Spoils of Time Asian Ceramics and Works of Art
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All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1900 item #1319026
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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)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Pre 1900 item #1318566
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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.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Pre 1910 item #1310329
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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).
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1837 VR item #1292089
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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).
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1930 item #1286921
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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.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1837 VR item #1232237
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Sold in Vervendi auction
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.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1230346
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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.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1837 VR item #1217554
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Sold in Vervendi auction
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)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1203924
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Sold in Vervendi auction
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)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1920 item #1203860
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sold - post Vervendi auction
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).
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1800 item #1199164
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Sold - Netherlands
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)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Pre 1980 item #1199156
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Sold - Switzerland
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).
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1900 item #1190809
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Sold in Vervendi auction
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)
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1837 VR item #1187486
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Sold in Vervendi auction
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.)

All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1910 item #1186763
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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.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Pre 1920 item #1178317
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Sold in Vervendi auction
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.
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Pre 1900 item #1167636
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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).
All Items : Archives : Regional Art : Asian : Korean : Pre 1492 item #1167622
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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.