An exquisite dark bronze image of the deity Benzaiten playing a four stringed lute known as a Biwa signed in a cartouche inset into the base and dating from the early 20th century (Later Meiji to taisho period). The figure is 20 x 16 x 18 cm (8 x 6 x 7 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Benzaiten (or Benten) is the Japanese embodiment of Saraswati, the hindu god of the arts. Benzaiten is depicted a number of ways in Japanese art. She is often depicted holding a biwa (a traditional ...

Grapes in gold lined ocher decorate this flaring cylinder the color of a cloudy sky by Miyake Yoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nuki-e Kinsai Budomon Tsutsu. It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Miyake Yoji was born in Shimane in 1950, He studied from 1974 under Ito Kosho, establishing himself as an independent artist three years later in Mashiko. In 1979 his work was accepted into the Dento Kogei Shinsaku Ten (New...

A playfully colored lidded container in the shape of a mellon by Matsuda Yuriko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Every aspect of the sculpture has been colored, from the golden stem to the glittering seeds inside It is 31 cm (I foot) tall, 17 cm diameter and in excellent condition.
Matsuda Yuriko was born in Ashiya, Hyōgō Prefecture in 1943nd lives and works in Oshino, Yamanashi Prefecture. Yuriko is an avid exhibitor; it is a wonder she has time to do any work at all. Bot...

Japanese Late 20th Century (late Showa to Heisei Period) shigaraki ceramic vase by artist Miyoshi Kentaro (1953-2018). Small cabinet or bud vase with wonderful textured surface and splendid kiln produced glaze effect. Comes with tomobako (original wood box with artist signature and chop mark) and tomogire (original wrapping cloth with artist mark). Kentaro, born in Hokkaido, Japan, was known for making both echizen and karatsu wares, but this piece is shigaraki, as noted on the tomobako by Ke...

An antique Japanese Todana Tansu (cabinet chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hand forged iron handles including the Warabite handles. Two sliding doors behind which lies a large storage area, a lift-out door where additional storage was used and 6 drawers of varying sizes used to organize ones belongings. Side slates added strength and support. Constructed using both single and double through mortise and tenon Japanese joinery.

Age: Meiji Peri...

A Very Rare/Fine Korean Autumn Landscape Painting by 하석(霞石), 박인석(朴寅碩]-1822-?)-도화서 회원19th C, $1,500 With two red seals 霞石, 朴寅碩]. Painted in ink and light color, on paper with two seals 霞石, 朴寅碩, Painted with a scholar enjoying autumn scenery in high mountain and deep valleys, reading books at a pavilion, leaves are falling down behind a pavilion. It’s in good condition and framed, it measures 30cm x 21.5cm. About the Artist: 도화서 �...

A small song dynasty dish engraved with the lotus design in white.


Dimension:
Diameter: 14cm / 5.5 inches
Height: 2cm / 0.6 inches


Condition Report:
Other than a small chip at 3 o'clock and some minor abrasion, it does not affect the appeal and aesthetic of the dish. Such dish are quite scare to come by.

Classic semi antique Laotian textile from the Tai Daeng ethnic group. This was acquired in 1991, just when Lao was opening itself for tourism and was about 30 years old at the time so this would date pre Vietnam War era. It is mounted onto a commercial Chinese chintz cloth border (looks original), made from all hand spun cotton and silk thread in the embroidery (except for the black pattern). There is one small repair noted in enlargements. L: 148/58.2in x W: 144cm/17.2in (without border...

A dramatic Shino Mizusashi covered in flowing glaze by Sakai Kobu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 20 cm tall, 19cm diameter and in excellent condition.
“I follow no teacher. I take no disciples. Independent, I don't get along well with public exhibitions”. Kobu Sakai from Toki City, one of Japan’s ceramic heartlands, has mastered Shino through self-study. He succeeded a kiln mass producing generic pottery, but decided he wanted to make his own works. “I walked...

A Fine Korean Seascape Painting (원포귀범도(遠浦歸帆圖) by 하석(霞石, 박인석 [朴寅碩]-1822-?)-19th C. :$1,400. Painted in an Inscription and two seals, Painted with a late Summer Seascape painting - 원포귀범도(遠浦歸帆圖), a lonely scholar sailing return to village “a pavilion” from long journey in river. It’s in good condition and framed, it measures 33cm x 29cm. About the Artist: 도화서 화원 생몰년 미상 (1822-?), 19세기 중반에 활동...

Chinese Tang dynasty or Five dinasties bowl with Cikade or Butterfly motive. 13,7 cm diameter. Bowl have chipped at the rim on restorations.

Chinese Ming dynasty blue and white dish with birds Motive. 25,5 cm diameter. Dish has hairlines has been restorations.

Chinese Ming dynasty blue and white bowl with dragon motive. 15,5 cm diameter. Bowl have chipped at the rim on restorations.

A brilliantly colored bowl studded with shiseki and slashes of black by Banura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 14 cm diameter, 7 cm tall and in excellent condition.
Banura Shiro (1941-2001) was born the fourth son of influential Lacquer Artist Banura Shogo. His sensitivity to textures may stem from that exacting influence. Although his older brother succeeded the family tradition (another branching into paper arts), Shiro, after graduating the Kyoto University of ...

Solid wooden folk art carving of a giant penis. Strapped around it are red and white twisted cotton cords (imenawash) with paper strips (gohei). Penises of this size were donated to Shinto shrines dedicated to fertility, in the hopes of getting pregnant. Or they were carried around during fertility festivals.

Cryptomeria (sugi) wood, red and white cotton, paper

Japan, 20th century

H 24.5 inches (62.2 cm)

Excellent condition

Highly unusual sculpture of two natural ruyi mushrooms ‘growing’ from a piece of wood. At the foot of the mushrooms sits a small frog.
Natural piece of (drift) wood, natural mushrooms, frog of stained stag horn.
The mushrooms mounted with wire and resin.

Japan, Meiji era. Unsigned.

Ca. H 7 x W 14 x D 6 inches.

The smaller mushroom was broken off and re-attached unprofessionally.

Large incense burner in the shape of the holy Mount Fuji. At the foot of the mountain, between some pine trees rests a deer. The triple cone is the cover, in which two openings in the shape of small clouds.
Cast and patinated bronze.

Japan, Meiji/Taisho era, early 20th century

H 7.25 x W 14 x D 7.5 in.

Small casting flaw in cover, repaired (strictly speaking a casting flaw is not a damage), two larger casting flaws in bottom (not restored), a few scuffs, all in all very g...

Wall vase of irregular cylindrical shape. Middle brown stoneware with irregular natural ash glaze dripping decoration. Metal eye at the back for hanging. Marked with 3 dots at bottom, which is the mark of the Karatsu potter Nakazato Toraemon XII Muan. Japan, around 1960s/1970s.

H ca 7 in., W at foot 4 ¼ in.

Mint condition. The piece does not come with a box.

Nakazato Muan (1895-1985) inherited the artist name Taroemon XII, in 1927, following his father who was Taroemon XI. ...