Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

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My objective is to share with you the absolute passion that I have for the superb works of art produced in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), by artists and craftsmen who possessed truly amazing technical and artistic abilities. My objective is to share with you the absolute passion that I have for the superb works of art produced in Japan during the Meiji period (1868 -1912) by artists an

d craftsmen who possessed truly amazing technical and artistic abilities. It is my firm belief that these works of art, whether they be metalwork, enamel, sculptures, netsuke, lacquer or other medium, represent some of the very finest treasures ever made by man.

02/09/2026

NOW SOLD 🔴

This month’s featured item really is a rare treat, a larger than usual example of a silver and enamel vase by the highly prized enamellist of the late 19th century “Hiratsuka Mohei”. His exceptional works on both iron and silver are recorded in leading collections and museums around the globe, as well as for your approval here at SSJA.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/exquisite-japanese-silver-and-enamel-vase-hiratsuka-mohei/

26/08/2026

A rather large scale Edo Period (1615-1868) Imari bowl and cover, produced at the kilns of Arita during the Genroku period circa 1700 and likely destined for an important European country house of the period.

The deep bowl with flared rim is decorated in traditional Imari palette with pavilions in landscape garden settings set within formal decorated borders, the similarly decorated lid is unusually also decorated with scenes of prancing cattle. This highly decorative and functional ceramic bowl is in remarkably good condition and would make a bold statement in any room of your choice, a rare survivor of some 300 years.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/large-scale-japanese-18th-century-imari-bowl-and-cover/

19/08/2026

We are delighted to offer this large scale exceptional quality Meiji period (1868-1912) okimono group of infant turtles clambering upon the larger adult.

The main body of the turtles are formed from cast bronze and finished in incredible detail, rather unusually the underside of the group is contrasted in dark black shakudo and bears the seal of the highly accomplished artist Jomi Eisuke II (1839-1899). Jomi has excelled in portraying this group's anatomy in exacting detail, the chiselling to the skin is particularly fine as is the casting and finishing of the shells.

A most charming Japanese okimono that would sit well within any serious metalwork collection, without a doubt the finest example of this particular type of study that we have owned.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/large-japanese-bronze-and-shakudo-okimono-turtles-jomi-eisuke/

12/08/2026

We are delighted to offer this large Meiji / Taisho Period Ikebana basket for floral display.

This sturdy very well worked basket is circular moon shaped and houses its original copper liner for the retention of soil and water. Purchased by myself on a recent trip to Japan this basket is in lovely condition and would make a stunning interior display once filled with fresh or dried flowers.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/large-japanese-ikebana-basket/

06/08/2026

Dear Friends

Welcome to our August newsletter.

We start this newsletter with a very positive update for our many friends and clients in the USA, as well as the antiques industry in the UK. Traditionally our biggest export market for art and antiques has been the USA and hopefully that trend will continue now that It has been officially announced that antiques and fine art will once again be able to be exported to the USA free of any tariffs, thank you Donald 😊

Not so much to report on a business front last month, a combination of the World Cup, Wimbledon, world events and fabulous weather had slowed things down to a crawl, and now of course we enter the Summer holidays prior to the busy Autumn exhibition and fair season. I too look forward to a few weeks of boating and socialising with friends and family, when of course It’s bound to rain 😊

You will of course recall this fabulous Imperial presentation vase, with a museum provenance that I featured in last month’s newsletter. There were three very early enquiries from around the globe. However I am delighted to say the vase was quickly reserved by a UK based collector of Japanese metalwork.

As you might imagine, as a long-standing dealer in Japanese works of art I am offered so many commercial products, all of which usually find willing buyers, many of which remain incredibly popular and are a pleasure to handle. Superbly crafted highly decorative objects such as birds on stands, Samurai on bases, elephants, tigers, jardinieres, in fact endless okimono subjects. The output during the short years of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) was quite staggering, and continues to engage me as well as a large worldwide audience. In fact it's one of a handful of genres that seemingly does not lose its appeal.

