Catalog (115)

Extremely rare Japanese Haniwa clay bust of a young wealthy woman with a charming expression and wearing a stylish hair style, large hoop ear jewelry and a neck piece. 3rd Century, Kofun Period. She represents the most prosperous of Japanese society in the Kofun Period. A similar example, a National Treasure, belongs to the Tokyo National Museum and is published in Haniwa by Fumio Miki, published by Weatherhill. Well preserved on a presentation display pedestal. 7h x 5.5w x 6d inches, 17.75h x 14w x 15d cm.

Japanese Cloisonné Elephant Jar. This is a wonderful, charming figure and is an unusual fine example that is a joy to behold. In a circus pose with elaborate fittings. 11.5 inches, 29 cm tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Rare Japanese 7th Century Asuka Period Buddha of Paloma Wood. Beautiful patina and wood grain. The Asuka Period is known for its significant artistic, social, and political transformations, having their origins in the late Kofun period but largely affected by the arrival of Buddhism from China. The introduction of Buddhism marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period is also distinguished by the change in the name of the country from Wa to Nihon. 12.75h x 9.5w x 4.25d, 32.5h x 24w x 11d cm.

Edo Period Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Kawazu, an Oni with a Golden Hair Beard, circa 1700. A very rare early example with a powerful presence. 8 x 6.5 inches, 20.25 x 16.5 cm. Height with the beard is 19 inches (48.25 cm).

A very rare late Edo Period Iki Noh mask of Hannya, the jealous, revengeful demon who was once a beautiful woman. Carved of Poloma wood with many layers of lacquer. Glass eyes and horse hair. 8h x 5w x 3d inches, 20.25h x 12.75w x 7.5 cm.

A powerful and extremely rare Japanese Edo Period Kyogen mask of a Nio Guardian King, ferocious native deities, often associated with the Naga Dragon Kings, who converted to Buddhism and now act as bodyguards for the Buddha. The Edo period was the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen theater was performed between Noh acts. This mask is a brilliantly carved work of art, accentuating the dramatic power of this important mythical figure. The mask was covered in layered colored gofun (oyster shell lacquer). 9 x 7 inches, 23 x 18 cm.

Rare and wonderful Kyogen Theater mask dating from the Edo period, the golden age of Noh Drama. Kyogen are short, humorous skits performed between Noh acts to lighten the mood. He has gold eyes with a rich red lacquer finish. Red represents both drunkenness and healing. The large nose gives a striking sense of comic drama. This fine mask is brilliantly carved, accentuating the depth of the mask, and adding a sense of comic theater. 8.25 by 6.5 inches, 21 x 16.5 cm.

Rare Japanese Female Haniwa Sculpture, Kofun Period, 4th century AD. This female clay figure was set in the ground at the site of a burial mound for the wealthy and Imperial class. She is a fine and graceful piece exhibiting great feminine charm. Mounted on a wood platform. This clay female figure would have stood with others in a protective circle around the tomb-mound of a powerful ruler. Her hair is swept up into an elaborate coiffure, and she wears a fashionable dress of the Kofun Period. The figure possibly may have been found near the village of Motomachi, close to the port of Konjō in Musashi Province, in present day Tokyo. Pieces like this are usually found in private collections or museums, and rarely come up for sale. Height of the figure: 7.25 inches, 18.5 cm; Height including base: 8.25 inches, 18.5 cm.

Magical, richly sculpted and beautifully formed Pair of Blue Kutani Porcelain Cats. Meiji Period. 8 inches (20cm) high.

Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Wood Kitchen Gods, Daikoku and Ebisu. 8 inches, 20 cm and 7.5 inches, 19 cm. Daikoku, God of Earth and Agriculture, stands on bales of rice and wields his magic mallet. Ebisu, God of Ocean and Prosperity, holds a large red sea bream tucked under his arm. This fish is an ancient symbol of good luck in Japan. Daikoku and Ebisu often appear together in the Japanese kitchen. This is a fine example of the pair of gods that Japanese have relied on for centuries to bless and protect the kitchen. From the collection of Irwin Hersey, renowned author on Asian and primitive art, and publisher of the Primitive Art Newsletter in the 1970s. Irwin Hersey was an advisor to museums and prominent collectors, and vetted pieces for many of the international tribal art fairs and Asian art fairs.

