Kazutoshi Sugiura Japanese Poppies serigraph number 4, 25/100, dated 1992. Veerhoff Galleries, Washington, DC, label on reverse. Signed at lower right and numbered at lower left. Sugiura Kazutoshi was born in Kyoto in 1938. In 1957 he enrolled in the painting course at the Kyoto Municipal College of Fine Arts where he graduated in 1963 with a major in nihonga (Japanese-style painting). He then continued on a graduate course until 1967 when he began studying Japanese classical painting at the Kyoto National Museum. From 1968 to 1972 he studied fine art restoration, and in 1978 he was awarded a top prize for nihonga (Japanese style) painting by the Kyoto Federation of Galleries. Although very successful as an artist, he still teaches art at a Kyoto high school. From 1960 to the present, he has had solo shows at the Yamada Art Gallery in Kyoto; from 1986 to the present annual exhibitions in Tokyo. Since 1978 he has been represented at the annual CWAJ Print Show in Tokyo, and has for many years been shown at the annual exhibition of the Japan Print Association in Tokyo. He has also had other solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Portland, New York, Maryland, Washington, Connecticut, and a travelling solo show in the US and Canada. He is represented in the British Museum, the Chicago Art Institute, the Brooklyn Museum and numerous private collections. Sugiura Kazutoshi is best known for his flower compositions. He relies on traditional Japanese techniques to execute his beautiful silkscreens. He applies squares of gold leaf, in the same way old screens were made, onto handmade Japanese paper. His next step is to silkscreen his floral subjects onto the gold leaf. As each tone requires a separate screen, a colorful and complicated print may go through twenty printing stages. Next, blocking out the flowers, he uses a wash of pale shades of blue, purple, or green to cover the rest of the work, thereby toning down the glittering gold leaf and softening the effect.

19th century Japanese stoneware sake bottle with calligraphy. Probably a store bottle which was used to decant sake into a customer's own household bottle. Height 10 inches. No damages.

Antique Japanese Oribe ware pottery dish, early 19th century, Edo period (1818-1829). Phoenix design, with hen and cloud border motif, in dark brown, soft blue and clay pink on tan ground. Pressed linen texture. Makers mark Kozan impressed on reverse. Appraised in 1978 for $500 and in 1992 for $900. Measures 8.75 inches in diameter. Perfect condition. This item is on display in our gallery at OLD SAYBROOK ANTIQUES CENTER and can be seen in-person by visiting 756 MIDDLESEX AVE OLD SAYBROOK, CT 06475. For hours of operation visit: http://www.OldSaybrookAntiquesCenter.com

Northern Chinese Qing (Ch'ing) dynasty middle to late 18th century carved wood figure in lost lacquer red and gold techniques. Purchased from Cushman Sears, a well known Old Saybrook, CT, Asian art specialist, in 1964 for $25 (!). Valued at $250 in 1966 and appraised in 1992 by Harmer Rooke, NY, for $800-$1750. Elaborate carved guardian figure with fearsome face, crown-armor with glaring eyes, and scrolled sleeves at elbows. One hand grips the sword hilt and the other hand is outstretched. Figure is 8" high and base is 1.75" high (total 9.75" high).

Unusual Japanese parquetry jewelry or valuables box from the Taisho-Early Showa Period (1912-1945) in wonderful original condition. Abstract geometric zelkova wood inlaid surfaces with inset panels of "cracked porcelain" mosaic designs on the doors. One replaced drawer pull.