Unusual Antique Japanese Sakata Funa Tansu (Captain's ship safe), made of very heavy solid Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with lovely dovetail joints used in its construction. Original deep red-orange and black lacquer finish, iron hardware, Sakata area of Japan, Edo Period. Stunning original condition. Size: 10 1/2" high x 22 1/2" wide x 13" deep.

This old pair of Chinese shoes were made for a small child. Appliqued onto the red cotton background fabric are bits of trim and cotton fabric which give the appearance of a cats face. Gold thread is used in a couching embroidery stitch for the design on the both sides of each shoe.

Two very rare foo dogs that served as joss stick holders, done in the famille jaune palette. These date to the pre-1891. They are in very good antique condition, save some minimal lost of enamel glaze and a short hairline on the backside of the holder of one of the foo dogs which is clearly pictured, this can be easily restored...

Very rare bronze AVA Buddhist Sculpture with Nimbus,17th Century, Burma, with naturally formed verdigris patina. The nimbus (halo of light) is a strong characteristic of the Ava style. Good condition overall, Size: H. 14cm x W. 6.5cm at base x D. 5.5cm at base. Such fine pieces are very hard to come by.

 

Yuan Dynasty, 1279-1368

This well-modeled figure of a recumbent ox is one of twelve figures representing the traditional Chinese zodiac. It is formed in grey earthenware and was originally carved in a thin slip of white clay, much of which still remains. The head is sculpted with an expressive face having large eyes and short, thick horns. The characteristic hump occurs on the back just behind the head. The legs are tucked under the sides with the hooves exposed...

This set of Chinese dolls were made with wire bodies covered with fabric padding and then silk clothing. Their heads, lower arms and feet are made from some kind of composition material and then painted. Because of their wire construction, their arms, legs, and bodies etc can be carefully repositioned. The feet are wired together to provide a more stable base...it is a theory which frankly does not always work well...

This Chinese doll was made with a wire body covered with fabric padding and then silk clothing. His heads, lower arms and feet are made from some kind of composition material and then painted. Because of his wire construction, his arms, legs, and body etc can be carefully repositioned. The feet are wired together to provide a more stable base...it is a theory which frankly does not always work well...

Japanese writing brush in ornate case, case is made of copper with black lacquer and inlaid all over in an ornate pattern with tiny pieces of gold and shell, design of chrysanthemum on hinged ink well cover, 2 sided brush hidden in stem, large shell inlaid cartouch on bottom, beautiful and delicate.

Size: 6 3/4" high x 1 1/4" wide

Though sourced from northern China, this antique powder flask is most likely Chinese ethnic minority from the southern regions. There are 3 flasks for carrying gun powder. Used rifle cartridges are used both as stoppers and bullets are held in the shaped spacers between the powder flasks. It was made by shaping and then sewing 2 pieces of heavy leather (probably elephant hide)together.

Made from ox horn, and shaped into a perfectly balanced shoehorn, this antique Chinese folk art artifact serves in both form and function. There is a delicately carved design on the back. The handle part of the horn has eyes carved so that the piece takes the shape of an animal and there is a hole carved so that the shoehorn can be hung from a cord. I vaguely remember hearing that the Chinese inventing the shoehorn, but have not been able to verify this as historic fact.

The top of this black lacquer Japanese box is heavily carved with leaves and foliage. The carved oval cinnabar panel in the center depicts a long and stable marriage scene. The standing wife has just served her sitting husband tea in the garden, outside the house surrounded by mountains. The four sides of the box are carved with continuous textile design.

The box is 5.5 inches x 4.75 inches and 2+ inches high.

18th Century Pottery Figure of Doll Terracotta.good conditions. size: 7,5cm high

A lovely six inch koro decorated in the 10,000 flower design against a pale grey blue ground, well executed and with only minimal pitting.

A very beautifully rendered Japanese treasure ship with intricate details that are just amazing, this large cast iron antique is lacquered with the 'old red' traditional lacquer that can only be found on your older Japanese antiques. Its function is rare as it doubles up as a censer, fine slit holes are found in the front and backsides of the sail, allowing a fine mist of smoke to create an allusion that the ship is sailing through a fog...

This antique lidded container was made for jewelry or other small household items. Obviously hand made, probably by the original owner, it does have a few surface nicks from age and use. With a 5 inch diameter and standing approx 4 inches high, it is a charming artifact of Chinese folk art.

Ming Dynasty, 1500s

This circular-form lidded box is of a type found widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia as a Chinese trade item exchanged for spices, pearls, precious metals produced by the various foreign island cultures. Small boxes such as this one were possibly intended for cosmetics or spice storage. This box is painted with a stylized flower on the lid surrounded by a hastily-painted leaf border. The base is likewise painted with two abstract floral designs...

This plain pot metal vessel was used to contain hair oil during the reign of Chinese Emperor Daoquang about 1850. Standing about 6 inches high and 3.5 inches diameter at the widest point, a woman would dip her comb into the oil before combing her hair. I do have an identical matched pair of these but am selling them separately.