Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (241)

A woven square taken from the front of a Chinese Emperor's robe with a front facing dragon in couched gold and a constellation symbol. Yellow (or apricot yellow) robes could only be worn by the Emperor or Empress. The color has faded and changed to this current tan color. Each Emperor's robe had twelve symbols of Imperial Authority embroidered on it in specific places. We can see "The Constellation" which represents the handles of Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, just above the dragon's head...

This is an old Japanese towel rack, sometimes called a children’s kimono stand. The metal work is in traditional style and the mounts have been used on many different kinds of lacquer pieces throughout the Edo period. The chrysanthemum mons (family crests) on each end of the mount, were used by the Emperor, royal princes and others outside the Imperial family, in a variety of forms. Although the 16 petal mon was designated for use by the Imperial family, others were entitled to use it...

A Chinese carved cinnabar lacquer vase (converted into a lamp) decorated with four shaped panels of scholars on a mountainous landscape, the background with scrolling floral borders and motifs. The quality of the carving is one of the best from its period (probably late 19th century) and is in excellent condition – some chips and minor hair lines. It was converted into a lamp sometime later. It works perfectly as a lamp, although there is one area taped (with black tape) on the cord...

A Chinese reticulated iron porcelain snuff bottle with a dragon and phoenix among clouds beneath key fret and ryui border, neck with a silver rim, jade stopper. The red color is the same as used when decorating porcelain, though in this case it is applied as a solid color. The desired effect is to imitate red cinnabar lacquer. Circa, probably from the Jiaqing period (1796 - 1820). Height 3".

A daimyo’s firefighting wool jacket with a Kiri-no-mon crest, chest protector baring the same crest. It has a silk liner decorated with old marble dye. Dated from late Edo period (1603-1868),

Japanese could not produce wool of their own during the Edo period. Totally depending on Nanban trading, wool was pretty rare and pricey commodity. The liner for this jacket is also unusual. This is our first and only antique marble dyed fabric ever...

There have been decorative textiles sewn into squares or rectangular shapes since the Edo period in Japan. The small squares are made for tea ceremonies; the medium to larger sized ones (called fukusa) are used to cover seasonal and ceremonial gifts. This old Chinese panel was acquired in Japan mixing into our fukusa collection.

A dragon and phoenix together symbolize the emperor and empress in China...

A pair of Japanese lacquered iron abumi (stirrups) decorated in gold lacquer on a roiro ground with Ni-o, also known as Kongo Rikishi with delicate scrolling background, the interior in red lacquer. Edo period (probably 17th century). 11 1/8" high, 4 3/4" wide, 12" long.