About Modern Problem
Every item is carefully chosen with a clear purpose and a thoughtful intention. What began as my passion project years ago has steadily grown into something far more meaningful. I travel the world collecting interesting art and objects—vintage and modern pieces from California, Japan, and beyond—curating a varied mix that reflects different eras, cultures, and unexpected stories.
Modern Problem
Established in 2017
Featured Pieces
Antique Chinese Black Limestone Scholar's Stone, Gongshi
Located in Oakland, CA
Absolutely stunning and dramatic large Chinese Scholar's limestone rock sculpture.
The Chinese tradition of adorning gardens with rocks dates back to the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D....
Category
20th Century Natural Specimens
Materials
Limestone
Mikael Björnstjerna Modernist Stockholm Flatware for Boda Nova Service for 12
By Boda Nova
Located in Oakland, CA
Uncommon modernist flatware set for twelve by Mikael Björnstjerna for Boda Nova. Stockholm is the pattern design and it was created 1973. The set h...
Category
Vintage 1970s Tableware
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Gerald Hong Modernist Raku Studio Vessel c1980s California
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous vintage modern raku vessel by noted Northern California artist, Gerald Hong. Hong is recognized for his innovative approach to raku ceramics, blen...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Vases
Materials
Clay
Vintage Sandra Johnstone Abstract Lidded Vessel c1960s California
Located in Oakland, CA
Amazing salt-fired abstract lidded vessel by well listed potter, Sandra Johnstone c1970s. Signature chunky wood top with leather cord attaching it to the vessel. Johnstone (1936-1991...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Jars
Materials
Leather, Clay, Wood
Ryohei Tanaka Thatched Roof Etching Japan c1987
Located in Oakland, CA
Incredibly detailed Ryohei Tanaka etching of a thatched roof c1987. Beautifully framed with a custom rounded teak frame and matted. Signed in pencil by artist.
Ryohei Tanaka (1933-2...
Category
Vintage 1980s Japanese Modern Prints
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Rare Naoaki Sakamoto Abstract Senbyo Painting Japan
Located in Oakland, CA
Rare and extremely hard to find, Naoaki Sakamoto abstract painting on handmade paper. Sakamoto layers up to six coats of natural pigments mixed with animal-based glues (nikawa) on bo...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Vintage Keith Bickford Abstract Modern Bronze Sculpture California
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic modernist bronze sculpture by Northern California artist, Keith Bickford. Bickford, an American sculptor, was originally based in Los Altos, California. Bickford has exhibi...
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Vintage Sandra Johnstone Large Altered Salt-Fired Vessel c1960s California
By Sandra Johnstone
Located in Oakland, CA
Amazing large salt-fired abstract lidded vessel by well listed potter, Sandra Johnstone c1970s. Signature chunky wood top with leather cord attaching it to the vessel. Johnstone (193...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Jars
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Japanese Bottle Vase Tatsuzo Shimaoka Style Mashiko
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic Japanese Mingei vintage bottle vase most likely from a contemporary of the master potter, Tatsuzo Shimaoka. Unmarked. Clay body seems like it's from the 1960/70s. Wonderful...
Category
Vintage 1960s Japanese Modern Vases
Materials
Clay
Robert Fritz Exquisite Abstract Hand Blown Glass Vase, California c1980s
By Robert Fritz
Located in Oakland, CA
Robert Fritz exquisite abstract hand-blown abstract studio glass vase c1980s. Purchased directly from the artist's studio in the early 1980's. One of the best pieces by the artist I'...
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Modernist Japanese Ring Stool c1970s
By Tendo Mokko, Tokukichi Kato
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic, vintage modern Japanese ring stool in the manner of Kato Tokukichi. Freshly upholstered in beautiful original Knoll fabric. Acquired in Japan. Amazing wood work detail.
