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Quilted Silk Child's Kimono
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Vintage Arts:
Regional Art:
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Japanese:
Textiles:
Pre 1940 item# 41296 (stock# 12-139)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$175
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This delightful diminutive silk kimono is decorated in brilliant colors, depicting cranes and other auspicious symbols of good luck to be conferred on the child who wore it. Early Showa period. The kimono is hand sewn and fully lined in white cotton which provides a lovely quilted effect. Background checkered panels, primarily in shades of royal blue and tan, serve as the backdrop to red-headed cranes in flight. The crane is one of the most popular and frequently depicted symbols of longevity, and its grace and natural beauty make it particularly well suited for portrayal in Japanese art. Motifs of pine boughs are also featured in the background. The crane is often shown with the pine tree to symbolize a flourishing and prosperous life. Another auspicious symbol decorating the kimono is the mallet of Daikoku, the Shinto god of wealth who is one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck. He is usually represented sitting on rice bales and holding a mallet (tsuchi”) with which he can grant the wishes of his worshippers. A stroke of his mallet is said to confer wealth. This lovely little piece of textile art makes a wonderful wall hanging. Condition is excellent. Overall dimensions: 32” long, 27” wide at sleeves.
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Three Ando Cloisonne Enamel Tea Plates, Plum Blossoms
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Enamel:
Pre 1940 item# 544224 (stock# 8-076)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$275 for Set of Three
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Vintage boxed set of three lovely commemorative Japanese wireless cloisonne “meimeizara” (plates for the tea ceremony) wonderfully crafted in the shape of flowering plum blossoms. Dating to the early 20th century, they are housed in their original hinged, satin-lined presentation box which is marked “Ando Cloisonne” with a commemorative inscription. Soft white and pink translucent enamels cover a shimmering foil ground, which shows through as the separations and folds in the blossoms’ petals. The elegant simplicity of each diminutive plate is simply stunning. The reverse sides are finished in shiny black enamel. Likely introduced from China during the Nara period, the plum (“ume”) was initially the flower most frequently mentioned in Japanese poetry, and was celebrated for its sweet perfume, delicate blossoms, and habit of blooming at the end of winter. When teamed with pine and bamboo, the plum is known as one of the Three Friends of Winter (“shochikubai”).
The Ando Cloisonne Company began business in 1880 and has continued to produce fine cloisonné enamel wares. The company has won many prizes at Expositions in Japan and abroad and was granted appointment to the Imperial Household since 1900. Condition of the plates is perfect. There is a stain in the upper right hand corner of the satin inside the box. Dimensions: 4 ½” (11.5 cm) diameter, 3/8” (1 cm) high.
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Japanese Luster Glazed Bowl
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Stoneware:
Pre 1940 item# 66165 (stock# 2B-380)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$375
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Large Japanese ceramic luster glazed bowl with rounded sides. Early Showa period. The exterior is covered with a luminescent silver green glaze, and the interior rim has a pink fading to cream glaze which covers the interior of the bowl. There is overall crackling and a rich lustrous tone throughout the entire bowl. The base is marked with the image of a dragonfly. Luster glaze consists of a thin metallic film on the basic glaze, either added directly to it for an overall effect of put on over a fired glaze surface in the same way as an overglaze enamel. Condition is excellent, with only one kiln spot. Overall dimensions: 10” diameter, 3 ¾” high.
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Art Deco Hammered Copper Ikebana Flower Basket
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Metalwork:
Pre 1940 item# 720358 (stock# 6-432)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$565
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This simple and elegant Japanese hand hammered copper vase in basket form with a double entwined relief work handle is an unusual representation in Art Deco style of a “hanakago” or bamboo flower basket. Early 20th century. The four sides flow in a softly rounded shape from a square base and culminate in a square lip. Each copper strip of the double handle has been pressed repeatedly with little rivet-like bumps and then twisted together, giving it a wonderful tactile appeal in addition to its striking appearance. Although apparently simple in its overall design and lines, it is obvious that an enormous amount of metalwork skill went into creating this basket .
