This large and expressive sculpture is made, as expected, from joined segments, each separately carved. This technique is a diagnostic "telltale" which helps to date the piece. The figure sits in a devotional posture, leaning slightly forward with hands joined in a gesture of worship. Extensive remains of gesso and pigment. The piece measures 14-1/2" in height and is free of re-carving or repair. Kindly examine the photographs, as they are part of the description...

Up for sale is a pair of antique Chinese silk civil rank badges - To be worn on the front and back of a surcoat, from late 1800's, executed in KESI /Kossu weaving technique, each has a bear standing on pride rock, bats, peonies, seawaves, sun disc, cloud patterns, buddhist / Taolist auspicious symbols against a brown silk ground; Backed with light blue silk lining. Measurements : Approx...

This is the one in the of Edo period. (1800-1867) wonderful textile of very valuable museum class. The lotus flower represents the Pure Land. Tsutsugaki textile of museum class Rare It used it in the buddhist temple at the ceremony. Please look at the leaf of the lotus. The expression of the technology of the shadow is very wonderful. Tsutsugaki to make good use of this advanced exact technology is very rare. Please look at the cloud...

An antique Japanese 2 section Kyoto Mizuya Tansu made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and HInoki (Cypress) woods. The upper and lower sections feature sliding doors behind which removable shelves allow for split level storage with 5 drawers for organizing small items. The small hinged door to the upper right features a secret sliding locking panel that opens and closes the door. Side horizontal ribs for additional strength and visual design. Mortise and tenon Japanese joinery was used in its construction...

"Yacchimatta!" the lost soul seems to say as he slaps himself on the head, a sake cup and Tokkuri wine flask in front of him. Ink on dark paper with patterned dark cloth boarder with wide gray piping and featuring bone rollers. The skeleton and or skull have long been featured in Japanese art, both secular and Buddhist. It is used as a symbol of impermanence and as a Zen teaching tool...

A Japanese Butsudan, or Buddhist shrine for in-home use. The exterior of the shrine is lacquered in red with black lacquer and gold gilt pigments. The gilt hardware of the butsudan are highly ornate with motifs of chrysanthemums, lotuses, vines, and dharmachakra wheels. The lower area of the shrine features two pull-out platforms and hidden drawers...

Japanese antique two section isho tansu (chest on chest for clothing), made of sugi (cedar) wood and finished all over with an opaque black lacquer, beautiful ornate raised iron hardware included four lock plates each with a different design depicting birds and pines, the bottom lock plate has a turtle, the bottom section has a safe compartment in the lower right hand side, inside the safe are two small drawers, Sakata Area, Meiji Period (1868-1912) Size: 39" high x 33 1/4" wide x 16" de...

This is an outstanding Japanese cloisonne enamel Teapot or Sake Pot. The workmanship, quality, gilded wires and glow to the enamel show very much like the work from Namikawa Yasuyuki. The enamels and gilding are fabulous. It has a unique fine shape and measures 6" across to the spout. body is a high gloss black ground as well as the lid. These are decorated with various colorful gold wire kites and scrolls. Delicate gilded leaves are scattered about...

Relics of the Nile is proud to present this large and exceptional Egyptian wood and polychrome anthropoid mask. The face is carved with fine detail and is painted with red pigment over gesso with black eyebrows. It is important to note that this mask is complete with intact ears, which is rare to find. The cosmetic lines around the eyes, details in the right ear, and jawline from the right cheek to the chin are presented in a carbon-based black pigment...

A two drawer Japanese box done in a kinji or gold background with fine paintings of pine and flowers with a family crest set in the open areas of the piece. The box has metal fittings for the drawers and a handle to carry the chest. Often lacquer works with family crests were made for dowries for high ranking samurai families. Age: 19th century Size: length 10.75" width 10.75" height 10.25"

This is an awesome Eisho Era Signed and Date Long Wakisashi (Almost Katana length) Sword in Shirasaya fitting, made by SADAHIRO 貞弘 (1505 -1521) Eisho, Muromachi Period, Iwami Province, Japan...

This is an exceptional Famille Rose Enameled Porcelain Snuff Bottle of circular form, with flared neck, and raised recessed oval footing; decorated with scrolling lotus blossoms and vines, set atop a yellow background. The body of the porcelain under the glaze has incised engravings in a spiraling circular pattern that is barely visible. The underside bearing, in iron red, the Daoguang Mark (1821-50), the period when this bottle was made. This superb snuff bottle is in excellent preserved c...

An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Keyaki (Zelkova) woods. Made in 2 stacking sections, the upper part features 2 sets of sliding doors with four drawers below and the bottom part has a pair of sliding doors with a removable split level shelf. All original bronze hardware including the Marui style handles. Center doors have intact copper wire mesh screen used to prevent flying pests from entering. Built with slide slats for strength and visual...

An antique Japanese Mikuni Isho Tansu (Kimono chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware including the Hirute style handles. 5 drawers allow for spacious clothes storage with a hinged security door hiding 2 small drawers where valuables were kept. Constructed using through mortise and tenon joinery and hardened wood nails. Side ribs add strength, support and a visual design element to the piece.

Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)

An antique pair of architectural corbels of mythological elephant baku’s are commonly placed under the eaves of Japanese Buddhist temple and Shinto Shrines to ward off evil spirits. The baku devour dreams and nightmares and protector against evil. The baku cannot be summoned without caution, however as ancient legions say that if the baku is not satisfied after consuming the nightmares, he may devour ones hopes and dreams. The open mouth is to scare off demons and the closed mouth baku shelter...

The present miniature portrait of a Chinese lady in a blue robe ( Gouache, c. 1850 ) is striking for the manner in which a typical Chinese beauty has been represented. While few female subjects in the Chinese painting repertoire of the Qing dynasty can be found, the present piece belongs to a small group of paintings , all painted in the style of Giuseppe Castiglione: A Jesuit Painter at the Court of the Chinese Emperors. The lady is elegantly dressed in a sumptuously embroidered silk robe...

A rare antique Japanese Niigata Kiri Children's Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made entirely of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. It features a stylized Chrysanthemum design on each plate which represents the Mon or family crest of the original owner and Gumbai handles. The iron fittings were all hand made and the chest was constructed using straight dovetail joinery and hardened wooden nails.

These children's chests are not often seen in Japan. This is because they were not made in th...

This is the third piece of a group of three extremely rare, perfect and superb Yuan iron splashed pieces. An extremely rare Yuan Altar vase attached to a pierced stand, decorated with splashed iron brown spots and a Qingbai ( Yingqing ) glaze over a porcelain body. Yuan Dynasty 1279 - 1368. H: 13 cm. B: 6,4 cm. Condition: Perfect.