Hartman Rare Art, Inc.

A family-owned business since 1927

For over 77 years, the Hartman Family and our associates have consistently worked to provide quality antique merchandise to our customers at competitive prices. Should you have any questions about the pieces we feature on this website or if you would like to inquire further about a specific item, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our gallery is located in midtown Manhattan and easily accessible on the second floor. Please note the entrance to the building is on 53rd Street between Park and Madison Avenues. We are open to the public Monday to Friday from 10:00AM until 4:30PM.

Shibayama is an art form that originated in Japan. Shibayama is the art of semiprecious shell inlay on lacquer and ivory pieces. The items decorated in the Shibayama style range from vases, boxes and table-screens to swords and entire ivory tusks. Due to the delicate nature of the art form and to the fragility of the resulting pieces, intact Shibayama items are highly valuable and prized by collectors.

Silver and Lacquer Cabinet

This fantastic cabinet was made in Japan during the Meiji Period. The cabinet is rectangular and composed of silver panels and lacquer panels with shelves. The front features hinged doors to smaller cabinets. The sides, as well as the cabinet doors are decorated with panels of Shibayama decoration. An engraved silver plaque comprises the back panel. A signature appears in a silver cartouche mounted on the underside. The cabinet measures 9.25 inches height.

SY01

Price: $53,000.00

Pair of Lacquer and Metal Vases

This pair of lacquer vases with Shibayama decoration were made in Japan during the Meiji Period. The vases feature lacquered exterior surfaces with inset panels of Shibayama-style landscape scenes with figures. On each vase, a silver dragon is wrapped around the neck and shoulder; one of the dragons clasps a rock crystal sphere, representing a flaming pearl. The vases are signed on the underside in a cartouche with the name, Shusai. Each vase measures 12.25 inches height.

SY02

Price: $67,000.00

Lacquer Tray

This lovely Japanese lacquer tray was made during the late 19th/early 20th century. The borders are decorated with elaborate lacquered landscape scenes and segments of intricate patterns; the center is decorated with flowering plants shown in lacquer and applied Shibayama decoration. The tray measures 14 3/8 inches length by 10 3/4 inches width.

SY03

Price: $10,000.00

Lacquer Tea Pot

This decorative tea pot, composed of lacquer with Shibayama-style decoration, was made in Japan during the late 19th/early 20th century. The tea pot is flattened circular form and on either side features a large Shibayama-style reserve with plant and animal decoration in variant colors of mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones. The tea pot measures a total 8.25 inches length over the handle and 7 inches height.

SY07

Price: $30,000.00

Pair of Enameled Vases

This lovely pair of Japanese Shibayama lacquer and enameled silver vases were made during the late 19th/early 20th century. The vases are beautifully decorated with animal and floral motifs in quatrefoil-shaped gold lacquer reserves. The upper and lower bodies are decorated with enameled scrolling and floral motifs against a silver ground. Each measures approximately 8 inches height. Both are marked on the underside.

SY08

Price: $44,000.00

Silver and Ivory Table Screen

This fine silver and carved ivory table screen was made during either the late 19th/early 20th century. On the front, the screen is decorated with 4 ivory panels depicting landscape and floral motifs in lacquer with Shibayama-style inlay. The panels are set into metal frames further decorated with elaborate floral and foliate motifs. On the reverse, the piece features engraved birds and fish against plain ivory grounds. An artist's signature appears on the reverse. The screen measures approximately 10.5 inches height by 10.5 inches width.

SY10

Price: $15,000.00

Ivory and Mother-of-Pearl Box

A rectangular storage box composed of ivory and Mother-of-Pearl weave pattern made in Japan during the Meiji Period. The scene is an exotic bird roosting in a tree. The dimensions are 4 by 13 inches.

SY12

Price: $9,300.00