Antique Japanese Buddhist Diamond Realm Mandala thangka painting (Kongokai Mandara). In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Diamond Realm (vajradhatu kongokai) is a metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Wisdom Buddhas. The Diamond Realm Mandala is based on an esoteric Buddhist sutra called Vajrasekhara Sutra. Shuji Mandala of the Two Worlds, Vajradhatu Mandala does not directly express the forms of the buddhas but expresses them in Sanskrit character (Siddham) called Shuji seed letter. This mandala... Click for details

Antique Japanese pair of bronze vases in the form of woven baskets entwined with lotus blossoms and leaves. Each vase is decorated with a lifelike cicada and one of the vases has a crab.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 8" high x 5 1/2" wide (each vase)

Small antique Japanese lacquer zushi (personal shrine) with tiny carved wooden bodhisattva inside. The standing figure inside is painted black and gold. The exterior of the zushi is lacquered black and the inside is painted a deep green with delicate gold details. Tiny copper hardware.

Dimensions: 4" high x 3 1/2" wide (opened)

A Hirado ware porcelain figure of a kirin (in Chinese, qilin). The mythical creature is part lion with the body of a dragon and the hooves of a deer. It represents good fortune, protection, prosperity, longevity and fertility. The recumbent kirin figure is executed with masterful attention to detail and form.

Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)

Dimensions: 5 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3 1/2"

Antique Japanese single section mizuya (kichten chest). Made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood with dark keyaki (elm) wood burl panels. The left side of the tansu has a compartment opened by sliding doors with vertical slats. The right portion of the chest has a smaller compartment opened by sliders with decorative cut outs and wire mesh. Below these compartments are 8 drawers of various sizes all with keyaki wood fronts and round iron drawer pulls.

Meiji Period... Click for details

An original 18th century Japanese Namban armor with momonari type kabuto. The wisteria meadate and other occurrences of variations of the Fuji mon belongs to the Fujiwara Clans. The meadate matches that of the family crest seen on the armor. The black lacquered dou is textured with crushed oyster shell in fine detail. The armor is presented with the original hitsu (armor box) with gold beautiful gold calligraphy on the sides. Translated: (R) Doshu (feudal name) Tosa Kochi-ken, Sagawa... Click for details

Antique Japanese kura tansu (warehouse storage chest). Made of keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware. The top portion has a large compartment covered by sliding panels with vertical slats. The bottom portion has another compartment covered by sliding panels with horizontal and vertical slats. Heavy wooden braces for strength on sides and back of chest.

Late Edo Period (1644 - 1868)

Dimensions: 35 1/2" high x 35 3/4" wide x 19 3/4"deep.

A rare antique Japanese kuruma tansu (wheeled chest) originally used for storage. Made out of keyaki (elm) wood with hand forged iron hardware in very good original condition. Large sliding panels open to reveal an open shelf on the right side with a hidden storage area under the shelf. The left hand side has an open shelf with 4 drawers tucked underneath. Symmetrical uniform wooden horizontal bracing on the sides and back of tansu. Gorgeous original finish and patina. Unusual to find one... Click for details

A large Persian textile "Suzani" which literally means "needlework". The cotton cloth is hand-embroidered with complex floral medallions and scrolling work with brightly colored silk thread. These traditional Suzani would be used for headscarves, ottoman covers, prayer mats, wall hangings, and many other uses.

First Quarter 20th century circa. 1920

Dimensions: 135" L x 81" H

Antique Japanese chirimen (crepe) silk kimono. The fabric is paste resist dyed with fu dogs leaping over a bridge and white chrysanthemum flowers. The interior lining bears a hand-embroidered 3 character signature .

Dimensions: 50" W x 37" H