The House
Flying Cranes
A private house devoted to the finest Japanese works of the Meiji era (1868–1912): cloisonné, Satsuma, studio porcelain, metalwork, lacquer and sculpture by the Imperial Household Artists and the great studios.
Our approach is scholarly and transparent. Each work is presented with a four-part record, cited public auction comparables and museum references. We would rather publish fewer works, each one fully documented, than many with thin descriptions.
By appointment only
Viewings are by appointment: video call or an agreed meeting. To arrange one, write to us through the enquiry form. We reply within one business day.
What we look for
Works of the highest quality with a documented maker, sound condition and a traceable history. If you have such a work, we are glad to hear from you.
A note on our name
An earlier New York dealer, Flying Cranes Antiques Ltd., founded by Clifford and Jean Schaefer, closed in 2017. We admire its legacy. This house is a separate, new business and is not affiliated with or a successor to that firm.
How we work
Every work we publish carries a four-part record: identification and maker; technique and record; iconography; and marks and box. Each fact is cited, and interpretation is labelled as such. Our descriptions are research opinion as of the date written. When the evidence changes, so do they.
We measure works against documented masterpieces in museum collections and against public auction results, which we publish with their sources in the auction records. Neither is a valuation. Prices for works we offer are given on request, and viewings are by appointment.
Our reference library is open to everyone in the Knowledge section: makers, techniques, the Imperial Household Artists, the world’s fairs, a timeline, a glossary and an annotated bibliography.
Our principles
We describe what we can show and say what we cannot. Attributions use five terms only: By, Workshop of, Attributed to, Style of, and Company. Condition is described as observed. Provenance is given as documented, with reported links marked as reported. Works made with ivory or other protected materials are handled only where the law allows, and the documents are kept.
Research in public
Much of our work is published here rather than kept private: the maker biographies, the technique guide, the Imperial Household Artist table, the auction records and the Journal. A collector considering a work can read the same sources we used and reach their own view.