Important Satsuma vase Presented to Benjamin Harrison the 23rd US President by the Japanese Ambassador. The Harrison presidency presided over an important era in American  More »

Important Satsuma vase Presented to Benjamin Harrison the 23rd US President by the Japanese Ambassador. The Harrison presidency presided over an important era in American Japanese relations. The McKinley act was passed in 1890 which increased and decreased tariffs to countries around the world. Japan was particularly affected by the potential of this legislation and it would seem quite fitting that the Japanese government would see fit to recognize this fact and bring gifts to the President and his wife. According to the family this vase was among several gifts given to the President and his family by the Japanese Ambassador in a hope to curry favor with the legislation at hand. The McKinley act also for the first time required the country of origin to be placed on imports. Japan wanted to comply to the McKinley Tariff Act but somehow had to translate their country name into a form that could be used by Westerners. Many people may think that it would not have been a big deal, however one should hold in mind that for example any US manufacturer would never mark items ''Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika'' instead of ''USA'' just because they want to export to Germany/Austria and Switzerland. With other words local patriotism and easy international readability had to be taken into mind. Japan came up with Nippon a combination of the two symbols that make up the Japanese mark. Harrison himself had this to say in his 1890 State of the Union Address. ''The revision of our treaty relations with the Empire of Japan has continued to be the subject of consideration and of correspondence. The questions involved are both grave and delicate; and while it will be my duty to see that the interests of the United States are not by any changes exposed to undue discrimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese Government and maintain the present and long-existing friendly relations between Japan and the United States will be effected.'' This vase along with the provenance of written history by the great grand daughter of President Benjamin Harrison a calling card from her as a child and a original calling card from the Mrs. Benjamin Harrison accompanies this vase as an important piece of US Japanese history. Its is in extremely good condition for its age with just the most minor of rub. Stands about 12'' tall and has very good girth. An impressive piece of US history. Inscription is untranslated and larger pics of the presentation writing is available via email. Status: For Sale Reference#: 122_2273 Condition: vg minor rub Year: 1890   « Less

Very neat Chinese tea caddy even with some possibly original tea. Very cool late Qing early Republic piece with a bit of the original tea. About 5'' tall. Condition is very  More »

Very neat Chinese tea caddy even with some possibly original tea. Very cool late Qing early Republic piece with a bit of the original tea. About 5'' tall. Condition is very good. Circa 1910. Status: For Sale Reference#: 124_2462 Condition: EX Year: 1910   « Less

Exceptionally rare Makuzu Kozan embossed or basketweave vase. I''ve had this vase in my personal collection for many years and have never seen another embossed vase offered  More »

Exceptionally rare Makuzu Kozan embossed or basketweave vase. I''ve had this vase in my personal collection for many years and have never seen another embossed vase offered for sale ever. Very very rare and a beautiful piece by Japan''s master Studio potter. Perfect condition and signed properly on base. Stands 8'' tall with base and approximately 7'' without it. Circa 1900 and a highlight piece to any Japanese Meiji art collection. Status: For Sale Reference#: 123_2355 Condition: EX Year: 1900   « Less

Massive Japanese Meiji Imari Vase Signed Hichozan Shinpo. Massive vase done in the Arita / Imari area and sporting reds of Kutani. Fantastic painting and underglaze blue.  More »

Massive Japanese Meiji Imari Vase Signed Hichozan Shinpo. Massive vase done in the Arita / Imari area and sporting reds of Kutani. Fantastic painting and underglaze blue. Signed on base ''Hichozan Shinpo sei'' or made by Hichozan Shinpo. Great design and epic scale for a vase with walls almost 1/2'' thick. May have had a lid. Measures 19'' tall and 12'' thick. Circa 1880 and a very minor rim chip is only defect. Status: For Sale Reference#: 127_2763 Condition: vg Year: 1880   « Less

Stunning, museum grade, masterpiece all these adjectives do not do justice to this amazing piece. Pictures in no way do this piece justice. For larger pictures email me. The  More »

Stunning, museum grade, masterpiece all these adjectives do not do justice to this amazing piece. Pictures in no way do this piece justice. For larger pictures email me. The detail is of the very highest rank and I have never seen its equal. An very minor bit of gilt rub on top lip and signature on base is all the areas of any concern. A very special piece. Circa 1880 and stands only 3.5'' tall. Look at all the detail in the piece. Truly amazing. Status: For Sale Reference#: 123_2377 Condition: ex Year: 1880 Title: kyoto edo yabu meizan kinkozan   « Less

FINE JAPANESE MEIJI / SHOWA SIGNED GENROKU STUDIO VASE

FINE JAPANESE MEIJI / SHOWA SIGNED GENROKU STUDIO VASE   « Less

A high quality Meiji Satsuma cylindrical box and cover on three legs, painted in polychrome enamels and gold. The top of the lid decorated with a rectangle of geishas in a  More »

A high quality Meiji Satsuma cylindrical box and cover on three legs, painted in polychrome enamels and gold. The top of the lid decorated with a rectangle of geishas in a wisteria garden, a misty mountain scene, blossoms, wisteria and butterflies. The side and interior with wisteria and butterflies by the dozen. Signed on the base. Condition: minor wear to gilt, no chips or crack minor staining to base. 5'' wide. Circa 1880 unusual and great piece. Status: For Sale Reference#: 532_3286 Condition: vg stains Year: 1880   « Less

Well modeled Japanese Kutani Hotei with his bag. Well executed late Edo or early Meiji period piece that is quite whimsical in nature. otei is one of the Shichi Fukujin, the  More »

Well modeled Japanese Kutani Hotei with his bag. Well executed late Edo or early Meiji period piece that is quite whimsical in nature. otei is one of the Shichi Fukujin, the seven Japanese Shinto-gods of luck. He is the god of happiness, laughter and the wisdom of contentment, and is the patron of the weak and children, fortunetellers and bartenders. Hotei is distinguished by his body of generous proportions and round stomach exposed beneath loose robes. His big belly is a symbol of happiness, luck and generosity. On his back he carrys a huge linen bag containing precious things and gifts of good fortune, including children. He stands about 5'' tall has great gilding on his robes and is in excellent condition. Circa 1850 or perhaps a bit earlier. Status: For Sale Reference#: 526_2653 Condition: EX Year: 1850   « Less

Very early 18th century Chinese famille rose export bowl. The kind you just don''t see anymore. Great and bright enamels peach in center of bowl. Lots of little frits on rim  More »

Very early 18th century Chinese famille rose export bowl. The kind you just don''t see anymore. Great and bright enamels peach in center of bowl. Lots of little frits on rim of bowl and 2 chips but no hairlines and bowl rings well. Very rare unrestored piece. Measures just under 6'' in diameter and is circa 1770 or a bit earlier. Status: For Sale Reference#: 526_2623 Condition: lots of frits and a couple of chips Year: 1770   « Less

Very good Chinese Tongzhi mark and period bowl. Done with scholars instruments and cash pieces this is a very nicely done famille rose piece. Circa 1870. Measures 7.5''  More »

Very good Chinese Tongzhi mark and period bowl. Done with scholars instruments and cash pieces this is a very nicely done famille rose piece. Circa 1870. Measures 7.5'' across. No real enamel loss as is so common on these pieces. Signed on base and scratched China also. Status: For Sale Reference#: 526_2618 Condition: vg Year: 1870   « Less