Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (241)

Old rodan and gotoku for Japanese tea room, heavy item made with beautiful craftmanship from the Meiji period (1868-1912). The rodan is placed in the cut out hole of the tea room. Inside the rodan, the gotoku stand is placed (shown upside down in our photos) in ash for kama or kettle.

The dimensions of copper rodan: 16"w x 16"w at the top (the rim is 2.5" wide) and 10" in heigth. The bottom is 11 1/2" x 11 1/2". Old iron stand, gotoku is , 9 3/4" across and 6 inches tall.

This is an old mitsuore ningyo (triple jointed doll) from the Meiji period (1868-1912) or possibly earlier (late Edo period). The body of this doll was made with the Ikkanbari method. In this method, layers of washi (Japanese paper) were glued (lacquered) together over a wooden mold to form the shape of the body parts. It was then coated with layers of gofun, the mixture of ground oyster shells and animal glue...

Elegant silver hairpin with gilded bird, possibly a nightingale on the branch of a plum tree. The plum blossoms are made out of small corals. 7 and 7/8” long, Meiji/Taisho.

Antique Yogi (Japanese futon bed cover), hand drawn in Tsutsugaki paste resist dye with an auspicious design of a phoenix (ho-o) bird and paulownia tree. The family mon (crest) is a wild goose. Meiji Period (1868-1912). Approximately 59" wide x 74 1/4" long.

The phoenix is a mythological bird known to appear during times of peace and prosperity. It symbolizes immortality, resurrection, and life after death. Its appearance is said to resemble a heron, eagle, and peacock...

Beautiful Meiji(1868-1912) Japanese hina ningyo (dolls), 20 inch empress doll and 17 inch emperor doll. The Hina Festival in Japan takes place every March 3rd. It is a day of celebration for the well being of every girl in the family. In earlier days, people were more susceptible to natural disasters or diseases, and in order to keep evil spirits away, this day was spent giving offerings to God...

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...

Kesa was originally made from old scraps of material donated to the priests. The scraps became finer and quite luxious in time. People who gave to Buddhist institutions were often keen to give very expensive items, so some fabulous kesas were created from wonderful silk brocades. This also could mean that the wealthier temples end up collecting the better fabrics or are able to send out for the expensive custom made kesas...

Japanese altar cloth, uchishiki, decorated with sets of kara-shishi (Chinese-lions), peonies, rocks and clouds. Silk with cotton liner, some soiling and some stains 27" x 29" (68.6cm x 73.7cm)

The lion is the king of beasts and is considered a messenger for Monju Bosatsu. They are often found guarding either side of a Shinto Shrine in Japan. The peony is the sovereign of the flowers, which symbolizes wealth and honor...

A Chinese carved cinnabar lacquer vase (converted into a lamp) decorated with four shaped panels of scholars on a mountainous landscape, the background with scrolling floral borders and motifs. The quality of the carving is one of the best from its period (probably late 19th century) and is in excellent condition – some chips and minor hair lines. It was converted into a lamp sometime later. It works perfectly as a lamp, although there is one area taped (with black tape) on the cord...

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.

Antique Japanese warrior dolls, musha ningyo displayed for the Japanese Boys Day. Clad in armor is a beautiful young widow, the Empress Jingo with her faithful retainer/high ranking minister, Takenouchi no Sukune. He is holding her baby Ojin (Oh-jin) who was later known as “The God of War”, the 15th Japanese emperor, Emperor Ojin. These are all original dolls including the baby.

Some old records indicate that in 300 AD, God came down to talk to Empress Jingo in her sleep...

Large Japanese antique oshi-e ningyo(doll), Geisha playing the koto: Matsumoto Oshi-e bina (hina ningyo in Oshi-e style) was originally made by the Samurai family who served in the Matsumoto Castle to supplement their income sometime in the mid Edo period (1603-1868). They became quite quite popular in the 1800s, 400 million dollars sale (in current currency) was recorded in 1888...

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".

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...

Old Japanese gift cover, fukusa with a black mask and a mask box, bells, hat and fan used in the Noh(No) play, Okina (the sacred old man). The Dance of Okina start with a comtemporary prayer for 'a peaceful reign over the land' Okina wearing a white mask. The black mask is worn by the Kyogen actor in the third dance, "Sanbaso". Embroidered on satin, lined with red crepe silk. Dimensions: 28" X 29"

Museum quality Japanese kimono - uchikake wedding gown. The condition of this kimono is excellent, amazingly well preserved without damage or repair. The black area has different shades with a muddy black color, particularly on the sleeves and the middle section of kimono where the black gradually changes to white. The gown is thinly padded (silk wadding) throughout and feather light with very soft silk. The dimension: 50 1/2 inches sleeve to sleeve, 59 inches long. Not wearable, please.

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Antique Japanese Kesa with the design of chrysanthemum, lined with silk, Meiji period. Dimensions: 35 1/4" x 64"