Catalog (178)

An unusual, sancai glazed stoneware caparisoned elephant form vessel. The larger opening on its back is suggestive of a lime pot (our best guess) with only traces suggested by an off white cast on the sides of the otherwise buff colored unglazed interior. The trunk, curled above the head, ends in a smaller aperture but not optimal as a kendi. The form, in the round, and the pleasantly crazed sancai glaze (cream, amber and a rare blue) suggest influence of the Cizao kilns legacy of Fujian (known to produce sancai vessels and utilitarian objects including pillows.) But we are ascribing a much later origin than a Fujian sancai vessel would demand (perhaps as late as the Qing dynasty) because the glaze is more vitreous than the lead based Fujian glazes, the body harder than the lower fired pottery, and the form suggesting a later Southeast Asian demand for ceramics in an earlier manner (where much Cizao production had been destined.) The buff colored body unglazed on the bottom and with a single character, 'Da' (大, great), in double incised lines. Vitreous smooth residue from the kiln resembling burnt caramel adhering to the feet. Good condition. Length tail to trunk, about 6 3/4 inches (17.15 cm). Height to tip of trunk, about 3 7/8 inches (9.84 cm).

Thai bronze head of a Bodhisattva. Ayutthaya period. Presentable decorative condition with tips of earlobes missing, core exposed atop head, and the body missing of course. Black lacquer and traces of gilt on the diadem and the back of the neck. Height of the head , about 3 3/4 inches (9.54 cm) not including the pin for securing on plinth. Total height including the plinth, 5 7/8 inches (14.9 cm). The patina appears a bit darker and warmer in person but did not cooperate, photographically, with our lighting.

A kozuka with sea shell and seaweed decoration with gold and silver overlaid on shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with filed gilt bronze sides and back. Slight bend and the nanako somewhat dented in places. Would present nicely enough with a sword fitted to hold a kozuka in the saya (scabbard.) Kogatana (utility blade) not included. Length, 3 3/4 inches.

Japanese polychrome enamel Arita porcelain dish. Decoration in blue underglaze and green, red, black, buff, aubergine and gold enamel of cranes among the three friends of winter (pine, bamboo and prunus) and Spring flowers. Stylized character in center, karakusa on verso. Good condition. 8 5/8 inches diameter

A Philippined betel nut box. Silver inlaid decoration on bronze. Rectangular form with canted corners and conforming hinged cover over three comparments (two small side compartments, one with old lime residue, flanking one large central compartment also with hinged covers. All hinges held by wood pinning. Good condition. Length, not including the bale handles on each side, 6 7/8 inches (17.46 cm)

A good, large murashido patinated bronze vase. Raised geese and irises decoration including some katakiribori details. The bottom may have been reversed when reattaching it at some later time. From inside the vase can be seen on the bottom a 16 petal chrysanthemum overlaid by Kashiwa (oak leaf) mon and on a bed of same - all in relief. We illustrate the interior bottom in one of our enlargement views (pardon the uncleaned state.) Reasonably good condition with light rubbing and minor, acceptable distress t the surface. In the hands of an experienced metalworker a light cleaning and some care should do wonders for this object. Just over 12 1/2 inches (32 cm)

An Annamese blue and white porcelain dish. Flower decoration in cavetto centered by leaves and flowers decorated bands within unglazed rim. Leaf lappet decoration above the ring foot centering unglazed bottom with typical iron wash. 15th to 16th century. Good condition, crawling original to the firing, crazing to glaze, good resonance when tapped, no hairlines and no cracks. Diameter, 9 1/2 to 9 5/8 inches (about 24.3 cm). Height, little more than 2 1/4 inches (about 5.75 cm). Acquired through a third party, along with some of the other ceramic lots we have recently listed, from the estate of a retired government employee who worked and traveled extensively throughout Asia in the 20th century.

A tropical hardwood walking stick. Probably handiwork from the Philippines. Carved floral decoration and the name Paul V. McNutt who was an American politician and historical figure. He was the 34th governor of Indiana during the Great Depression, High Commissioner of the Philippines Territory, Administrator of the Federal Security Agency, Chairman of the War Manpower Commission, Ambassador to the newly independent Philippines, Chairman of the Philippine-American Trade Council, directory of several firms in Manila, and aspired to run for President of the United States. He was in the Philippines from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1945 to 1947. Owing in part to his exposure to Japan during the war years in the Philippines, he held very controversial views toward the Japan and the Japanese people (fortunately Roosevelt's announcement seeking a second term kept McNutt, the front runner until then, out of the White House as he would have been far more aggressive than was Truman in ending the war.) Missing caps on both ends otherwise the carved wood in good condition. Length, 30 7/8 inches (78.43 cm)

A Bizen type kogo in form of a primitively rendered reclining sage or monk. Signed on bottom. 20th century. Good condition. Length: 5 inches (12.7 cm)

A very unusual modern Japanese pottery vase. Exaggerated chatter decoration spiraling from the foot to the shoulder, the tacky clay lifted to a very coarse texture before firing. The neck to rim, also spiraling up the vase, finished smoothly. Apparently in the tradition of the stoneware tile work kilns of Bizen and Tokoname. Studio artist marks in impressed cartouches on the foot. Excellent condition. Height, 8 inches.

