Japanese Kai-Awase Shells and Porcelain Salts

Updated August 16, 2026

This set comprises two natural clam shells hand-painted in the Yamato-e style associated with the Kai-awase shell-matching game, a small porcelain bow, and an oval bowl. The shells depict Heian court scenes, including figures near a Dadaiko drum and garden settings, bordered by scalloped gold leaf cloud motifs. The porcelain bowl features an interior bijin-ga portrait of a woman in traditional attire, while the oval bowl is finished with a gilded rim and handwritten inventory number 2126 B to the underside.Shells: 3 inches widthPorcelain Bowl: 1 inch height, 2.75 inches diameterShells exhibit minor rubbing and wear to the gold leaf borders with typical biological striations and pitting to the exteriors. The porcelain pieces show minor shelf wear on the foot rims and small firing specks but remain free of visible chips, cracks, or repairs.

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