Raku Kichizaemon XI Keinyu

A fine antique Chinese coral glazed porcelain brush washer or inkwell decorated with a bamboo sprig and dating from the early Guangxu reign 1875-...

From our most recent Japanese acquisitions Rare Hand-Painted Double Tea Master Scroll (2) entitled: Tea Ceremony Rules of Matsudaira Fumai (1751-1818) Includes a later wooden col...

A very fine and attractive pair of graduated Chinese turquoise glazed dogs of foo figures dating from the first half of the 20th century. The hollow biscui...

A wonderful Japanese Kutani porcelain incense burner, koro, in the form of a treasure ship, Takarabune, Taisho Period (1912 - 1926), Japan. The censer boldly modeled as the legendary Takarabune, or Treasure Ship, a mythical ship said to carry the shichifukujin, the Seven Lucky Gods, around the heavens during the first days of the New Year, visiting lucky humans to bring blessings and prosperity. The black bodied, single mast ship sails on the water, its sail full of wind and decorated with the character "takara", meaning treasure. The pierced top of the ship serving as the cover for the censer. It is loaded with magical items and treasure, most prominently, a large coral branch...

On offer is a Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) used in the traditional chado ceremony. The bowl was potted in clog form with a ring foot shaved extremely low. Its size and harmonious proportion make it perfect to be held in both hands during chado. Classified as shino ware...

From our recent Japanese acquisitions with original signed box. A finely cast Japanese traditional iron teapot -chagama- with a wonderful relief band and design of summer time bam...

A wonderfully glazed, impeccably made Chawan tea bowl by famed Japanese master potter the 13th Kichizaemon Raku, Seinyu (1887-1944) who was the eldest son of Konyu - the 12th Kichizaemon of the Raku family line of potters - known as the most noted and celebrated tradition of pottery within the world of Japanese tea. Kichizaemon Raku was the 13th master to carry on the family's esteemed name and tradition. The bowl features shifting textures and deep, rich colours which radiate in the light. The term "Raku" was derived from the site where clay was dug in Kyoto in the late 16th century. The Kanji character for Raku translates to "enjoyment" or "fun/delightful" For 15 generations it has been the title and seal used by a lineage of potters whose work formed the central tradition in Japan. This lineage believes that 'Raku' refers to the potters who use the technique, not the technique itself. In the 16th century, the first of these potters, Chojiro is said to have come under the patronage of the Japanese tea master, Sen-No-Rikyu. According to legend, in 1598 a few years after Chojiro's death, ruler, Hideyoshi Toyotomi bestowed upon his adopted son, Jokei, a golden seal with the written symbol "Raku." Both the name and the ceramic style have been passed down through the family to the present ever since. The name and the style of ware have become influential in both Japanese culture and literature. Raku ware marked an important point in the historical development of Japanese ceramics, as it was the first ware to use a seal mark and the first to focus on close collaboration between potter and patron. Other famous Japanese clay artists...

A modern Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) made by potter Toyoda Katsuhiko (1945-). The bowl was potted in clog form with a short ring foot in the tradition of Shino ware...

A rare and attractive pair Chinese Qing Jun-ware Foo dogs decorated in liver red glazes and dating from around 1850. The porcelain dogs are heavily made and stand raised on rectangul...

An antique Korean ritual incense burner circa 19th century, late Joseon dynasty. It was made in Bunwon Kiln in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Do, near Seoul. The ceramic container has a thickly b...

Exquisite Japanese signed and hand painted porcelain mizusashi/Water Jar features an attractive automn scene in warm orange and yellow on a white background and two intricate pattern in yellow and deep blue decorating the rim and base. Gold accents add another layer of elegance to this stunning piece. With its matching lid, this piece is classified as a tomobuta (matching lid) type. The exterior palette is playfully repeated on the reverse side of the lid. Mizusashi is a lidded fresh water jar used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony...

A small Korean ceramic water dropper in square form circa 19th century late Joseon Dynasty. It features an underglaze blue painting of a full cluster of ...