Indian wedding palanquin for a bride. Made of a hardwood, possibly padauk, carved with florets and accented with iron details. The domed roof is constructed with a latticework. Doors and window openings are carved to mimic the architecture of a garden courtyard adding to the overall feminine quality of the palanquin.

Palanquins were the most popular means of transportation in British India prior to the introduction of horse-drawn vehicles and the railroad. The bridal palanquin is... Click for details

Japanese antique water pump used by a brigade of firemen to put out fires. From the writing, the pump was used in December, Meiji 7 (1874). Other writing states "Edo", most likely referring that the fire company was operating during the Edo Period and/or in the city of Edo, Japan. A 3 character mark says 雲龍水 unryūsui ("cloud-dragon-water", the name for this type of pump). Below this is another group of characters: the top 3 read right to left 細工所 saikōsho or... Click for details

A rare antique Japanese Sakata Kasane Tansu (chest on chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. All original thick gauge hand made iron hardware with beautiful Chrysanthemum knobs on the lock plates. Constructed using thick solid Paulownia wood for the drawer fronts, the case was made using traditional dovetail joinery with all parts secured by hardened wooden nails. The top section features 2 side carrying handles on each side and both sections have side swivel handles for ease of... Click for details

Japanese small kesa, Buddhist priest's vestment cloth to be worn over robes. Often described as a mantel or robe, the kesa is worn draped diagonally over the left shoulder and under the right armpit. Meant as a reminder of the Buddha's own simple patched garment, kesa are formed from fragments of cloth donated to the temple by wealthy devotees. Within each garment, the fragments are typically organized in a series of columns framed by a border with angled corners. The number of columns, in this... Click for details

A High Ranking Military Commander with the Yokohagi Okegawa Dou from the Edo Period (early 19th century). The Kabuto is finished with 64 gilt copper sleeves interlocking onto the iron Ken creating a linear effect on the bowl. The Mempo is in the Nara style with fierce gilt teeth, lacquered upper lip and horse hair mustache detail. The overall mask detail is lacquered in black. The Kiritsuke Sode (shoulder guard) is laced in navy blue and grey silk in the form of a cross.

The Kote... Click for details

Antique Japanese long silk altar cloth embroidered with three phoenix birds, also called Hou-ou birds. The mythical birds represents fire, sun, justice, obedience, fidelity, and the southern constellations. The phoenix also symbolizes the imperial household, specifically the empress. The embroiderer expresses flowing movement in in the wings and feathers of the great birds.

Age: Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 23 1/2" high x 145" long

Chinese dragon robe woven with 8 dragons (3 on the front, 3 on the back, and 1 on each shoulder). Dragons and Taoist symbols woven in silver on a blue silk ground. Black silk sleeves and collar are also woven with silver dragons. The robe is lined in blue silk.

Princes or noblemen were permitted to wear blue (the Qing Dynasty’s official color) while blue-black fabric indicated the wearer was a court official.

Age: Qing Dynasty (19th century)
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This is a rare antique Japanese porcelain Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) in a side sitting pose with its left paw raised to bring happiness and good luck to its owner. It was entirely hand painted and features a Botan (Peony) flower as its main collar decoration. Its peaceful face is beautiful and serene and its fox-like raised ears shows that it is listening to the surrounding sounds.

An interesting feature is its open base and holes through each ear suggesting that its main purpose when... Click for details

Amazing MIng white nephrite jade with vein highlights two compartments with ruyi shapes coupe with two chilong and phoenix encircling base.

Size: 7.5" Long 6.25" Wide 2.25" High

Caplan Collection, LA inventory tag

An incredible Ming Dynasty large Chinese cast bronze temple in-censor. Sitting atop with turned head an open mouth, sits a fu-dog (Chinese Imperial guardian lions). Well modeled details with high level of craftsmanship. Overall wonderful condition.

Unusual large size indicates this in-censor would have been for a temple. The fu-dogs were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat.
Stunning original patina with... Click for details