Rare amber Buddhist mala or prayer beads, with 18 large beads for keeping count when reciting a mantra. Each large bead and spacer is carved from old amber tree resin with marbled color of black, red, and yellow. The strand has a tassel on its end.

Dimensions: 11" L (14" w/ tassel), each bead 1/2" x 1"

Antique Korean blue and white porcelain water dropper in the form of a fish with spiked fins and carved scales and other detail. The piece has two holes, one for air and one for pouring out water for calligraphy.

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

Chinese qingbai ware porcelain teapot with a ribbed melon shape body, short flat spout and spiraled handle. The mouth is flared with a thin and short neck. The foot is left bare from the light green crackle glaze on the body.

Song Dynasty c1100

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

Tibetan wood polychrome carving of Saraswati or Yangchenma in Tibet, the goddess of learning, wisdom, music, and aesthetics. She is seated on her vehicle, a swan, and holds flowers in both of her hands. The charming figure is well carved with pigments of red, black, green, yellow and gold gilt.

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 8" H

Antique Japanese bronze sutra container of a pagoda form with very tall finial and calligraphy inscription. The bronze shows beautiful green patina inside and on the foot and the lid shows old corrosion. The burial of sutras in sutra mounds began in 1007 when Fujiwara no Michinaga had a gilt bronze sutra container inscribed upon its burial at the Kinpusen sutra mound in Yoshino. It is apparent that a variety of reasons lay behind the creation of these sutra mounds. Clearly these mounds... Click for details

Unusual Japanese hardwood low shop desk tansu. Original red lacquer finish with heavy iron plates and mounts. The table surface is hinged with three doors that open to interior compartments for papers and other merchant's effects. The middle door has a lady's portrait with calligraphy inscriptions detailing the piece is from a merchant business in "Ume-yashiki, Tokyo" with the merchant name "Shimbashi Kotatsu" and dated 25th year Meiji 1893. The right side of the chest holds four small drawers... Click for details

Antique Japanese 3 drawer gyosho bako or merchant's box, with original red lacquer finish. The top of the box has a carrying handle and the 3 drawers are opened by hirute shape iron pulls with square locks and corner hardware.

Dates Edo age c1800 Dimensions: 17" x 14" x 15 1/2" H

Antique Chinese hardwood altar table with hand carved lingzhi spiral apron joined in upturned flanges. The feet are spanned by an openwork of hand carved panels with drapery motifs. Original warm finish. Very sturdy, condition consistent with age.

Mid 19th Century

Dimensions: 63 1/2" L x 15" D x 33 3/4" H

Unusual Japanese Kiri (paulownia) tansu with 8 drawers and a lift away panel opening to a shelved interior with spacious room. The 8 front drawers feature small round locks and warabite pulls. Original finish and condition.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 25" L x 12 1/2" D x 19 1/2" H

Chinese porcelain vases with red enamel five clawed dragons with motifs of floral scrolls and waves. These vases are of a highly thin Meiping form with six character mark on the recessed foot.

The meiping was first made of stoneware during the Tang dynasty (618–907). It was originally used as a wine vessel, but since the Song dynasty (960–1279) it also became popular as a plum vase and got its name "meiping". It is tall, with a narrow base spreading gracefully into a wide... Click for details