Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (345)

An especially fine Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) Gilded and Red and Black Lacquered Butsudan (Japanese Buddhist Altar) with an endless variety of luxuriously designed details, hidden drawers within secret compartments behind hidden panels, marvelously rendered images and elaborately carved sculpture. All other butsudan pale in comparison with this rare, museum quality showcase piece. This piece would have taken the maker close to 2 years to complete. 65 x 44 x 27 inches (166 x 112 x 69 cm). Excellent Condition.

Late Edo Period (1850-1868) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) wearing an Eboshi, a court hat and robes with crests. He is seated in a court position and has a handsomely caved face. His silk fiber hairs are tied in a top knot. This is a well executed example. 11 inches (28cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Edo Period (circa 1820) Japanese Daki Ningyô (Hugging Doll) standing at the unusual height of 27.5 inches (70 cm), making him a very rare and striking figure. It is most uncommon to see this type of Ningyô outside of Japan, for they are highly prized by the Japanese. A widely held theory has it that these dolls were commissioned by patrons of Geisha as presentation gifts. This one is outstanding in every way. It has a wonderfully expressive face and conveys a very happy spirit. He wears a spectacular kimono with many layers of beautiful textiles and chirimen silk done in shabori motif. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Set of Three Royal Animal-Shaped Currency Weights from Burma, Dated 1800. From the 15th century up to the end of the 19th century, animal-shaped weights functioned as a means to measure currency, such as silver ingots or any other precious material that was a means of exchange. There were three main animal shapes used, one of which were these duck-like bird figures. These weights could also serve in a religious context as Buddhist reminders of the need for honesty (accuracy in weighing) during commercial transactions. These weights were very common throughout Burma, although their production ended before the 20th century. As with coinage, new weight styles and designs were regularly issued, and these three particular bird weights, with their V shaped indentation on the back, can be exactly dated to 1800. See “Earth to Heaven: the Royal Animal-Shaped Weights of the Burmese Empires” (Gear & Gear 1992) for more information as to their form and function. They are made from a copper-lead alloy. Much of the material culture of Burma was destroyed during its many wars and invasions, and these weights are one of the few kinds of artifacts to have survived the periods of metal shortages and looting that so frequently visited Burma. 2 1/8 inch (5.5cm), 1 3/4 inch (4.5cm), 1 1/8 inch (3cm). Very Good Condition.

Huge (36 inches, 91.5 cm across!) Japanese Meiji Period (1868-1912) Cloisonné Charger with Flower and Bird motif. This is one of the most fantastic 19th Century Japanese Cloisonné works we have ever seen. The colors are magnificent and most vivid on a Robin Egg Blue field framed with a gorgeous pattern. The size is amazing and with the stunningly rendered flowers and birds, it makes for a rare, breathtaking exhibitor work of art that will be a spectacular center piece for any home or office. Excellent Condition.

This stunning masterpiece of extraordinary design is an exceedingly rare Edo Period Botankago (Peony Basket) Ikebana Basket for the Tea Ceremony, with original signed box. One of the rarest and most important baskets to come up for sale. Black with a very large handle that separates into five pieces for portability, a fine complex weave and intricate crayfish motif. A rare and important find for the serious Japanese basket connoisseur. 22.5h x 19.25w inches, 57h x 49w cm.

An exceedingly rare ancient Japanese Heian (794-1185) or Nara Period (710-794) Engraved Bronze Tortoise. The entire shell, front and back, has engraved artistic images of the people and symbols of the era. The tortoise is a symbol of wisdom, and is able to defend itself on its own. It personifies Water, Moon, Mother Earth, Time, Immortality, and Fertility. Creation is associated with the tortoise and it is also believed that the tortoise bears the burden of the whole world. This was quite possibly a gift of protection to the imperial household. We are proud to offer such a fine and beautiful rarity. 4.5h x 9w x 6.5d, 11.5h x 23w x 16.5d cm.

19th Century Nepalese Shaman Sculpture with traces of yellow and red pigment and an incredible, dense, dark patina. So thick and dark is the amazing patina that the necklace that covers the chest and back, and the carvings on the skirt, are barely visible. The hole on the bottom indicates that this was likely the handle of a dagger or staff. The old customs seal is also on the bottom. 8 inches, 20 cm. Very Good Condition.

Large Rare Japanese Clay Figure of a Young Girl playing with her pinwheel. Beautifully executed and glazed with wonderful colors, exhibiting the style of the 1920s Art Deco Period in look and form. Taisho Period. 16h x 9w x 9d inches, 40.5h x 23w x 23d cm.

