

Dimensions: 70" High by 28 5/8" Wide