Catalog: Sold Items (90)

A Fuchi and Kashira set with flowers decoration with gold and silver overlay decoration on shakudo relief and nanako ground. Good, serviceable condition (a small, fine line fracture from the rim of the fuchi not at all compromising function or presentation.) An easy motif to match if fitting a sword (we may do so if not first selling them.) Fuchi length, 1 17/32 inches (3.89 cm)

Country, Federal style, figured maple candle stand. Nicely turned curly maple column with three, dovetailed, birdseye maple splay legs terminating in slightly raised feet, all supporting an oblong octagonal top of three curly and birdseye maple boards. 19th century. Sound, serviceable condition. Slight distress to finish on top should be an easy enough project for the next owner. No condition issues with wood or joints. Height, about 30 1/2 inches. Acquired from a Frederick MD dealer who in turn acquired it from a Harford County Maryland estate sale.

An Edo Period Kozuka (utility knife handle.) Kinko (mixed soft metals) decoration on shakudo alloy with nanako (fish roe textured) background. Depicted in a farmer with horse in water plowing in prepartion to plant rice. A willow or other weeping tree, to one side, not yet with blooms. Nicely detailed with featured highlighted with gold and silver overlay. The water nicely textures with an itame (wood grain) effect. Serviceable, fair to good condition. There is light denting on the butt end and is slightly pinched on the end with opening. The back also gilt over filed texture. Length, 3 3/4 inches.

A fine, late Federal work table. Classical design four column - pedestal base with four swept legs, columns and legs with carved acanthus leaf decoration, terminating in brass paw feet on casters. Supporting a rectangular case of two graduated drawers, the case with deeply concave corners, the hinged top conforming to the case in shape. The top opening to a lined writing surface, also hinged, opening in turn with an easel support providing a canted work surface. Compartments flanking and storage below the hinged work surface. Looks like the original lion mask brasses. Beautiful figured mahogany surface throughout. Poplar secondary wood. Much hay is made by collectors and dealers in attributions of pieces at this level. Sloan's Auctioneers offered a game table in 2001, probably from the same workshop, with citations of a breakfast or parlor table with related design by Duncan Phyfe in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a card table in the Baltimore Museum of Art (sale 913, March 2001, lot 227) [A copy of the Sloan's catalog will accompany this work table.] A dealer showed me another piece with the same type base (though not as nicely carved) and underside, also probably the same work shop, and attributed theirs as Charles-Honoré Lannuier. We will stop short of making a lofty attribution but hold out this table as self evidently excellent work. Good condition with reasonable conservation over its life. Note the slightly more oxidized lower drawer which was exposed to open air from the ventilated underside of the case. Circa 1820. Height, about 32 1/2 inches. Width, about 22 3/8 inches. Depth, about 16 1/4 inches. We are offering American furniture from our personal collection while lightening up in preparation for a far move - reasonable offers entertained. Purchased in neglected condition from a Washington DC consignment shop in the 90s and gave it the preservation it deserved in preparation for the next steward.

Antique Chinese carved dark red cinnabar covered box. The cover, with slightly convex top, intricately carved with four figures (two standing and two seated) in garden landscape with architectural structures and tall hills in the background. The carved flower motif on the sides of the cover also appearing on the sides of the bottom. The underside of the bottom with a repeating, star pattern centering a rectangular reserve now missing a cartouche. The bottom and cover with metal rims. Late Qing to Early Republic. Condition is good with minor wear (see illustrations) restricted to the rims and corners - most notable on the corners of the underside and a bumped corner of the cover. One of our detailed illustrations shows cross sections of the carved layers of lacquer. Length, 5 1/16 inches (12.85 cm). Width, 3 1/2 inches (8.89 cm). Height, 2 1/16 inches (5.24 cm).

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).

Woodblock print of Nikko Kegon-no-taki (Kegon falls in Nikko) by Kawase Hasui from the series ukiyo-e monyo shu (Collection of ukiyo-e designs). The water depicted in the falls is textured. signed Hasui, sealed Kawase, publisher's mark Bijutsusha ("Rumi") and titled in the right margin. Image area, height about 14 5/16 inches (36.35 cm) by width about 9 3/8 inches (23.81 cm). Including margins, height about 15 3/8 inches (39.1 cm) by width about 10 2/8 inches (26.04 cm) near the top to 10 3/8 inches (26.35 cm) toward the bottom. Not being a print expert, I would describe the condition as good but with toning to areas of the print that seem to follow white areas and certain colors such as the margins, the falls, and darker areas of the terrain behind the falls. This can be observed particularly from our illustration of the back. Hinged by tape to the matte (dry and losing adhesive quality.) This was acquired by us early in 2014 from a Washington DC area consignment shop.

A pair of Japanese Edo Period Ko-Imari porcelain choko. Polychrome enamel decoration of chrysanthemums and Paulownia. Buff tone along the rims. Fuku marks centered inside the foot rims. Diameter almost 3 3/4 inches (9.525 cm). Height 2 7/8 inches (7.3 cm). At least early 19th century. Good condition.

