Spoils of Time Asian Ceramics and Works of Art
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All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1333823
Spoils of Time
$575.00
A katchushi (or armorer's) tsuba, probably Myochin, with pierced decoration of ship's rudders (the significance being a comparison of rudders steering a ship to values guiding a Samurai's life choices.) The strong, homogenous, dense iron plate with only light tekkotsu and smooth to the touch. Dark patina. Momoyama to early Edo. Good condition: Lamination folds with openings evident on the surface of one side. Ex Skip Holbrook collection. 3 3/32" x 3 1/16" x 1/8" (7.8 cm x 7.7 cm x .32 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1333535
Spoils of Time
$650.00
An armorer's tsuba, with very slightly raised rim on the strong, flat iron plate. Pierced decoration of a shrimp with pleasing, subtle swell along the antennae and legs (mostly on the ura.) Small, irregular brass inlays for the eyes (missing from one eye - not conspicuous.) The kogai-ana plugged with a copper rich alloy. Oval form about 2 7/8" (7.3 cm) by 2 3/4" (6.985 cm). Thickness at rim about 5/32" (.39 cm). Late 16th century to early 17th century - perhaps Momoyama period. Or possibly earlier with hitsu-ana added (though old). Good condition with varieagated hues in the dark, lustrous patina likely with extant lacquer adhering and accounting for some of the black color (note that the tsuba has an overall dark, mottled patina which our lighting doesn't adequately portray). Subtle tekkotsu evident - some old, worn pitting with the surface now smooth, almost soapy to the touch.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1900 item #1328475
Spoils of Time
$265.00
A good, Japanese iroe imari dish of square form with garden landscape decoration in red, green, yellow, aubergine, black and gold enamel and underglaze blue. The center panel decorated with pines, plantains and maples among rockery and below stylized clouds. The rockery employing "master of the rocks" technique of consecutive contour lines - the stylized clouds echoing the technique. Good condition. 7 to 7 1/8 inches square. About 8 1/4 inches from corner to corner. 19th century. (Five like this available: one each may be acquired at the offer price, up to four [one sold].)
All Items : Antiques : Furnishings : Furniture : American : Federal : Pre 1837 VR item #1319397
Spoils of Time
$475.00
Jerome's & Darrow Federal manner hand made shelf clock with wood works, Bristol CT. Provenance, Martin VanBuren Back, 1835-1920 (may already have been in the family for a generation.) We purchased from his direct descendant, David N. Back in the 1990s. We had the clock last serviced in 2006 and in good running order with reliable chimes. Having invested in preservation, our gain will have been our enjoyment of the clock. 2nd quarter, 19th century. Good condition. Height, about 34 3/4 inches. We will defer to a professional shipper for such an item - cost to be arranged between buyer and shipper.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1837 VR item #1319339
Spoils of Time
$265.00
Pair of Kinko (soft metal, as distinguished from iron) menuki. The soft metal copper alloy with dark patination (perhaps shakudo) depicting a pair of shishi or dogs (these are more dog like than most shishi I've seen, which are often thought to be lions.) The dogs with hair defined with fine incising. Decoration in gold including spots and pupils on the dogs, the collars each with a bell, and sprays of flowers. One of the menuki appears to have a miniature gold self-righting figure of Daruma (an 'okiagari koboshi' toy) on its back along with the flower spray. Appear to be earlier Edo. Very good condition. They were "saved" from a Cha-donsu studded with good, old menuki. So we suppose you could call these dogs "rescues" :) There is solder evidence on the back but that is never accessible when mounted on a tsuka. (These would be a good match with another of our listings - a kozuka, item #1318102.) Length, 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches (2.86 to 3.17 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1318313
Spoils of Time
Sold
An iron mokogata form iron tsuba with surface and patina indicating significant age. Some folds apparent in the iron, tekkotsu ("iron bones" describing irregularities in surface resulting from gradual wearing away of softer iron, leaving more refined, harder iron), rim slightly raised around the hammered plate. The raised decoration of the hare and vine in quintessentially Japanese taste - thick gold overlaid details. This would work nicely on a Yamashiro or other slender, old blade. Good condition with light rubbing of patina on rim, scratching to the gold overliad hare, and light rust on plate (should be manageable with light application of clove oil until arrested [we have begun this process].) Length, 2 15/16 inches (7.46 cm). Width, 2 11/16 inches (6.82 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1900 item #1318223
Spoils of Time
$185.00
Two nicely matched Edo period mixed metal menuki. Each with decoration of a duck in water. Some difference in the detailing of the water and perhaps different duck species (though one could explain the lack of a crest and color on one because it was the female of a pair of mandarin wood ducks.) For the price, they would work quite well together on a tsuka (sword hilt.) Longer one, about 1 1/2 inches. Good condition.
