Spoils of Time Asian Ceramics and Works of Art
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All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Korean : Ceramics : Pre 1492 item #1479748
Spoils of Time
$1,150.00
A rare late Koryo dynasty Punch’ong bottle vase. Olive toned green ware glaze simply but finely decorated with off-white skip within carved pattern. Height, about 3 5/8 inches. Excellent condition and conveying with Japanese collector’s box. 14th century
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1700 item #1133096
Spoils of Time
$2,900.00
A fine and early museum quality complete set of five Ko-Imari, Kakiemon style cups or choko. Blue underglaze and green, red, aubergine, yellow and black overglaze enamel decoration of peonies and prunus blossoms in garden landscape with rockery and fence. Traces of rubbed gilt enameled highlights. The choko form saw many uses such as teabowls (also seen in early European ceramics after Japanese examples of the period), large sake cups, and mukozuke. We estimate from the delicate but sure potting, the free hand but care of painted decoration, and color of enamels that these cups are Genroku era - late 17th to early 18th century. Each with blue underglaze spurious six character Chenghua mark in single blue circle inside a narrow ring foot. Very good condition considering age and use with expected light scratching to surfaces from use over the centuries and minor imperfections as would be expected from the period. One with an attractive, old gold lacquer filled stable line from the rim - that bowl also rendering a pleasant resonance when lightly tapped. Diameters are not perfect circles but longest length of each is nearly 4 inches diameter (about 10.15 cm). Height (and foot diameters) similarly varies near 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm). We acquired this set with an old, labeled tomobako in which we continue to store the cups. The label reads "Ko-Imari choko go kyaku, inokuchi" (the last term, inokuchi, referring to the possible use of this five piece set as sake choko.) The box (missing its top) apparently having started its life with the cups, it is understood that the cups are earlier.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1700 item #1230019
Spoils of Time
$575.00
Japanese Genroku era Imari bowl with blue underglaze and red and gold overglaze enamel decoration. The octagonal form with alternating panels on both interior and exterior of flowers and of boat in garden landscape. The cavetto with vase and flowers decoration. Flowers and vine decoration around the foot. Flower head decoration in red enamel inside blue ring within ring foot. The white glaze around the buff colored foot rim burned to a thin dark iron colored ring before the unglazed rim. The condition is incredibly good and with only sparse wear to the gilt enamel decoration. Diameter, point to point, about 7 1/4 inches (18.4 cm). Height, about 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm).
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1262863
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This katana (69.09 cm [27.2 inches] cutting edge) was purchased in May, 2014. Signed Kashu Ju Kanewaka Tsukuru/Zo. It was left in the care of a second party subsequently invited into the investment. I hold title as the principal and also retain correspondence introduced with the purchase as well as a Shinsa document (images of tang [nakago] attached - note the three mekugi-ana [retaining holes] though ubu [not shortened].) I am offering $500 for the safe return of the katana and another $500 for information establishing the identity of the original source of one or more transactions that might have occurred after the second party was unable to account for the katana (the same week of May, 2014.) I will offer $200 for corroborated identity and contact information of any party now possessing the katana and resulting in successfully completed communication confirming same. Inscription on the other side of the tang gives a date consistent with Kanewaka I. But the shinsa dismisses the attribution and judges the katana and mei as Kanewaka III. The verso further includes a cutting test inscription (futatsu-do.) The Russo-Japanese war tsuka (hilt), if not also the later saya (scabbard), may have been subsequently stripped. The blade may appear different if polished but the nakago will remain constant. If this sword is offered to you, it is not offered with clear title. If you have purchased this sword, you do not have title to it and you cannot resell it. It is LOST or STOLEN property. Contact me immediately to return this sword to my possession.