A Japanese blue and white koro with all over cartographic decoration of the Japanese Islands, with provinces labeled, and other bodies including seas and land masses with countries labled. The name used for Korea uses the name Joseon which dynasty (established in 1392) ended by varying accounts between 1897 and 1910. The censer could be later still. The cover with Shishi lion pierced finial over the compressed spherical tripod censer with stylized handles. Four character mark centered within recessed bottom. The three feet burnt an iron color where the glaze thins to the biscuit. The Excellent condition. Height from feet to finial about 4 inches (10.16 cm). Length from end of each handle about 5 3/8 inches (13.65 cm). Diameter of girth about 4 inches.

A Chinese elongated pear form peachbloom glazed vase with everted rim. An attractive "liver" spot on one side of the vase. The glaze nicely controlled - stopping neatly, inside and outside, evenly above the crisply defined foot rim. At least early 19th century and possibly late 18th century. Excellent condition. Height about 7 3/4 inches (19.69 cm)

A good Japanese studio porcelain celadon censer (after Chinese Song dynasty examples), of kinuta color, by Suwa Sozan. Seal impressed on the bottom between the three legs with unglazed feet. With an even more extraordinary, finely worked silver cover with gilt highlights (eyes, beak, comb, feather details, hollyhock blossom stamens.) The treatment and the details of the hollyhock leaves down to the veining and insect nibbles is sublime. The exquisite detailing of the hairs on the Hoo-oo no Tori's (mythical Japanese phoenix) down and intermediate feathers and the stippling between quills of the tail feathers is breathtaking. The photographs don't quite capture the detail. Early 20th century. Excellent condition. Height covered about 5 1/2 inches (13.9 cm). Diameter of the censer 5 1/2 inches (14 cm). Diameter of the silver cover about 4 1/2 inches (11.43 cm)

A good Japanese studio porcelain vase with decoration of egrets among lotuses. The egrets in no-outline, reverse out decoration against gradient blue background. The beaks and particularly the eyes (with yellow fill) picked out nicely in fine detail with black. The loti also with no outline and contrasting nicely against the fading blue. The foot with three iron spurs spaced evenly along the unglazed ring foot and an errant iron smudge near one under the glaze inside the foot. Curiously, no mark or signature on this fine work which resembles production of the Kyoto area greats including, most notably, the Kozan workshop and a few others. Very good condition. Height, about 10 1/2 inches (26.67 cm).

A small (under 2 inches diameter) antique Chinese blue and white porcelain covered cosmetic or seal paste box. Rabbit decoration in cobalt on white slip centered on the cover. An otherwise translucent glaze with faint celadon pooling over the top and bottom with ribbed sides suggesting petals of a lotus blossom. Probably late Ming or transitional. There is one small chip outside of the rim of the cover. A slightly larger chip inside and interrupting the rim. Smaller, older slight roughage of the rim to the cover does not appear objectionable. A fault in the firing has left a small opening on the bottom where the body has separated. Diameter up to 1 7/8 inch (4.76 cm)

A well carved and lacquered Noh mask depicting Hannya. Painted details - particularly depicting loose strands of hair but also the gilded eyes with black wash - adding to the dramatic portrayal. Two character signature in gold lacquer inside the mask and again inside the cover of the box in black ink and with read artist's seal. Also inscribed in cursive English explaining the purpose and use of the mask and the name of the presenting company (apparently a Japanese industrial company so this must have been a good will gift perhaps to a visiting associate.) Very good condition. Probably late 20th century. Height of mask not including horns, 8 3/8 inches (21.27 cm). Width ear to ear, 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm).

An impressive, Mingei carved wood kiseruzutsu (a pipe case or holder worn similarly as a sashi netsuke) with snake and frog decoration - quite appropriate for the 'year of the snake' and a tiny compass with inlaid into one corner. Depicted are a snake coiled around a weathered log apparently in ready ambush for a frog perched on the other end - both with pierced bone or stag antler inlaid eyes. A stag horn decorative embellishment also inlaid into the log (possibly suggesting a bone remaining from the snake's earlier meal?) All wonderfully carved and detailed with naturally rubbed high points, wonderfully rich patina and smooth, pleasant feel in the hand. This piece really should be signed but understandably stands among other anonymous marvels in the Mingei tradition. The accompanying kiseru with metal ends on bamboo shaft with chiseled decoration in the Sumi tradition of moon over pine and rockery - the bowl end with a very small impressed two kanji character mark and the mouthpiece end with the same sized three kanji character mark (probably together forming a five character maker's mark and requiring a jeweler's loop to read.) Condition all very good; a small old, smooth worn chip on the kiseruzutsu where the kiseru bowl fits securely; light checking to the wood where the compass is inlaid and across one leg of the frog. Minute traces of a white cleaning residue. Kiseruzutsu length, 8 inches (20.32 cm). Kiseru length, 7 15/16 inches (20.16 cm). Length with pipe inserted to kiseruzutsu, 8 5/16 inches (21.11 cm)

Rare enameled paktong ('baitong') covered bowl on stand. Decorated in a muted lapis lazuli blue enamel within recessed lotus and vine motif and rim with key border on the bowl with bail handles; also on the cover centering a stylized Shou character roundel surrounded by five evenly arranged bats; and the base with a border of lotus leaves atop shaped skirt raised on cabriole legs on openwork foot suggestive of a coin, or 'cash' (together with the bowl hinting of a "hundred treasures" motif.) Other engraved and stippled decoration includes clouds on the cover, secondary vine on the bowl, and Shou characters on the stand's four cabriole legs. Signed with three engraved characters on the foot of the bowl. Very good condition. The enamel appears to have originally had a somewhat distressed and uneven appearance apparently using minerals prepared by hand - in places, particularly on the stand, appearing black. The covered bowl on stand is altogether about 6 1/2 inches height (16.51 cm). The bowl's diameter is about 7 1/8 inches (18.09 cm). We did not clean this up at all so as not to disturb patina.

