Linen Scholar s Objects

A lovely and luxurious Japanese silver incense burner of lobed melon form, akoda koro, marked jungin and signed Nomura, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The silver koro...

A sublime Japanese parcel gilt copper hand warmer, hibachi, with chrysanthemum design, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. The hand warmer, called a...

This refined object dates to the first half of the 19th century, and was probably used for obi, kimono sashes, which were hung over it. The gold decorations on the black-lacquered g...

Rare find!: 24 feet long Zen monk Mala Prayer Bead String plus original wooden alms bowl with its original attached triangular shaped stone ojime. A huge...

A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Being one of the most creative ceramists, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze around 1880s. New colors allowed him to create underglaze designs that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama...

A simple and elegant Japanese lacquer hibachi stand with imperial chrysanthemum mon and copper liner, now modified as an usubata, late Meiji Period, ci...

A Japanese four-section inro made from ceramic with glazed painting with original ensuite Ojime and Netsuke circa 18th century of Edo period signed by Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743). The r...

This is a stone mined in Japan. Not only in China but also in Japan from ancient times, rocks in the mountains have been shaved and stones for viewing have been quarried. Such stone...

This is a very elegant and simplistic Japanese lacquered calligraphy box that dates to the mid-20th century. The minimal refined designed box includes the brush and other required wr...

A lovely Japanese lacquer rectangular lacquer tray with a slightly scalloped corner and four L shape supporting feet by one of the most celebrated lacquer artist active in Edo period Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845). Yoyusai lived in Edo (Tokyo) and worked under the patronage of Lord Matsudaira. He operated a large workshop and had a very prolific output of lacquer objects. Most survived pieces being inro...

A highly unusual Japanese crackle glazed koro (incense burner or censer), lacquered and inlaid with mother-of-pearl embellishment, signed Gyokusen, Ed...

A ceramic tall chaire (Tea caddies) ko-satsuma type from Edo period Japan circa 18th century. This type of small jar was made of stoneware. Its specific form with raised shoulder and...