Catalog (369)

18th Century Japanese Edo Period pair of Kyoho-Bina Ningyo, an exceedingly rare early 18th century. An exceptional example of this early style. The finest quality in all aspects, featuring rich silk matching brocades in an elegant floral pattern with auspicious treasures on multilayered robes creating a classical form. All accessories and stands are original, very rare for such an early piece. Fine faces of gofun (oyster shell lacquer) aged to a burnished tone, with painted details. They have a museum collection number. Kyoho-Bina are one of the earliest styles, and are the Tiffany of hina display dolls. Emperor: 18 inches (46 cm), Empress: 17 inches (43 cm).

Very Large 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Ningyo pair of an Oiran Bijin, the highest ranking Kyoto courtesan bijin and her Kamuro (attendant), an elaborately attired pair of the finest quality. The Oiran and her attendant are wearing the most gorgeous, sumptuous brocades and textiles, all hand woven and painted chirimen silk crepe of beautiful shabori designs. The faces are exquisitely carved and covered with many layers of gofun (white oyster shell lacquer). Their expressions are just wonderful. Their fantastic hairstyles have an array of decorative ornaments. Her draping outer kimono (uchigake) is done in a beautiful floral pattern kinran design with a thick padded hem. There are endless exquisite details creating this masterwork. Mounted on a black lacquered stand. Oiran: 28 inches (71cm), Attendant: 20 inches (51 cm).

Set of Six Japanese Meiji Dynasty Imperial Portraits. Each painting is 59h x 24w inches, 150h x 61w cm.

Extremely rare 3rd to 7th Century Kofun Period Haniwa clay sculpture of a Horse, completed with the most fabulous trappings, a fine saddle, etc. Presented on a lacquered stand. The horse is a very important figure in the Samurai society. This figure possibly may have been found near the village of Motomachi, close to the port of Konjō in Musashi Province, in present day Tokyo. Pieces like this are usually found in private collections or museums, and rarely come up for sale. Well preserved. 8.5h x 8w inches, 21.5 x 20 cm.

Extremely rare Japanese Haniwa clay bust of a young wealthy woman with a charming expression and wearing a stylish hair style, large hoop ear jewelry and a neck piece. 3rd Century, Kofun Period. She represents the most prosperous of Japanese society in the Kofun Period. A similar example, a National Treasure, belongs to the Tokyo National Museum and is published in Haniwa by Fumio Miki, published by Weatherhill. Well preserved on a presentation display pedestal. 7h x 5.5w x 6d inches, 17.75h x 14w x 15d cm.

Japanese carved boxwood large Okimono, Mino-Kame turtle. Late 19th Century, Meiji Period. Mino (straw raincoat) Kame (turtle/tortoise) are named as such because Japanese believe the turtle lives such a long time that they grow algae on their on their shells, symbolizing longevity. A magnificent carving made of a single block of fine boxwood, showing amazing details and a beautiful wood grain throughout this masterpiece. 18 x 8.5 x 4 inches, 45.75 x 21.5 x 10 cm.

Japanese Late Edo Period 19th Century Silver Rimpa Flower Screen, a fine masterpiece. Rimpa School represents the highest standard of decorative painting of all schools of Japanese painting. The flowers and other elements are raised by the use of Gofun (oyster shell lacquer). The flowers seem to jump from the silver field. This finely painted masterpiece features wonderful color on silver leaf. Each Panel: 51h x 24.25w inches, 129.5h x 61.5w cm; Total Dimensions: 51h x 97w inches, 129.5h x 246w cm.

Rare 18th Century Japanese Tea Ceremony Screen Painting of a Pine Tree. Exquisite painting on gold leaf. Set in a wood frame with a sumptuous silk brocade border. Featuring two poems on the back. The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. Frame: 26 x 19 inches, 66 x 48.25 cm; Painting: 21 x 13 inches, 52.25 x 33 cm.

Signed Late 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Noh Mask of the jealous female spirit, Hannya. One of the most famous of Noh Masks, sought after by serious collectors. One of the best examples we have offered. It is finely carved and painted, the expression is fantastic, and all the details and patina are wonderful. 10h x 6w inches, 25.5h x 15.5w cm.

