Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (342)

Pair of Spectacular Masterpiece Japanese Paintings of an Imperial Couple. 59h x 24w inches, 150 x 61 cm. Signed: Nakayama Sanji. Original frames. Male figure wears robes with the Tokugawa crest. The female wears a gold phoenix crown with a gorgeous royal kimono. This one-of-a-kind pair of portraits was possibly inspired by the American painter, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925), considered the leading portrait painter of his generation. His portraits have a elongated format, similar to this pair of paintings. Exhibited at Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.

A Beautifully Carved Late 19th Century Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Okame, the Goddess of Mirth, in Exceptional Condition. 7.5 x 5.5 inches, 19 x 14 cm.

Late Edo Period (1850-1868) Japanese Musha Ningyô (Boys Day Doll) wearing an Eboshi, a court hat and robes with crests. He is seated in a court position and has a handsomely caved face. His silk fiber hairs are tied in a top knot. This is a well executed example. 11 inches (28cm) tall. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

Signed Late 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Noh Mask of the jealous female spirit, Hannya. One of the most famous of Noh Masks, sought after by serious collectors. One of the best examples we have offered. It is finely carved and painted, the expression is fantastic, and all the details and patina are wonderful. 10h x 6w inches, 25.5h x 15.5w cm.

Meiji Period (circa 1890) Japanese Hago-ita (Battledore or Badminton) Paddle in its original display case. It is very rare to find one from this time period, especially with its original case. A deluxe example that is enhanced with three dimensional objects. We have never seen such a wonderful and elaborate Hago-ita. 26 inches 66 cm) tall with case. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

The two fine and old haribako (Japanese Sewing Box) that we offer here on our site are likely the oldest ones you will see offered for sale. They come from the collection of a renowned author on and collector of Asian art. This lovely chest of paulownia and pine has the original hardware, original ruler, and original pincushion. 18.5h x 9d x 7.5w inches, 47h x 23d x 19w cm. Very Good Condition.

A one of a kind, very large early example of this Musha-Ningyo (Boys' Day Figure). This legendary figure first appeared for Boys Day in the late 19th Century. He is the Japanese equivalent to Hercules. He is always shown with a ruddy complexion, as seen in Japanese woodblock prints, scrolls and screens. He is a magnificent sculpture, Iki and Gosho in style. He holds an Axe and wears a sumptuous embroidery brocade featuring a mythical Turtle. 19th Century (circa 1880). 29 inches (74cm) height.

Large Japanese Okimono Sculpture of Jurōjin, God of Longevity with a turtle, also a symbol of long life, and a young boy representing the beginning of life. Exquisitely carved from one piece of boxwood with a beautiful, rich patina. 15.75 inches, 40 cm. In Japan, Jurōjin is one of the Daoist Seven Gods of Fortune, or Shichifukujin. He is the God of Longevity. Jurōjin originated from the Chinese Daoist god, the Old Man of the South Pole. He may have been and historical figure of the Northern Song Dynasty (960 – 1127). Jurōjin is identified as the personification of the Southern Polar Star. Paintings and sculpture of Jurōjin are considered auspicious.

A unique early Japanese Ikebana Basket with a rich camel colored bamboo entwined with Wisteria vines with a single, beautifully twisted and gnarled Wisteria branch. Highly sought after by the discriminating basket collectors. Edo Period, circa 1850. 14 inches (35.5cm) tall x 12.5 inches (31.5cm) wide. From a widely renowned and published collection that has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum and Japan Society.

An extremely rare and very large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Iki Ningyo (living figure) of a young Bijin. An exquisite Ningyo representing idealized feminine Japanese beauty. She is posing as if for a photograph or for an artist. Every aspect is hyper realistic: the hair, eye lashes, accessories, and the painted kimono. She is holding a silver mirror and hair ornament as part of a collection of hair ornaments featuring a lacquered comb. Her beautiful face changes from different angles. Iki Ningyo in feminine form are rare; most are male forms. 27 inches, 68.5 cm.

Exceedingly rare and very large Japanese Meiji Period Imari Porcelain Vases Adapted as Lamps. These great vases are one of a kind, not to be seen or found again. Gorgeous, rich, colorful glazes featuring flowers and birds with a charming fence design, all featured on a translucent white glaze. Height: 41 inches, 104 cm.

Stunning Meiji Period Midnight Blue Cloisonne Vase in inverted pear shape with lavender and white wisteria design on a midnight-blue ground. Height: 11.5 inches, 29 cm; Circumference: 15 inches, 38 cm.

A very important find and a great day for the serious Satsuma collector who acquires this exceedingly rare pair of plates of breathtaking beauty, detail and color by the renowned Satsuma Master, Ryozan, depicting the two Goddesses of the Seven Lucky Gods, Benzai-ten and Kichijo-ten (Kichijo-ten sometimes replaces Fukurokuju in portrayals of the Seven Lucky Gods). These Goddesses of Good Luck, Happiness, and Learning are patrons of geisha and artists and are venerated by speculators, entrepreneurs and tradesmen who pray for luck in business and love. This is a one-of-a-kind portrayal and format by Ryozan, one of the foremost Satsuma artists of 19th Century Japan. 9 inches, 23 cm. Excellent Condition.

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.

Rare, Spectacular late Edo Period Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A musha ningyo (Boy's Day Ningyo) representing Toyotomi Hideyoshi in sumptuous gold court robes and armor, wearing an Eboshi winged hat and a fantastic sword, holding a gunbai-uchiwa (military fan). This Musha Ningyo of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the finest quality example from the late Edo Period. Incredibly carved face covered in many layers of gofun (oyster shell lacquer). Seated on a lacquered platform. Placed in front of a screen as part of the presentation. The screen may be original to the piece. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) unified Japan after the Muromachi government lost control. The period of his rule, Momoyama is named after Hideyoshi's castle. 15h x 22w inches, 38h x 56w cm.

Sessho was a student of the legendary Tani Buncho. His paintings were collected and much appreciated by Emperor Meiji. He painted this gorgeous flower painting in a deliberately straightforward manner in order to take focus away from his superior technique and have you consider only the beauty of the subject. Silk Canvas and Mount. Mount: 72 x 25 inches, 182.5 x 63 cm. Painting: 44 x 20 inches, 112 x 50.5 cm. cf. C.H. Mitchell's The Illustrated Books of the Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo, and other Related Schools of Japan: A Bibliography, Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1972; and Laurence P. Roberts' A Dictionary of Japanese Artists, New York, Weatherhill, 1976.

An extremely rare late Edo Period (circa 1860) Japanese albumin hand tinted photograph of a young foreigner dressed in a samurai's clothes. The art of portrait photography was brought to Japan in the late Edo Period by European photographers who first introduced photography to the Japanese. Westerners were fascinated by Japanese style and culture. They dressed up as Samurai and Geisha to pose for a photographic portrait. This early piece is a rare find for the photography collector. It is of artistic and historic importance. Image size: 41 x 18 inches, 104 x 46 cm.

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. 10 inches, 25.5 cm tall.