Unusually large Tibetan copper and silver or silverplate mihrab form reliquary, or portable shrine box, decorated in repousse on the cover with a pattern of abstract scrolls. The back, sides, and side handles are copper. Also called a “gau,” these prayer boxes were used to hold protective amulets, personal deities, and written prayers. A strap or belt could be attached to the side handles when traveling. Otherwise, they were usually placed on the home altar. 9” high x 8” across at t...

A very elegant Japanese sand-cast iron tea kettle and brazier (furokama, fuuro-kama) of unusually small size (making water for one person). The round brazier (Furo) has an opening on each side; the kettle with a tapering top is finely cast with romping horses, loose ring handles and delicately shaped top with simple knob. The brazier with cast mark 'Nanbu, Morioka, sei(?) mitsu(koi) dou. Nanbu and Mizusawa of Morioka in Iwate prefecture (northern Japan) has been famous for cast iron wares. Mor...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a contemporary but very beautiful Burmese shwei-zawa wall hanging from Pagan, Burma, executed in brilliant gold leaf against a shiny black lacquer ground. The scene depicted is most likely something from the Jataka Tales (the stories of the previous lives of the Buddha), though we are not positive which exact scene is being portrayed. Nevertheless, this is a very fine and strikingly attractive example, and for those who understand how shwei-zawa work is crea...

Additional Photos for Satsuma Vase Item # 947590

From our Japanese Collection, a truly superb satsuma vase, Meiji period (1868-1912), of tapered hexagonal form depicting a continuous procession of figures underneath a canopy of hanging wisteria. The vase is of the highest quality, as are all of our satsuma offerings. Note in particular the exceptional gold detailing to the robes of the figures, or look for example at the detailing of the two bijins standing with the open parasol: The work is extraordinary. We hope the pictures have done this...

From our Early Chinese Collection, a rare earthenware Buddhist offering vessel dating from either the Song or Yuan Dynasty (960-1368 AD). This offering vessel is one of a group of several highly obscure and esoteric pottery pieces hailing from Yunnan Province in Southwestern China. The formal scholarship on these pieces is unfortunately thin at best, and we are currently aware of only one publication addressing these pieces at all, which is Michael Teller's Offering Vessels of Yunnan. As Teller ...

Each plate has the design of a single chrysanthemum (kiku) shifted towards the left side of the plate … but they were carved in a way that each has a life of its own. None of them look the same. The design is sharply cut into thick layers of black urushi lacquer – tsuikoku. It is known to be a difficult job – this later lead to Kamakura bori(carving) which is a technique of lacquering on carved wood. The plates are very light. It indicates a high quality, matured wood inside. The edges ...

Musha Ningyo of Shoki the Demon Queller, mid-19th Century late Edo early Meiji Period. An unusually large and early version holding a captured Oni (demon). This is a rare find for this subject. He is powerful and majestic. His face carved of wood with crystal eyes and massive beard and hair made of silk is a masterwork. He wears a Chinese cap and a robe with gorgeous, sumptuous brocades. According to Japanese folklore, the spirit of Shōki is able to scare away demons. Families with ma...

Tumulus Period (AD 250-552) Clay Haniwa (Haniwa means “circle of clay”) forms were installed in the tumuli (burial mounds) that were built throughout Japan from the Third to the Sixth centuries. The Haniwa formed part of the rites used in sending off the dead. Today, these Haniwa, made in the shape of buildings and possessions which do not exist now, and also in the form of animals and even people, show us what things were like in those times. This Japanese Haniwa of a Woman’s Head i...

Japanese Meiji Period Blue and White Arita Porcelain Sculpture of Jo and Uba, an old and wrinkled couple who care for the pine trees and gather needles in Takasago, (based on a Noh play). Jo is depicted with a rake and Uba with a broom of twigs. This famous couple symbolizes Marital Love and Fidelity, and were created by Arita porcelain masters to bring marital bliss to a home. Male: 14.5 inches (37cm) high, Female: 13 inches (33cm) high.

DUE TO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CHANGES, AND FURTHER PROPOSED CHANGES THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED OR PROMULGATED BY THE US GOVERNMENT, IT IS NOT CLEAR TO US AND MOST ANTIQUE IVORY DEALERS, EXACTLY WHERE (WHAT JURISDICTIONS), TO WHOM, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WHAT TYPE OF NEW PERMITS MIGHT BE REQUIRED FOR US TO CONTINUE MARKETING ANY OF OUR ANTIQUE IVORY PIECES FOR SALE. PLEASE CHECK BACK WITH US IN JULY OR AUGUST AFTER THE NEW RULES AND GUIDELINES ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MORE FUL...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, an exceptional and large Transitional Period (1635 - 1650) kraakware porcelain bowl of the rare Border IX Type. The center well depicts a scholar being served tea, three trapezoidal-shaped panels on the bowl's inner wall depict figures in various landscape settings, and the outside of the bowl is decorated with six additional panels of figures in various landscape settings. All scenes are separated by narrower panels of what are alternatively calle...

Small Japanese antique tansu for personal use, made all of kiri (paulownia) wood, 1 larger drawer along the top, 3 medium sized drawers down the left side, 3 smaller drawers of varying sizes down the right side, lots iron hardware including warabite shaped drawer pulls, lock plates on every drawer except the one smallest drawer, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 17 1/2" high x 23 3/4" wide x 12 3/4" deep.

Standing Seishi Bosatsu, the hands forming the gassho adoration mudra, sculpted in relief from a dense, gray-black igneous stone. Clearly dated on one side to the 17th year of the Kyoho Era (1732), mid-Edo Period. Minor old loss to the perimeter.

Height: 60.5 cm
Width: 24.9 cm
Depth: 14.8 cm.

A squarely monumental piece showcasing a delicately rendered Seishi Bosatsu in an oval frame, with irrefutable temporal provenance. Uncommon.

Japanese sword chest (katana tansu), made all of kiri (paulownia wood), 2 long drawers, iron hardware with square lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls, iron corner bracing, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size: 12 1/2" high x 47 1/2" wide x 14 1/2" deep.

Japanese antique cha tansu (tea chest) made of dark hardwood, many open shelves with decorative cut out areas, compartment on top right with sliding panels, larger compartment on the bottom with hinged doors, 2 small drawer on the bottom right, Taisho Period. Size: 45" high x 46" wide x 14 1/2" deep.

Japanese kiri (paulownia) wood trunk, original deep red lacquer finish, iron hardware, trunk has curved lid and 2 drawers along the bottom (one large and one small), Edo Period (early 1800's). Size: 26 3/4" high x 34 1/2" wide x 16 3/4" deep.

Description:
A round-shaped pottery inkstone was well preserved.
Supported by three foot which were intriguingly and characteristically in figures as crouching animal, the inkstone was mold with flat surface.
The surface was used as grinding pool for inkcake, so it was concaved in the middle.
In two-step style on the surface, the outer lower rim was designed for resting the lacquered cover which had been decayed and vanished.
Overall it was in newly-excavated condition preserved ...