Signed Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Noh Theater Mask of Ko-omote. This beautiful young woman is a very popular image in Japanese culture, and is sometimes used as an icon to represent Japan. A fine example of this type of mask rendered by a master carver, using cypress wood (Hinoki) and many layers of Gofun, crushed oyster shell lacquer. A very charming, hypnotic, well rendered image, with an Imperial purple tie . 8.25 inches (21cm) high x 5.25 inches (13.5) wide.

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terrestrial Ancient Astronauts. 2.5h x 2.5w inches, 6.5h x 6.5w cm.

Fine and rare early example of a Jomon Period Dogu Clay Figure, the earliest known Japanese figures. The Dogu acted as effigies of people. They manifested some kind of sympathetic magic. For example, it may have been believed that illnesses could be transferred into the Dogu, and then destroyed, clearing the illness, or any other misfortune. Because of the ritual destruction of Dogu, they are quite rare. This primitive abstract fertility figure has a futuristic look. There are fun theories that state that the Dogu may be linked to extra-terrestrial Ancient Astronauts. 3h x 3w inches, 7.5h x 7.5w cm.

Japanese Dairi-bina Imperial Couple for the Hina-matsuri (Girl's Day), late Edo/early Meiji pair with Me-bina female wearing kokin-style surcoat with embroidered sleeves featuring a floral design, sumptuous kinran textiles, elaborate kanmuri crown, and cobra hairstyle. The O-bina male is wearing a rich brocade of white silk yusoku-style surcoat with floral cobalt blue roundels, lacquered paper kanmuri court cap, long curved sword at hip, shaku scepter in hand. The well-rendered faces are covered with a fine gofun (oyster-shell lacquer) and have glass eyes and painted features. These were made for the Imperial class. They are seated atop royal tatami platforms. Displayed in front of a pair of painted cherry blossoms screens, signed circa 1920. The screens are included. 16h x 14w inches, 40.5h x 35.5 cm.

Finely Painted Six-Panel Crane Screen, in various poses with leaves and flowers on a charcoal silver background. A highly styled creation of the Taisho Period. Taisho screens are very much sort after today for their unique beauty and the way that they complement a contemporary setting. Each Panel: 30h x 13w inches, 76h x 33w cm; total Dimensions: 30h x 80w inches, 76h x 203 cm.

Large Rare Japanese Clay Figure of a Young Girl playing with her pinwheel. Beautifully executed and glazed with wonderful colors, exhibiting the style of the 1920s Art Deco Period in look and form. Taisho Period. 16h x 9w x 9d inches, 40.5h x 23w x 23d cm.

Fine Japanese Bronze Sculpture of a Turtle Couple. Superb casting of an early Meiji Period bronze, circa 1880, with exquisite detail featuring a natural effect with a rich beautiful patina. Signed. 1.5h x 2.75w x 2.25d inches, 3.75h x 7w x 5.75d cm.

Very fine and extremely rare Japanese Haniwa sculpture of a farmer with a charming expression, pointed hat, large hoop ear jewelry below a butterfly hairstyle, arms held to the front, 3rd Century AD (Kofun Period) created for a rice farmer to represent wealth. Rice farmers were among the most prosperous of Japanese society in the Kofun period. Provenance: Property formerly owned by the Honolulu Academy of Art. Collection Number is on the bottom of the piece. A similar example, a National Treasure, belongs to the Tokyo National Museum and was published in Haniwa by Fumio Miki, published by Weatherhill (seen in the second photo here). 15.25 inches (38.75cm). Well preserved on a presentation display pedestal.

Rare Japanese Female Haniwa Sculpture, Kofun Period, 4th century AD. This female clay figure was set in the ground at the site of a burial mound for the wealthy and Imperial class. She is a fine and graceful piece exhibiting great feminine charm. Mounted on a wood platform. This clay female figure would have stood with others in a protective circle around the tomb-mound of a powerful ruler. Her hair is swept up into an elaborate coiffure, and she wears a fashionable dress of the Kofun Period. The figure possibly may have been found near the village of Motomachi, close to the port of Konjō in Musashi Province, in present day Tokyo. Pieces like this are usually found in private collections or museums, and rarely come up for sale. Height of the figure: 7.25 inches, 18.5 cm; Height including base: 8.25 inches, 18.5 cm.