We have found a blue enameled shallow bowl, as an example of the work rather than the form, in Christie's lot 32, sale 5909, London, South Kensington, 2009, 18th or 19th century (possibly the same bowl, cleaned up, as Christie's lot 79, sale 9024, London, South Kensington, 2001 where it was further describe as southern, Yunan, also 18th or 19th century.)

A fine Meiji era cloisonne vase with decoration of colorful chidori flying over young bamboo all over an even mauve-violet background. The chidori with black, dark orange, light gray blue, and white details. The bamboo with green and some yellow details. A fine border appears along the rim and the foot. Condition is good. A slight scratch here and a light rub there. One longer light scratch runs irregularly from the feet of the highest bird to aft and slightly below the last bird in the leading group of four. 4 3/4 inches (12.06 cm) high.

Pair late Qing dynasty porcelain bowls. Overglaze decoration in blue and green enamel of peonies. Also decorated with inscriptions in gilt enamel and chop marks in red enamel. The rims an intentional, attractive caramel colored burnt biscuit. Apocryphal Qianlong seal marks in blue under the glaze. One in good condition with only minor enamel loss and light rubbing inside the bowl. The other also with an old, small area of repair along the outside of the rim. Rim diameter of each about 7 inches (17.78 cm). Beurdeley features a similar, green glazed cup, purportedly Jiaqing mark and period, in color plate 109. But we believe these bowls must date from the end of the Qing dynasty.

A good 19th century carved and lacquered wood Noh mask representing the character role of Ko Omote (young woman). The well oxidized wood visible on the inside of the mask exhibiting the knife strokes of the anonymous artist. Generally good condition and the lacquer strong and stable. In the interest of full and detailed disclosure: Some natural age checking of the wood on the figure's left side also conveying to the lacquered surface on the face. Similar age cracks in the lacquer on either side of the figure's nose, where the wood is thicker, not showing any checking to the wood at that point from the inside. Light lacquer loss under the lower lip, near each nostril and the top edge where the hair meets the rim. Some rubbing to the black lacquer where the later silk cords are now strung. The lacquered surface could stand for a light, professional cleaning (though not necessary) of some points such as nose tip, forehead and chin but care should be taken not to disturb patina. Height, 8 3/8 inches (21.28 cm). Width 5 3/8 inches (13.65 cm).

An early Koryo dynasty celadon Maebyeong vase. 11th to early 12th century. The color is a more drab, vitreous green than the more opaque, bluer examples from the accomplished production of the middle 12th through early 13th centuries. Height, 10 1/2 inches (25.4 cm). Condition is good. Some oxidized kiln adherence to the sides and particularly the rim, inclusions in the glaze from the firing, a couple small unglazed points along the girth and foot, course foot with a couple old small chips on the foot only, partially glaze inside the foot - exposing an earthy light-brown body. Some traces of red enamel decoration (including some spots on the foot) no doubt added well after production but quite some time ago - now almost completely worn away.

A fine, Japanese lotus form negoro lacquer kobako (small box.) Kobako are typically associated with incense but this box could serve as a natsume (tea caddy) though with a comparatively loose fitting lid. The lotus form bowl with typical negoro rubbing of the iron red lacquer to surface to reveal some of the black lacquer beneath. The interior a rich, deep red color. The cover with caramel colored lacquer and lacquer chrysanthemum decoration in colors suggesting bronze and tarnished silver metalwork. The finial handle also rubbed to reveal some of the black undercoat. Zohiko gold lacquer mark on the foot of the bowl. Taisho era. Good condition. Height 2 3/4 inches. Diameter 3 3/4 inches

A signed Japanese Oribe shallow bowl. Zen landscape decoration of a lone figure in boat with mountain in background and tree over hut in foreground. The decoration in brown wash over crackled opaque white ground with blue-green splashed glaze on two sides of the bowl. A pleasing iridescent-like range of colors from yellow-green to dark-blue as well as iron red are evident in the pleasantly crazed areas of blue-green glaze when inspected closely. Some iron red-brown glaze residue adheres along the girth from the firing and goes nicely to 'wabi'. The opaque white glaze stopping irregularly above the unglazed gray clay foot with similarly irregular wipe of opaque glaze inside the foot. A two character impressed artist's seal appears along the edge of the unglazed area inside the foot. Good condition. Diameter of girth 6 3/4 inches. Diameter of rim just over 5 7/8 inches.