An unusual Bizen stoneware figural group depicting three sages with attributes in clouds in a stele formation. One with wheat and sword flanked by attendants, one also with wheat and sword and the other with a palm frond or banana leaf fan. The figures' attire and swords are Chinese in manner (as are many sages and deities in Japanese lore adopted from the Chinese.) It may be a less often seen interpretation of Daikoku considering the wheat and sword attributes and the attnedants (a common attendant of Daikoku being Ebisu.) Inscriptions on the back appear to relate to the figures. An impressed Bizen pottery mark in cartouche on the base. Good condition. Height, about 7 1/8 inches (18.1 cm)

A Bizen stoneware figural study of Daikokuten with attributes including full face, large earlobes, smile, hat, bag of rice and mallet. Impressed signature cartouche. Good condition. Height, about 7 1/2 inches (19.05 cm). Length about 8 inches (20.32 cm).

A nicely modeled and painted Mingei Kokeshi doll from one piece of wood retaining original bark. Where cut against the grain, top and bottom, having accumulated a patina - darker on the top. Painted decoration slightly worn - particularly the face from rubbing but still retaining the outline of the eyes. Signed on the side but obscured from rubbing of the paper-like top layer of the bark. Condition otherwise good. Height 11 3/8 inches (28.89 cm)

This katana (69.09 cm [27.2 inches] cutting edge) was purchased in May, 2014. Signed Kashu Ju Kanewaka Tsukuru/Zo. It was left in the care of a second party subsequently invited into the investment. I hold title as the principal and also retain correspondence introduced with the purchase as well as a Shinsa document (images of tang [nakago] attached - note the three mekugi-ana [retaining holes] though ubu [not shortened].) I am offering $500 for the safe return of the katana and another $500 for information establishing the identity of the original source of one or more transactions that might have occurred after the second party was unable to account for the katana (the same week of May, 2014.) I will offer $200 for corroborated identity and contact information of any party now possessing the katana and resulting in successfully completed communication confirming same. Inscription on the other side of the tang gives a date consistent with Kanewaka I. But the shinsa dismisses the attribution and judges the katana and mei as Kanewaka III. The verso further includes a cutting test inscription (futatsu-do.) The Russo-Japanese war tsuka (hilt), if not also the later saya (scabbard), may have been subsequently stripped. The blade may appear different if polished but the nakago will remain constant. If this sword is offered to you, it is not offered with clear title. If you have purchased this sword, you do not have title to it and you cannot resell it. It is LOST or STOLEN property. Contact me immediately to return this sword to my possession.

A slip inlaid olive drab celadon stoneware pottery pear form bottle vase. Decoration of fish in black inlaid slip over a ground of white slip inlaid punched flowerheads. Possibly Japanese (see Korean legacy wares from provinces in Kyushu [Hizen, Higo, Satsuma] illustrated in Morse) and possibly Korean Joseon era punchong ware. Signed on bottom. Excellent condition. Indeterminate age (capped conservatively with this listing and likely at least a little earlier.) This strongly potted piece (1.01 kg, or 2.23 lb) would make a handsome addition whether Japanese or Korean to a more informed collector. Height, 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm)

Japanese Kamakura-Bori lacquer box on tray. The cover with bold, high-relief carving of bird in branch - the almost black surface rubbed to a soft, coral-red toned burnished finish. The softly irregular honeycomb textured ground with leathery texture continuing to the sides of the box bottom and into the rim of the tray with edges also rubbed to the underlying coral-red and burnished smooth. Signed under the tray. Surfaces with some distress from use including minor rubbing and scratching with very little lacquer loss. One smaller side of the cover had been detached and poorly glued back with the complication of some warping. This object presents a very promising conservation project. Tray length, 7 3/4 inches (19.7 cm)

Rare "Buddha Asuka (B)" woodblock print by Kiyoshi Saito, 1955, number 40 of only 50 printed, signed in white ink and sealed in red ink both on the image area. Signed and sealed printed label "self-carved self printed" also included (attached to paper backing removed to inspect condition.)

We were not able to find a recent auction record for this image with data available. Another mid-century work by Saito (in color) titled Asuka (Kudara Kannon) [possibly confused by the artist with one of the Roku Kannon also of the Horyuji] was bestowed in 1959 by the artist to the Collection of The University of Michigan Museum of Art. It is noted that Saito was creating works in a series of early Nara sculptures around the time. A Saito subject similar to the present, muted work (but printed two years later in a run of 100) of another Nara sculpture, Miroku, was offered in Christies sale 8862, lot 306 together with a Winter in Aizu print.

The muted colors of the present work is a reflection of the somber lighting within the temples housing sculptures of this period.

Condition of the present work is good, with some toning and with brown paper tape around the edges (covering up to about a half inch margin.) A penciled note (from the framer?) appears in the margin on the verso. Some ink bleed on the verso from the original printing not at all compromising the image. Not clear if this was the first framing, the print was nonetheless not removed for some time until we removed the backing to inspect condition (image included of verso before removing paper.) Sheet height about 33 inches, sheet width about 21 1/4 inches. Image height about 29 5/8 inches, image width about 16 inches.

Korean folk art carved wood figure. Bearded man in traditional attire. Holding a pipe in left hand, the right hand positioned to hold a staff and pierced for that purpose (staff missing.) Good condition save a couple chips along the brim of the hat. Height 8 1/2 inches (21.59 cm)