From time to time I am incredibly fortunate to handle an item that leaves me breathless, one that I don’t instantly fully get and have to continually return to handle, this was one of these items.

It’s difficult to put into words, but those that understand this level of workmanship will know exactly what I am trying to say. How an artist can create such a scene using mixed alloys to achieve this level is beyond rational explanation.

This is an extraordinary one-off vase deemed worthy of Imperial presentation and it’s not difficult to see why when it is in your hands. Thank you to this client for investing in, what is, in my honest opinion, a ridiculously undervalued masterpiece of museum quality.

Thankfully it will not be the last masterpiece that I offer from this wonderful museum collection, please continue to follow for further updates in the Autumn.

Another less significant but equally important sale last month was this super condition Satsuma plaque now residing in its new UK home in the north of England.

As this month’s featured item, I thought it a good opportunity to showcase this majestic crow by Masatsune, an artist that excelled in the manufacture of Bird subject Okimono.

And finally, you may remember some time back that I shared an image of an Ikebana display that my wife had created for our home using a basket that I purchased in Japan. At the time I did purchase a second basket for the same purpose, but after much deliberation we just do not have a perfect space for it, and so it is available for immediate delivery if somebody out there fancies trying their hand at Ikebana.

Best wishes

Steve

05/08/2026

As this month’s featured item, I thought it a good opportunity to showcase this majestic crow by Masatsune.

The crow itself patinated in black shakudo, a bronze alloy containing a percentage of gold that was perfected by early Edo period sword fitting makers, here being utilised to bring this magical bird to life with its menacing black eyes and open mouthed gaze. The okimono has been really well rendered by the well known artist, Masatsune, who specialised in the subject of birds, primarily hawks and eagles and occasionally a crow or cockerel appears on the market, the workmanship always of a very high standard with a very keen eye on the birds anatomy.

This particular bird rests upon a most natural gnarled rootwood of the period, providing a perfect contrast as well as a sturdy base for display, artist signed to the underside in a rectangular seal.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/fine-quality-japanese-bronze-crow-okimono-masatsune/

29/07/2026

A large most charming Meiji period (1868-1912), Satsuma okimono group depicting the Goddess of mercy, Kannon (Guanyin), seated upon the back of a richly bejewelled Asian elephant, the Goddess of good fortune, Kannon Boatsu, is captured in a serene pose clutching a scroll and ryui sceptre whilst dressed in a lavish gown and headdress.

The large well modelled pachyderm appears to be striding with a most joyful expression, the ears raised, trunk slung back and eyes fully focused on the task in hand. The entire group beautifully decorated with vibrant colours in the traditional Imperial palette, these brightly enamelled colours synonymous with Imperial Satsuma decoration of the last quarter of the 19th century. Kizan, a well regarded Satsuma artist, has not only sealed this group to the underside but also added his signature in a gilt seal to the rear of the elephant's elaborate blanket.

An increasingly rare opportunity to own a perfect example of early Satsuma ware, an opulent item that combines one of the most highly revered Asian animals with the much worshipped Goddess of good fortune.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/large-japanese-satsuma-elephant-okimono-signed-kizan/

22/07/2026

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this large Meiji Period (1868-1912) Satsuma ware Natsume (tea caddy).

This large caddy of hexagonal form is finely decorated with a comical scene of musicians and dancers performing a theatrical performance or procession, the scenes include a shamisen player, drummers, dancers and a crouched male presumably sipping some form of drink from a barrel, this jovial scene continues throughout the body of the vessel with white enamel highlights decorated in relief (moriage). The shoulders are decorated with more formal geometric patterns as is the outside of the lid, which displays a traditional lakeside scene, the underside of the caddy bears the signature seal for Kizan, a well recorded Satsuma artist of the Meiji Period.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/large-japanese-satsuma-natsume-tea-caddy-by-kizan/

15/07/2026

A fine quality diminutive Meiji Period (1868-1912) cloisonne enamel square form dish artist sealed to the underside.

