Antique Japanese fireman's hood. Made of layers of indigo cotton sashiko and decorated on the inside with a scene of a tiger and lightening storm.
Fires were common in Japanese urban areas due to the dense population as well as construction material (primarily wood and paper). Fire brigades were made up of samurai class (buke hikeshi) as well as common class (machi hikeshi). Their primary goal in containing a fire was to tear down the surrounding buildings so the fire had no more fuel.... Click for details

Antique Chinese blue and white Peking glass vase. Made with carved blue glass overlay of blossoming lotus and butterflies on a white glass ground. Carved cartouche on the bottom.

Age: Early 20th century

Dimensions: 10" high x 4 1/4" wide

Antique Japanese carved wooden figure of a fu-dog (fu-lion) guardian. Traces of paint and gold guilt remain. The underside has writing in ink and a translation which reads: "This pair of Foo-lions was donated to the gate of Myoken Nichiren Shrine in Noma village of the province of Sesshu (near Osaka) on the date of 9th May, 7th year of Genroku ra. (1694 AD) by Gendo Ujihiro Inoue for his memory of accomplishment of repeating "Nichiren" prayer 300 times."

Dimensions: 10" high x 9"... Click for details

A beautiful Japanese studio pottery vase in a mossy green hue with stylized Chrysanthemums scattered about in artistic form. Studio stamped seal at the base.

Age: Mid Century

Dimensions: 12 1/2" High by 15 1/4" Diameter.

Antique Japanese pair of Kutani ware porcelain fu-dogs. Each figure is glazed brown with green curling mane and tail. They stand on a yellow and brown glazed rectangular platforms. One has an open mouth while the other has a small horn. Fu-dogs or Foo-lions are fierce protectors but are also playful and energetic.

Age: Early 20th century

Dimensions: 6 1/2" high x 4" long x 2 3/4" wide each

Antique Chinese pottery figure of a frog. Glazed a rich green color with nice drips and crackle. Sitting on a rectangular slab with face turned upward. Frogs have long been symbols of good fortune and prosperity.

Age: Republic Period (1912-1949)

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 4 1/2" long x 3" wide

Henrietta Berk (1919-1990) was an American artist who specialized in expressive oil paintings of landscape and figures in vibrant colors using bold brush strokes. She graduated from California College of Arts and Crafts in 1959 where she studied with Richard Diebenkorn and became a part of the Bay Area Figurative Movement. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout California including the San Francisco Museum of Art, Oakland Art Museum, and de Young Museum.
This... Click for details

Antique Chinese porcelain vase. Baluster form with flared neck. Pink glaze with gold painted rim and foot. Nice hand painted gold and red 4 character mark on the bottom.

Age: Republic Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 7 3/8" high x 5" wide

Antique Chinese jade water coupe in the form of a duck. Carved of pale green jade with detailed feathers and scrolling archaic motifs. On a small wooden base.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 2 1/8" high x 3 1/4" long x 1 7/8" wide

Antique Chinese Jun Ware (Chun Yao) chawan (tea bowl) with grey-blue glaze. Outside with drips of dark and light blue glaze mingling to create greens and browns. Evaluation done in the 1930's by TZ Shiota when the family was inheriting the collection from their great grandfather, Federic Torrey. The collection was stored in a trunk since his death in 1935.

Age: Yuan Dynasty 13th century

Dimensions: 2 1/4" high x 5 7/8" wide

Provenance: From the personal collection... Click for details