This unusual porcelain bowl has a defined rim, sides and foot detailed to appear like a woven basket and then painted in the Ao-Kutani palette with green, aubergine and yellow enamels. The inside enameled yellow and with centered green and aubergine enamel fahua decoration of a Shishi dog with ball among flames within a cloudband border. The foot enameled green over yellow and with a centered yellow reserve with incised artist's mark. The work is similar to that of the Eiraku potters. But though the first character does appear to be Ei, the second character is not Raku (perhaps a stylized San or Kawa?) Good condition. At the widest point the diameter reaches almost 9 7/8 inches.

A Japanese, Ryukyuan type, lacquer charger. Inlaid mother of pearl decoration of figures in landscape on black lacquer in the center surrounded by red lacquer. A band of black lacquer also exposed just inside the rim - also with mother of pearl inlay. The egde of the charger rubbed for that prized negoro affect of exposing the black lacquer background through an invariably worn coat of red lacquer. This sensibility in mother of pearl inlay work is typical of the Ryukyu islands (including Okinawa) and has an affinity with similar, Korean work. Fairly good condition with no blemishes on the front but some wear and minor distress on the verso including back edge of the rim. Diameter 14 1/8 inches.

A Japanese Meiji era soft metal (kinko) pipe (kiseru) in patterned silk liner and stag horn sheath en suite with a shaped wood tobacco box (tonkotsu) of natural finish accentuating the natural figure and rings in the wood specimen. The pipe with chiseled decoration of a tiger on the mouthpiece and Mt Fuji on the bowl end - silver accenting sparse details. The two parts joined by an ink decorated hollowed bamboo. These metal parts may once have enjoyed a patination such as shakudo which has since been over cleaned but restorable in expert hands. The staghorn sheath with a tarnished, low grade shaped silver ferrule with accessory ring. Pipe length 7 7/8 inches. Sheath length (closed while holding pipe) length 9 inches. The tobacco box height 2 5/8 inches. All good condition save the over cleaned pipe and natural, subtle checking to the staghorn sheath.

A 19th century Chinese chatelaine with opium tools. A small polished carnelian colored stone suspended from a silver part, silver opium tools - the tamper with engraved flower decoration and poppy bloom form end - suspended from a metal part. Good condition with one missing stone. Total length 12 1/5 inches. Tamper length 3 1/4 inches.

An attractive Chinese cloisonne opium container. Three polychrome enamel cloisonne decorated sections - two with butterflies and flowers flanking a larger central section with longevity symbols including the Shou character. The three sections and top joined by four paktong bands and bottom. The top silver plated brass with repousse silver alloy panel with treasures decoration joined metallurgically to cover. Some distress and light loss to enamel. Height 2 3/4 inches. Length, 3 1/4 inches. Depth 1 1/5 inches.

A 19th century Chinese paktong opium pipe, opium container, tool holders and tweezers en suite with base featuring engraved bird and flower decoration including a dragonfly, butterflies, fruit and (or course) poppy blooms. Attention to detail exhibited with copper-bronze lined rims to tool holders and pipe top. 10 characters (in four cartouches) maker's mark inside hinged opium container cover. Very good condition. Height from surface to pipe stem 10 1/2 inches. Height to flat top of base (not including accoutrements) 2 1/2 inches.

An opium water pipe base with scholarly cloisonne decoration of precious objects. Only the opium container remains with the base (no pipe and no tools.) Good condition. Height to suspension finial 3 5/8 inches. Height to flat top of pipe base 2 9/16 inches.

Chinese cloisonne saucer dish. Spring flowers decoration - particular evidenced by peony blooms. Polychrome enamels on bronze with traces of gilt especially just inside the foot rim where less likely to be rubbed. 18th century. Fair decorative condition with some distress and small areas of loss to the enamel. A good study piece reasonably intact. A common method of conservation is to use colored hard sculptor's wax to fill in losses (offered as a suggestion and not yet done with this recent discovery.) About 3 7/16 inches (8.73 cm) diameter. A pair of 18th Chinese cloisonne saucer dishes with Autumn decoration were cataloged in Bonham's, London, May 2010, lot 394 with nearly the same diameter.

A Chinese carved cinnabar saucer dish. A chrysanthemum flower head adorns the center of the dark vermillion colored dish and is surrounded by a leaf lappet border. The carved decoration revealing a cross section of dozens of built up layers of cinnabar lacquer. 19th century or earlier. Good condition. 5 15/16 inches (15.08 cm) diameter. Weighs 5.5 to 5.6 ounces (more than 1/3 of a pound) or about 158 grams - pretty weighty for the small diameter.

The rectangular copper plaque with nicely rendered and detailed repousse decoration and chased details of three Bodhisattvas atop a central zodiacal medallion flanked by Apsaras and supported by two lotus roundels - one with trigrams and the other a lotus blossom with rich, impressed sanskrit. Other decoration throughout including large stylized sanskrit, small sanskrit labeling figures and narrating devices and the whole, and various tantric symbols. The mandala depiction surrounded by a beaded edge and the top pierced for hanging. 20th century and with good patina demonstrating some age and practical use. Good condition. Height, 12 inches (30.48 cm). Width, 10 11/16 (27.15 cm). The large, central lotus roundel measures about a full 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep. We have cropped some detailed views from our front and back photographs for closer inspection. The work is more sharp than our illustrations convey.

