Unusual Japanese hardwood low shop desk tansu. Original red lacquer finish with heavy iron plates and mounts. The table surface is hinged with three doors that open to interior compartments for papers and other merchant's effects. The middle door has a lady's portrait with calligraphy inscriptions detailing the piece is from a merchant business in "Ume-yashiki, Tokyo" with the merchant name "Shimbashi Kotatsu" and dated 25th year Meiji 1893. The right side of the chest holds four small drawers... Click for details

Antique Japanese 3 drawer gyosho bako or merchant's box, with original red lacquer finish. The top of the box has a carrying handle and the 3 drawers are opened by hirute shape iron pulls with square locks and corner hardware.

Dates Edo age c1800 Dimensions: 17" x 14" x 15 1/2" H

Unusual Japanese Kiri (paulownia) tansu with 8 drawers and a lift away panel opening to a shelved interior with spacious room. The 8 front drawers feature small round locks and warabite pulls. Original finish and condition.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25" L x 12 1/2" D x 19 1/2" H

Japanese tenmoku ware ceramic vessel with ribbed handle, short front spout, and wide open top. The thick oil slick glaze stops just short above the foot left in buff. Tenmoku glaze is made with feldspar, limestone, and iron oxide. The more quickly a piece is cooled, the blacker the glaze will be. Tenmokus are known for their variability. During their heating and cooling, several factors influence the formation of iron crystals within the glaze. A long firing process and a clay body which is... Click for details

Japanese lacquer suzuribako or calligraphy writing box. The box is wood with lacquer, gold gilt sprinkled lacquer, and inlaid shell on the lid, adorned with scrolling leaves, floral medallions and motifs of sparrows. The box interior is red lacquer with gold lacquer patterns. The inside box contains an attached inkstone, a brush, and a small brass water dropper. Underneath is a shallow compartment for the storage of calligraphy papers.

18th-19th century Edo... Click for details

A large figure of 24 armed seated Kannon, gold gilt over wood carving of the bodhisattva of compassion, seated in meditation atop a lotus pedestal, two of her arms clasped in prayer, the other pair of front hands with palms pointed upwards and thumbs touching, in a meditation mudra.
Kannon Boudhisattva, known as Kannon Bousatsu Lord of Compassion, Goddess of Mercy. Kannon worship began in India around the 1st or 2nd century AD and then spread to Southeast Asia, including Japan, China,... Click for details

Japanese vintage original 12 pc. silverware set with five spoons, five two prong forks, and a butterknife and scalloped spoon. Each piece in the set is stamped on the handle with Martian mark, trademark of Sato Shoji, Japan. Four of the pieces show natural patina from being exposed to oxygen. Included with original storage box marked Espoir on the lid.

Dimensions: 5" L x 1" W per piece, storage box 7 1/4" x 6" x 3 1/2" H

Rare Japanese gyosho bako or peddler's chest, constructed with Kiri (paulownia) wood in original dark brown/black lacquer finish. The tall, narrow box is two sections stacked held in place by iron latches on the sides. Each drawer front has square pulls and floral lock plates with brass accent hardware. The top drawer of the bottommost section has a secret hidden compartment for storing precious treasures. Unusual finish in wonderful original condition.

Edo period (1603-1868)... Click for details

Japanese small Kiri (paulownia) tansu, with pair of sliding panels concealing a shelved interior compartment, and five drawers of various size with metal pulls and locks. Original condition and finish.

Taisho period (1912-1925)

Dimensions: 24" L x 12" D x 19" H

Japanese framed print depicting a woman walking through a snowy village with a parasol, by artist Sarah Brayer (1957-present) titled "Kunodani" in pencil, signed, and numbered 4/120.
Sarah Brayer (born 1957) is an American artist who works in both Japan and the United States. She is internationally known for her poured washi paperworks, aquatint and woodblock prints. In 2013 Japan's Ministry of Culture awarded Sarah its Bunkacho Chokan Hyosho ("Commissioner of Culture Award") for... Click for details