All Items : Antiques : Furnishings : Furniture : American : Federal : Pre 1837 VR item #1317909
Spoils of Time
$4,400.00
An unusual and dramatic firescreen abattant. It reminds me of some of the smaller, New York classical parlor furniture I've seen in Southern house tours with late Federal drawing and music rooms furnished with pieces imported by successful merchants - almost, but not quite, over the top in their design yet direct in their function. So an argument could be made for high, New York city style. And the inlaid oval in the center, with pie crimped edge, is reminiscent of some New England work. The passive function is that of a firescreen and explains the distress to the side with inlay which likely faced the fireplace (rather than the upholstered side.) The "surprise" is the enclosed work area with the hinged top dropping to provide a writing surface (abattant [fr], "put horizontal") below the interior fitted with letter or document slots (only the back one of three dividing slats remaining - evidence of two more, and three segments which would have divided at least one of two lateral slots into three sections.) Perhaps because of the narrow profile, there appears to be no secondary wood under or behind any of the solid mahogany. Condition is quite good considering the likely heat exposure as a firescreen and probable stress to the hinged top which relies upon the case as a counter-stop. We had distress to the inlaid surface evened out, filled and finished - disturbing old finish as less as possible - to make it presentable for the decorator yet acceptable to the collector. We left the old upholstery (possibly original) alone for the next steward to decide. Our restorer (specializing in period furniture) had also never before encountered this design. Our photographs illustrate the character of the old, now serviceable inlaid surface. Ca 1800 - 1810. Height, about 42 3/4 inches. Width, about 21 5/8 inches (about 22 1/4 inches wide at the trestle base). We are offering American furniture from our personal collection while lightening up in preparation for a distant move - reasonable offers entertained.
All Items : Antiques : Furnishings : Furniture : American : Federal : Pre 1837 VR item #1317299
Spoils of Time
$3,900.00
Federal Mahogany swell front chest of drawers. Yellow pine and poplar secondary woods. Maryland, probably Baltimore, 1790 to 1810. This chest is similar in ways to an example in "Furniture in Maryland, 1740-1940", Weidman, 1984, item #77, page 123. On both, the top conforms to the bow front case, projecting a bit beyond the case. And both have nicely formed French feet, inlaid banding on the drawers and above the skirt, and inlaid chevrons centering the escutcheons. In fact, the present chest came from the estate of Dr. Harvey William Cushing (1869-1939) while the chest illustrated in the cited volume (in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society) came from a descendant of the Cushing family - with Baltimore roots going back to at least the 1770s. More history regarding the Cushing family can be found in the volume and later history in a letter we obtained from the dealer who sold the chest to us (which also mentions how they acquired the chest.) Unlike the published chest, the inlaid bands on the present chest are along the drawer edges, with oval stringing on the drawer faces, and a single top drawer atop three more graduated drawers. In good, presentable condition, it appears the chest may have had restorative work to the top and likely a later refinish, pulls appear to be replacements. One drawer pull is loose on one side and some distress to inlaid banding. Height, about 42 1/4 inches. Depth about 23 1/16 inches. Height 36 3/4 inches. We are offering American furniture from our personal collection while lightening up in preparation for a far move - reasonable offers entertained. Provenance: Dr. Harvey William Cushing, an unnamed Baltimore dealer, a Frederick Md dealer (disclosed to purchaser), ourselves.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Metalwork : Pre AD 1000 item #1310460
Spoils of Time
Sold
