Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (241)

A woven square taken from the front of a Chinese Emperor's robe with a front facing dragon in couched gold and a constellation symbol. Yellow (or apricot yellow) robes could only be worn by the Emperor or Empress. The color has faded and changed to this current tan color. Each Emperor's robe had twelve symbols of Imperial Authority embroidered on it in specific places. We can see "The Constellation" which represents the handles of Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, just above the dragon's head...

This is an exceptionally beautiful antique Japanese doll. The face of the doll is small but delicate. It has the look of a Noh mask with painted skinny eyes and a nose that is extra high. This indicates that the doll was intended to be a beautiful woman. The color on her lips is almost all faded leaving a green dot on her lower lip...

The theme on this fukusa (Japanese gift cover) is “Kin ki Sho ga”, four accomplishments of noblemen. For a man to be well balanced and eventually become a good leader, practicing (and become good at) of “Kin ki Sho ga” was encouraged during their leisure time; ‘Kin’ (Jp. Koto, string music instrument), ‘ki’ (jp. ‘Go’, Chinese chess), ‘sho’ (calligraphy) and ‘ga’ (painting). This started in China and was brought back to Japan by traveling monks studying Buddhism...

This is an old Japanese towel rack, sometimes called a children’s kimono stand. The metal work is in traditional style and the mounts have been used on many different kinds of lacquer pieces throughout the Edo period. The chrysanthemum mons (family crests) on each end of the mount, were used by the Emperor, royal princes and others outside the Imperial family, in a variety of forms. Although the 16 petal mon was designated for use by the Imperial family, others were entitled to use it...

Japanese fukusa, a silk satin gift cover depicting the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. The development of the Japanese fukusa is closely associated with their custom of gift giving. Japan has been a farming country until recently and crops were directly affected by nature (draft, floods, etc). The rituals were held within their own communities and fresh crops were offered to god. To irrigate and lay the roads, they needed the better their work relationship...

Heavily glazed Japanese katakuchi bowl in the shape of a “Sazae” turban shell. Written on the lid is “made by Matsuyama” and “kashiki” (dish for serving sweetmeats). On the reverse side, there is a signature, "Kei Ho-o En" with a seal. We are not quite sure if this is an original box. Meiji, late 1800s. Great bowl for the kaiseki cuisine? A hairline crack (enlarged photo #7) is a surface crack (does not go through to the other side). Approx...

Antique haidate(Echu style), samurai's thigh guard, with metal pieces and chain on stencil dyed (katazome) cotton. The metalwork is older, probably from the 17th to 18th century. This was probably remade sometimes later in the Meiji period. Dimensions are 21 1/4” wide and 21 3/4" long with ties on both sides.

A Japanese pipe case (kizeruzutsu) decorated on a deep red lacquer and lacquered *agiro ground with Chinese bell flowers (kikyo) on one side and a waterlily on the other side. It is attached to a stylish leather pouch with a clasp of mixed metal beans. Some damages on lacquer. Late Edo/Meiji period. *Ajiro is a woven wickerwork made out of strips of bamboo skin, cypress bark or Japanese reed.

Japanese hair comb decorated with a pair of love birds, Oshidori (Mandarin ducks) perched on a plum tree, raised gold makie with silver, kirikin and shells. The theme here is auspicious. We counted 33 teeth in 3 cm, amazingly skillful hand work. Excellent condition - actual color loss in the center area of wooden teeth is not so obvious as shown in the photos. Circa, Meiji period (1868-1912) Dimensions: 3 1/4" x 1 1/8"

A decorative fragment taken from the cuffs (horse-hoof shape) of a summer silk dragon robe with five clawed front facing dragons (couched pure silver wrapped threads) on a fish net like gauze weave. Each dragons appears to be wearing headdress. The cuffs from each sleeve are sewn together in the center and the borders are silver brocades. Circa, first half of 19th century. Approx. 19" x 15 1/4"

Three Jokan Dolls are part of a Hina doll set for the Japanese Girl's Day. They are to serve the Emperor and Empress with drinks and food. The young and pretty are usually choosen for this role. Many sets have one older married woman sitting in the middle, possibly a supervising figure? Her hair is usually done in a less attractive manner and she often has her teeth blackened. It was the sign of being a married woman at the time...

This is a superior Takeda ningyo (doll), an old Japanese theater doll which was most likely modeled after the character, Teiseiko from “Kokusenya-ya-Gassen.” It was a popular theater play in 18th to 19th century Japan. The setting of the play is during mid 17th century China towards the end of the Ming Dynasty. Teiseiko (also known as Watonai) was fighting the battle for the old dynasty...

The fabric is thick, silver brocade that appears to be taken from a Japanese woman's old obi from late Edo period...

