Antique Japanese Buddhist Pilgrim's coat. Buddhist monks associated with the teachings of Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) would embark on a pilgrimage to visit the 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. Upon arriving to each temple, the monk would bathe before giving offerings and reciting prayers as well as receive a stamp distinctive to each temple. Normally a monk would carry around a special stamp book however it is not unusual to stamp the monk's coat as seen here. Made of asa (hemp).

Age:... Click for details

Charming antique Chinese small teapot with Daoist figures encircling body, lid with flowers and figures, signed on body and on recessed base.

Size: 3.5"H 5.5"L 3.5"D

Republic Period

Lovely pair of Chinese jade and agate peony floral arrangements, flowers in various colors of pink, yellow, orange and cream with dark green leaves of jade, cloisonné planter base with scholar motif design. Good condition.

Republic Period

23"H x 18" Diameter for each

Antique Japanese studio ware porcelain vase, carved all over with a raised design of a dragon in swirling clouds over churning waves. The clouds are covered with a glaze that gradates from a deep blue at the top to a light blue where they meet the waves. Both the dragon and the waves are kept white with a very pale light pink glaze on the dragon's flames. A band of repeating lingzhi pattern in blue underglaze encircles the rim and foot of the vase. A four character signature on the bottom... Click for details

Antique Japanese mokugyo, fish bell, carved of keyaki (zelkova, elm) wood with traces of red and white lacquer. This wooden temple bell was used by Buddhist priest during religious ceremonies and chants. Laid on it's side on a pillow, the bell was struck to a rhythm to match the cadence of the chant. The carving on the bell is of two fish embracing a pearl, a symbol of unity. The fish themselves symbolize wakefulness, in this case to remind the chanters to focus on the sutra. ... Click for details

Chinese Chinoiserie pagoda evocative of Chinese motif in architecture especially in the 18th century. Very popular in Europe and highly collected as an exotic curiosity. Made of lacquered wood and gilt wood roof in hexagonal shaped shrine structure.

Age: 19th century

Size: 15.5"H 10"D

Charming antique Chinese pewter gourd shaped container with labels on body. Diamond etched design with floral and shou symbols on banding. Stem lid cover. Makers manufacturing mark stamped on bottom.

Age: 19th century

Size: 6"H 3.5"D

Japanese antique pair of zenko, good spirit kitsune (foxes) specifically associated with the goddess, Inari. These figures are carved of wood and painted with gofun, a white paste made from oyster shells. Details are painted using black and red pigments. Gold lacquered hoshi no tama, resembling flames and symbolizing magical jewels that hold part of the kitsune's power, are held by each fox on the tip of it's tail. These foxes were believed to be both messengers and guardians serving... Click for details

Lovely mustard yellow body and black peking glass container with Shou symbol of good fortune and happiness and five bats encircling the edge of the lid. Well carved and with Chinese reign mark on the base's incised bottom.

Age: Late Republic Period Size: 4.5" Diameter, 2" High

Interesting Bronze Buddha seated on lotus throne with wheel of dharma and two male stag deer in attendance below him. The two male deer are Nigrodha and Sakha, part of a specially poignant Jataka Tale helpful with the teaching of the first sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath. Helpful with the teaching of the eightfold path to escape and end suffering.

Size: 11.5"H

Age: First Quarter 20th Century