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Southeast Asian : Ceramics : Pre 1700 item #1282771
Spoils of Time
$495.00
An Annamese blue and white porcelain dish. Flower decoration in cavetto centered by leaves and flowers decorated bands within unglazed rim. Leaf lappet decoration above the ring foot centering unglazed bottom with typical iron wash. 15th to 16th century. Good condition, crawling original to the firing, crazing to glaze, good resonance when tapped, no hairlines and no cracks. Diameter, 9 1/2 to 9 5/8 inches (about 24.3 cm). Height, little more than 2 1/4 inches (about 5.75 cm). Acquired through a third party, along with some of the other ceramic lots we have recently listed, from the estate of a retired government employee who worked and traveled extensively throughout Asia in the 20th century.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1333535
Spoils of Time
$650.00
An armorer's tsuba, with very slightly raised rim on the strong, flat iron plate. Pierced decoration of a shrimp with pleasing, subtle swell along the antennae and legs (mostly on the ura.) Small, irregular brass inlays for the eyes (missing from one eye - not conspicuous.) The kogai-ana plugged with a copper rich alloy. Oval form about 2 7/8" (7.3 cm) by 2 3/4" (6.985 cm). Thickness at rim about 5/32" (.39 cm). Late 16th century to early 17th century - perhaps Momoyama period. Or possibly earlier with hitsu-ana added (though old). Good condition with varieagated hues in the dark, lustrous patina likely with extant lacquer adhering and accounting for some of the black color (note that the tsuba has an overall dark, mottled patina which our lighting doesn't adequately portray). Subtle tekkotsu evident - some old, worn pitting with the surface now smooth, almost soapy to the touch.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1333823
Spoils of Time
$575.00
A katchushi (or armorer's) tsuba, probably Myochin, with pierced decoration of ship's rudders (the significance being a comparison of rudders steering a ship to values guiding a Samurai's life choices.) The strong, homogenous, dense iron plate with only light tekkotsu and smooth to the touch. Dark patina. Momoyama to early Edo. Good condition: Lamination folds with openings evident on the surface of one side. Ex Skip Holbrook collection. 3 3/32" x 3 1/16" x 1/8" (7.8 cm x 7.7 cm x .32 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1333826
Spoils of Time
$695.00
An armorer's iron tsuba, possibly for a wakizashi as it is somewhat diminuitive in size. Or perhaps more in keeping with its apparent age, an early example of a proportionately small tsuba used with an uchigatana as was first the fashion. Sukashi decoration of a conch (horagai) traditionally used for ritual practices and for signaling on the battlefield. The rare uchikaeshi-hineri rim (mimi) is significantly raised and defined almost as if to suggest a separate piece of iron around the rim (though it is one with the plate.) Though the small sukashi might suggest tosho (swordsmith), the distinct and high rim clearly indicates ko-katchushi (old armorers) work. Good condition with tekkotsu, dark patina and some inert, brown surface rust for which we are lightly applying oil when dry (we prefer not to overclean or dry out a tsuba so will not take some of the more invasive measures against only light rust.) This tsuba has an early feel - perhaps early Muromachi. 2 3/4" (7 cm) marugata. The thickness of the plate is about 1/8" (.32 cm). The thickness at the rim is about 1/4" (.63 cm)
