Chinese late Qing dynasty to early Republic period square form traveling scholar's brass ink box with rounded corners and copper bottom, engraved on the lid with a pair of ducks swimming in a pond among marsh grasses. Old caked ink residue remains in the interior. Dates from the early 20th century to possibly late 19th. 3" long x 3” wide x just over 1” high. Very good overall condition with wear and patina consistent with its age and use. There is a tiny dent in one side and the interio ...click for details
Chinese Qing Guangxu period square form paktong traveling scholar's ink box with rounded corners featuring a central shou (longevity) character flanked by a pair of bats, symbols of joy and happiness. 19th century. Measures 1 7/8” x 1 5/8” x 7/8.” Very good overall condition with wear consistent with its age and use. A portion of the hinge is not attached but is easily repairable (see enlargement 8). This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kon ...click for details
Chinese Tang Dynasty (circa 9th century) Changsha stoneware scholar’s scroll weight in the form of a mythical animal covered overall in a gray-green glaze with reddish-brown accents (see enlargement 7). The base is unglazed. This piece is very well modeled with fine facial features that display a humorous expression. In addition to being used as a paperweight for hand-scrolls, the loop enables attachment to a hanging scroll. Small toy and scholar’s objects in animal forms are typical of Chan ...click for details
Large Chinese rectangular hardwood scroll-form stand (xiaoji). It has very attractive grain and is formed from a single piece of wood slowly bent into shape. It measures 18 ¾”L x 11 5/8”W x 4”H. Estimated to date from the late Qing to early Republic period. The hand-bent scrolled ends are somewhat irregular, so the stand does not sit completely flat. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s.
Chinese late Qing dynasty to early Republic period circular form traveling scholar's brass ink stone box engraved on the top with three rabbits and a butterfly. The calligraphy for "rabbit" is incised at the upper left. The number "20" is on the base. The caked ink residue remains in the interior. Dates from the early 20th century. 2 1/2" diameter by 7/8” high. Good overall condition with a lot of patina consistent with its age and use. I have not cleaned or polishe ...click for details
Chinese Yuan dynasty (1250-1350) blue-green qingbai (yingqing) shallow form dish, possibly used as a scholar's porcelain brush washer, with flat glazed base and unglazed rim finely decorated with a central impress-moulded pair of fish swimming among water plants within a patterned band. Significant traces of the metal band that once protected the porcelain remain on the rim. There are tiny hairline cracks around the interior cavetto which appear to be from the original production. These are ...click for details
Chinese lacquered wood scholar's brushpot with low relief carving of a knotty, leafy tree branch extending around the circumference. The base has a separate plug. Stands 7 1/2" high by 3 3/4" diameter. Probably dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. The piece is relatively light for the size and the wood is soft. There is much evidence of age, wear from use, and patina. Losses to the lacquer are evident in the images. This piece is from the private collection of Ame ...click for details
Large Chinese hardwood scholar's table screen with a framed rectangular reverse glass painting which slides into the center of a separate carved hardwood stand. The painting features figures in a landscape scene. “The art of painting on the back of mirror glass was imported from Europe in the middle of the 18th century.” (pg. 106, “Chinese Art III” by Soame Jenyns, Rizzoli, 1982). This example dates from the early Republic period to possibly late 19th century. Stands 22 1/4" high by ...click for details
Chinese scholar’s wood desk screen of long rectangular form. The central panel of the table screen is designed with a wood bordered glass frame suitable for the display of a horizontal format painting or textile fragment. A removable wood back allows for easy insertion. The narrow stand is supported by two parchment scroll feet. 31”L x 13 ¾”H x 2 ½”D. Early 20th century. Very good overall condition with no chips or cracks in the glass and minor wear to the wood finish.
Chinese late Song to Yuan dynasty pale blue-green qingbai (yingqing) shallow form scholar's porcelain brush washer with flat glazed base and unglazed rim finely decorated with a central impress-moulded pair of fish swimming among water plants within a patterned band. A few tiny traces of the metal band that once protected the porcelain remain on the rim. Circa 13th/14th century. 4 1/8" diameter x 3/4” high. Very good overall condition. There is an old hairline which is visible in the en ...click for details
Chinese Qing dynasty ornately carved rootwood fly-whisk handle. Fly-whisks were carried by Buddhist priests to wave away flies which, according to Buddhist tenets, they could not kill. The fly-whisk is also a symbol of leadership. 19th century. 10 3/4" long. Very good overall condition with a nice patina. There are a few thin cracks visible in enlargement 4. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s. An example of a simi ...click for details
Antique Chinese scholar's desk soft wood (possibly cypress) root sculpture depicting the "three star gods," representing longevity, happiness, and wealth. The god of wealth holds a small child representing wishes for future good fortune through healthy offspring. Measures nearly 11" high by 12" long. Late Qing dynasty to early Republic period. Very good overall condition. There is old bug damage to the back of two heads which appears at one time to have been filled (se ...click for details
Square form travelling scholar's ink box with rounded corners featuring a center circular medallion inscribed with calligraphy and surrounded by a stylized floral wreath. The copper base holds a “baitong” mark and what appears to be a maker’s mark (see enlargement 6). 19th century. Measures just over 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” x 7/8.” Very good overall condition with wear consistent with its age and use. The base is slightly dented. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates wh ...click for details
Waisted cylindrical form scholar's huanghuali wood brush pot with a slightly raised flat base and three low rounded feet. The feet, base and rim are finished with a finely executed narrow raised band. The honey-browm wood has a varied grain pattern displaying several distinctive guilian “ghost face” whorl patterns. 18th century or earlier. Measures 6”H x 5 5/8” diameter. Very good overall condition with a wonderful patina. There are small scratches, chips and signs of wear at the inner rim ...click for details
Rectangular form wood scholar’s storage box used for documents or writing accessories. The front features a central circular brass base plate while the back has two external rectangular flat plate hinges. Late 19th to early 20th century. 12"L x 6 3/8"D x 5 1/2"H. Very good overall condition. There are a few missing brass pins on the hardware but it is quite secure. The bottom appears to have a narrow replacement piece of wood (see enlargements 7 and 8). There are a few mino ...click for details
