Extremely good quality large Japanese puzzle ball and tall stand. Beautifully carved ball with black-eyed dragons and foliage carving to the exterior. Inside are at least eight diminishing size balls (possibly ten in total) - however, these are carved in fine pierced work of stars and circles, and there is some breakage to the work, it appears to be only two of the balls. The tall stand with carved figure at the base is made in five or six sections - there is a finely carved little fret-decorated cylinder about two thirds of the way up the stem, and there is a break below the cylinder where it joins the stem above the figurine. A good professional restoration here would easily solve this fault. (The quality of this piece deserves more than a quick home-done glue job). Whole would measure 22 cm to the top of the ball cup and the ball itself is 6.2 cm diameter. (8.3/4 inches by almost 2.1/2 inches).

Asian Antiques
Asian Decorative Arts