A kyusu teapot with attrative, unctuous rust-orange highlighted opaque off-white Shino glaze. Two character artist's signature incised to the pottery body within a reserve in the glaze. Good condition save a miniscule flea bite to the flaze on the tip of the spout. Pot diameter about 5 1/4 inches. Cover diameter about 3 1/2 inches. Length including handle about 7 3/4 inches. Height to cover handle about 4 inches. 20th century.

Leather tobacco pouch with embossed and faded polychrome stained decoration of Buddhist Apsara, the pouch well worn. Ornate repousse metal dragon clasp and fastener on the verso engraved with decoration of an active sea. A chain with similarly decorated metal slide, depicting a dragon in relief with incised and stippled details, secured to an ivory and metal kagamibuta netsuke - the metal face again decorated with repousse dragon among flames against clouds with pearl. The netsuke and metalwork all in good condition. The leather pouch looks better in the pictures than in life with sides coming unstitched and colors faded on the evenly distressed surface. Shipping of this item is not an issue within the United States. Buyers outside of the U.S. must bear any costs we incur to apply for a CITES export certificate and to ship antique ivory abroad. We will comply with any export laws, customs regulations or shipping requirements regarding the export of ivory. With your bid you also agree to abide and to accept all responsibility for import requirements.

A good Japanese lacquer tray. Egg shell ground with gold Taka-Makie decoration of quails among flowering foliage - two of the leaves with Makie on Roiro. A dark brown to black rounded edge with wood grain texturing and gold lacquered rim. The verso black with eight character gold lacquer signature lower-left: Nihon Shizuoka Kaiya (or Umino) Sei Zo. Fair condition - the Makie on egg shell in very good condition, the edge with stress cracks in the upper two corners from movement of the underlying wood evidenced by a slight warp, other minor wear. About 9 1/2 inches (24.1 cm) square.

A 20th century Japanese Agano pottery oil tsubo or vase of that form. The compressed spherical form with vitreous green glaze and blue pooling from the rim on high, waisted neck trending to a blue iridescence dripping where meets a thin, clear matte glazed buff body around the girth. The bottom unglazed around the flattened foot with single incised character off center - looks like it reads "Sei". Good condition - some bubbles in the glaze popped in the kiln. Diameter about 7 1/4 inches (18.4 cm). Height about 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm).

Antique Korean chest with a burgundy colored lacquer and bound with pierced brass decorative fittings. The color is a bit darker and with a more caramel tone than our studio lighting permitted - the underlying wood grain pleasantly texturing the lacquer surface in places. Of similar size, proportion and configuration to Korean cosmetic chests, there are some distinguishing differences. The present chest is a bit taller on average, the top is hinged but not double hinged (so more likely intended to hold documents or valuables and not serving as a support for a mirror), and two graduated drawers are hidden behind two hinged doors with a sliding lock mechanism and ring for a decorative chest lock (whereas the drawers in cosmetic chests are freely accessible.) In surprisingly good condition with only minor wear from use - exposing in places a rich patina to both the lacquer surface and oxidized wood. Decorative brass including swastika, bats, the top with turtle form lock, the doors with flower-head boss lock, engraved details throughout the brass hardware. 19th century. A similar red lacquered (cosmetic) chest with comparable (though more tame) brass hardware from the 18th century is illustrated as plate 28 in Korean Arts Of The 18th Century, Hongnam Kim, editor. Depth 12 1/2 inches (31.75 cm), Height 10 1/2 inches (26.67 cm), Width 8 1/4 inches (20.95 cm)

A small Chinese carved biscuit porcelain incense holder (or perfumer). The cylindrical carved white, unglazed cover over smaller diameter incense stick holder. The cover fitting onto a stepped rim on the broad base of the incense holder. The top of the cover with three holes to allow aroma from the unburned incense and carved details including small graduated bosses and prunus blossoms. The exterior of the cover with carved decoration of butterflies and a bouquet of flowering prunus limbs and grasses. Carved biscuit - glazed or not - became popular in the later Qing dynasty to turn of the century and the Republic period (to which we believe the present example belongs.) Good condition. Height, 2 3/4 inches (6.985 cm). Diameter, 2 5/16 inches (5.87 cm). Keep these proportions in mind when viewing our detailed illustrations which may be larger than actual size depending on your display resolution.

A late 20th century Koransha compote. The conical bowl with gradual slope raised on tall foot. The interior decorated profusely with three polychrome enamel detailed flower garden motif panels with rooster and butterflies all enclosed by gilt enameled bands with red enamel details around the rim and around the central Shou character in the cavetto. The exterior with stylized karakusa decoration. Underglaze blue orchid mark inside the foot - a band of underglaze blue stylized fungus decoration outside the tall foot. Good condition. We picked this up at a consignment shop (since shuttered) some time ago in North West Washington DC and believe it to be Circa 1980s judging from the color of the glazed body and how some of the solid dark blue areas were applied (see detailed views.) Diameter, 11 inches (27.94 cm). Height, 4 3/4 inches (12.06 cm).

