Japanese Bronze Tripod Censer with Gold Koi Inlay

A fine Korean iron box with intricate silver inlay dated to the late Joseon Dynasty circa 19th century. The body of the box is made from iron of a heavy weight although the wear on t...

A fine Korean iron box that was traditionally 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 fine Japanese cloisonne hinged box with pheasant and autumn foliage, by Inaba Nanaho and the Inaba Cloisonne Company, Meiji period, circa 1900, ...

A rare Japanese bark tree large cloisonné box on metal from the Meiji period. Usually bark tree cloisonné was on porcelain (totai Shippo) A very attracti...

Japanese cloisonné enamels are known as shippo-yaki and the mid-19th century saw the production of very high quality wares in the early centers Nagoya. One of the most renowned works...

Antique 19th century beautiful handcrafted decorative round tinned copper bronze South Asian box with lid, latch and handle. A very fine antique Pandan or B...

KYOTO STYLE NAGA HIBACHI (FIREBOX BRAZIER GRILL), Japanese, Meiji Period, The rectangular hibachi is of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood construction with the original copper liner, and a colum...

A fine antique Japanese Meiji twin handled bronze vase decorated with floral designs in silver, brass and copper inlay dating from the 19th century...

An exquisite pair of Japanese mixed metal bronze hibachi with idyllic landscape scenes, Meiji period (1868-1912), late 19th or early 20th century, Japan. The hibachi of generous proportions, with a high, slightly splayed foot, a short, narrow waist, and a large and wide cylindrical body. The body decorated in the mixed metal technique. The bronze carved and set with inlays of copper and silver to create wonderful landscape scenes. A pair of animal mask handles to the sides. Each hibachi with a cast signature reading ?? (Toyomi?) to the underside. One side of each hibachi depicting an evening scene, with scholars walking about a mountain retreat, replete with a waterfall, pavilions, pagodas, and pine trees, all shimmering under a full moon. The other side of the hibachi depicting a daytime scene, with a view of similar pavilions, pagoda, and pine, though with boats also visible in the distance. Copper inlay has been used for the roofs and the trunks of the pine trees. Silver inlay has been used for the pine needles, scholars, building supports, water, boats, moon, as well as the distant mountains. Originally used as a simple and elegant space heater...

An unusual antique Japanese gilded bronze basket of folded paper form body with applied panels and decoration dating from the 19th century and either late Edo or early Meiji period (...