1. A most elegant 18th century Japanese bronze candle stand of sacred crane and minogamé, symbols of wisdom and longevity. The crane holds within her beak a lotus stem upon which the pricket rests. The lotus is the Buddhist emblem of the salvation of the Dharma – teachings of the Buddha. This sculpture has a lyrical composition with a sense of movement that invites the eye from all directions. Circa 1780.

Measuring 12 ¼” high.

2. A splendid pair of antique Japanese Butterfly Dancers ‘Kocho’, a traditional Kagura dance performed at the Nikko Temple in honor of the first Shogun Iyeyasu. This rare pair of antique dolls were iconic in their intent and never intended as toys, but as exquisite works of art with their handmade satin silk garments, fine ‘Gofun’ (crushed oyster shells) bisque face and hands, and gilded wings. Eyes reverse painted glass. Japan, circa 1900.

Measuring 9 ¼” high. 

3. An elegant gold lacquer and fine shibayama miniature vase, signed by the artist Kanéko. To one side is a cherry blossom tree created in tortoise shell branches adorned with blossoms and buds of select mother of pearl and coral and where a precious plover alights with wings outstretched. The reverse is of wisteria blossoms with vine and tendrils and a cluster of Fuji chrysanthemums along its trunk. The shoulder of this miniature baluster form vase is adorned with silver enamel lotus petals. Lip, foot and handles are also mounted in silver. Japan, circa 1880.

Measuring 5 ½” high by 2 ½” diameter. 

4. An antique Japanese iron tetsubin (tea kettle) with an attractive ishemei iron surface and bas relief camellia blossoms. The generous form is complemented by a broad iron handle with a domed lid with bud form knop. It rests on tripod feet beneath a broad rim for settling the tetsubin into sand and hot coals. The scale and decorative motif suggests the intended purpose was to serve at the many gatherings associated with traditional outdoor festivities.

Measuring 12 ¼" high by 10 ½" diameter.

5. A lovely Korean hinged lacquer travel box with four drawers to house a selection of rings. Striking is the array of colorful butterflies on an iridescent violet ground that is inlaid with white mother of pearl flowering vines, all framed by a classic key pattern border. This box was presented in 1952 to a young JAG officer stationed in South Korea during the Korean conflict for his assistance to the Korean government. He is now 93 and still to this day is granted the distinction of Honorary South Korean Consul General. Korea, circa 1950.

Measuring 2 ¾” high by 5 ½” wide by 2 ¾” deep.

6. An antique Chinese silver box of fabulous eccentric Dragons cavorting amongst clouds in pursuit of the flaming pearl of wisdom. This box is of finely tooled repoussé with the dragon’s scales often undercut to the point of overlapping. The groundwork is pierced throughout with an openwork lattice of traditional cracked ice pattern. Even its marvelous curvilinear contours appear to be in motion and with a sense of whimsy the artist has finished his creation with four delineated feet as if this box might take to movement at any moment. Bearing a silver mark with studio seal, circa 1900.

Measuring 3” high by 5 ¼” wide by 4” deep.

7. An antique Japanese circular lacquer kobako, sometimes referred to as a moon box or tsukibako. With the lacquer techniques of takamakié, hiramakié and kirigané on a rich nashiji ground, the artist has created a highly stylized literati landscape of mountains and pine beneath a full moon. When opened the interior of the lid is detailed in the sho chiku bai – pine, bamboo and plum, symbols of strength and endurance. Late Meiji / Taisho, circa 1910.

Measuring 3” high by 6 ¼” diameter.

8. A 16th century Ming Dynasty (1368-1643) miniature sculpture of two wildcats juxtaposed as a male and female in the Yin Yang position, symbols of strength (wildcats) and harmony (yin-yang). This functional work of art was intended to serve as a scroll weight and was therefore cast in a medium of heavy iron/bronze. Chinese researchers have discovered cat bones of the leopard cat, i.e. wildcat, in the agricultural settlements of Shaanxi Province from as early as 3500 BC. China, circa early to mid-1500's. 