Category
Vintage 1970s Japanese Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Sandra Johnstone Abstract Lidded Vessel #1 c1970s
By Sandra Johnstone
Located in Oakland, CA
Amazing salt-fired abstract lidded vessel by well listed potter, Sandra Johnstone c1970s. Signature chunky wood top with leather cord attaching it to the vessel. Johnstone (1936-1991...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Jars
Materials
Leather, Clay
More About Modern Problem
Antique Chinese Black Limestone Scholar's Stone, Gongshi
Located in Oakland, CA
Absolutely stunning and dramatic large Chinese Scholar's limestone rock sculpture.
The Chinese tradition of adorning gardens with rocks dates back to the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D....
Category
20th Century Natural Specimens
Materials
Limestone
Mikael Björnstjerna Modernist Stockholm Flatware for Boda Nova Service for 12
By Boda Nova
Located in Oakland, CA
Uncommon modernist flatware set for twelve by Mikael Björnstjerna for Boda Nova. Stockholm is the pattern design and it was created 1973. The set h...
Category
Vintage 1970s Tableware
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Gerald Hong Modernist Raku Studio Vessel c1980s California
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous vintage modern raku vessel by noted Northern California artist, Gerald Hong. Hong is recognized for his innovative approach to raku ceramics, blen...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Vases
Materials
Clay
Vintage Sandra Johnstone Abstract Lidded Vessel c1960s California
Located in Oakland, CA
Amazing salt-fired abstract lidded vessel by well listed potter, Sandra Johnstone c1970s. Signature chunky wood top with leather cord attaching it to the vessel. Johnstone (1936-1991...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Jars
Materials
Leather, Clay, Wood
Ryohei Tanaka Thatched Roof Etching Japan c1987
Located in Oakland, CA
Incredibly detailed Ryohei Tanaka etching of a thatched roof c1987. Beautifully framed with a custom rounded teak frame and matted. Signed in pencil by artist.
Ryohei Tanaka (1933-2...
Category
Vintage 1980s Japanese Modern Prints
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Rare Naoaki Sakamoto Abstract Senbyo Painting Japan
Located in Oakland, CA
Rare and extremely hard to find, Naoaki Sakamoto abstract painting on handmade paper. Sakamoto layers up to six coats of natural pigments mixed with animal-based glues (nikawa) on bo...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Paintings
Materials
Paper
Vintage Keith Bickford Abstract Modern Bronze Sculpture California
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic modernist bronze sculpture by Northern California artist, Keith Bickford. Bickford, an American sculptor, was originally based in Los Altos, California. Bickford has exhibi...
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Vintage Sandra Johnstone Large Altered Salt-Fired Vessel c1960s California
By Sandra Johnstone
Located in Oakland, CA
Amazing large salt-fired abstract lidded vessel by well listed potter, Sandra Johnstone c1970s. Signature chunky wood top with leather cord attaching it to the vessel. Johnstone (193...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Jars
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Japanese Bottle Vase Tatsuzo Shimaoka Style Mashiko
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic Japanese Mingei vintage bottle vase most likely from a contemporary of the master potter, Tatsuzo Shimaoka. Unmarked. Clay body seems like it's from the 1960/70s. Wonderful...
Category
Vintage 1960s Japanese Modern Vases
Materials
Clay
Robert Fritz Exquisite Abstract Hand Blown Glass Vase, California c1980s
By Robert Fritz
Located in Oakland, CA
Robert Fritz exquisite abstract hand-blown abstract studio glass vase c1980s. Purchased directly from the artist's studio in the early 1980's. One of the best pieces by the artist I'...
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Modern Vases
Materials
Art Glass
Vintage Modernist Japanese Ring Stool c1970s
By Tendo Mokko, Tokukichi Kato
Located in Oakland, CA
Fantastic, vintage modern Japanese ring stool in the manner of Kato Tokukichi. Freshly upholstered in beautiful original Knoll fabric. Acquired in Japan. Amazing wood work detail.
Category
Vintage 1970s Japanese Modern Stools
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Sandra Johnstone Abstract Lidded Vessel #1 c1970s
By Sandra Johnstone
Located in Oakland, CA
Amazing salt-fired abstract lidded vessel by well listed potter, Sandra Johnstone c1970s. Signature chunky wood top with leather cord attaching it to the vessel. Johnstone (1936-1991...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Jars
Materials
Leather, Clay