Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (345)

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.

Very Rare early 20th Century Anatomically Correct Pair of Clay and Gofun Nude Figures in a Bath House Hakata Ningyô. Male: 6.5 inches (16.5cm), Female: 6 inches (15cm).

Meiji Period (circa 1900) Japanese Satsuma Vase. A very beautiful example of Satsuma ware, featuring a spectacular eagle on a pine tree, both Japanese symbols of dignity, in thick gold and color enamels on a cream field. A classically shaped vase with a rich image. 10 inches, 25.5 cm. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Large Meiji Period Bunraku Puppet of Tokagawa Ieyasu. Extremely rare on this grand scale (4 feet high, 122 cm). This fine quality puppet was possibly made at the request of the puppeteer Kiritake Monjuro II, as the hero in Bunraku plays. It has a fantastic dynamic presence, and is carved of Poloma wood covered in gofun (oyster shell lacquer) featuring sumptuous silk brocades with Tokagawa crests and dragons.

Japanese Koto Cover featuring a magnificent Phoenix. The Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument. This Koto Cover was for an important Koto player. A textile of this quality rarely comes along for sale. Beatifully hand painted with some embroidery on fine silk. Really a work of art. 96 x 13.5 inches, 244 x 34 cm. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Japanese Cloisonne Vase with elaborate flowers on silver wire over red enamel with foil design. A striking, elaborate work of art and a treasure of exquisite beauty and excellent detail. Height: 12.5 inches, 32 cm.

Extremely Rare Japanese Set of Five Military Band Musicians from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5. We knew of this one-of-a-kind complete set 15 years ago, and have finally just now been allowed to purchase it. These rare sets were produced only during the Russo-Japanese War, and you will likely never see another being offered. Japan used these Ningyo for the Boys Day Festival during this time in history. Heights range from 10.5 to 11.5 inches, 26.5 to 29 cm. Excellent Condition.

Japanese Boys Day Horse. This white horse is of the highest quality and artistry. Carved of palomar wood and lacquered 30 to 40 times with gofun (oyster shell lacquer) to create a naturalistic effect. It is completed with the most fabulous trappings, a fine saddle, bells, and a ponga Buddhist symbol on his back. Presented on a lacquered stand with fine gold. The high quality makes it most likely that this fine piece was made for the Daimyo class, and may have been presented to a shrine. Height: 16 inches, 41 cm.

Japanese Meiji Period painted poloma wood door (sugido). Ink and pigment on a natural wood ground, depicting a peacock perched on a flowering cherry tree, signed/sealed Sho[ryo], the reverse with scattered cherry petals floating near a flowering dandelion plant. Possibly featured in a retreat of the upper class. Height: 70.75 inches, 180 cm; Width: 34.25 inches, 87 cm.

A rare Japanese Fushimi clay sculpture of a Sino-Japanese War soldier. Fushimi Clay Dolls were painted dolls made of unglazed ceramic that were sold in front of the gate to Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, starting in the 16th Century at the end of the Momoyama period. They are also called Fukakusa Dolls or Inari Dolls. A charming example of Japanese folk art of the Meiji Period. An important find for the folk art collector. 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

A rare Meiji Period Isho Ningyo depicting the Tale of the Tongue Cut Sparrow. This pair is brilliantly crafted and attributed to the famous Ningyo artist Mauari, a National Treasure in Japan. His work is highly prized there. 9.5 inches, 24cm tall. Excellent Condition.

The phurba is one of the most important of the shaman's implements, and this particular phurba is an exceptional example of the great effort and tremendous creativity that goes into the making of this magical tool. It has an upper section with 3 faces, one smiling, one wrathful, and one peaceful. The middle section is a vajra (symbol of lightning) whose twin tips rest on knots of eternity. The lower section represents Makara, the water divinity, who holds in his mouth the the triangular blade around which snakes are entwined. This phurba has a further uncommon touch, an animal rests atop it. Really a very fine example of Nepalese religious art. 8 inches, 20 cm. Very Good Condition.

A set of Three Meiji Period Japanese Isho Ningyo of rich, stylish young ladies viewing a book of leaves. They are created in a very unusual style. We have not seen anything like these before. They are gorgeous in every way. A work of art that transcends the usual. 7 inches (18cm) high. Wood base is 15 x 8.25 inches, 38 x 21 cm. Excellent Condition.

Taisho Period Japanese Ceramic Rabbit Figure, with original artist signed box. A charming studio work of art with wonderful glazes creating a striking image. 6 inches, 15cm.

Japanese Satsuma Phoenix Vase by Kinkozan V, an important and renowned Satsuma artist. It features stylized figures and flowers in under glaze red, yellow, green and blue on a rich black ground. This kind of design was very influential on Art Deco. 9 inches, 23 cm.

Japanese Late Meiji Period Two Panel Owl Screen featuring a solitary owl perched on a wind blown bamboo, entwined by vines with clusters of red berries. Signed by Kouro. Nihonga School - ink and color on paper painting in tarashikomi, a technique that achieves shading through pooling successive layers of partially dried pigment. 68.5 inches (174 cm)h x 67 inches (170 cm)w. Very Good Condition. Minor Repairs. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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.

Antique Japanese Ikebana flower arranging basket made of bamboo with an unusual sculptural image. It features large pieces of bamboo joined together to create the container, with a wonderful handle. 19.5 (50 cm) tall. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.