An unusual Japanese blue and white porcelain koro, presumably Hizen production. Clearly Japanese with Mon alternating with flowering karakusa on the rim, and the body decorated with almost Nabeshima like cloud and tooth borders enclosing a broad tako-karakusa background featuring peony blossoms on cylindrical form with inverted, broad rim. Five spur marks appear on the glazed foot with no rim. Very good condition. About 3 1/16 inches (7.78 cm) diameter. About 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) high.

This vase is very unusual in form and decoration. Of tripart form, three elongated egg form vases (with everted rims on one end) are joined together in the kiln as a single, large complex vessel - the rounded (and glazed) bottoms unable to hold only one of the vases upright but stable when together forming three feet. One part with bird in flowering shrub decorated reserve on pink flower and vine ground with blue, yellow, aubergine, green, black, white moriage and gold enamel details. Another part with figures picknicking in landscape decorated reserve on aubergine and white enamel flower and vine ground. The third part with travelers in landscape decorated reserve on blue flower and vine ground with blue, yellow, black and aubergine details and successful tromp l'oeil affect with gold enamel highlights. The background decoration of the three parts continue cohesively from one part to the other with only the colors changing. The three parts bound with a blue enameled porcelain rope with bow knots between each part. The rims with green and black enamel decoration and chocolate brown enamel at the top. The colors suggest Kutani in the blue (Ao) palette. The form suggests something more imaginative as might be encountered in Fukagawa design books. Condition is good and presentable but with a couple minor glaze flaws dating to production, some crazing, and a curious, inconspicuous potrusion on the underside where the three parts meet and were it could serve little to no decorative purpose - not visible when standing on a table top. That potrusion is glazed green but with an unglazed end where apparently broken off from the kiln as would blown glass leave a pontil. This leaves questions of what form it took, how long it extended, or what purpose it served. If the vase was not resting on its rim in the kiln (which does not appear to have been the case) then perhaps this green glazed protrusion was a temporary support allowing the rounded vase bottoms to be glazed and fired - the support broken off near the convergence of the three parts after firing, much like the pontil on blown glass. The mass (three parts) lends as much to the mass as does the height. Height, 9 3/4 inches (24.765 cm)

A good Suzhou school celadon colored nephrite jade snuff bottle. Fairly well hollowed and adeptly carved to cleverly use natural russet on white colored skin, subtle color differences in the light green stone, and white inclusion along the foot on one side. Relief carving includes chrysanthemums rising from lighter colored rockery on one side. The other side with weeping prunus (following subtle inclusion) descending from russet rockery toward an area of white inclusion along the foot suggestive of snow (see lower-right of our last enlargement.) It could be said that one side represents Winter and the other side Summer. Particular attention to detail is given to rockery decoration extending through the foot where it continues to take advantage of slight color variation in the stone. The surface throughout exhibiting evidence of exclusively hand tooling. Late 18th to early 19th century. Excellent condition. Height without cap about 2 1/2 inches (6.3cm). (Some of our illustrations suggest a soft earth tone in the middle of the bottle but is actually a light reflection of the wood surface used when photographing - the color of the bottle actually being a consistent light green-celadon with mild color variation except for some distinct russet and white skin.)

A well crafted Montagnard hardwood crossbow with subtle attention to detailing and with oxbone release mechanism. The wood (a resource of interest to Chinese occupiers since the Ming dynasty) appears to be a good quality tropical hardwood (broadly referred to as rosewood - we cannot be certain of the variety.) As is typical with Montagnard (as the Hmong [or "Hill Tribes"] vicinity mountainous regions of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were called by the French occupiers), the form resembles a gunstock but in reverse - what we in the West would normally shoulder is at the ejection end (more resembling a Fijian war club) with flight groove. The Montagnard were sympathetic to, and generally regarded as allies of, American forces. The shape flattens and is thoughtfully shaped (again resembling Oceanic handiwork) below the oxbone release - terminating in a much smaller, beaded shoulder butt. The "limb" tangent to the broad, ejection end and tapering to the shaped string knocks at either end. Relatively good condition but with some small wood losses - one at either end of the stock (not impeding function or decorative utility.) Stock length 20 inches. Limb span from nock to nock 40 1/2 inches. Accompanied by a single bamboo arrow with fletchings of dried tropical vegetation. This might be a little tricky to ship as we will not be able to break it down.

The blue and white bucket form porcelain vase in Hirado style but probably from an Arita kiln. This garden bucket is a less commonly encountered form (in porcelain) with a single handle. Decorated in Hirado fashion with plover over an active sea. Borders around the girth and the foot in relief and depicting woven bamboo securing the barrel form. A slight celadon tinge collects in glaze pooling particularly around the woven bamboo motif borders. These borders do exhibit qualities associated with Hirado - holding form and detail nicely. But minor firing imperfections(glaze pinholes) and free hand of the painting again point to Arita. A nice object in very good condition. Height 5 15/16 inches (15.08 cm). Diamter, 6 1/8 inches (15.56 cm).