A Han dynasty bronze hu vase. Raised on high, cupped foot. The body cast with three grooves bands around the circumference and below the girth. Another three grooved bands (one smaller) above the girth. Two mask handles with loose rings (original to the vase) on opposing sides of the shoulder. One larger grooved band under the rim. Condition sound with the vessel of solid casting, no active rust and good patina. Some old losses along the foot rim and holes under the girth on one side possibly from an impact or once active rust. The bottom once drilled for a lamp and now plugged (see illustration of inside bottom.) A good metalworker could easily patch the holes and losses for aesthetic display (whether with patinated bronze or with another material such as gold so as not to hide the conservation. Height, about 13 3/8 inches (about 34 cm). For examples of the same form, patina and grooved bands, see Christies 2009 sale 5812 lot 144 and Sothebys 2011 sale 8722 lot 310. Weight may be a factor to ship this item. When placing this vase on our scale it errors out at over 5 kg or 11 lb.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Southeast Asian : Sculpture : Pre 1920 item #1310276
Spoils of Time
$900.00
A set of six unusual Buddhist bronze figures, each seated upon a lotus base and generally forming a pear shape. The mustached and bearded figures with plumed head wear and flowing robes each holding a musical instrument - one reading a sutra. It appears the figures were all from the same mould while the arms and attributes were done separately and joined to the figures. The latter figure (particularly) exhibiting wear to the apparently gilt surface, revealing the bronze alloy on the rubbed stomach and sides. The underside of each bronze closed by a recessed copper plate with embossed decoration. Hasty research finds that Indonesia has along history of three dimensional mandalas of which the 9th century temple at Borobodur provides the grandest example. Small Indonesian bronze mandala figures are known to date to as early as the 10th century. The tradition has persisted or repeated into the turn of the 20th century. These figures, clearly with Asian characteristics but with South Asian qualities including longer hair and full mustaches and beards below the chin, may represent later Islamic influence (though depiction of a human form and especially an idol would be prohibited within strict interpretation of Islam.) A melding of different religious experience and culture can be observed. We have seen only a couple similar figures described as late 19th century or early 20th century and only one other set. About turn of the century, we opt for a conservative dating of "pre 1920". We arrive at a price of $900 from an average of about $150 per figure but sold as a set. Good condition though showing imperfections of somewhat provincial castings and metalwork. Each height about 4 3/4 inches (12 cm) to top of plume.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Woodblock Prints : Pre 1900 item #1295161
Spoils of Time
$380.00
Shigenobu (Hiroshige II) 1826-1869. The oban tate-e triptych depicts Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Sakata no Kintoki and Watanabe no Tsuna entering the mountain home of the demons. Circa 1851-1853. Shigenobu was a pupil of Ando Hiroshige and adopted his name to become the second generation after his master's passing in 1858. Condition of these prints are faded, wrinkles - some creased, margins trimmed and uneven, light wormage and pin holes, light foxing and soil. As challenged as the condition sounds, this dramatic and colorful triptych would frame and present nicely on a decorative basis and as a conversation piece. These prints may best ship (at buyer's expense) detached from the current backing and matting to reduce package size.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1900 item #1294889
Spoils of Time
$375.00
The Hirado figure of a monkey with moveable head and tonge. Portrayed as a Shinto priest with the addition of a fan used in performing the Manzai dance during New Year's festivities. Blue underglaze and iron oxide wash on the biscuit and over the glaze. Meiji period. Good condition. Height, 3 5/8 inches (9.21 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1910 item #1293315
Spoils of Time
$1,100.00
A fine little Hirado figural group depicting two karako playing with a Shishi-mai (lion dance) mask. Sharply modeled with incised details and sparse blue, aubergine and black underglaze decoration. The karako's eyes, the lion mask and the underside unglazed. The biscuit surface of the lion mask intentionally oxidized to an even, light buff tone. Good condition with only a few tiny "flea bite" surface flakes one must look closely for and not detracting (our close images depict them larger than life with commentary in the captions.) Length, 3 1/8 inches (7.94 cm). Height, 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1900 item #1293308
Spoils of Time
$590.00