Yoshitoshi Tsukioka's Very Scarce (only about a dozen known copies) Book with Six Full Oban Size Prints, The Flowers of Japan and the Art of Floral Arrangement (First Edition). This is the best known existing copy of this book. Because the prints are in a book, they have been exposed to almost no light, so the colors are more vivid than anything you will ever see. Because there is no color loss, this is a unique opportunity to see what antique Japanese woodblock prints must have looked like when they were new. All but one of the prints are pristine (one has a small spot and a smudge in the margin). Even the text pages are remarkably white, indicating that very high quality, low-acidity paper was used, and the book has been well conserved. Besides Yoshitoshi's 6 oban size (10.5 x14 inches) prints, there are also 4 beautiful prints of Japanese interiors by Kawanabe Kiosui, daughter of Kiosai (or Kyosai), and 54 more full page plates depicting flower arrangements. In addition to these gorgeous and exceedingly rare prints, you get the much reprinted and still authoritative English text on the art of traditional Japanese floral arrangement. The one other copy of this book that is available on the market today is a water stained copy with an asking price of $1475.00. One of the silk ties is missing from the binding of our copy, but the book is still very solid and stable. The cloth at the head of the spine is slightly worn, and there is wear to the cover, a dark line across the corner of one b & w plate, and a 2 inch tear in the fore edge of the title page, otherwise the contents are fine and tight. A beautiful volume and a major monograph addressing the methods of flower arranging, seasonal arrangements, festive arrangements, flower vessels, ceremonies, etiquette, manipulation of cuttings, how to preserve flowers, practical examples, glossary of Japanese terms, selection of material, the history & theory of flower arrangement, and prohibited flowers. The most important and first flower arrangement monograph done in English in the 19th Century. The front and back covers are also by Yoshitoshi!

A unique early Edo Period 17th Century rectangular Lacquer Incense Box, with high relief and decorated with Gold Takamakie technique on thick Nashiji ground. Takamakie is a kind of relief combined with the Hiramakie technique. The base of the relief is made with charcoal powder. Hiramakie is　sprinkling metal powder or grains, sticking them onto the surface, using the adhesive ability of urushi tree sap. For sprinkling metal powders puffy raw silk threads are used while for grains a thin bamboo cylinder filter is used. The makie parts are whetted or polished after drying. Makie technique is indigenous to Japan. This fine box has an image of a tied pouch and thickly raised objects and flowers on a Nashiji (pear skin) sprinkled gold lacquer ground with details of kana-gai (pieces of gold or foil embedded in the lacquer). A magnificent work of art. It is rare to find such early lacquer in such excellent condition. 6.5w x 3.25d x 2h inches, 16.5w x 8d x 5h cm.

Pair of Inari Foxes of sculptured and fired clay with luminescent powered white glaze. In traditional Japanese art, a pair of foxes typically flank the deity Inari’s shrine image. But in modern times, images of Inari have all but disappeared, replaced instead by images of Oinari’s messenger, the magical shape-shifting fox (kitsune 狐). Here the symbolism is two-fold. First, rice is sacred in Japan, closely associated with fertility (the pregnant earth) and with sustaining life. Inari and Inari’s foxes must therefore be placated -- otherwise it would be disastrous to the livelihood of the nation’s farmers and people. One fox has a jewel (houju) in his mouth, and the other carries in his mouth a letter (makimono), fulfilling his role as a messenger. These striking sculptures will transcend any room with their beauty, charm and elegance. 22 inches, 56cm tall.

Sessho was a student of the legendary Tani Buncho. His paintings were collected and much appreciated by Emperor Meiji. He painted this gorgeous flower painting in a deliberately straightforward manner in order to take focus away from his superior technique and have you consider only the beauty of the subject. Silk Canvas and Mount. Mount: 72 x 25 inches, 182.5 x 63 cm. Painting: 44 x 20 inches, 112 x 50.5 cm. cf. C.H. Mitchell's The Illustrated Books of the Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo, and other Related Schools of Japan: A Bibliography, Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1972; and Laurence P. Roberts' A Dictionary of Japanese Artists, New York, Weatherhill, 1976.

Important pair of very large Late Edo Period (19th Century) Japanese Carved Lacquered Panels. This work of art is of the highest museum quality. Works like these are usefully found in only in major museums and prominent private art collections. We are proud to offer this spectacular masterpiece. They feature four mythological and historical figures in relief, lacquered in the most amazing techniques. Framed with beautiful red lacquer that is part of the panel. 41.5 inches (105.5 cm)h x 33 inches (84 cm)w. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

This very fine Late 18th Century Ningyo was made for the Daimyo Class. These rare pieces are highly regarded in Japan. This is an unusually large Musha- Ningyo of the hero Kato Kiyomasa, who accompanied Hideyoshi on his campaign against Korea. He was famous for his bravery. He has a great face of carved wood and finely burnished Gofun, and is dressed in the sumptuous textiles of a rich green velvet coat with gold dragons. He wears a spectacular helmet, possesses a fantastic sword, and wields an intimidating battle baton. Figure height 26 inches (66cm), overall height 33 inches (84cm).

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

In keeping with our tradition of bringing you Rare and Fine Japanese Antiques that you can't find elsewhere, we present this 19th Century Elm Wood Japanese Rice Mill, a striking conversation piece for any home or office. 51.5 x 70 x 29 inches (131 x 178 x 74 cm). Excellent Condition.

Extremely Rare Edo Period Isho Ningyo Pulling a Wagon with a Crane. Early 18th Century Ningyo like this very rarely come up for sale. This Isho Ningyo is special, as it resembles a Karakui (mechanical) Ningyo. This important Ningyo has a classic face with painted features, sumptuous embroidered textiles, and is pulling a cart that has a crane inside. It stands on a lacquered base. A similar example is in the Homa Museum in Japan. 14.5h x 9.5w inches, 37h x 24w cm.