Old Chinese ivory figure of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, in a refined and elegant pose. The body is made out of one piece elephant ivory and finish in a term "cold painted ivory" meaning that the color is applied without any firing to fix and harden it. This method of coloring ivory dates back to the Ming times and was particularly popular in the 18th century. This is probably 19th century piece. Her wonderfully tranquil face and the excellent painting make this a desirable piece.

The Zuishin dolls are a part of the Hina Ningyo doll set for Hina Matsuri, the Girl’s Day Festival in Japan. Though they are commonly called Daijin minister dolls, they are the figures of Toneri, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185).

It was said that the Zuishin dolls were already seen (created and added to the Imperial Hina couple) in Kyoto during the Meiwa era (1764-1772) while the musician dolls were created in Edo (current Tokyo) at the same time. J...

Daimyo hikeshi shozoku: Samurai firefighter's wool jacket with a silk velvet collar; the crest and design are couched with gold leaf thread (wrapped around silk thread), chest protector and belt. Excellent, clean condition with some holes and damages in velvet collar. Late Edo period (1603-1868), 50" wide x 39" long, Chest protector, 25 1/4" long.

There were many fires during the Edo period (1603-1868). The town of Edo was crowded with houses quickly built after the first Tokugawa Sh...

A Chinese reticulated iron porcelain snuff bottle with a dragon and phoenix among clouds beneath key fret and ryui border, neck with a silver rim, jade stopper. The red color is the same as used when decorating porcelain, though in this case it is applied as a solid color. The desired effect is to imitate red cinnabar lacquer. Circa, probably from the Jiaqing period (1796 - 1820). Height 3".

These are very unique Japanese zuishin dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The dolls are commonly called Daijin minister dolls but they are actually figures of the Toneri, the imperial guardsmen and escorts from the Heian period (794-1185). The clothing of the dolls is rich and elaborate just like Kabuki actors on stage. At first, we thought these may be Takeda ningyo (Takeda theater dolls) from the same period (older Takeda dolls - late Edo to early Meiji) but the embroideries on t...

Japanese antique hina dolls (ningyo), the muscician dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). All five dolls have dimples on their cheeks; one doll in the center is carrying an inro (medicine case) and another has a pouch on her back of the belt area -- shown in the last photo.

Dimensions: Three dolls are 8 3/4 to 9 inches high, two dolls on 1/ 5/8 inches stool (new) are 10 inches high x 12 inches width x 9 1/2 inches deep; they can be as tall as 15 1/2 inches high depending on what...

A daimyo’s firefighting wool jacket with a Kiri-no-mon crest, chest protector baring the same crest. It has a silk liner decorated with old marble dye. Dated from late Edo period (1603-1868),

Japanese could not produce wool of their own during the Edo period. Totally depending on Nanban trading, wool was pretty rare and pricey commodity. The liner for this jacket is also unusual. This is our first and only antique marble dyed fabric ever. The technique of marble dye existed in...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.

Japanese Takeda Samurai doll from late Edo to early Meiji, 1800s. Takeda dolls were made to model Kabuki actors and puppet dolls from the late Edo period (1603-1868). The doll is possibly Benkei, a faithful retainer to Yoshitsune (Minamoto).

Many stories were written based on Benkei and Yoshitsune (Minamoto, Genji family). They first met on the bridge of Gojyo in Kyoto when Benkei challenged Yoshitsune. He had been challenging strangers to sword fights so that he could get their swo...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated with gold lacquer on a roiro ground. It has butterfly family crests (mon) in the center of a scrolling leaf and flower border, the interior in red lacquer.

The butterfly design was a favorite among the aristocrats and was seen in their belongings, ox-carts and attire during the Heian period (794-1192). They were also seen in armor of the Heike (Taira family) before power was shifted to the Genji (Minamoto family) samurai. It ...

A pair of lacquered iron abumi (Japanese stirrups) decorated in fine gold and nashiji (pear skin) lacquer on a roiro urushi, black lacquer ground. Each carries a Tokugawa aoi crest (three hollyhock leaves in a circle) within scrolling leaf background, the bottom constructed with wood pieces within an iron frame which made it lighter, thus gave a better control. Edo period (17th/18th century).  9" high, 5 1/4" wide.

There have been decorative textiles sewn into squares or rectangular shapes since the Edo period in Japan. The small squares are made for tea ceremonies; the medium to larger sized ones (called fukusa) are used to cover seasonal and ceremonial gifts. This old Chinese panel was acquired in Japan mixing into our fukusa collection.

A dragon and phoenix together symbolize the emperor and empress in China. The phoenix that is graciously presenting a peony, the sovereign of the flowers is embroi...