Fine iron jizai of a butterfly with articulated wings.

The butterfly (choho) in Japan is perceived as "the soul of the living and the dead", the spirits of the dead taking the form of a butterfly on their journey to the other world. The butterfly spreading its wings is a symbol of femininity. It can also symbolize joy and longevity. This last motif is taken up by the samurai, seeing in its twirling figure a motive of good omen allowing them to reach immortality. The...

These pieces are a part of smoking set tabako-ire. It consists of a kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of a tonkotsu(tobacco pouch) in black lacquered crocodile leather. Both parts are bound by a leather link decorated with a red stone ojime.

The tonkotsu is decorated with a menuki (metallic decoration) gilded and skated copper. The menuki has the form of a sitting cross-legged man, joint hands, hidden by the long and wide sleeves of its coat. His eyes a...

Sculpture in chiselled and stained wood representing a hare lying down.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to...

Chiseled wood sculpture representing a sitting hare.

In Japanese, the hare and the rabbit are designated by a single word: usagi. The hare occupies an important place in Japanese legends and superstitions. Like many other animals, it is supposed to reach a fabulous age and become blue at five hundred years old. In Far Eastern art, it is often depicted with the moon, an association that seems to have its raison d'être in an imaginary line that we want to see in this star...

Wooden netsuke of the demon Oni hiding in a foot warmer (anka) in order to protect himself from the bean seeds that are thrown at him. The beans are represented by two inlaid stones. His right arm stands out, a part of his head is visible through a small hole in the foot warmer.

The Setsubun festival came from China it is introduced in Japan around the 8th century. Its celebrates the arrival of spring. On this occasion, Japanese households expel bad luck and invite ...

Funny brown-patinated bronze featuring a mouse standing on its hind legs on a squash.

Japan – Meiji (1868-1912)

Height : 14 cm (5.51 in) - Length : 24 cm (9.45 in) – Width : 8 cm (3.15 in)

Very beautiful Japanese table with four legs in gold, black and brown lacquer with two richly decorated tops. The upper tray presents a decoration of bats, kumori (蝙蝠), in flight in gold hiramaki-e lacquer on a brown lacquer background. The openwork side panels feature the same motif. The lower tray and the legs display a decoration of moving or lying sika deer (鹿), also in hiramaki-e gold lacquer on a black lacquer background.

This small piece of fur...

Rectangular and flat lacquer Kobako (small box) representing a furoshiki knot seen from above. Fundame background, furoshiki in takamaki-e with floral pattern, inside the folds of the fabric with black and gold sayagata pattern with togidashi maki-e technique. The saya (or sayagata) pattern is composed of Chinese swastikas. This symbol, linked to Buddhism, represents qualities of intelligence, strength and peace. It is a sign of good o...

Pair of ceramicware toads with three legs on their bases engraved in wood. One of them holds a pearl in his mouth.

The tree-legged toad, derived from Chinese mythology, is a Feng Shui symbol representing prosperity and wealth. Chan Chu, the three-legged toad, is mentioned by the poet Qu Yuan in Chu’s Songs. He compares the moon to a toad with a rounded body, whose three legs represent the three lunar phases.

According to some authors, the toad on the moon is no...

Antique Japanese stoneware jar from Shigaraki kiln. Beautifully uneven form with high shoulders, tapered body and a narrow foot. Made using the local sandy clay from the bed of Lake Biwa, Shigaraki ware is identified by the embedded granules of feldspar. Mineral glaze is spattered over the surface and areas of dark ash adds depth and a prized natural beauty. Shigaraki is known as one of the 6 great pottery regions of Japan.

Age: Edo Period (c. 17th century)

Dimensions: 17" hi...

Antique Japanese iron tomyodai Shinto votive candle holder in the form of a hoju (precious jewel). 12 circular rings for candles and one at the very top of the jewel's point. Attached to a stand with four feet and a rectangular tray to catch the wax from melting candles. From a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine.

Age: Meiji Period (circa 1900-1910)

Dimensions: 25 1/2" high x 17 1/2" wide x 8" deep

Antique Chinese carved jade snuff bottle. An even pale green jade carved with peaches on one side and four characters on the other. The jade is an even tone accented by two slightly diagonal striations running through. The lid is a mottled yellow glass and bronze with a bronze spoon.

Provenance: Howard Capland Collection

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 2 1/4" high x 1 7/8" wide x 3/4" deep

Antique Chinese densely rutilated quartz snuff bottle. Simply oval form with low foot. Subtle flashes of rainbow. Coral lid with bone spoon.

Provenance: Howard Capland Collection

Age: Republic Period (c.1920)

Dimensions: 2 5/8" high x 1 5/8' wide x 1" deep

Antique Chinese Peking glass snuff bottle. Overlay glass in red, yellow and dark blue on a white glass ground. A bird sits on a branch heavy with fruit. Lovely continual scene, beautifully carved with great detail and depth. Four small cartouches in red glass overlay. The lid is made of quartz and has a bone spoon.

Age: Qing Dynasty

Dimensions: 2 1/4" high x 1 3/4" wide x 1 1/4" deep

Antique Chinese Peking glass snuff bottle. Made of black glass overlaid on a pink glass ground. It is carved with a man on a horse on one side and the other with a scholar's attendant walking with a large blossoming branch slung over his shoulder. Large flowering branches sprout from the ground on either side. The lid is made of rose quartz and the spoon is bone.

Age: Qing Dynasty (turn of the century)

Dimensions: 2 5/8" high x 1 3/8" wide x 7/8" wide

Antique Chinese carved amethyst snuff bottle. Carved with a garden pavilion and blossoming trees on one side. The scene continues on the other side with a scholar and young attendant in the garden. Lid is made of agate and has a copper spoon.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 3" high x 2 1/8" wide x 1 1/4" wide

The falcon is represented resting on a branch. His expression is attentive and we can guess that he is hunting. The artist knew how to infuse him with all the ruthless savagery in his gaze. It is signed by Haru Mitsu. It is finely carved in wood, probably cherry,the pupils inlaid in black horn.I remember having read that this artist liked to exaggerate certain parts of the body of his subjects, here it is clear that the claws, eyes and beak are strongly exaggerated. This is what gives all its st...

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Covered Paste Ink Box, 2 1/4" high with cover, 3 5/8" diameter top rim, with darker blue Double Happiness design among scrolling Vines and Sweet Peas, typical Chinese Straits Culture design. There are some firing dots but no damages.