Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (332)

A very rare Momoyama Period masterpiece Japanese two-panel screen with chrysanthemum and other flowers and foliage. Exquisitely painted on gold leaf, with original sumptuous silk brocade. 72w x 21h inches, 183w x 53h cm.

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: 6.5 x 4.75 inches, 16.5 x 12 cm, Mounting: 10.75 x 9 inches, 27.5 x 23 cm.

Fine Edo Period Sho Bosatsu Kannon in Rare Excellent Condition, gilded wood sculpture seated on a lotus and holding a lotus in the left hand. The Bodhisattva of Compassion has never been more beautifully rendered. Height: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Width: 14 inches (35.5 cm).

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.

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: 9 x 8 inches, 22.5 x 20 cm, Mounting: 13 x 12.25 inches, 33 x 31 cm.

Very Fine and Beautifully Rendered Hono Ema from the Tensho Shrine, dated October 7, 1695. The inscription reads Mikawa Province (modern day eastern Aichi Prefecture), Tomifuku-gun ('county'), Oshiro Mountain. While the wealthy would often give a horse as a gift to a Shinto shrine, the common person would give a Hono Ema (literally 'gift horse picture'). These plaques are then left hanging up at the shrine for the gods to see. This is a rare and museum quality work of Japanese Folk Art from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. 23.5 x 16.5 inches, 60 x 42 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.

Japanese Buddhist Temple Carving of a Stylized Cloud Formation. This very early 16th to 17th Century carving is the oldest one we have seen, possibly from the Momoyama Period. Carved of poloma wood. A rare early work of art. 40 inches (101.5 cm) long x 12 inches (30.5 cm) high. Fine Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

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.

A important Rare 18th Century Noh Theater Robe. This extraordinary silk embroidered example of a summer production Noh Robe has a design of Wisteria, Fans and Ropes, and exquisitely captures the art of Noh. 63.5 inches (161.5cm) height x 52 inches (132 cm) width. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

18th Century Japanese Edo Period pair of Kyoho-Bina Ningyo, an exceedingly rare early 18th century. An exceptional example of this early style. The finest quality in all aspects, featuring rich silk matching brocades in an elegant floral pattern with auspicious treasures on multilayered robes creating a classical form. All accessories and stands are original, very rare for such an early piece. Fine faces of gofun (oyster shell lacquer) aged to a burnished tone, with painted details. They have a museum collection number. Kyoho-Bina are one of the earliest styles, and are the Tiffany of hina display dolls. Emperor: 18 inches (46 cm), Empress: 17 inches (43 cm).

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.

18th Century Japanese Wood Carving of a Mythological Guardian Shishi and Peony. This carving is reminiscent of a carving at Nikko Shrine. It is unusual to find one with much of its paint still intact. Wonderfully carved and painted by a master. A fantastic addition for a collector. 31 inches (79 cm) long x 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) high. Excellent Condition. From a prominent and widely exhibited collection.

Rare Edo Period Kokin-bina Style of Empress & Emperor. Minor wear, fading to textile, otherwise fine condition. A classic, very early example of a Dairi-bina Imperial Couple for the Hina-matsuri Girl's Day celebration. The Emperor and Empress are seated atop a woven ungenberi fronted dais. They are a very fine early example. The emperor is wearing a lacquered court cap and tail, holding a shaku scepter, the me-bina lady is wearing a spectacular crown, and has a fabulous painted fan. All formal court attire. Their presence evokes the period with their gorgeous faces and sumptuous brocade and accessories. They are a masterpiece of the art of Ningyo. 19h x 35.5w, 48h x 90w cm.

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.

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).