CONDITION is excellent; rich original patina. DIMENSIONS: 15 ¼” (38.8 cm) high, 6 1/8” (15.6 cm) maximum width and depth.
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Japanese Buddhist Monk Figure: Kobo Daishi
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Devotional Objects:
Pre 1930 item# 360477 (stock# 9-089)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$275
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This polychromed clay figure seated on a brightly-colored pedestal in a lacquered chair represents the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi (774-835). Early 20th century. The figure wears traditional brown and saffron colored Buddhist robes. He holds a Buddhist rosary in his left hand and a vajra (mace with four prongs symbolizing a thunderbolt) in his right hand. He sits on a black lacquered wood chair decorated in gold and the typical red, white, green and blue along the edges of the pedestal. His shoes are placed underneath the front of the chair. Kobo Daishi is one of the most venerated figures of early Japanese Buddhism. He was the founder of the Shingon (True Word) sect of Buddhism, as well as a philosopher, poet, educational reformer, painter and calligrapher. Condition is very good, with only a little surface dust and dirt and a thin crack on the gold lacquer skirt of the chair. Dimensions: 7” high, 5 ½” wide, 4 ¼” deep.
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Mashiko Pottery Dish, Kaki Glaze
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Pre 1970 item# 161081 (stock# 2B-612)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
SOLD
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This 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. This is a very nice example of vintage Mashiko kaki glazed ceramic ware. CONDITION: There are three rim chips -- two with gold lacquer repairs and one that has been restored. These have been reflected in the price. DIMENSIONS: 10 7/8” diameter, 2” high.
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Japanese Burled Tabako-bon Smoking Box Hibachi
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Wood:
Pre 1930 item# 827536 (stock# 11-355)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$345
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This incredible natural-shaped rootwood smoker’s hibachi or tabako-bon was skillfully crafted from the gnarled burl of a hardwood tree, likely keyaki (zelkova). Early 20th century. The round copper-lined cavity would hold burning charcoal with which to light the pipe, and the covered wooden cylindrical tube would serve as the receptacle in which to dispose of the smoked tobacco ash. The extraordinary graining, knots and burl formations on this piece are not only visually stunning but tactilely inviting as well. With its beautiful dense grain, keyaki is the most expensive of Japanese woods. It is a sturdy, long-lasting hardwood requiring little maintenance. Pieces crafted from burled keyaki – wood taken from the knotty area near the trunk of the tree that is noted for its handsome, clustered grain that appears wavy or curly – are especially coveted.
As a sign of relaxation and welcome, tabako-bon – which are also called guest hibachi or “te aburi” -- played an important role in Japanese hospitality. Smoking was widespread among both men and women by the mid-Edo period, and the strong kizami tobacco was smoked only in small amounts in slender pipes with tiny pipe bowls (kiseru). Most tabako-bon were rectangular or round wooden holders for a charcoal container and a wood or bamboo cylinder. This natural burl smoker’s hibachi is crafted in a very unusual and imaginative style. Production of smoker’s hibachi ceased in the early 20th century, when cigarettes became fashionable and virtually replaced pipe smoking. This unusual smoking box may have also been able to accommodate cigarettes in the covered cylindrical receptacle.
CONDITION overall is excellent. DIMENSIONS: approximately 10” (25.4 cm) long; 9” (22.8 cm) wide; 3” (7.6 cm) high (not including receptacle).
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Mashiko Stoneware Tokkuri, Hamada Style
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Stoneware:
Pre 1980 item# 300595 (stock# 2C-384)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$395
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Crafted in the style of Hamada Shoji (1894-1978), this handsome square Japanese ceramic sake bottle (“tokkuri”) is artfully decorated with a simple transparent wax resist design against a rich iron brown glazed background. Mid-20th century. The front and back sides of this press-molded bottle are covered with brown glaze upon which the wax resist design of a stylized leafy stalk with a mottled turquoise blossom has been painted. The brown glaze overlaps on the two undecorated sides of the bottle, which are covered in a transparent nuka glaze, leaving the effect of large stripes. The thick square foot is unglazed. 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 sake bottle 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 perfect. Dimensions: 10” high, 4” square.
