Japanese Bronze Tripod Censer with Gold Koi Inlay

For many centuries, people in China have burned incense in shallow censers such as this, placed within a shrine or atop a home altar. An essential element o...

This 18th century bronze vessel with tripod feet was crafted by hand in a traditional Chinese shape known as "ding," that dates back to 1600 BC. Tripod bowls were originally used for making religious offerings to ancestral gods. This ding is mounted on a finely carved hardwood...

This footed vessel captivates attention with stunningly detailed metalwork. Crafted of white brass in a cylindrical form, this vessel is complete with two loop side handles, secured to the face of a lion, and an intricately designed lid topped with a round grip. The exterior is etched with Chinese text and a pattern of lush bamboo fields, a symbol of honesty, humility, and loyalty. This vessel opens to a constricted circular neck shaped with a slit on the side. Reminiscent of Chinese braziers...

Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the cold hands of a wealthy woman on a winter night in northern China. The brazier is hand-wrough...

Filled with burning coals, this petite 19th-century brass brazier once warmed the hands of a well-to-do person on a cold winter's night in northern China. The brazier is crafted of white brass in a rectangular form, complete with a hinged handle and an intricately pierced lid with a chrysanthemum pattern. The exterior is etched with a pattern of golden coins...

For one short decade, from around 1910 to 1920, pewter was all the rage in China’s bustling commercial centers of Shanghai and Canton. Drawn to pewter’s soft, silvery glow, artists t...

A fine pair of Korean iron box with intricate silver inlays dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The matching circular boxes was most likely used to store tobacco lea...

A fine Korean iron box used to store tobacco leaves dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The box is made from iron and has a heavy weight, although the wears along the edges of the lid and base exposes a bronze metal color underneath, indicating the iron metal may contains a high level of copper. The surface was beautifully decorated with elaborate silver inlay that covers the entire surface except the base. The extraordinary workmanship depicts a pair of deer within the circled square (shape of heaven and earth) and a lined background on the long sides and a crane with spread wings on the shorter sides. Both animals were associated with longevity. Their eyes were highlighted with copper inlay, adding a lively touch to the animation. The lid is centered with a Chinese character "Xi" (Paired-Hui in Korean), which means double happiness. (In Chinese culture, it is often used in a wedding ceremony). The large symbol was set on geometrical background of tightly scrolling diamond pattern surrounded by stylized Ruyi mushroom heads, another floral longevity symbol. Archaic fret cloud band borders the entire perimeters of the lid and the container. Tobacco was introduced to Korean in the first half of the 17th century and gradually gained popularity. When the tobacco was started being smoked in shredded form instead of rolled leaves, there rose the production of the smoking accessories, with some in fine quality as luxury items for the elite. The accoutrement such as this box is a fine example made in late Joseon dynasty, using extensive silver inlay, a technique called "jjoeum-ipsa", in which the silver wires were hammered into the scorched iron surface to create the elaborate design. Similar boxes with variation of shape and motifs are in the collection of several major museums. Compare the box with item Gu 754 in the National Museum of Korea; item 22.78 in MET NYC and M.240:1, 2-1926 in V& A Museum in London. The most closely related example we found is item C232 in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art...

A rare Japanese Meiji period (1868 - 1912) circular bronze box and cover by Inoue, Kyoto, late 19th century. The cover embossed with gilt, silvered and coppered decoration of inse...

Japanese Meiji period bronze tripod vessel with laurel leaves in relief. Old repair work on the inside.

This is a small oval shaped antique metal Pill Box with Mother-of Pearl Inlay dating to the Edwardian or late Victorian period. The box is made...

A fine antique 20th century Japanese Amita Damascene Steel Box. Made of damascened steel inlaid with gold & silver. The lid of the box has gilt depictions of bamboo plants, whi...