Antique Japanese fireman's hood. Made of layers of indigo cotton sashiko and decorated on the inside with a scene of a tiger and lightening storm.
Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel.... Click for details

Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of a fu-dog (fu-lion) guardian. Traces of paint and gold guilt remain. The underside has writing in ink and a translation which reads: "This pair of Foo-lions was donated to the gate of Myoken Nichiren Shrine in Noma village of the province of Sesshu (near Osaka) on the date of 9th May, 7th year of Genroku ra. (1694 AD) by Gendo Ujihiro Inoue for his memory of accomplishment of repeating "Nichiren" prayer 300 times."

Dimensions: 10" high x 9"... Click for details

A beautiful Japanese studio pottery vase in a mossy green hue with stylized Chrysanthemums scattered about in artistic form. Studio stamped seal at the base.

Age: Mid Century

Dimensions: 12 1/2" High by 15 1/4" Diameter.

Antique Japanese pair of Kutani ware porcelain fu-dogs. Each figure is glazed brown with green curling mane and tail. They stand on a yellow and brown glazed rectangular platforms. One has an open mouth while the other has a small horn. Fu-dogs or Foo-lions are fierce protectors but are also playful and energetic.

Age: Early 20th century

Dimensions: 6 1/2" high x 4" long x 2 3/4" wide each

Antique Japanese Raku ware chawan (tea bowl) with crackle glaze, repaired with red lacquer. Red glaze with light green splash. Kyoto. Evaluation done in the 1930's by TZ Shiota when the family was inheriting the collection from their great grandfather, Federic Torrey. The collection was stored in a trunk since his death in 1935.

Age: 18th century

Dimensions: 3" high x 5" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection of Frederic Cheever Torrey (1864-1935), partner... Click for details

Antique Japanese Raku ware chawan (tea bowl) with crackle glaze and finely applied kintsugi. Red glaze with dark greenish-black spots. Seal impression on the bottom. Kyoto. Evaluation done in the 1930's by TZ Shiota when the family was inheriting the collection from their great grandfather, Federic Torrey. The collection was stored in a trunk since his death in 1935.

Age: 17th century

Dimensions: 3 3/4" high x 4 3/4" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection... Click for details

An antique Japanese Kotansu (personal storage chest) made entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. All original bronze hardware with replaced drawer pulls. Two hinged doors open to a storage space for books and documents with removable shelves and small drawers below. Constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

Age: Late Meiji Era (1890-1910)

Dimensions: 24 3/4" Wide by 18 3/4" High by 12 1/2" Deep

An antique Japanese Buddhist family altar called Butsudan in 2 sections. All lacquer finish with gilt lacquer interior. Exterior doors open to inner sanctum doors. Upper transom was hand carved with religious figures meditating in a wooded forest. The altar features a centerpiece dragon with 3 flying Phoenix birds above each compartment. Hanging ornaments on each side. With front slide out tray, sliding doors hiding a storage compartment and 2 drawers where Buddhist accoutrements were kept... Click for details

Antique Japanese Butsudan, Buddhist shrine for a home. This butsudan is in two sections. The top section has four folding doors that open to a shrine interior: An multilevel altar with carved details, gold leafed silk and columns. There is a small storage compartment closed by carved sliding panels. The bottom section has two storage drawers. The doors of the butsudan are carved with a round pierced filigree design of chrysanthemums.

Age: Taisho Period... Click for details

Antique Japanese tansu with original deep-red lacquer finish. The top portion of the chest has three full-width drawers and locking bar. The lower portion of the chest has two medium sized drawers with a locking bar on the left hand side, a safe box on the right. The safe box door has heavy iron work and opens to reveal 3 small interior drawers. Other iron hardware includes warabite drawer pulls, extensive corner bracing and handles for carrying. The sides and back of the tansu are... Click for details