Japanese black lacquered wood stand, with shell inlay courtyard scene of scholars practicing calligraphy on a scroll, bamboo forest and other floral motifs, a butterfly, and a central figure holding an auspicious two character sign. The side panels have openwork carvings and scrolling apron. The feet all connect to a squared stretcher base.

Dimensions: 24" x 15" x 7 3/4" H

Antique Japanese globular bronze vase. Very simple with 3 raised koi fish swimming together and cresting the surface of the vase as if it were water. The raised details of their eyes are highlighted with gold inlay. Signed Shihou and dated July 18, 1926.

Taisho Period

Dimensions: 9 1/2" high x 12" wide diameter

A Japanese Mokugyo wooden temple bell, carved from kusunoki (camphor) wood in the form of a lifelike human skull. Used to accompany chants (sutras) in Taoist and Buddhist ceremonies. The base of the skull is signed "Bononshi", with matching tomobako.

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

Japanese Antique keyaki (em) wood isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area. Top portion of the chest has two small drawers (a rare configuration). There are 7 exterior drawers of various sizes and a safe box with a hinged door (with key) covering three small interior drawers. Hardware includes large lock plates with chrysanthemum mon and ornate pierced carved leaves.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 35" high x 46 3/4" wide x 17" deep

Antique Japanese two section clothing tansu, constructed of Kiri (paulownia) wood with hand-forged iron hardware and plates. The upper unit holds two drawers with two iron pulls each. The lock plate of each drawer overlaid with brass turtle and kiri leaves. The lower unit holds two staggered larger drawers with small safe door.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 37 1/4" x 16" x 39 3/4" H

Japanese inro with a large standing bull, frontally positioned with head lowered and looking ahead at the viewer. From the ring in his nose is a rope leading off to the side. The reverse image is a scene, entirely in gold lacquer, of rolling hills and pine saplings in the foreground. The inro opens to reveal a compartment lacquered red on the inside with a small removable inset tray.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 2 3/8" high x 3" wide

Antique Japanese choba tansu (merchant's chest) with negoro lacquer finish (distressed red and black lacquer). Made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood. This chest has 10 drawers of various sizes and a compartment opened by sliding panels with one interior shelf. Extensive iron hardware includes round lock plates and warabite shaped drawer pulls. From the Matsumoto area of Japan.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 41 1/2" high x 31 1/2" wide x 14" deep

Wonderful medium-sized crater bowl, thinly potted of black clay and with glossy black glaze pitted with craters for volcanic moon-like effect, Signed Lovera; James Lovera (American, 1920-2015) modernist potter. Teacher at San Jose State University. James Lovera exhibited at the Crocker Museum in Sacramento in 2006: "Craters of Fire: Ceramics by James Lovera". With original inventory tag.

Age: c. 1990s.

Size: 8.5" Diameter x 5.25" Height

Japanese Amida Buddha statue, gold gilt over wood with inlaid crystal third eye. Seated on a lotus throne atop a hexagonal base, carved with smoke and flowers. The left hand mudra showing Varada: a gesture for granting and fulfilling all wishing as well as bestowing mercy and charity. The raised right hand is cradling a golden ball representing enlightenment and everlasting knowledge.
Overall condition is very good, consistent with age.

Early 19th century Edo period... Click for details

Antique Japanese lacquer stand with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay and painted details. The top depicts a dragon floating in swirling clouds. Each cloud is a fine dusting of different colors of shell inlay. The base is decorated with a tiger near a rocky waterfall. The stand has two arching legs which end in shoulders and apron with reserves depicting kirin, a phoenix and chimera. Every space is inlaid with pattern work all on a black lacquer ground.

Meiji Period... Click for details