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1333910
Spoils of Time
$975.00
An iron, Ko-Tosho (early sword smith's) tsuba. The slightest taper from seppa dai towards rim. Pierced decoration. Purchased from Andy Quirt (ex Skip Holbrook collection) at the February 2016 Tampa show, he thought it depicted gourds. I guess the beholder might see different things. I see Japanese eggplants on leafy vine (two fruit and two leaves) supported by a bamboo trellis. An uncommon and well executed, balanced decoration. The hitsu-ana appears to be original to the tsuba. Late Muromachi. Good condition - has seen some pitting in the past but now stable (chalk it up to tekkotsu, history and character - tekkotsu attractively conspicuous on the rim), well worn to the touch, and with a good, dark patina. 2 7/8" (7.3 cm) marugata. 1/8" (3.17 mm) thick at the mimi. 3/16" (4.47 mm) thick at the seppa-dai.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1338169
Spoils of Time
$675.00
A katchushi mutsu-gata sukashi tsuba. The six lobed, thin plated armorer's tsuba with good tekkotsu and with openwork decoration was described by Skip Holbrook (ex collection) as Saotome made and depicting three birds. The Saotome were a line of armorers (katchu) turned tsuba makers. But I think a case could be made for the sukashi decoration being a wabi-sabi flower bloom or possibly paulownia leaves (rather than awkward looking "birds".) Use of the paulownia (kiri) mon could suggest Yamakichibei as those tsuba makers, from Owari, were outfitting swords for the Oda and the Toyotomi - the latter using the kiri ka-mon. Good condition. 2 7/8 (7.3 cm) inches x 2 13/16 (7.14 cm) inches
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Swords and Related : Pre 1700 item #1338182
Spoils of Time
$435.00
A simple, four lobed armorer's tsuba with simple pierced decoration perhaps depicting a landscape with structure. The udenuki-ana (cord holes) have the effect of completing the illusion of a Sesshu-like landscape. The saotome were armorers turned tsuba makers who worked in this manner and scale. Good condition with good tekkotsu. Sengoku era. 2 15/16 (7.46 cm) inches x 2 5/8 (6.67 cm) inches
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1700 item #1344279
Spoils of Time
$1,675.00
A fine Japanese blue and white porcelain dish. The foliate rim with chocolate brown glaze, the white porcelain body and glaze, and the fine attention to detail all suggest Kakiemon type. The cavetto with decoration of flowering plants including peonies, prunus and others. The center decorated with a bird (perhaps a flycatcher) in fruited branches, rockery and bamboo leaves below. Both the cavetto and center with reverse technique where the underglaze cobalt blue forms the background of the decoration. Finely defined chatter marks inside the footrim centering five spur marks. Remnants of an old label adhere to the back. The decoration has the feel of Chinese inspiration. Emulation of traditional Chinese porcelain decoration, and certainly Chinese porcelain marks, is not without basis. I have not come upon quite this decoration before and would consider it, along with the quality of this work, to be rare and early - probably Genroku era. One hairline issues from the rim where a flake on the front has an old repair, otherwise good condition. This dish would be an excellent candidate for a proper kintsugi (gold lacquer) repair. Diameter 8 7/8 inches (22.5 cm), Height 1 1/16 inch (2.7 cm).
All Items : Antiques : Furnishings : Furniture : Continental : Early : Pre 1700 item #1479775
Spoils of Time
$1,900.00
A German, domed top chest with ornamental hand wrought iron hardware, heavily oxidized and worn original surface and paint, and marked in white “T Adam Schuch reifst nach New York”. The chest looks like 17th century work. The name and destination likely added in the 18th century upon immigration. Reasonably good decoration considering the history. Length, 35 inches. Height, 17 1/2 inches. Depth, 18 1/2 to 19 inches (varying due to movement of the wood at the joinings).
