Nagoro banana leaf tray lacquer over wood. The black lacquer shines through the red to reveal the ribs and veins of the leaf. In the literati tradition, banana leaves were used by scholar recluses as paper to write calligraphy. Later, this motif was incorporated into other forms of art making the image one of the symbols of the literati aesthetics.

Date: Tiasho circa 1920

Dimensions: 16" x 6" X 3/4"

A rare, large architectural Buddhist temple carving of a Dragon (Ryu), with reverse glass painted eye. The high relief carvings show the dragon's body coiled behind clouds of smoke and waves. Its serpentine body reveals his 3 appendages with classic three claw anatomy. The relief is solid keyaki "zelkova serrata" wood with the original red patina. The dragon which symbolizes the heavenly realm has control of rain, fire, and earth. Dragons are the powerful embodiment of yin and yang and are... Click for details

Antique tribal wooden stool from the Lobi people of Burkina Faso & Ghana, in the Sub-Saharan region. With original red and black lacquer finish and patina. The stool is circular in shape with recessed seat and four legs. Dates from early 20th century.

Dimensions: 10" w x 9" h

Antique Japanese large single section todana tansu. Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood. This piece 4 horizontal rows with 4 drawers in each row for a total of 16 drawers. All of them are the same size. The hardware is made of iron and each drawer has a warabite shaped drawer pull.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 29" high x 65 1/2" wide x 17 1/8" deep.

Japanese indigo cotton fireman's coat, with sashiko stitching and freehand paste resist decoration (tsutsugaki) of a cherry blossom, overlapping rings and striations. The front of the coat has four kanji characters on the lapel, and the inside of the coat is resist dyed with geometric designs and a round central emblem.

Late Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 47" w x 37" h

Japanese iron tsuba, an important fitting on a samurai's sword to protect their hands from the blade and provide balance. Decorated with relief gold lacquer image of a gourd and opposing catfish. The backside of the tsuba is gold plated, with commemorative inscription "Bill - Christmas, 1972". The plating is signed with 14k and 18k gold marks, and stamped Potter Mellen. With custom base.

Mid Edo Period (1603 - 1868)

Dimensions: 3" x 2 3/4" x 4 3/4" (w/ stand)

A Japanese bronze ritual brazier from the Muromachi period. It has an even tonal verdigris patina throughout the object. The scalloped edge lip is decorated with alternating Ruyi cutouts and continuous curved lines.

The low brazier rests on 3 protruding rounded feet elevating it for the ideal purpose of burning scented woods or providing warmth. The Chinese term for Ruyi means “as you wish.” The curved decorative Lingzi (mushroom scepter) serves in ceremonial Chinese Buddhist... Click for details

Japanese pair of round fish plates. The raised details of the fish is painted in blue glaze. Along the edges, an impressed pattern makes up the fish's dorsal and pectoral fins. On the bottom, the maker's mark is a tiny blue floret.

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 10 3/4" wide (mouth to tail)

Japanese women's small tansu with hardwood drawers, and charming burl front panels. The gilt copper hardware conveys floral motifs of Kiri leaves, flower petals, and fruit. The chest is configured with eight drawers of varied size and a pair of small sliding door panels opening to a roomy compartment. Each drawer has a plush black material lining.

Taisho Period - circa 1920's

Dimensions: 21 1/4" l x 11 3/4" d x 11 3/8" h

Japanese hand-forged iron jizai, used for suspending a tea kettle over a fire pit within the home. Made with a charming iron fish with incised details of scales, face, and separately attached fins.

Edo period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: 8" w x 48" - 53" long