The green enamel central panel depicts a bird pecking at the ground beneath a bed of flowers aside a large rockwork, this entire panel predominantly worked with gold wires throughout, the rockwork most unusually framed with flattened gold wire. The blue enamel inner border finely worked with silver wired floral sprigs to each corner and set within a silver framed geometric outer border, the rear of this charming little dish is decorated with a heavy counter enamel set with a silver wired artist seal, a most charming addition to your cloisonne enamel collection.

Find out more - https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/product/fine-japanese-gold-wire-cloisonne-enamel-dish/

10/07/2026

Dear Friends

Welcome to our July newsletter.

Flaming June certainly lived up to its name during the latter part of the month with record temperatures across the UK culminating in amber and red heat warnings. Yes, it has been hot and very uncomfortable at night, and naturally it’s important to be aware of the dangers, but endless news broadcasters and internet influencers advising adults on everything from dog walking, sleeping, clothing, travel and even eating habits, can be quite tiresome.

I do have to wonder how we survived the summer of 1976… 16 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 32 degrees, peaking at just under 36 degrees, that came during a 15 month’s long drought, followed by water rationing for 6 weeks, it’s a miracle those of us of a certain age are still here to tell the tale. How long until we are following lifestyle instructions from Elon’s Optimus bots 😊😊

The month literally “got off to a flyer”, if you’ll excuse the pun, with our exclusive members item, the “charming silvered bronze cockatiel” now joining a very fine UK based collection that I have been helping to curate for the last few years.

At last I found a home for this monumental silk depicting peacocks, having originally arrived framed from a NYC collection, it became evident that the sheer scale of it was prohibitive, not only for transportation, but also for display in most UK homes. And so, I took it upon myself to remove the cumbersome frame and allow the textile to be carefully rolled for safe delivery to its new home in the EU.

During the latter part of June, I featured this super quality and condition Satsuma vase by Kinkozan, it was swiftly picked up by a UK based Japanese art dealer & collector, who following some tough negotiations also proceeded to purchase the stunning dual artist signed example that had been in stock for a while. Sincere thanks to the above clients for their continued patronage.

Also in June we were given the opportunity to showcase some of our Japanese garden okimono from the one owner Dr Duisberg collection, on this occasion to an audience attending a prestigious series of events at the stunning Wilton House, a place that holds fond memories for me as an attendee at the incredibly well run Wilton House Antiques Fairs, sadly no longer taking place since covid. Although slightly out of context with the weekends motoring extravaganza I am delighted to say that we have now found a new home for some of the pieces including the most charming okimono of the bears.

Sincere thanks to the Earl of Pembroke and his staff as well as the event organisers for allowing us this unique opportunity.

This month’s exclusive featured item is another magical piece of metalwork from the personal collection of the late Mr Murata’s Kyomizu Sannenzaka Mueum in Kyoto. You will recall how last month I was bemoaning missing my previously owned cannon vases by Yoshizane. Well, thankfully I did not miss this absolute masterclass of an Imperial presentation vase, depicting a brilliantly executed mixed metal scene of horses grazing beneath willows, please do take a look.

And finally, two images that for me eclipse everything previously discussed. The first of the images is Louis my 10-month-old grandson enjoying his first visit aboard grandad’s new boat. The second needs no introduction to many who follow my ramblings each month, this is 9-year-old Alice who we are so proud to announce has been officially promoted from the AFCB Girls Emerging Talent Centre to the main AFCB Academy, it was such a surreal experience taking her to the actual Premier League training dome where she now trains twice weekly and plays matches in the county league... what a potential little star we have on our hands.

Whilst on the subject of football, good luck to England at the USA World Cup, we look to have got off to a much more positive start under the new management team, but we have been here so many times in the last 60 years only to fall at the final hurdles…

C’mon England!!!

Best wishes

Steve

Address

Bournemouth
BH11DX

Website

http://www.steveslyjapaneseart.com/

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