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1800 item #1136818
Spoils of Time
$375.00
Two good Arita blue and white mamezara. One rare mokko-gata form with Namban decoration of a foreigner in landscape falconing and with a hunting dog in a square reserve enclosed within a band of reversed out (or negative) decoration of white cranes and clouds on a blue background, the verso with a narrow band of cloud decoration also on a blue background and with faint celadon pooling along the foot rim (fair to good condition but two small chips inside the foot rim and a small glaze abrasion just above the foot rim) about 3 15/16 inches (10 cm) square. The other Kraak style with chocolate glazed foliate rim and liberally applied cobalt blue decorated eight panels with bird and flower alternating with lotus motif surrounding a similarly decorated central roundel, the verso also with 8 flower decorated panels around the foot centering a spurious Chenghua mark (good condition with a little kiln grit inside the foot) about 4 inches (10.15 cm) diameter. Some Kakiemon production (also with chocolate brown rim and clean white body and glaze) copied the Kraak style.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1800 item #1337767
Spoils of Time
$6,800.00
A massive imari vase with decoration of the Genroku era of bijin (a beauty) and hana (flowers) on two opposing panels alternating with two more opposing panels of a structure (tea house?) in garden landscape - all in red, gold and black enamels with blue underglaze. Similar landscape decorated panels appear on the shoulder over a ground of hanabishi (flowery diamond) in repeating diamond bordered pattern. The hanabishi (sometimes also referred to as karabana, or 'Chinese flower') could be representative of a ka-mon (family crest). The prominent Takeda family and its branches used the hanabishi ka-mon onward after the Heian period. The Genroku era spanned from 1688 to 1704. The arts and luxuries reached their apex during this era of the Edo period - contributing to large, opulent expressions such as the present vase. Genroku style and influence continued for a short time after (as could this vase) while the Tokugawa Shogunate struggled with inflation after devaluing coin quality in an attempt to sustain the appearance of prosperity (sound familiar?) So in some ways the Tokugawa followed in the footsteps of the decadent Ashikaga. Good, stable condition save an old crack through the foot rim which might originate with the firing as a crazing pattern conforms along and around the crack as if from excessive heat (limited to inside the foot and the lower portion of one bijin panel.) Vase height (not including cover) is 15 7/8 inches (40.32 cm)

This vase is accompanied by a Chinese, late Qing dynasty, exquisitely carved hardwood cover. The fit is loose and the cover a bit small proportionately. As they did not start life together, we are amenable to selling the cover separately should someone have a need. The cover would best fit a large vase with interior rim diameter of no smaller than 4 9/16" (11.58 cm). The cover is 7 5/16" (18.57 cm) with the wood grain (there is substantial shrinkage of the wood against the grain with age.) The cover is in presentable condition with some glue evidence on the interior - probably from refitting after shrinkage.
All Items : Antiques : Regional Art : Asian : Japanese : Porcelain : Pre 1800 item #1344316
Spoils of Time
$1,175.00
A fine little octagonal blue and white porcelain kakiemon style deep dish. Chocolate brown glazed rim, white body and clear glaze over cobalt blue decoration of a primitive, raised teahouse with loose thatch roof and slung entrance screen all under a large willow tree and, conspicuously, a spiderweb (perhaps to emphasize closeness to nature) in the foreground. The interior wall and rim decorated with repeating pattern and karakusa (scrolling vine and leaf). Karakusa also appearing on the exterior wall. Blue rings around the foot, a blue ring inside the foot centering a mark - appears to read Yoshi and Ga (Ka) and possibly another stylized character from the center line. One might call it a variant on the Fuku mark in this context but it looks rather like an artist and possibly a place reference for a private kiln (which would have been Daimyo sponsored in the period). The mark on the verso is aligned with the decoration on the front - an indication of attention to detail expected also of authentic fine Chinese ceramics. An extraordinary work, finely potted and deftly painted. Very good condition with light rubbing on the interior from wear and a small kiln fault there where the glaze crawled a little. Certainly early 18th century and not implausibly reaching to the end of the Genroku era (1704). About 5 1/4 inches (13.34 cm) diamater at the sides, 5 5/8 inches (14.3 cm) diameter at the corners, about 1 5/16 inch (3.33 cm) high.
All Items : Antiques : Furnishings : Furniture : American : Federal : Pre 1800 item #1479107
Spoils of Time
$2,400.00
A classical mahogany card table. Hepplewhite manner square tapered legs and wood inlaid fine lines and decoration. Probably American Federal and likely mid Atlantic to Southern. Acquired in Virginia. Ca 1800. Good, conserved condition. Height 28 inches, width 35 inches, depth 17 3/4 inches.
All Items : Antiques : Furnishings : Furniture : American : Federal : Pre 1800 item #1479124
Spoils of Time
$975.00
American Federal period mahogany lolling chair. Sparse, fine line inlay decoration. Late 18th century. Good condition. Seat height a little low from wear to legs. Seat height about 15 inches. Back height about 40 inches. Width roughly 24 inches.