Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (345)

Rare Bamboo and Bamboo Root Antique Japanese Fishing Pole converts to a Cane carved with a playful Monkey and Snake and auspicious symbols. The 35 inch ((89cm) walking stick extends to an 83 inch (211cm) fishing pole! A unique find for the collector of Japanese art.

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. 7.5 inches, 19 cm tall.

Japanese carved boxwood large Okimono, Mino-Kame turtle. Late 19th Century, Meiji Period. Mino (straw raincoat) Kame (turtle/tortoise) are named as such because Japanese believe the turtle lives such a long time that they grow algae on their on their shells, symbolizing longevity. A magnificent carving made of a single block of fine boxwood, showing amazing details and a beautiful wood grain throughout this masterpiece. 18 x 8.5 x 4 inches, 45.75 x 21.5 x 10 cm.

Fine Japanese Bronze Sculpture of a Turtle Couple. Superb casting of an early Meiji Period bronze, circa 1880, with exquisite detail featuring a natural effect with a rich beautiful patina. Signed. 1.5h x 2.75w x 2.25d inches, 3.75h x 7w x 5.75d cm.

A rare Musha Ningyo three piece set featuring Ojin, Kato Kiyomasa and Attendant, from the Late Edo Period of the 19th Century. It is very unusual to find a set like this in a complete state with all its accessories and original display stand. They all have great faces and sumptuous brocades. The way they work together is very special. Overall height with stand is 17 inches (43cm). Excellent Condition.

14 Original Woodblock Prints by Ogata Gekko, Japan's First Internationally Acclaimed Artist, beautifully housed in this handsome volume, The Floral Art of Japan, published in 1899. Cover is in Good Condition, but the prints inside are the most pristine, well preserved 19th Century prints we have ever seen. Book prints like these are generally exposed to less light than most prints, thus better preserving their colors, but this copy of this book is quite exceptional even by those standards, making it a rare and valuable reference to compare to other antique prints, as the colors are more vivid then anything of this age that you will likely ever see. For example, the dark purple in the flowers in Enlargement 2 has faded away in any other copy of this book that we have seen, but in this copy it is as vivid and bold as it was the day it was printed. This is easily one of the greatest bargains for collectors of Japanese art. You get 14 very rare and beautiful woodblock prints, by a Japanese Master of the Meiji Period, that have seen almost no light, so the colors are as vivid as the day they were printed. The beautiful gilt decorated front and back covers are also by Gekko. All the woodblock prints are signed and are on Japanese vellum, protected by tissue. The covers are in fine green cloth with gilt lettering and gilt decoration. The prints are magnificent, depicting not only the Japanese flowers and floral art, but also the customs, costumes and people of 19th Century Japan. 137 pages of text with 39 illustrations within the text, plus 8 pages of appendix. There are also 124 black and white plates. 14.5 x 11 inches, 37 x 28 cm. In addition to the gorgeous and exceedingly rare prints, you get the much reprinted and still authoritative English text on the art of traditional Japanese floral arrangement. 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.

Japanese Isho Ningyo of a Noh Actor, Meiji Period, late 19th Century. Height: 13.75 inches, 35 cm.

Japanese Dairi-bina Imperial Couple for the Hina-matsuri (Girl's Day), late Edo/early Meiji pair with Me-bina female wearing kokin-style surcoat with embroidered sleeves featuring a floral design, sumptuous kinran textiles, elaborate kanmuri crown, and cobra hairstyle. The O-bina male is wearing a rich brocade of white silk yusoku-style surcoat with floral cobalt blue roundels, lacquered paper kanmuri court cap, long curved sword at hip, shaku scepter in hand. The well-rendered faces are covered with a fine gofun (oyster-shell lacquer) and have glass eyes and painted features. These were made for the Imperial class. They are seated atop royal tatami platforms. Displayed in front of a pair of painted cherry blossoms screens, signed circa 1920. The screens are included. 16h x 14w inches, 40.5h x 35.5 cm.

A warm grained Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) two piece Yonezawa Isho Tansu (clothing chest from Yonezawa) finely constructed of pine (matsu) and highly desirable paulownia (kiri). 42 x 34 x 16 inches (107 x 86 x 41 cm). Very Good Condition. This chest is from Shonai, a region of Yonezawa that makes chests that are highly prized for their combination of understated Japanese design with a sense of tradition.

A very large and elaborate Meiji Period Takeda Ningyo of a Kabuki actor in the role of the great warrior Akechi Mitsuhide, who rose from a lowly farmer to become one of history's greatest samurai. This Ningyo is in Excellent Condition and is complete, which is amazing considering its complex construction. It was made in northern Japan, giving him him a unique look, as most Takeda Ningyo were made in Kyoto. Total dimensions: h31.5 x w16 x d11 inches, h80 x w40.5 x d28 cm. Figure height: 14.25 inches, 36 cm.

Yukimi Gata Toro (Lantern for Snow Viewing) that was used in the winter. Iron and Sheet Metal with a very rare Double Roof design. A rare and unusual Edo Period example for the serious collector. 12.5 inches (32cm) high x 10.25 inches (26cm) wide.

A rare late Edo Period four-panel silverized Japanese Screen. A fine scholar's composition of bamboo, rocks, and a swallow in flight. A beautifully painted sumi, with a fine oxidized silverized patina. It appears to have the original brocade frame. The screen is in extraordinary condition for its age. A superb, museum quality screen and an important find. Height: 40 inches, 101.5 cm; Width: 72 inches, 183 cm.

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

Yukumi Gata Toro (Lantern for View of Floating) that was used near water. Iron and Sheet Metal with a very rare Double Roof design. The door panels are in the shape of bamboo trees, the ancient Japanese symbol of resilience. A rare and unusual Edo Period example for the serious collector. 15 inches (38cm) high x 10.25 inches (26cm) wide.

Framed 19th Century Japanese Late Edo Period Embroidery of a Phoenix. Wonderful and elaborate master needle work with beautiful use of soft colored silk threads accented with gold silk threads. This a rare find for the Japanese textile collector. This was part of the Morris collection, which is housed in the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts. It is framed with a Victorian era frame. 26.5 inches (67 cm)w x 25 inches (63.5 cm)h. The textile is in Excellent Condition, the frame is in Very Good Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

A beautiful Satsuma vase by Kinkozan, the foremost artist of the 'Golden Age' of Satsuma during the Meiji Period. In ovoid form with gorgeous relief butterfly and flower designs and a central band with floral rosettes on black. Kinkozan mark on base. Height: 12.5 inches, 31.5 cm; Circumference: 25 inches, 63.5 cm.

This is a rare, well-modeled and detailed 19th Century Japanese Arita Porcelain Elephant. It is based upon an outstanding 1680 Japanese Kakiemon model, which in turn, was derived from Chinese prototypes. This piece is enameled in red and cobalt with yellow accents. It is a beautiful and striking work of art. Width: 17 inches (43cm); Height: 8.25 inches (21cm).

Meiji Period Koransha Porcelain Dragon Vase, in ovoid form with gray Dragon and Clouds with under glaze charcoal. It is an accomplished work of fine Porcelain. Height: 4.5 inches, 11.5 cm.