Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (342)

17th Century Japanese paloma wood carving of Buddha seated on a lotus leaf. A beautiful piece with a serene presence. It has a wonderful, warm aged patina. 10 inches, 25.5 cm.

Very Rare Early Edo Period (early 17th Century) Japanese Lion Mask for the Gion Festival. It would have been part of a two man costume, one man holding the mask and the other at the back covered by fabric to perform the traditional Lion Dance. To find this mask from such an early period is really quite an important find for the serious mingei collector. 12 inches (30.5 cm)h x 10.5 inches (27 cm)w x 11 inches (28 cm)d. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Genuine 17th Century Early Edo Period (possibly Momoyama Period) Japanese Floral Rimpa Painting made from Pigments, Silver and Gold. This is not a print or reproduction. Authenticity is absolutely guaranteed. Custom mounted for display. Painting: 9.75 x 4.25 inches, 25 x 11 cm, Mounting: 14 x 8.5 inches, 35.5 x 21.5 cm.

Next to the Kabuto (Helmet), one of the most expressive parts of the Samurai's Armor is the Face Mask. This Middle Edo Period metal "armor for the face" is known by many names: mengu, menpo, mempo, men yoroi, katchu men. Menpo means "face and cheek" and is generally used for masks with nose pieces. This menpo is covered with a high quality gold lacquer. The inside is a negoro-like finish of red lacquer. Sporting a fantastic horse hair mustache. Obviously constructed by a highly skilled craftsman. 7w x 5.5h inches, 18 x 14 cm.

16th Century Japanese Momoyama Period Wood Sculpture of Nyoirin Kannon, widely worshiped by those who hoped to gain riches and fulfill requests, seated on a lotus flower on rocks. Nyoirin's pose was appealing to devotees: his relaxed pose is inviting and the hand raised against his leaning head, which signifies a meditative state, adds a human touch. The bodhisattva's pose, in fact, indicates that he is resting in his personal paradise on Mt. Potalaka, which traditionally is said to be located in the sea south of India. This remarkable sculpture is exceptional for its age and beauty, and is adorned with a necklace of jewels and has a beautiful patina, retaining much of its gold lacquer. 7.5 inches (19 cm) tall, 5 inches (13 cm) wide, 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) deep. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Genuine 17th Century Early Edo Period (possibly Momoyama Period) Japanese Floral Rimpa Painting made from Pigments, Silver and Gold. This is not a print or reproduction. Authenticity is absolutely guaranteed. Custom mounted for display. Painting: 17.5 x 12 inches, 44 x 30.5 cm, Mounting: 21.5 x 16.25 inches, 55 x 41 cm.

17th Century Early Edo Period Spectacular Japanese Temple Sculpture of Baku, a mythical beast loosely representing an Elephant with a combination of other animals, creating an original form. The Baku is the "Dream Catcher" of ancient Japanese Shinto mythology. It is inserted in the ceiling to watch over the temple. This Baku is a masterpiece sculpture of magnificent presence. It will surely be the focal point in any environment. It is carved entirely from solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, one the finest woods of Japan, and it takes two men just to lift it. Mounted on a lacquered stand, it rotates easily on the stand. 36 inches (91.5 cm) long x 25 inches (63.5 cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Genuine 17th Century Early Edo Period (possibly Momoyama Period) Japanese Floral Rimpa Painting made from Pigments, Silver and Gold. This is not a print or reproduction. Authenticity is absolutely guaranteed. Custom mounted for display. Painting: 10.75 x 6.25 inches, 27 x 16 cm, Mounting: 15 x 10.5 inches, 38 x 27 cm.