Pair of Exquisite Gilded 18th Century Japanese Angels Wood Sculpture. One angel has her scarf unfurled and caught in a tree. The other is up in the clouds in heaven. Legend has it the angel’s scarf is caught in a tree and did not allow her to heaven. A young man passing heard her and fell in love with her, but was distraught at her sadness and released her scarf so that she could fly back to heaven. Angel with scarf: 5 inches (13cm) long, Angel on clouds: 6 3/4 inches (17cm) long, height of both angels is 4.5 inches. Fine Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Old Nepalese Boar Mask. Purchased 40 years ago in Kathmandu by a well-known and widely published collector. 6.5h x 5w x 6d inches, 16.5h x 12.5w x 15d cm.

Old and Primitive Nepalese Mask with a Great Patina. 11.5h x 6.5w inches, 29h x 16.5w cm.

19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Okina, the Happy Old Man, portraying a happy man of wisdom and joy in many Noh dramas. This Noh mask is carved by Ko-Ikiu III from a long line of Noh mask carvers. It is finely lacquered over paloma wood. Signed with original case. This mask is in Perfect Condition. 7.5 inches tall (15 inches with beard) x 6 inches wide, 19cm tall (38cm with beard) x 15cm wide.

Museum Quality Early 18th Century Edo Period (circa 1700) Gilded Japanese Sculpture of Amida Nyorai Buddha. Seated cross-legged in the lotus posture, hands joined in the mudra of contemplation, eyes all but closed in meditation, we are gazing upon the sculptor's vision of Amida enthroned in paradise. The elaborately carved lotus upon which he sits is itself a symbol of the attributes of the Amida Buddha: gentleness, openness, and purity. This is a large, rare and exquisite example, fabulously carved in every aspect, from the nimbus, the lotus, and the multiple stands, to the Buddha himself, all sumptuously lacquered in beautiful gold. The Buddha's hair is arranged in snail-like curls, and a sacred jewel adorns his forehead. The robes are enhanced with gorgeous black lacquered designs. This Buddha is imbued with all of the gentle idealism one associates with Japanese Buddhist sculpture. We are proud to offer this masterwork. 32.5 inches (82.5cm) tall x 21 inches (53.5cm) wide. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Early Meiji Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cat), believed to bring wealth and good luck, from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. The fur is white with random black and orange patches. This tri-coloring is considered especially lucky. This belief may be related to the rarity of this coloring in the Japanese bobtail cats, after which the Maneki Neko is modeled. This coloring is called Mi-ke in Japanese, meaning three-fur. 10 inches, 25.5 cm tall.

Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Sculpture of Senju Kannon, the 1,000 armed Bosatsu of Compassion, the deity of pure bounty, omniscient and omnipresent. This divine sculpture holds its foremost hands in the Anjali mudra (hand position), universally used by people in Asia for salutation, it evokes an offering (of one's good feelings, of one's person, of art, etc.). This is a fantastic, masterfully rendered find for the Buddhist art collector. 13.5 inches, 34 cm. Excellent Condition.

Maquette (scale model) of Faun Sculpture by Yasuhide Kobashi (born 1931), commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in its opening years. Purchased directly from the artist at the time the sculpture was first displayed in Lincoln Center in the 1960s. Signed on the Bottom of the mount. Kobashi's works are in the permanent collections of many major museums, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the New York Public Library, the Weisman Art Museum, and the Neuberger Museum of Art. In 1965 along with Jackson Burke, he designed the space for the display of the Burke Collection, one of the greatest collections of Asian art in the West.