Antique Tibetan kangling, a trumpet made for use in Buddhist chöd rituals and funerals. The kangling was played by the practitioner as an act of fearlessness and compassion, drawing out the hungry spirits so that they may have their suffering relieved. Kangling, which literally translates as "leg flute", were traditionally made of either a human tibia or femur and preferably that of a criminal or someone who died a violent death. The leg bone of a respected teacher was also acceptable. ...

An antique Japanese Omise Tansu (merchant storage chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Consisting of 15 total drawers, it was used in a merchant store setting to organize and keep inventory available for sale. The upper counter was used for the display of wares and the wrapping of sold items. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Warabite handles.

Age: Meiji Era (1880-1890)

Dimensions: 69 5/8" Wide by 26 3/4" High by 15 7/8" Deep

An antique Japanese large Taiko drum made of lacquered hardwood and leather with hand forged iron nails and holding rings. It would make a great side table adding an optional round glass top. When struck, it carries a thunderous sound that would reverberate in any room.

Age: Late Meiji/Taisho (1910-1920)

Dimensions: 30" Diameter by 28 1/2" Long

Antique Japanese okimono depicting a pair of cranes on a rock. Waves wash around the rock near an ancient turtle. Made of bronze and silver with polychrome details. This sculpture is an elegant representation of the traditional longevity phrase: “cranes live for one thousand years, and turtles for ten thousand.” On the back of the rock is a large, 4-character cartouche the first part of which reads: 般若 Hannya. The next 2 characters are more difficult to read. Perhaps: 糸ito 雲 k...

Shotei Takahashi (Hiroaki) (1871-1945)
Bridge in the Snow
Date: Almost certainly pre-earthquake 1910s.
Size: Oban. 14.125 x 9.625 inches.
Shotei seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: O-30 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top back margin has paper residue. Creasing at upper left and lower left corners. Fading.
- This print features applied gofun snow. The rarity of this print suggests that it wa...

Today I would like to introduce another talented potter living outside of the traditional potting centers. This is a beautiful Nezumi Shino (Gray Shino) chawan by Sagae Eimei, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. This has an immediacy which speaks of our era, yet is based firmly in the pottery of the Momoyama period. It is 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter, 9.5 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Sagae Eimei was born in Yamagata prefecture in 1949. Upon graduatio...

Classic Nephrite Cong. This is oldest Chinese form still used in its art today. The earliest examples were from the Liangzhu Culture circa 3400 BCE. It’s theorized that the square outer shape represented the while the inner round shape represented the Heavens. Nice nephrite jade - very smooth and tactile may be used as a toggle or scholar’s contemplation piece. H: 5.7cm/2.3in and W: 2.7/1.1. 72 grams.

Old nephrite chord fastener, this shape and style are usually associated with horse tack and bridles. This archaic style has been found in the Tang and Liao periods. L: 2.7cm/1.1in, W: 2.1cm/o.8in and 1cm/0.4in thick. 12 grams.

Hexagonal pewter teapot inlaid with brass panels engraved with birds, plants and fruits, all with their own auspicious meaning. Qianlong period (1736-1795). H. 24 cm. Good condition with good age wear and patina. There is a mark on the inside of the lid. I’ve collected this piece in Beijing in the late 90’s and kept it in my private collection ever since.

Statue of a Taoist deity ("fashi"), in formal attire, sitting on a throne, holding his commandment baton in his right hand and a bowl containing the lustral water in his left. Wood, coated with traces of polychrome painting. Votive box at the back, lid missing. China, early 19th century, maybe earlier. Height: 20.7 cm. Abrasion due to age otherwise very good condition.

A heavily potted porcelain jar, made in two horizontal parts, with an underglaze blue floral decoration. South Chinese work from the 16th/17th century. H. 21 cm, D. 19 cm. Condition: very good, no damage or repairs, the glaze is a bit dull and has craquelé because this jar was excavated and spent 4 centuries under the soil. Provenance: in my private collection since I found this jar in Beijing in the late 90’s.

Karatsu pottery is one of most desired pottery type in Japan based in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture since 15th century.
It is made from high in iron clay often decorated with an iron-based underglaze, giving an earthy and natural feeling to the fired items.

Width 6.6cm
Height 3.4cm
Weight 73g

No cracks. No chips.
Supplied with wooden box with the label "Ko Karatsu"

An antique Papau New Guinea Yipwon figure of the Alamblak people. Anthropomorphic opposing hook style hardwood carving. A large one such as this was collectively owned by clans and worshipped to bring victory to battles and success during hunting. The Yipwon is the patron spirit of warfare and hunting. Custom metal fabricated stand supports the figure.

Provenance Handley Collection

Age: 19th Century

Dimensions: 12" Wide by 76 1/2" High by 12" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Gifu Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hikute handles and the full moon lock plates. Upper section has 2 sliding doors with spacious storage behind and two side by side drawers below. The bottom section has 5 drawers of varying sizes, a large storage space covered by 2 sliding doors, a hinged security door that hides 2 small drawers where valuables were ke...

An antique Japanese 3 section Isho Tansu (Kimono storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Original hand cast bronze hardware including the Warabite style handles. Top section has two sliding doors behind which lies a half split level shelf with three side by side drawers below. The center section features 3 drawers and the bottom section has 2 larger drawers for spacious clothes storage. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Taisho P...

Belt buckle in iron inlaid with flowers and iges in bronze or brass. Central Asia or Caucasus 18th century or earlier. 95x80mm

An antique Japanese Ikebana basket in a cylindrical form woven in a herringbone pattern. 6 vertical bamboo supports with flared feet connected with a lucky turtle weave at the base and a woven coin half the way up the side. The turtle would represent longevity and the coins would symbolize prosperity. With a star crossed base and two ring handles.

Age: Early Showa Period (1930's)

Dimensions: 9" Diameter by 18" High

Jade water bucket in form of amusing toad.Inlaid with yellow metal. It is impossible to check if it is gold because it would be necessary to tear off encrustations to test ,however the object has not been cleaned for several years and only gold can remain shiny, bronze or brass would have oxide. The metal wires in some places are split in half lengthwise, which is probably due to a certain technique? The work is very neat, underneath there are traces of tools which should help a specialist. The ...