Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (342)

Rare and Fine Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo for the Boy's Day display, depicting the celebrated tea master and political adviser Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), in a kneeling position wearing rich silk brocades. He is displayed in front of a beautiful and elegant wood and silk screen with four continuing panels of a dragon flying in the clouds and chasing the magic pearl of immortality. The screen is made of black lacquered wood with gilt threads couched and stumpworked onto a dark black silk background. Ningyo depicting Sen no Rikyu became popular in the opening decades of the 19th century when stories, plays, and ningyo connected with the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (to whom Rikyu served as an important advisor) dominated many aspects of popular culture. Minor wear to black velvet collar, otherwise fine condition. Screen: 18 x 12.5 inches, 46 x 32 cm. Ningyo height: 8.5 inches, 21.5 cm.

Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune dressed for the Imperial Court. He is wearing a fantastic brocade robe and a spectacular court hat. This wonderful rare example of high quality has a great presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished gofun (white clam shell lacquer). An extraordinary example. Height: 22.5 inches, 57 cm.

Edo Period late 18th/early 19th Century Japanese Ningyo of Yamauba, the Forest Goddess, half woman and half spirit. She found Kintaro abandoned in the forest by his father, and saved his life. She raised him, and he became the Hercules of Japan. For sure one of the rarest of all Ningyo. Also the rarest of female images. Only a few of these may actually exist. She bares her breasts to nurse Kintaro, as seen in Japanese woodblock prints as a popular subject by artists such as Utamaro. She is holding a wild peach branch and Kintaro is in a sumptuous silk textile matching her Obi. She is wearing gorgeous textiles and beautiful tied hair of silk. Her face and bust are of the highest quality burnished gofun, creating her beautiful spirit face. She is sitting on a peach silk pillow. Displayed on a fine black velvet display stand. Overall dimensions: 11.5 x 8 x 8 inches, 29 x 20.5 x 20.5 cm; Yumauba: 10 x 7 inches, 25.5 x 18 cm. Fine Condition.

Magnificent 18th Century Japanese Edo Period Kakiemon Porcelain Incense Burner with Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Delicately painted designs in vivid and varied colors. A wonderfully rendered Daruma adorns the cover where the smoke magically appears out of his mouth when incense is burned. A very rare and remarkable piece in very fine condition. 5.5w x 4.5h x 4d, 14w x 11.5h x 10 cm.

Late 18th Century Gonin-Bayashi, Five Japanese Musicians displayed on a Hina stand. This set was made as an addition to those Ningyo already displayed on a tiered stand. They imitate a Noh orchestra. This set has very finely carved faces, covered with burnished Gofun. Because of their size and age, these are highly desired by collectors. Average height of figures is 4 inches (10 cm).

Rare, Early Japanese Satsuma Censer. A fine example of Satsuma ware with beautiful complex underglazes of gold, red, blue, green and white, and featuring auspicious Crane and Floral motifs, creating a beautiful design on a gorgeous shape with stunning handles and cast silver top of raised flowers. A great find for the Satsuma collector. Late 18th Century Edo Period. 3 inches (7.5cm)h, 4 inches (10cm)w. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society. Pristine Condition.

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.

Edo Period (circa 1750) Large Japanese Wood Sculpture of a Shrine Horse, a gift from an upper-class family to a shrine. Images of Horses are highly prized in Japan. It is commissioned and presented to protect a newborn male child. Rising up on its back legs, set to gallop, it strikes an animated, exciting, and beautiful pose that sets it apart from the usual static poses that these horses have. The curves of the sculpture are masterfully rendered to convey the sense of action and spirit in this rare horse. It has a great presence from all angles, and a wonderful color and patina. 25 inches (63.5cm) tall x 38.75 inches (98.5cm) long. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Early 18th Century Japanese Two Panel Screen Painting featuring a spectacular Phoenix. Exquisitely painted with silver leaf on paper. Original brocade borders. Screens this early are very rare, and screens of these proportions are rarely seen. 28 inches (71 cm)w x 24 inches 61 cm)h. Good Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Exceedingly Rare 18th Century Japanese Karakuri-Ningyo (Mechanical Doll) of a whimsical figure from the early Edo Period, classic in its form. This figure is moved by strings and pulleys operated by three men hidden out of site. This one was part of a festival float, possibly for the Gion (New Year) Festival. This Ningyo has a fantastic face of the period. He is wearing a gorgeous costume of the finest textiles and sumptuous brocades. He stands on top of a beautiful silver lacquered stand featuring high relief flowers and leaves. Height: 23 inches, 58.5 cm.

Rare 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Hai Hai Gosho Ningyô. This extremely rare form of Japanese Doll is one of the most sought after of Gosho Ningyo (Palace Doll). It has a wonderful classic painted face. They were presented to Royalty and upper class at the birth of a baby, and placed in the baby's chamber to protect from and absorb bad spirits. It is covered with many layers of Gofun (Oyster Shell Lacquer) over papier mache. The hair is made of silk. This amazing form is wearing a brocade bib and matching hat, and is holding a Din Din toy. 13 inches (33cm) long, 7 inches (18cm) wide.

Very Old Edo Period (circa 1720) Extremely Rare Set of Three Female Musicians for Hina Matsuri (Girls Day Festival) Almost all musician dolls were male, making this group highly unusual, especially from the 18th century. They have the most wonderful features painted on carved wood covered with burnished gofun (oyster shell lacquer). The textiles are chirimen silk. 8.75 inches (22.5 cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

A large, rarest of rare Japanese 18th century Bijin Saga Ningyo, depicting a standing female holding her flowing kimono. Saga Ningyo are the most sought after of all Japanese Ningyo. They are almost never seen on the market, and only rarely enter Western collections, public or private. This is a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity for the serious connoisseur of Japanese art. This finely carved and sculpted figure is a masterpiece from all angles. The rich pigmentation of the robes are built up with pigments in a technique called 'moriage'. The many classic patterns are extraordinary. Saga Ningyo are very different from more familiar Japanese Ningyo forms. This Saga Ningyo, an exceptional and magical presence to behold, is of an unusually large size (18.5 inches, 47 cm), significantly larger than most known examples. The exact and detailed treatment of her kosode kimono, the flowing lines of the carving, the elegant arrangement of her comb-secured hairstyle, and the rendering of her gorgeous face, is an artistic achievement on the highest level.

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.

Pair of Important 18th Century Edo Period Cricket Cages of museum quality, made for upper class or royalty. They are exceptional in every way. The Bamboo bars and Mother of Pearl inlay are of the finest Japanese craftsmanship, as are the Wisteria wood cases and red lacquered feet. Work like this is extremely rare and highly treasured in Japan. This is a unique opportunity to own an extraordinary work of Japanese art. 9 inches (23cm) tall x 8.25 inches (21cm) wide x 5.75 inches (14.5cm) deep. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

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.

Japanese Edo Period Wood Carving of a Monkey on a Peach Tree. Originally housed in a Buddhist temple. Carved of poloma wood. Original pigments still exist, which is very unusual for the age. It is a wonderfully carved and captivating work of art. 23 x 9 inches, 58.5 x 23 cm.

A Superb, Rare Pristine 18th Century Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Ko-jo, an elegant old man in Noh Drama. This mask is of the highest quality carved to dramatic perfection. Finely lacquered over wood. A magnificent addition for the serious Noh mask collection. 8 inches (20.5 cm) height x 5.5 inches width. Height with beard is 14.5 inches (37 cm). From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.