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Okinawan Tsuboya Ware Hip Flask
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Pre 1960 item# 317930 (stock# 2C-386)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$225
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This portable crescent-shaped ceramic sake container, called a “dachibin,” is one of the classic shapes of Tsuboyan pottery (tsuboya-yaki) and unique to Okinawa. Mid-20th century. The body is randomly covered with a buff colored glaze which exhibits the normal glaze crazing. The pottery biscuit shows through areas along the shoulder and side where the glaze did not spread. There are splashes of rich speckled copper green glaze around the spout and both lugs. The neck is finished in a rich brown glaze, and the unglazed base has the texture of fabric. This flask’s unique shape conforms to the curve of a person’s hip. The flask is filled through the neck in the center, and the inclined, tubular spout directs a stream of sake or water into one’s mouth when the flask is tipped. The flask’s two perforated lugs would accommodate a shoulder cord, so the flask would be handy for journeys or for festivals. Over the centuries, Okinawa has become quite well-known for its cultural heritage and art. One of Okinawa's most distinct and well-known art forms is pottery, and the center for the pottery movement for the past three hundred years has been Tsuboya. This flask is an example of “joyachi” tsuboya ware, which is glazed and often colorful. Throughout the 20th century, Tsuboya had to overcome many challenges, including World War II, but it still remains famous as the center of quality art form pottery on Okinawa. CONDITION is very good, with just a tiny nick in the unglazed corner beneath the spout. DIMENSIONS: 6” long, 2 ½” wide, 4” high.
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Sadanobu III Japanese Woodblock Print: Kabuki Actor
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Pre 1960 item# 776522 (stock# 7A-019)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$130
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This original woodblock print by artist Hasegawa Sadanobu III (1881-1963) features a Kabuki actor from the Edo period boldly portrayed in a classic role. 20th century, ca. 1950’s. The actor plays the role of a samurai villain, with his katana sword drawn and an angry expression on his face. The printed signature and seal are offset to the right side, above what is likely the printer’s seal mark. There is a pencil signature on the lower margin which reads “Kabuki Kurou” and an illegible printer’s name. There are mica flecks covering the surface, and the workmanship in both carving and printing is very good.
The woodblock prints of Sadanobu III (son of Sadanobu II) were primarily images of warriors, actors, and maiko. The overwhelming majority of his prints were published by the Uchida Print Co. of Kyoto, Japan, a print publisher catering to the tastes and demands of Western customers.
CONDITION is excellent, with great color and registration and strong ink bleed through. Skillfully executed changes of color shading ("bokashi") are seen on the top and bottom of the print. DIMENSIONS: Oban size image measures 14 3/8” (36.6 cm) x 9 7/8” (25.2 cm), plus margins.
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Kimekomi Ningyo with Signed Wooden Box
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Dolls:
Pre 1940 item# 401472 (stock# 4-248)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$420
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This simply enchanting little Japanese doll in kimekomi style stands on a black lacquer base alongside his black and white puppy. Early Showa period, 1930-1940. The child is holding a black and gold lacquer fan and a strung paper kite. He is dressed in a blue silk kimono which has been dyed and painted to scale. Face and hands are covered with gofun (crushed oyster shell), and the hair is finished in black lacquer. The doll comes in its original wooden tomobako storage box, which is signed on the outside and has a printed label on the inside. The term kimekomi is applied to the special dressing technique used with wooden and sawdust (pulverized paulownia wood) mold-pressed figures – “to push textiles into wood to form a pattern” would be a rough translation. This method was first used with the clothes of wooden Kamo dolls. Condition of this kimekomi doll is excellent, with only a bit of crazing above his right ear. There are a few small tears in the fragile paper kite, and a small piece of wood is missing on the top of the door of the box. Dimensions: Doll is 4” high, including the 3 ½” x 2 ¾” black lacquer base; wood box is 4 1/8” x 3 ¼” x 4 ½” high.