A simple Korean black lacquered cylindrical box with elegant wire inlay decoration of a four toed dragon and flaming pearl amongst clouds on the cover with rounded edges and slightly convex top. The dragon with brass inlaid eyes. Wire inlay of this manner can be found on Korean iron and lacquer objects. The shape, size and proportions of this box are extant in metal and lacquer Korean decorative arts. Not having found reference to specific purposes of such boxes, the yellow silk lined interior of the present box leads us to believe it may have held a small hat such as the Korean chokturi - a small ceremonial head piece worn by ladies of the Yangban ruling class and the royal household. Late Jeoson dynasty. Good condition with minor surface wear as usually encountered with lacquer and an inconspicuous crack on side of the cover - likely helped along by natural wood shrinkage. Some staining of the silk liner. A little remaining sticker residue should clean easily enough by a professional (we have removed what we are comfortable removing.) Diameter, 5 3/4 inches (14.6 cm). Height, 3 1/2 inches (8.89 cm).

A good Qing dynasty cloisonne opium box. The flat, rectangular covered box with rounded corners decorated with scholar's objects and treasures in polychrome enamels on carefully worked, sturdy brass. Good condition. Height, 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm)

A small Chinese blue and white porcelain dish. Foo Dogs with balls amongst clouds and flames decoration. The white glaze pooling to a pale celadon tone inside the rim and around the foot. A four character underglaze blue hall mark appears inside root rim. Acquired from Amos Judd and Son antiques on Howard Street in Baltimore in the early 90's. Reasonably good condition with some fritting to the rim but no cracks and a sure and clear resonance when tapped. Diameter approximately 5 inches (13 cm)

A small blue and white Chinese export porcelain dish. Decoration of a bird amongst chrysanthemums on rockery in front of an active sea with rising or setting sun on the horizon. Patterned border inside the rim. The undecorated verso with unglazed foot rim. Reasonably good condition with one filled rim frit. No other condition issues - sound resonance when tapped. 6 inch (15.24 cm) diameter.

A really nice, old bronze Shishi sculpture. It works well enough as a free standing figure and we cannot be certain it wasn't intended as such. The bottom has a single 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) diameter opening and another opening being the beast's mouth. The party we acquired from described it as an incense burner. Perhaps it could have been the cover of a censer - the opening in the bottom allowing smoke to escape from the mouth. It is not clear if a few points on the bottom surface might suggest the figure could have been primitively secured to another surface at some point or if only to ensure a stable position while resting atop a censer. The patina, as does the style, suggests significant enough age. A rich, dark red tone indicates a relatively high copper content in the alloy. The gold highlighted eyes appear possibly to have been later embellishment. Makes a great desktop decoration or implement (paperweight) and displays sufficient sculptural merit worthy of a collection. We believe this must be at least Edo period. Good condition. Length at longest point (tail to ear) 4 inches (10.16 cm)

Koryo dynasty olive toned celadon bowl with a large, impressed peony decoration inside the bowl and incised fine line around the inside of the foliate rim. The body thinly potted but strong as in the manner of Chinese Yingqing wares of the same period. Perhaps slightly more stout than Yingqing wares, it emits a similar resonance when lightly tapped. 12th Century. For a discussion of this and a comparable incised bowl, see Figure 6, "The Radiance of Jade and the Clarity of Water - Korean Ceramics From The Ataka Collection". While the condition of the present example is very good, the color of the glaze could be a little cleaner. The irregular shape of the rim seen in our illustrations are due to crimping to form the foliate rim and an imperfection at one point. There are no chips, no frits and no cracks. The bowl sits well on its foot and with no significant leaning. The shape of the bowl sustains some warp from the firing. Some earth or kiln oxidation (not certain which) stubbornly adheres to places on the outside of the bowl. Usual minor faults including a little grit inside the cavetto, pin holes and small openings in the glaze, and three spur relics along the foot. Diameter at the widest point is 7 1/2 inches (19.05cm). Height is about 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm)

A fine, early Joseon dynasty, deep Punchong bowl with gracefully everted rim and on tall ring foot. White slip inlaid decoration in the cavetto of chrysanthemum blossoms, surrounded by a lotus-petal band, surrounded in turn by rope-curtain decoration continuing to multiple rings inside the rim. The outside brush-wiped with white slip and an olive colored glaze over the slip and body - pooling in places. The unglazed foot fired to a grey-brown color. Spur marks along the foot rim and also inside the cavetto offer clear evidence of stacking within the kiln. Some pleasing iron to black colored small spots in the glaze also offer testimony of the kiln conditions. Two intact bubbles in the cavetto and one bubble likely popped during firing. 15th Century. All in all, quite remarkable and good condition. Sits well and even upon its foot and with no significant leaning or distortion of form (a good example.) Diameter 7 1/8 inches (18.1cm). Height 3 1/4 inches (8.26cm).

