Bronze Seal
A gilt bronze seal cast as a detachable sage in a retreat beneath a pine strewn rocky landscape, some gilt remaining. Inscribed Kihan Seshin (a retainer at the Kishu domain) Also Kuki Shi In (seal of Kuki) Kuki is a surname of a noble origin.
Natsume
A brown glazed Henan-style natsume with high shoulders, the dark glaze falling short of the foot to reveal the unglazed pottery. Ivory cover with gold leaf, silk bag and fitted box .
Red Snapper
A well cast model of a red snapper in bronze, lying with his tail flipped up, his scales and fins finely rendered. The fish with inlaid shakudo eyes and a good overall patina.
Lacquer Stand
A black lacquered wood stand with an octagonal shaped rim, the circular top rising from a fluted body, the rims in red lacquer are decorated to the interior with gilt floral designs with auspicious gold double bats. The underside with a two line gilt inscription: Showa Kyumen, Shigatsu, KANG Changwon saku (translation: Made in April […]
Lacquer Melon Box
A lacquered food container in a watermelon shape with two compartments, the exterior green brown striated lacquer with gold stalk and raised foliage decoration. The interior sections with red lacquer throughout. Made by Zofuku (Kyoto), he set up in Nishimura Hikobe in 1910, it was a short lived studio only active circa 1910-1930
Three Noh Masks
Three Noh Masks (Japanese Gigaku masks), each mask signed and inscribed by the artist Kano Tessai. (The artist was an innovative sculptor and a maker of mask netsuke 1845-1925. He started life as a Buddhist priest though his father instructed him in the art of carving. He studied Chinese literature and drawing and was a […]
Paper and Lacquer Military Baton (Sai-Hai)
A baton denoting rank, traditionally carried by Samuri military commanders,the black lacquer handle decorated with small squares in gold leaf. The etched floral mounts in Shibuichi and silver eyes. The tassel is made up from strips of Japanese wasi (mulberry paper).
Red Lacquer Stand
A square form red lacquer Negoro style stand with gilt chased copper hardware on four strut supports and stretchers.
A Large Kyoto Vase
A beautifully designed Kyoto vase with blue and green repeated tile design and floral embellishments and a paulownia mon (crest).
Namban Embossed Wallet
A rare dark brown leather wallet with a copper clasp, embossed with Western trading boats, their crews arriving in Dories, further western items, including a rickshaw, steam train, compass, globe, bowler hat and brolly, horse and carriage, sabre and musket, flags, and trumpets.