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Japanese Ceramic Pitcher, Hamada Style
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Pre 1980 item# 156222 (stock# 2B-619)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$275
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This large handsome contemporary ceramic pitcher from the Mashiko kilns has been crafted in the style of Hamada Shoji (1894-1978). The thickly potted cylindrical body is set on an unglazed raised foot ring. The exterior is decorated in turquoise and yellow ochre pigments splashed on a background of rich iron brown glaze, and the interior is covered with clear transparent glaze. Hamada Shoji is modern Japan’s most renowned potter. After studying painting and ceramics and traveling abroad, he settled in the town of Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, where he lived and worked for over fifty years. As the foremost proponent of the folk art movement, he embodied its values and believed that pots should be functional, utilitarian and traditional. Mashiko potters did not pursue artistry apart from everyday life, but tried instead to create practical beauty as a part of the items crafted to be used in daily living. Folk-craft products or “mingei,” of which this pitcher is representative, are objects used by common people. These commonplace, functional artifacts are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is simple, humble and unassuming. Condition is excellent, with only a small firing glaze crack on the foot. Dimensions: 7 ¼” high, 4 ½” diameter.
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Japanese Ceramic Ishizara Serving Dish
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Pre 1940 item# 125746 (stock# 2B-593)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$195
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Handsome glazed and decorated stoneware serving dish (“ishizara”) with overall mustard color on the interior accented with bold splashes of green and blue. The textured rim is decorated all around with short brown drips which match the rich brown glaze covering the exterior. This impressive folk ceramic, possibly Seto ware, appears to date to the1940’s or earlier. It is often difficult to identify the specific place of manufacture of many Japanese folk ceramics because the spread of technology from one area to another was a particularly distinctive feature since the early to mid-19th century. This gave rise to a situation in which ceramics of closely similar types were made all over Japan. Ishizara are large serving dishes or bowls with sloping walls and a characteristically broad, almost horizontal rim. Ishizara is thought to have derived its name from either the stone-like appearance of the glaze or from its use in serving fish and vegetables cooked in soy sauce. These plates usually average about 13” in diameter. Folk-craft products or “mingei,” of which this ishizara is representative, are objects used by common people. These commonplace, functional artifacts are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is simple, humble and unassuming. The qualities of beauty found in these objects are seen to derive from their having been made by craftsman working close to nature, using simple techniques and traditional styles. Condition is excellent, with only a couple of tiny kiln irregularities. Overall dimensions: 13 ¾” diameter, 3 ½” high.
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Japanese Buddhist Shrine, Nichiren
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Devotional Objects:
Pre 1940 item# 164162 (stock# 11E-101)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$325
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This fine early Showa period Japanese black and gold lacquer miniature Buddhist shrine (“zushi”) contains a wood figure of the seated saint Nichiren-shonin, founder of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism. The shrine, which dates to ca. 1940, is crafted in rounded rectangular form with double-hinged doors and engraved brass fittings. The rich black lacquered exterior opens to reveal a mellow gold lacquered interior with a gilded transom, the inside of which is covered with red lacquer. All the brass hardware is in place and intact. The wood figure of Nichiren sits cross-legged on a multi-colored platform which is affixed to a heavily carved gold lacquer dais that fits into the base of the shrine. In his left hand he holds a copy of the Lotus Sutra, which he expounded as the single true teaching among the many ancient Buddhist texts. The rosary (”juju”) typically held in his right hand is missing. His hooded kesa is decorated with gilding, and his eyes and lips have been painted. Nichiren-shonin (1222-1282) founded the religious sect of Nichiren-shu in 1253. (Shonin means sage, wise and good.) A teaching of Nichiren shu is that everyone attains Buddhahood in the afterlife. Since this founder argued with other Buddhist religious sects, he was exiled. However, his teaching spread out among samurai in the provinces and to people involved in commerce and industry. Both the shrine and the figure are in very good condition. There are just two small cracks in the black lacquer on the top of the shrine, and Nichirin’s pedestal has had some minor gold lacquer repair where it was fit into the case. Dimensions: zushi is 8” high, 3 ½” wide, 3 1/8” deep. The figure of Nichiren is 4” high, 3” wide, 2” deep.
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Koitsu Woodblock: Nagoya Castle
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Pre 1980 item# 76259 (stock# 7A-075)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$250
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Japanese woodblock print by Koitsu Tsuchiya (1870-1949) entitled “Nagoya Castle.” Originally published in 1937; margin is dated “Showa 12.” Later Hama impression posthumously printed from Koitsu’s original blocks. These later editions are identical to the earlier editions except for the publisher’s seal. With their intense realism, Koitsu’s woodblock prints have immortalized his country’s scenic beauty. Subtle effects of light and shadow endow his scenic renderings with an aura of captivating beauty, making his prints highly prized among collectors. The workmanship in both carving and printing is very good. Skillfully executed changes of color shading ("bokashi") are seen throughout the print. Pristine condition, with excellent color and registration, and strong ink bleed through. Oban size image measures 15 3/8” x 10 1/8”, plus full margins.
