Paint Antiquities

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...

Large 18th century wooden Venetian tray with Chinoiserie decoration. Florals and Chinese figures in colors of red, green on dark wood background.

Antique blanket chest with beautiful remnants of the original color. The original hardware is intact. Used to store handwoven blankets from Sumatra. Circa 1950. This blanket chest w...

Extremely rare Chinese pottery caparisoned horse from the Northern Qi region. A beautiful large sculptural piece, created in China during the Northern Qi dynasty period, between the 549 and 577 AD. This horse statue is extremely finely modeled of earthenware pottery, standing in a very elegant and majestic position striding on a trapezoidal shaped base. The animal has a gracefully arched neck to the left looking forward and its extremely well modeled. The head is adorned with a large detailed tassels of plumes and the body is embellished with a beautiful saddle and intricate harnesses. The trapping around the chest and rump is adorned with elaborated tassels and the straps are accented with multiples florets and bosses in high relief. Decorated with dotted and circles patterns. The surface is treated with applications of natural color pigments such; red, white and others. Has a measurements of 435 mm by 319 mm by 243 mm (17.10 x 12.55 x 9.55 Inches) (43.5 x 31.9 x 24.3 Cm). Northern Qi, was the successor state of the Chinese Xianbei state of Eastern Wei...

A superb pair of large and elegant Chinese 'Nanjing' porcelain baluster vases, each intricately decorated with an encircling battle scene of warriors on foot and on horseback on its ...

This old wooden chest was probably a jewelry box back in the day. It was painted in black then hand painted with decor and organic forms throughout. The two wooden front doors...

This pair of Chinese portraits depicting young women & their dogs were painted using a reverse glass painting technique. Painting in reverse on the opposite side of a piece of glass ...

An impressive China inside-painted vase in rock crystal. Beautiful and one-of-a-kind art-piece. created in China during the first years of the China-republic, circa 1912-1949. Thi...

Japanese 19th century Edo-Meiji Period Satsuma stoneware incense burner (Koro) with small wooden support table By: unknown Material: ceramic, stoneware, wood, enamel, paint Techniqu...

A charming gosho’ningyô (palace doll) of plump, seated child with a brilliant white skin and a small delicately elegant face, reminiscent of a young noble. The doll is playfully rais...

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...

Beautiful Chinese mirror in carved wood ,giltwood with lacquered finish garden motif decorations. In great vintage condition with age-appropria. Original glass is in fair condition ...

An Amazing sculpture made in bronze, in the Showa Era, in Japan. It represents a horse in a singular posture, with its front legs open, as if it were crouching or bowing. A moment o...

This lacquered Chinese carrying basket impresses with a prim, balanced form of intricately woven split bamboo. A celebratory form traditionally used for carrying food or delivering g...

This tabletop altar with scrolled edges, a scalloped apron, and turned legs from China's Shanxi province is a rare find. We conservatively estimate it to be late Ming dynasty (circa ...