18th Century Scholar's Objects

A Japanese lacquered wood fubako with fine maki-e decoration (Fubako is a box used to store document or small scroll painting), circa 18th century Edo period. The rectangular box features a deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box that is almost entirely covered by the lid which has two bronze medallion rings with tasseled silk ties. The surface decoration of this fubako is of superb craftsmanship and visually arresting. On a black background sparsely sprinkled with shimmering gold powder, the pictorial imagery centers on a flock of seven cranes on a coastal landscape. Three in flights, four perching ashore, the dimensional composition is classic and often found in Japanese painting from Edo period. Each crane was depicted in a vivid unique motion, using relief takamaki-e and gold fundame for highlight. The crowns of the crane were all dotted in red, a distinct character of Japanese Crane (Grus Japonensis), which are one of the most beloved birds in Asia and symbol of longevity. The ocean waves were beautifully rendered in hiramaki-e with gold powder and combed silver lines. Rocks in takamaki-e with gold kirigane form the bottom anchor, representing the shoreline and it continues to the end of the lid. On the sides, the scenery extends and bundles of large sea grasses with seeds sway in the wind. The two bronze medallion rings were silvered and appear original. The interior was finished in a dense nashiji and all the trims in gold fundame. Accompany with this fubako is an old label indicating the age of the box which we agree with. Examining the fubako, it is evident that it was well used and of its original condition. A wonderful piece of Japanese lacquer art.

A delightful antique Chinese Ca Mau shipwreck pottery Fo Dog joss stick holder, partially decorated in green glazes and dating from around 1725. The dog has finely detailed features and glances sideways and has an original Sotheby's CA MAU - BINH THUAN...

A good pair antique Chinese Qing hand painted porcelain Foo dog incense holders dating from the 18th century. The dogs stand raised on a rectangular sh...

Rare Discovery- Historical Bell- -Immediately Useable & Soothing Sound Japanese rare and beautifully cast Buddhist Bronze Temple bell inscribed with the temple name, dated 1765 , and with a remarkable inscribed passage by Jou Rin, a monk, from a Buddhist verse from the "Sutra of Eternal Life." The Inscription can be translated : "If I try to satisfy my countless mundane desires , I will never achieve enlightenment. If I try to fulfill all of my countless dreams, I will certainly fail to come to the illustrious path of perfection. I must become a perfect practitioner of the infinite wealth of dharma. How can I ever achieve the final goal of life and Divine Enlightenment? Signed: Jou Rin ( monk who inscribed the bell) Temple: Saikokuji templ Hizen Arita. Maker: Taniguchi Kichizaburo Dated: November 1765. Dimensions: 18 inches tall and 11 inches diameter and 25 pounds in weight Material: Bronze with a pleasing naturally developed patination- just the way we like to find them. We will include a complimentary striker. Call or email us to reserve it as it is one-of-a-kind. Beautiful deep resonating ring tones await the new owner of this rare signed work of art from old Japan. Its beautiful natural patina makes it an attractive and desirable work of art. This distinctive dragon headed bell handle called ryuzu and remarkable pointed protrusions called chi chi or nyu are crafted by generations old skilled Japanese specialists to improve sound resonance and audio quality - they are unique to Japan's ancient traditions. Two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za are the raised round areas on the bell where the best and longest sound is achieved. A bell of this size was hung in a neighborhood temple to summon the monks to prayer. A rare and unique survivor, this masterpiece bronze bell emits a pleasant resonating sound guaranteed to please you. We will also include a complimentary hand striker. Unique. Only One. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. History of Japan's temple bells, bonsho : Rather than containing a clapper, bonsho is struck from the outside, using either a handheld mallet or a beam suspended on ropes. Antique Japanese bronze temple bells have a handle of dragon heads called ryuzu, protrusions called chi chi or nyu and to improve resonance of sound, protruding, tsuki-za, striking panels and in some instances possess a mei-bun inscription of the bell's history. Bonsho or Buddhist bells...

Rare one-of-a-kind, beautiful lotus flower design A bronze bellwhich would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. This rare dated cast bronze Buddhist chanting bell "waniguchi" is inscribed on its obverse above its attractive lotus flower design with the date June 24, 1705 ( Hoei era year) and depicts the dedication inscription: "made by Nishimura Sakon Muneharu of Kyoto- dedicated to Atago Dai Gongen" . This rare inscribed dedication is of a deity often worshipped and chanted to...

# 1 and #2 antique 18th century Japanese Jizo Bodhisattva stone carving. A truly remarkable architectural stone fragment. The 18th century Japanese Budd...

Gracefully mounted on custom black display stand From an old West Coast Buddhist collection and dating to the 18th Century. This is a wonderful example of a genuine Southeast Asian, Thailand bronze...

This small ceramic chaire from Edo period Japan circa 18th century (possibly earlier) was made in the Seto area of Gifu prefecture. This type of small jar wi...

An exceptional Japanese suzuribako (writing box) in maki-e decoration circa 18th century Edo period. This is one of the most spectacular pieces of ...

A fine pair antique Chinese Kangxi or Yongzheng Sancai (egg and spinach) glazed biscuit porcelain incense holders modelled as Fu Dogs dating from 1680-1730. The dogs stand on a hollo...

A charming antique Chinese porcelain figure of a boy holding a stem cup from the Ca Mau shipwreck and dating from circa 1725. The figure stands on a moulded bas...

A delightful antique Chinese Ca Mau shipwreck pottery Fo Dog joss stick holder, partially decorated in green glazes and dating from around 1725. The dog has finely detailed features and glances sideways and has an original Sotheby's CA MAU - BINH THUAN...