A large Ao-Kutani palette porcelain plaque in the Yoshidaya manner. Two geese in garden landscape with palm tree, lotus among rockery and water in finely applied blue, green, aubergine, black and yellow enamels. A black key border with green overglaze enamel around the canted rim. The back not glazed except for a black enamel square Kutani kiln mark with overglaze green enamel and two character black enamel artist mark with overglaze green enamel in oval. Two points of the back recessed and pierced before firing to provide for suspension display of the plaque. The so called Yoshidaya type of 19th century Ao-Kutani wares is named for a merchant who revived production of a particular palette of Ko-Kutani production (of the 17th and early 18th century) adjacent to the original kilns. The current example certainly appears to be 19th century. Later 19th century Ao-Kutani palette production is often ambitiously ascribed to the Yoshidaya kiln which, in fact, operated only briefly from the 1820s to the early 1830s. We recently purchased this as Yoshidaya style Ao-Kutani appeals to us personally (as one might tell from our recently listed auction lots.) We offer it here while we are auctioning other Ao-Kutani wares. It came to us framed and we retain the frame (illustrated) to ship with the plaque. Light enamel loss in the scene not distracting from its appeal. More enamel loss evident along the rim which would be covered with the frame in place. Sparse and light small scratches and rubbing. Otherwise, good and presentable condition. Plaque dimensions (not including the frame) about 13 1/4 inches by about 12 inches (33.65 cm x 30.48 cm). Weight without frame 7.03 lbs (3.19 kg)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1837 VR item #1292816
Spoils of Time
$575.00
The Katchushi style of this tsuba gives it an earlier look and feel. But it is probably an Edo period work (might expect more wear on the seppa-dai or more conspicuous tekkotsu on an older example.) The thin body nonetheless resilient. Strong, sparse, decorative file marks on the vertical add to character. Adept use of the file, thin plate and slight taper toward the rim could support argument a swordsmith may have made the tsuba. Genji style mon and two five petal blossoms in fine open work (some iron detailing missing from one of the blossoms, the other with one of the open worked petals interrupting the rim.) Smaller kozuka-ana and kogai-ana flanking the seppa-dai. The surface smooth to the touch despite some old, light pitting. Possible scant old lacquer adhering closely to the surface (difficult to discern with certainty as some hard wax appears to have been applied to the surface.) Simple sukashi tsuba are considered by many to be closest to Samurai taste. Fine open work and subtle attention to detail such as the file work add to appeal. Length, 3 9/32 inches (8.33 cm). Width, 3 1/16 inches (7.78 cm). Thickness, about 3/32 inch (0.238 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1900 item #1292556
Spoils of Time
$635.00
An Ao-Kutani palette porcelain deep dish in the Yoshidaya manner. Hydrangeas decoration in polychrome enamels including white, light blue-green, and dark green, blue, blue-green and aubergine in black line, all on yellow ground, a chocolate brown enamel on the otherwise unglazed biscuit rim. The number and subtlety of hues but consistent for palette is pleasing. The back with enamels including dark green on black line decoration of clouds. Kutani mark in black under yellow glaze inside the foot ring which appears to have been glazed but with the enamel rubbed along high points to the porcelain body. A couple of kiln kisses to the cloud decoration area on the back. The so called Yoshidaya type of 19th century Ao-Kutani wares is named for a merchant who revived production of a particular palette of Ko-Kutani production (of the 17th and early 18th century) adjacent to the original kilns. The current example certainly appears to be 19th century and could possibly be from the Yoshidaya kiln. Later Ao-Kutani palette production is often ambitiously ascribed to the Yoshidaya kiln which, in fact, operated only briefly from the 1820s to the early 1830s. One 3/16 inch flake (mostly to the enamel) under the rim. Otherwise good condition considering expected scratching and rubbing of the enamel. Presents well. Diameter, 11 7/8 inches (30.16 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1900 item #1291905
Spoils of Time
Sold
A kozuka with gilt and silvered bronze decoration of a general's baton and banner on dark patinated bronze nanako ('fish roe' textured ground.) The utility knife handle with shakudo (a pickled gold and copper alloy) back and sides. Surfaces showing wear and slight distress from use but in fairly good and serviceable condition. Could benefit from a light cleaning and oiling. Length, little more than 3 3/4 inches (9.53 cm)