Measuring 1 ¾” long.

9. A superb quality pair of antique Japanese bronze candle stands with phoenix handles and encircling dragons. The bases of the stands are supported by lions head tripod legs mounted on circular foundations with engraved and cast details overall. The waist is a lotus dais from which double gourds emerge that hold a final lotus cup and pricket. Candle stands of this caliber are commissioned works and given the auspicious Buddhist symbols that dominate this sculptural composition, this pair would have been intended to grace an altar table in a temple or important family shrine.

Measuring 17 ½" high by 5 ½" diameter.

10. A Ming dynasty (1368-1644) official bronze seal of a magistrate of the Imperial Chinese court. The seal reads Du Yi Li, which translates “Managing righteousness and courtesy”, a motto of the civil service. The solid bronze casting depicts a sculpture of a rather beneficent reclining goat holding within his mouth a ‘Lingzhi’ sacred fungus of wisdom. This charming sculpture has been worn soft at the high surfaces, as is characteristic of a functional work of art that has seen centuries of human contact.

Measuring 1 ½” high by 1 ¼” square.

11. An antique Japanese bronze tripod hibachi with engraved detail of a Buddhist temple lion chasing a festival ball ‘kikufudama’. The hibachi rests upon a circular lacquered wood pedestal for insulation and has been fitted with a pair of handles in the shape of stylized sea dragons, also intended as a practical measure to be able to move the brazier when in use. Meiji period, circa 1900. 

Measuring 11” high by 19 ½” wide (from handle to handle). 

12. A handsome antique Japanese zelkova wood tree trunk hibachi with a black lacquer base and original copper lining (the lining secured by encircling bamboo). The beautiful pronounced grain of Zelkova is much revered in Japan for its aesthetic beauty. The Japanese cultural tradition of functional works of art, highly values what nature contributes to an item's overall aesthetic appeal. Zelkova was preferred for cabinetry, hibachi, ranma and other such artifacts that one would interact with on a daily basis. 

Measuring 9” high by 15” diameter. 

13. An exquisite Edo period late 18th century Japanese lacquer 'Suzuri Bako' (calligraphers writing box with implements). The lacquer artist has skillfully depicted a landscape of auspicious symbols in highly refined techniques of hiramakié, takamakié, kirigané and nashiji. The nashiji is deftly applied in variations of density and the scale of the gold particles across a roiro ground. The pattern of application is adapted to bring perspective and to create an atmosphere of natural light as it appears just before dawn. The interior is fitted with trays that are adorned in a rich gold nashiji, situated either side of the inkstone (suzuri) and suiteki (water dropper). There are bamboo brushes and the implements of a kogatana (knife to cut ink-cake) with a tool for incising detail also executed in nashiji and then fitted with engraved 950 silver. The 950 silver suiteki is in the beautiful, sculpted form of an elegant crane in flight.

Sacred cranes and tortoise – symbols of wisdom and longevity, gather at a flowing stream – vitality and life force. Five strong young pines representing strength and endurance rise across the ground of the landscape. Respectfully, these elements of design were intended to welcome the scholar as he prepares to create Shodo, literally 'way of writing', a meditative art form that evolved from centuries of tradition.

Measuring 9 ¾” long by 8 ¾” wide by 1 ¾” high.

Hiramakié – A low relief of applied lacquer usually with gold metal powders and incised detail.
Takamakié – A high relief of built up lacquer with gold powders where extended time is required to allow each layer to harden.
Kirigané – Cut gold leaf in various shapes, often forming a mosaic, applied to the lacquer.
Nashiji – A technique of skillfully applying various graduated flakes of gold to a lacquer ground to create atmosphere and perspective.  Also a technique employed when gold flakes are densely applied to lacquer to create a lustrous glistening solid ground.
Roiro – Black urushi applied in several layers where polishing is required after each layer, resulting in a shiny black waxy ground.

14. A lovely antique Chinese finely carved Canton miniature ivory frame with raised three-dimensional detail f birds and flora. Circa 1890. 

Measuring 4 ½” high by 3 ½” wide.