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Japanese Kimekomi Ningyo Imperial Couple
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Dolls:
Pre 1930 item# 486917 (stock# 4-021)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$375
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This charming little pair of Japanese Girl’s Day Festival (“Hina Matsuri”) Emperor and Empress dolls are seated on brocade-edged and black and gold lacquer display stands. Early 20th century. The emperor is clad in purple silk brocade and holds a closed fan in his right hand. He wears a high golden nobleman’s hat. The empress is dressed in a layered robe of colorful red silk and holds an open fan in both hands. Her metal coronet is topped with an elaborate phoenix (ho-o bird) and rests on her painted black hair. Their expressive faces are finely carved of wood which has been covered in several layers of gofun (crushed oyster shell), with delicately painted hairlines and eyebrows. Their mouths are open, showing white teeth, and they have hand painted eyes beneath sculpted eyelids. The term kimekomi is applied to the special dressing technique used with wooden ningyo 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. Hina Matsuri is a March 3rd festival that honors girls with an elaborate display of dolls of the imperial court set up in their homes on a stepped display stand covered with red fabric. The topmost step of the display holds the emperor and empress. Hina dolls were considered works of art to be admired and appreciated and were never played with. After the holiday display, they were wrapped up and stored for the rest of the year, which has kept them in excellent condition. It is uncommon to find Hina Matsuri dolls in kimekomi form. There is a bit of crazing around the Emperor’s mouth which is magnified in the photographs but almost imperceptible when you actually look at the doll’s face; otherwise, these two dolls are in excellent condition. Dimensions: Each doll is 4” high, 3 ½” wide, 2 ½” deep. Brocade edged base is 4” wide, 3” deep, ¾” high. Lacquer base is 5” wide, 3 ¾” wide, 1 3/8” high.
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Ornate Old Japanese Kawara Roof Tile Decorations
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Pre 1930 item# 279180 (stock# 9-079)
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B & C ANTIQUES
203-929-7312
$360 for Pair
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These wonderful early 20th century Japanese house roof terminal decorations, called "onigawara” or ridge end tiles, were once mounted at both ends of the clay ridge cap atop of the roof of an old Japanese house and were used for both decoration and as an amulet. (Enlargement photos 9 and 10 show examples of the way onigawara were attached to the roofs of traditional Japanese houses.) This pair has been molded from a type of clay material that has the look and feel of old worn granite, and the fronts of both pieces are decorated with swirling or rolling wave patterns called “hire.” The functional beauty of the elaborate designs on onigawara was made even more impressive given their striking location at the ends of the high roof ridge. The name “onigawara” means literally “demon tiles” because the early end tiles were traditionally molded in the shape of a demon’s head or face, much like a clay gargoyle with the same function, i.e., to ward off evil. Onigawara developed around the middle of the Edo period when the tile roofs became popular for houses, and they reflected the status of the family. These highly decorative and unusual Japanese architectural elements are very popular in Japan. They are not normally found in such wonderful condition, as they usually get broken up and discarded when old houses are demolished. It is also rare to find a pair of onigawara, especially in such a large size. Condition is excellent, with only some minor rubbing on the back of the larger onigawara where it rested against the clay ridge cap tile. There is also a small crack above the hole on the back of the larger piece, either from the kiln or from taking if from the ridge cap tile; however, there is no danger of further fracture in the crack. This is an exceptional pair of very decorative and unique Japanese antiques that will display well anywhere in the home or garden. Dimensions: the larger onigawara measures 11" high by 17 3/4" wide by 3 3/8" thick and weighs approximately 12 pounds. The smaller onigawara measures 9 ¼” high by 10 ½” wide by 4" thick and weighs approximately 7 pounds.
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