Japanese Medicine Boxes, a Pair

Antique Japanese Medicine "Kanban" (Shop Sign) with mirror, Meiji Period. The Medicine being advertised is a soothing cream used to relieve itchin...

Japanese Meiji satsuma finely hand decorated and gilded box. The box depicts a different scene on each side. Marked with a maker's mark on the bottom.

Japanese Kimono storage box, constructed of wood and bamboo, painted black with family crest painted in red on the sides. The top has wood slats, which ...

This is a small storage box for storing old Japanese tea utensils. It is called [kikyoku] in Japanese. This wooden box comes in a variety of mate...

A mid 19th century Japanese export elm and calamander parquetry workbox with a divided interior and lift out tray. This charming box would work e...

19th century Japanese inro with 4 boxes in gold lacquer with kinji mat background decorated in taka makiyé of gold of different tones. Lacquered wood siz...

Large Japanese Lacquered Gourd Ikebana vessel with storage box, mid-20th century. Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement, is one of the most sublime ...

A Japanese Taisho period Hokai box from the early 20th century, with red lacquer, ornate brass accents and original rope. This vibrant Japanese Taisho period...

With solid walnut tops, can be used as side tables.

A large and magnificent cast bronze image of the Medicine Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru, rendered in the Burmese Pagan style, and most likely based on a period example that was either damaged or lost, 19th century, Burma or Thailand. He can be identified as the Medicine Buddha by the hand that rests in his lap, with his middle finger touching the thumb. A medicine pot or fruit stem would originally have been placed in his upturned palm. The face of this Buddha has been sculpted masterfully. He has a beautiful heart shaped face topped by hair neatly arranged in the typical "snail shell curls", and surmounted by a high ushnisha. Long, pendulous earlobes frame his face, a symbol of his princely past. He gazes serenely outwards from heavily lidded, downcast eyes, a content smile upon his full, lush lips. The Buddha is portrayed seated in vajrasana (full lotus position), his elegant hands displayed in varada mudra, the gesture of granting favors and fulfilling wishes. Long, exquisite fingers extended, the thumb and middle finger touching in a gesture of compassion. He is clothed in a simple kasaya wrapped around his body and over one shoulder, leaving the shoulder and part of his chest bare. The diaphanous garment clings to his body, outlining his well proportioned and graceful, almost sensuous, form. The excess material pooled in neat pleats in front of him. A sash thrown over his shoulder. He sits upon a double lotus base upon a raised platform. The platform features two kneeling attendants, usually interpreted as the monks Ananda and Kasyapa. Between them is a circular disc representing the Wheel of Dharma. Contained in the disk is a flower with eight petals, symbolizing the eightfold path, one of the principle teachings of the Buddha. The sides and back of the platform featuring a series of singha, or lions, representative of the Buddha's royal past. An applied lacquer patina covers the entirety of the image. Large deposits of ash (from incense) are present between the curls of the hair, as well as some the other crevices, indicating this image was the subject of worship for many years. Bhaisajyaguru, also called the Medicine Buddha, or Buddha of Healing, is a revered figure in the Buddhist pantheon as a master able to cure suffering, both physical and spiritual, through his teachings. The Pagan Empire ruled most of present day Burma (Myanmar) from 849 to 1297. The capital, Bagan, served as a both the center of government and religion, where Buddhism reigned supreme. Bagan was also at a crossroads of the Buddhist world, with influence from India, Nepal, Tibet, China, and even Indonesia shaping their culture. As such, Pagan Buddha...