Paper Antiquities

This is an old Japanese horse figurine. It was made in the early Showa period (1920s-1940s). It is mainly made of paper. (Various materials are used). It is a very elaborate creati...

Very old tricycle with wooden horse made in Japan. It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is made of iron, cedar wood, straw, and paper. In Japan at that time, only a few wea...

A Japanese Papier Mache Decorative Charger (plate). Classic Japanese scenes of people in traditional dress. The bottom edge is missing black l...

Important unique set of two suits-of-armour (yoroi), complete with two high six-panel screens, that belong together as is indicated by the used family crests (mon). Two crests are used, both belonging to the Nakagawa family of Oka Castle, Ôita prefecture on Kyûshû. They are: – the Nakagawa-kurusu, a circle depicting a Celtic-like cross through a ring. The cross was originally a Christian symbol but after the ban on Christianity in Japan the use of a hidden cross in family crests could continue. – the Nakagawa-kashiwa, two leaves of the Japanese Emperor Oak turned to each other (dakikashiwa mon). The remarkable aspect of this ensemble is the presence of matching crests on both the yoroi and the accompanying folding screens. The kurusu and kashiwa crests adorning the yoroi are elegantly replicated on the screens, providing compelling evidence that these pieces form a harmonious and unified set. This exceptional cohesion between the armour and screens further enhances their artistic and historical value. After the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) had interfered in the battle between the Lord of Bungo Province Ôtomo Yoshi-mune (1558-1605) and the Shimazu of Hyûga Province, he split the Bungo Province in a number of small fiefs and transferred in 1594 Nakagawa Hideshige (1570-1612) from Miki Castle in the Harima Fief to Oka Castle in Kyûshû. The Nakagawa family stayed in possession of Oka Castle till the abolishment of the military use of castles in 1873. In 1884 the Nakagawa family received the title of Count (a title in use till the abolishment of aristocracy in 1947). After the Nakagawa’s left, the castle and the building soon dilapidated and is now known as Oka Castle Ruins. The castle is located in Taketa Village part of Taketa Town in Ôita Province on Kyûshû. > Set of two tall byôbu (folding screens), painted with large red jinmaku (camp enclosure curtain) on a gold leaf ground. The curtains show both crests of the Nakagawa family: one screen depicts two Nakagawa-kurusu crests next to a Nakagawa-kashi crest in the middle, and the other shows the symbols the other way round. Dimensions: Total width 148.66 in/377.6 cm (2 x 25.35 in/64.4 cm, 4 x 24.48 in/62.2 cm); Height 72.63 in/184.5 cm. Period: Japan – Late Edo period (First half 19th century), and maybe even older. > Yoroi with Nakagawa-kashiwa crest: A Japanese black lacquered suit-of-armour (yoroi) completely laced with orange cords (kuro’urushinuri hi’ito odoshi nimai’dô’maru). A thirty-two plate suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with raised ridges) with in front a maedate (fore crest) -with traces of gilding- in the shape of flames, resembling a mythical flaming bird flying down. The fukikaeshi (face guards) and the mabizashi (visor) have the Nakagawa-kashiwa crest in gold maki-e lacquer. Five curved ‘itazane’-plate neck guards (shikoro) laced with orange cords. Together with an ‘angry man...

A Beautiful Japanese Andon Lantern for Tea Ceremony. This beautiful Japanese andon lantern is a stunning example of Japanese craftsmanship. It is made o...

Unusual Chinese cassette with brass fittings and a red painted parchment cover. Stylized floral decoration on all sides, partly with gold hatched frame borders. Characteristic brass ...

This is a very old Japanese paper plate. It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). It is made of thick paper and very solid. It is called a "cocoon dish. It was used to collect s...

The Loom of Art by Germain Bazin. Published by Simon & Schuster, New York, 1962. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. In ten chapters of text and plates, Bazin,...

Beautiful lacquered paper mache box decorated with imaginary animals (that look like cats) and plant motifs. The box seems to take the shape of a vege...

Queen of Sheba: Treasures from Ancient Yemen Edited by St. John Simpson. Published by British Museum Press, 2002. Exhibitions at the British Museum are al...

Name: Under the Hazy Moon Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings. Base is made of brass...

Name: OBAKE UN Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings. Base is made of brass. Limited pattern painted model. Edition of 3+1AP E26,27 light bulb. Available to work with 100-250V. Artist statement In Japan, there is an animist belief that the soul dwells in old tools that have passed a long time and turns into spirits such as "Youkai" or "OBAKE." Its existence lurks in the darkness of everyday life, sometimes causing fear and sometimes entertaining. This lantern is not an old tool, but it is made by the historic "Kojima Shoten", where the 10th generation are craftsmen in Kyoto. It's rare nowadays, and it's a style in which lanterns are made from bamboo bones to assembling papers and painting in one workshop and go. So, I decided to transform the polite crafted Japanese lanterns, which have been run through a traditional history, into a modern and pop style. It's not just OBAKE lurking in the darkness, but an existence who snuggles up to us as a more sophisticated being. These one-eyed OBAKE have a meaningful look that originated in ancient Sanskrit culture. The red-eye "A [a]" is the facial expression that is the first pronunciation to make a sound in Sanskrit, which means "truth" and "spirit of inquiry" at the same time. The blue-eyed "UN [hu?]" expresses the pronunciation to close the sound, and at the same time means "wisdom" and "nirvana." There is also the idea that describing the beginning and end of the universe is represented by considering the "A" and "UN" as a pair. In Asia, it is a common sight to see a pair of guardian statues...

