Fine Japanese Portable Tea Cabinet Meiji Period with Provenance

A fine Japanese wood Hibachi with copper insert circa 1900-30s end of Meiji to Taisho Period. It can be used as a unique planter or to showcase a...

A fine antique Korean medicine or apothecary chest from late Joseon Dynasty (circa 19th century). Known as Yakchang in Korean, this type of chest was used to sort and store herb medicines in its many small drawers. The prototype was originated in China, but this piece is distinctively Korean. The fine piece was made from Paulownia wood, which has an insect-repelling quality. Relatively tall, the Yakchang features a slightly overhanging and upturning pagoda plank top. The upper part has ten rows of smaller drawers, eight per row and eighty total. The lower part is centered with double doors with brass hinges and pull that open to a small storage space, which is surrounded by twelve larger drawers. Each drawer is fitted with yellow brass pulls and with two names of the herbs in gilt Hanja writings. Examination of the construction and patina shows that this is an authentic antique piece that has seen extensive historical use. Provenance: Purchase from Lucky-Chosun Furniture, Seoul, Korea in 1986 and remains in an American collection until now. With an original invoice and also a freight invoice from Korea to Hongkong. There is also an insurance appraised by Sotheby's from 1997. A tall medicine chest with similar configuration from a doctor's home in Yongin Folk Village is illustrated on plate 75 page 61 in the book "Korean Furniture and Culture" by Bokcha, Soon and Youngsoon. To compare with another Medicine Chest, see illustration on page 47 in "Korean Antique Furniture...

A Japanese long neck porcelain vase circa 1900-1910s by the studio of Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected Japanese ceramist from the end of Meiji Period. Commonly known as Makuzu Kozan, which also appears as the signature on his work, his originally birth name was Miyagawa Toranosuke. He was the appointed artist to the Japanese Imperial household and his work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century. This vase features an elegant Classic form with a slender neck and slightly flared mouth above a baluster body. It was finely painted with two swimming carps in a copper red underglaze among green ribbons like waves. The background display a brilliant verdant green overall, Around the fish a poetic hazy effect was emphasized for a visual complexity by Fuki-e (the blow painting), an invention in Kozan's studio. The new technical development of chemical colors from the west was embraced circa 1900s in Kozan studio. This empowered the more creative experiments with not only colors, but also concept of dimension, which led Makuzu Kozan's work to become a bridge between East and West aesthetics. This is particularly evident in this vase with the Masterly details of the brush strokes, the expertly employment of gradient of color, and a very realistic and detailed rendering of the fish and their vivid motions. For two similar examples of Kozan's work with similar carps decoration, see Page 148-149 of the book: Sekai ni Aisa Reta ya Kimono Miyagawa Kozan Makuzu...

A Japanese ceramic Gohon tea bowl (Chawan) with a slightly irregular wall circa 18th century of Meiji Period. Supported by a high notched foot ring that was left unglazed, the chawan...

An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and ...

A large and remarkable Japanese lacquer and marquetry decorated table or hanging cabinet, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The cabinet of square form surmounted by an arched top with upturned scroll ends. Eight drawers of various shapes and sizes adorn the exterior of the cabinet. Doors on either side open to reveal interiors fitted with cubby holes over a single drawer. The front of the cabinet is decorated with scattered geometric marquetry patterns of various design utilizing contrasting woods, including hardwood and burl, all in the yosegi zaiku technique. The sides and top of the cabinet of black lacquer with maki-e lacquer painted designs of flowers and grasses. The back of plain black lacquer with two hoops for hanging. The interior of the cabinet doors and the interior drawers decorated in the wakasa lacquer technique, with gold rhomboid accents against a polished black lacquer ground. Overall a striking accent piece and nice example of Japanese yosegi...

Large, rare and important Meiji period, late 19th century, Japanese lacquer cabinet Meiji period (1868-1912) 19th century In three parts, desi...

Large Two Section Japanese Kitchen Tansu, Late 19th Century. Interior bottom section has been modified to accommodate a TV. Part of the back bot...