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Set of Eight Komai Style Inlaid Iron Place Card Holders
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Pre 1950 item# 978599 (stock# 6-459)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$400 for set of 8
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These diminutive vintage inlaid place card holders were hand crafted in iron inlaid with miniature designs intricately inlaid in gold and silver. Ca. 1940-1950. The reverse side, the base and the clip to hold the name card in place are made of brass. Made by the Amita Jewelry Company, the bases are stamped “Amita Japan.” Each holder bears a different floral or landscape scene featuring birds, flowers, pagodas, boats and Mt. Fuji. The set comes with its original kiri wood storage box (“tomobako”) which bears the Amita Jewelry label. Used to hold the name cards of the guests seated at a dinner table, these jewel-like inlaid holders were an elegant accessory on a formally set dining table.
Japanese metalwork, technically and artistically, has been unrivaled by that of other cultures for many centuries. In Kyoto, the Komai family was recognized for its fine decorative metalwork during the Meiji period. Made by a very difficult process of metalwork, Komai wares typically had a base of iron or steel which was decorated with minute bits of gold and/or silver and copper in exquisite detail. Their most successful products were generally small items. Also called damascene, high quality Komai style wares are highly collectible. These place card holders are an unusual representation of this fine ware.
CONDITION is excellent. DIMENSIONS: Each place card holder is approximately one inch (2.5 cm) high x one-half inch (1.3 cm) wide. Wood box is 7 5/8” (cm) x 1 ½” (cm) x 1 ¼” (3.2 cm) high.
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Fine Imaizumi Imaemon Nabeshima Dish
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Pre 1980 item# 430005 (stock# 2B-765)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$365
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This wonderful Japanese iro Nabeshima porcelain dish in octagonal form is hand painted in brilliant enamels on a pure white ground, and the mark of Imaizumi Imaemon is painted in underglaze blue within the foot ring. We believe this dish to be by either Imaemon XII (1897-1975) or early Imaemon XIII (1926-2001), which would date it to the mid-20th century. The front is decorated with large vibrant red and pale yellow hibiscus blossoms and unopened red buds in overglaze enamels. The blossoms and buds are set against feathery leaves painted in underglaze blue and soft overglaze green and yellow enamels. The undecorated reverse side has three underglaze blue rings surrounding the foot. The Nabeshima family kilns were founded in 1660. They produced wares to be used by the feudal lord Nabeshima as presentation pieces for the shogun or other feudal lords, and as a result, the wares were of extremely fine quality. Secrets of manufacture were closely guarded. During the Meiji period, Nabeshima wares were allowed to be sold outside the “family.” The Imaizumi family of decorators, who worked at the Nabeshima kilns from the beginning, has continued to carry on the Nabeshima tradition. Born in 1926, Imaizumi Imaemon gradated from Tokyo University of Art before becoming the thirteenth Imaemon in 1975. Since that time, he has been designated a “Living National Treasure.” In 1971, the iro Nabeshima (colored Nabeshima) style was registered as an important cultural property. Nabeshima wares produced to this day are of uniformly superior quality in materials, shape, painting and glazing. These wares are of the finest quality and are decorated in refined taste – technically, almost equal to the old specimens. Condition of this nearly translucent porcelain dish is perfect. Dimensions: 6 ¾” diameter, ¾” high.
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Large Mashiko Folk Pottery Dish, Kaki Glaze
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Pre 1970 item# 351230 (stock# 2B-709)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$250
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This impressive heavily-potted Hamada style Japanese ceramic plate is skillfully decorated with a transparent wax resist design against a brown, black and traditional kaki glazed background. Mid-20th century. The kaki glaze drips over the edge of the lip onto the transparent glaze covering the back in places. The high foot ring is unglazed. Mashiko has been a major folk pottery center since the 1850’s producing primarily utilitarian table wares. Kaki (persimmon red) is one of the most popular Mashiko glazes used on the standard kitchen wares. In the early 1900’s, Shoji Hamada established his kiln there and became internationally famous. The traditional pottery concept was to not pursue artistry apart from everyday life but to create practical beauty as a part of the crafted items to be used in daily living. Folk-craft products or “mingei,” of which this plate is representative, are objects used by common people. These commonplace, functional artifacts are endowed with a beauty directly connected with their utility – a beauty that is simple, humble and unassuming. Condition is excellent. Overall dimensions: 12” diameter, 2 ¼” high.
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