Name: OBAKE A Contemporary style Japanese Washi Japanese traditional paper shade floor lamp. Washi shade is famous as Isamu Noguchi Akari lightings. Base is made of brass. Limited pattern painted model. Edition of 3+1AP E26,27 light bulb. Available to work with 100-250V. Artist statement In Japan, there is an animist belief that the soul dwells in old tools that have passed a long time and turns into spirits such as "Youkai" or "OBAKE." Its existence lurks in the darkness of everyday life, sometimes causing fear and sometimes entertaining. This lantern is not an old tool, but it is made by the historic "Kojima Shoten", where the 10th generation are craftsmen in Kyoto. It's rare nowadays, and it's a style in which lanterns are made from bamboo bones to assembling papers and painting in one workshop and go. So, I decided to transform the polite crafted Japanese lanterns, which have been run through a traditional history, into a modern and pop style. It's not just OBAKE lurking in the darkness, but an existence who snuggles up to us as a more sophisticated being. These one-eyed OBAKE have a meaningful look that originated in ancient Sanskrit culture. The red-eye "A [a]" is the facial expression that is the first pronunciation to make a sound in Sanskrit, which means "truth" and "spirit of inquiry" at the same time. The blue-eyed "UN [hu?]" expresses the pronunciation to close the sound, and at the same time means "wisdom" and "nirvana." There is also the idea that describing the beginning and end of the universe is represented by considering the "A" and "UN" as a pair. In Asia, it is a common sight to see a pair of guardian statues...

Three views of the Mining Industry in Malaysia around 1907. 1. Lankshuts at Tronoh, Perak 2. Puddling Machinery, Tambun in Sabah 3. Shaking Machinery at Red Hill This helio...

Antiquities from The Collection of the Late Christos G. Bastis, Sale 7404. Sotheby's (New York). 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. In 1987, 188 antiquities assembled by Christos G....

Treasures of the Jin State. Gems From Excavations of Cemetery of Marquis of Jin in Shanxi Province by Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau. Publisher Shanxi Provincial Cultural R...

Fascinating and important oriental coloured drawing Japanese Gheisha. Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Sabrina Egidi...

Finely detailed illustration of the feet of Lord Rama. The feet are labeled with illustrative symbols, including a lotus flower, shells, and crescent moons. There are a total of 17 s...

The Golden Pharaoh: The Definitive Account of the Greatest Discovery in Archaeology, the Treasures of Tutankhamen, by Philipp Vandenberg. Stated First American edition. 328 pages wit...

Sotheby's auction catalog of the exceptional Benzian Collection of Ancient and Islamic Glass. An invaluable reference for the collector, scholar or anyone interested in the most delicate and beautiful of antiquities, ancient glass...

Shaanxi History Museum Shaanxi History Museum, by Feng Gengwu. Published by Shaanxi Tourism Publishing House, 2005. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. Shaanxi History Museum, which i...

Antique Chinese rice paper pith painting. It shows a group gathering of men and women. Pith paper is made from the inner pith of the plant Tetrapane...

Antique Chinese rice paper pith painting. It shows a group gathering of men and women. Pith paper is made from the inner pith of the plant Tetrapane...

19th century or earlier, Sri Lankan rice paper prayer book tied with wooden binding. Beautiful Objet d'Art with prayers written in beautiful Sinhalese script. Can be separated and...

19th century or older - Sanskrit Prayer Book Pages Beautiful patina to the worn pages with very dark black background with Sanskrit. Black has subtle shee...

19th century Mongolian painted chest. Wonderful papered inside with old calligraphy paper. Nice as a hall chest, or as display table. Exceptional piece. Cab be used for storage, an...

Wonderful Interieurs aux Salon Des Artistes Decoratifs, 1929 Folio of photographs of amazing Art Deco Interiors from the Salon. There are some colored pouchoirs spaced throughout pho...

Shinsen Taikoki (throwing the enemy) and Honda Tadakatsu at the camp of Mount Komaki. 2x 35 x 24 cm. in mount. Published by Takegawa Seikichi, Meiji 16 (1883), signed by Toyonobu.

Leporello of 17 yellow-coloured thick paper leaves lined in red, with 8 full-page gouaches on one side and 8 half-page gouaches on the other side, the latter side with many small dra...