An Extraordinary and Scarce, Museum Quality Find. Early 16th Century Muromachi Period Saga Ningyo of the Goddess Kannon, in a rare and elegant standing form. Carved entirely of wood, her costume is built up with pigments in a technique called 'moriage'. Her gorgeous robes are decorated with foliate scroll slightly raised in relief. This rarest of all Ningyo forms almost never comes up for sale and are never seen except in museums or important private collections. Saga Ningyo are considered the "holy grail" of Ningyo. This fine and exceedingly rare example is one the first produced in the 16th Century. 5 inches (13cm) high (figure only, not including base). Base: 3.25 inches (8cm) wide.

Genuine 17th Century Early Edo Period (possibly Momoyama Period) Japanese Floral Rimpa Painting made from Pigments, Silver and Gold. This is not a print or reproduction. Authenticity is absolutely guaranteed. Custom mounted for display. Painting: 13.5 x 9 inches, 34 x 23 cm, Mounting: 17.75 x 13.25 inches, 45 x 33.5 cm.

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.

Late 18th Century Musha Ningyo of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This wonderful early example of high quality has a great presence, sumptuous brocades, gold lacquered armor, a spectacular helmet, and many other fine details. His face is gorgeously and masterfully carved with finely burnished Gofun. An extraordinary example. Figure height: 15.75 inches, 40 cm. Overall dimensions: 20 x 20 inches, 51 x 51 cm. Excellent Condition.

Rare and Spectacular Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (circa 1780). A musha ningyo (Warrior doll or Boy's Day doll) modeled after the seated Toyotomi Hideyoshi in armor with an eboshi winged hat and a sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This is the first one found by the same maker as the Hideyoshi in the famed Ayervais collection (cf. "Ningyo, the Art of the Human Figurine " Japan Society 1995 page 34, and "Ningyo, the Art of the Japanese Doll" by Alan Pate published by Tuttle. Exhibitions: Japan Society 1995, Metropolitan Museum 2001, Mingei Museum 2005.) This Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is considered the finest quality example from the Edo Period, and is in fine condition. Incredibly carved face covered in many layers of varnished gofun. Wearing sumptuous silk brocades. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) unified Japan after the Muromachi government lost control. The period of his rule, Momoyama is named after Hideyoshi's castle. 14h x 15w inches, 35.5h x 38w cm.

Fantastic 18th Century Edo Period Saga Ningyo of a young boy holding a bird. His head bobs while his tongue goes in and out. Carved entirely of wood, his gorgeous robes are built up with pigments in a technique called 'moriage'. He has an outer robe decorated with a foliate scroll with other beautiful designs and geometric patterns raised in relief. This rarest of all Ningyo forms almost never comes up for sale and are almost never seen except in museums or important private collections. Saga Ningyo are considered the "holy grail" of Ningyo. They were first produced in the early 17th Century. Height: 9 inches, 23 cm. Fine condition with original signed box and presentation pillow.

18th Century Japanese Two Panel Painted Screen. All four seasons are represented here, with the background representing Winter and the kimono patterns representing Spring, Summer, and Fall. This is an unusual and creative take on the tagasode (whose sleeves?) genre of screen painting that usually depicts interiors. The pair of kimono poetically speak of a romantic liaison. The colors are breathtaking and the painting technique is pure master work. 68 inches (173 cm)w x 60 inches (152.5 cm)h. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

A unique Edo Period Tengu (Devilish Imp) Mask with a handle in the back for use in parades. In fact, this was purchased in Japan in the 1960's directly from the parade participant who was using it, after the parade was over. A rare piece from a renowned collection. 8h x 5w x 5.75d inches, 20.5 x 12.5 x 14.5 cm. Wood with traces of pigment. 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.

Extremely Rare 18th Century Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day) Dolls, Samurai Set. Ningyô this early almost never appear for sale, much less with all of its original accessories, as we have here with this very fine, scarce, museum quality pair. We are very proud to offer this set. They have finely carved faces, and are lacquered with many coats of Gofun (Oyster Shell). They are adorned with sumptuous silk brocades and silk armor, indicative of mid Edo Period Ningyô artists. This set is a treasure of great importance for the most discriminating collector. 24 inches (61cm). From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

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.