This is an old Chinese inkstone has hand carved ox with head turned toward the natural "dragon's eye" moon. There are some chips along the edges of the ink stone and areas of natural inclusions. It is a very fine grain quality stone, dating to the early 1800's and measures 6 x 4.5 inches, and a bit over .5 inches thick.
This charming primer was published in 1933, and used throughout Japan for 2nd year students...some pages have a few hand written English translations. At the time when this book was used, Japanese kenji and Chinese calligraphy characters were very similar...over 100 pages many with artwork
This traditional antique Chinese brushpot is made from bamboo, and is deeply carved with upper and lower scenes. The brush pot measures 11 inches tall. Surface cracks do not go through to the inside of the pot.
This antique Korean ink stone was carved from a thick piece of black stone, and is 7.25 inches (18 cm) x 11 inches (28cm) x 3 inches (7.6 cm) high. It weights about 14 lbs. The lid is deeply carved with a swirling dragon. The base of the stone has a grinding surface that slopes to a deep inkwell for collecting the liquid ink. The border of the base is carved with a simple repeat decoration. ...click for details
This antique Chinese box would have been used during the Qing dynasty, possibly by a scholar or shop keeper. The bottom of this box has covered compartments for seals, chops,calligraphy brush, ink sticks and a built in inkstone. There is an abacus built into the lid.
The original hinge pin was lost and has been replaced. The box was made with large dovetail joints and from a hard wood of unknown origins. The outsid ...click for details
Beautifully patterned horn chop with its horn seal box. The remenants of red ink indicate that this seal was used for official documents. The box has a slide top which closes tightly.
The use of chopstick holders was common throughout China. The style varied from region to region. This particular chopstick container was from the Northern provinces, formerly Manchuria. It was hand turned and is slightly out of round and in years past, the lip may have been nimbled by a rodent. It is a definately an object in the tradition of Chinese folk art.
This assortment of cosmetic brushes along with the small container was originally part of a large cosmetic set which would have been commissioned for the a wealthy Japanese bridal trousseaux. Many layers of the rich black roiro-nuri lacquer was applied and polished to achieve the deep lusterious tone. The brushes are accented with a 2 and 3 tone golden floral motif. None of the brushes show any signs of use. Though such sets were common among high-born Japanese women of the Edo and Meiji p ...click for details
A tiny silver flower tops the large turquoise beads on each of these Tibetan silver covers on this pair of weighted calligraphy seals. The silver is fully covered with repousse decorations of animals. Each piece has a small coral bead on one side and a small turquoise bead on the other. The seal bottom symbols are well worn: one is a conch shell and the other is hard to decipher. Sourced out of Tibetan, now part of China, these antique seals are a rare ethnic artifact of a past time. ...click for details
Surrounding the outside of this giant bamboo section is a very deep relief carving of a traditional Chinese scene. There are 3 children struggling to control an angry ox. One of the boys has been tossed to the ground and the other 2 boys are each desperately hanging onto opposite sides of the bulls back. The carving is very detailed including the twist of the ox rope and straps holding hats as they fly off the heads of the boys. I have seen variations of this scene but have been unable to t ...click for details
This small antique Chinese wooden storage container was used for calligraphy implements. Inksticks would have been held in the rear center compartment. Calligraphy brushes would have been held upright on the right and left side compartments. Seals or chops would have been stored in the lidded section. Originally painted with black lacquer, this piece has great age and wear patina.
White Marble from China was referred to as Chinese Alabaster because of its grain and translucent quality. This small simple inkstone is both beautiful to see and to touch. There is a very worn rim surrounding the grinding surface and inkwell and 4 very worn feet on the bottom of the ink stone to raise it slightly off the surface.
This is a unique Chinese Trousse. The chopsticks are black wood, presumed to be Zitan and are totally enclosed inside the scabbard when the trousse is closed. Both the scabbard and knife handle are covered with tortoise shell and have silver fittings.
This is a large hand carved old Chinese wooden signature chop aka seal. The edges of carved ridges have been worn smooth to the touch. The piece has patinated nicely with age and use, and makes a good example of an artifact of Chinese folk art.
I believe the name translates to Huang FuFu. The chop is 3.5 inches and because of the size, I am assuming the it was used to sign paintings or calligraphy art.
Sourced out of Inner Mongolia, this calliqraphy paint brush uses a huge antelope horn for a handle. The horn has a graceful curve and a series of ridges which are ideal for a proper calligraphy hand grip and control when doing large scale paintings.
Over 150 years old...This is a rare and beautiful object.