A fine gem of a meiping form vase by Ito Tozan. Decoration of paulownia mon in white moriage, red and gold enamel amongst presumably young, leafy paulownia growth in moriage gosu blue. The decoration with tasteful balance - some places sparse and other places active - winding from the foot to the rim. The almost imperceptibly finely crackled Satsuma glaze smooth to the touch and with a pleasant, warm appearance. A pleasing hoist relative to the vase's mass. Two character signature in black enamel inside the foot. Excellent condition. Height, 6 inches (15.24cm)

Chinese transitional bronze incense burner of compressed, bombe, circular form flanked with two lion-head handles resting on the girth below the waisted rim. Raised on short, splayed, ring foot surrounding a sunken-relief apocryphal six character Xuande mark. Condition is fair. While the patina has been weathered and likely overcleaned in its past, sufficient trace patination together with natural oxidation remains to support an attractive conservation of the patina by a qualified metal specialist. Length from lion head to lion head is about 7 inches (17.78cm). Diameter of rim is about 5 3/4 inches (14.6cm). Height 2 5/8 inches (6.66cm). 17th/18th century. Acquired in the mid 90's at Shupp's Grove outdoor market in Pennsylvania and in storage since.

A Vietnamese blue and white porcelain jarlet. Painterly chrysanthemum blooms and leafage decoration freely rendered and with some oxidized, heaped cobalt. Fair to good condition: There are three points where old, hard wax has been applied presumably to smooth kiln faults and possible a small rim chip if not just another kiln fault (we don't like to restore items or interfere with old conservation.) Lists slightly. See third enlargement for illustration relevant to condition report. Otherwise, quite attractive and presents well. About 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) height. About 3 inches (7.63cm) diameter.

Koryo dynasty celadon bowl. The cavetto with inlaid white slip decoration including ornamental band inside the rim and four strawberry sprays surrounding centered chrysanthemum flowerhead within double ring. The exterior with white and black slip inlaid decoration of two graduated bands of chrysanthemum roundels within double rings. The olive green glaze pooling to blue-green and burned in the kiln to a drab tone on a portion of the exterior. 12th to 13th century. Good condition. Diameter 7 3/8 inches (18.73cm). Height 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm)

A whimsical Bizen stoneware figural koro. A young man is depicted inebriated - sake barrel by his side (the hat cover and barrel form inokes the otherwise absent tanuki associated with sake and mischief.) The sake barrel holds the burning incense while a separate piece represents the boy's hat and forms the cover for the censer. The enjoyment of incense from the burner suggests the intoxicating qualities of imbibing. Late 19th to early 20th century. Good condition. About 5 1/4 inches (13.34cm) length with cover on. About 3 7/8 inches (9.84cm) high.

An unusual and interesting straw glazed porcelaneous incense burner. The three footed bombe censer with barbed, loop handles on opposite sides along the waist flaring to a broad rim. The interior reveals the pot was built from coiling and smoothed without before glazed and fired. Good condition for its type and likely age. Minor old chips to the extremities of the loop handles and one small chip to the outside of the rim. Surely not a high fired ceramic and both fine and broad crazing to the glaze also contributing to a resonance absorption when tapped. A stable crack issuing from one craze line on the rim. This remains one of our more mysterious items even now and since acquiring it in the early 1990's. We believe it is Annamese (comparable to ivory glazed utilitarian and decorative objects correlating broadly to the Ming time line - see examples in Vietnamese Ceramics, Stevenson and Guy) but could also be provincial southern Chinese. Length between handle tips 8 inches (20.32cm). Height 4 inches (10.16cm)

A finely decorated Vietnamese blue and white porcelain bowl. Thinly potted and with a crackled glaze over blue and white aquatic decoration suggesting waves on the bowl's exterior, a conch shell inside the cavetto and surrounded by a variety of blossoming flowers among grasses. Good condition with expected wear including a couple minor chips inside the foot rim and light abrasion inside the bowl. Diameter at widest point 6 1/8 inches (15.56cm). Height about 3 1/16 inches (7.78cm)

A celadon, crackle glaze inverted rim bowl. The unglazed rim suggesting this had a cover as some examples of this form (sometimes referred to as an alms bowl) did. The shoulder, below the inverted rim, with two double fine line bands flanking relief flower head bosses. Strait lotus leaf motif adorning the side tapering to the foot. The foot unglazed (both the foot rim and inside the foot rim.) Though an earlier form, the weathered pretty green glaze appears to be Qing dynasty. Good, decorative condition. The unglazed body - particularly the foot surface except for a few rough spots - unusually smooth. Acquired in trade in the mid 1990's. Diameter, 6 1/4 inches (15.86cm). Height, 3 5/8 inches (9.21cm)

A finely carved bamboo cane. Allover decoration of fierce Samurai combat from The Tale of the Heike Samurai (from the larger context of The Tales of Genji.) Beginning from the top, two naval vessels laden with Samurai allude to the sea battle of Dan-no-ura where the Taira were vanquished by the Minamoto. The child emperor is shown in large proportion with the Minamoto general in smaller proportion. Other aspects of the tale can be seen with one Samurai carrying two severed heads - one in each arm, another samurai about to relieve his opponent of his head, two crabs with the faces of drowned Samurai - still in combat, and the famous Minamoto archer on horseback appears toward the end of the cane. The quality of carving compares well with good netsuke and okimono. It was a bit difficult to photograph as the design obviously wraps around. Two of our enlargements combine images to show some of the wrapped decoration (including the head trophies and the archer.) Condition is good but with the end cap missing (an easy, utilitarain replacement.) Minor chipping to the bamboo not unexpected and limited mostly to the end - where it should cover nicely. See enlargements. Length: 36 3/8 in (92.4 cm)