This is a very special offering of a small bronze axe from ancient Iran (circa 1200-1500 BC). It has minor losses to the horizontal blade and shows some pitting. These small axes seem to be a good bit more rare than their larger counterparts. This came as part of a large private collection and as a result I can offer it at much less than what these pieces usually sell for. I doubt that this one will be here for very long. It weighs 108 grams and measures just 9 cm in length.

This bronze axe head is from ancient Iran and dates to around 1500 BC. Similar examples are attributed to either the Amlash or Luristan cultures. This particular specimen has two rings around the socket. It has light green patina. It is solid and stable but does have a small dent and perforation in the socket area that is visible in the photos. It weighs 513 grams and measures roughly 14 cm in length. This is a prime specimen of ancient bronze craftsmanship at a very reasonable price...

Chinese pottery green glazed granary, with cylindrical shape, decorated with bands of incised lines, and supported by three legs in the shape of bears. Lead glaze with copper is the main colorant used in Han period to produce green glaze. Greenware became popular during the Eastern Han period.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, 206 B.C. - A.D. 220
Size: Height 24 C.M...

A beautifully decorated Chinese porcelain teacup painted in bright famille rose, it's all hand painted in excellent condition. Marked Qianlong but late Qing Dynasty. H:4" $175

Antique Japanese set of 9 Imari ware chargers, beautiful and rare, unusual dark blue and orange colors in central lotus leaves motif with gold details, striking scrolling designs and pheonixes in light blues, reds and green, each is signed on back, Meiji Period (1868-1912). Size of each: 12" wide diameter x 1 1/2" high

Japanese antique Imari ware porcelain plate, painted in color glaze with flowers, 3 reserves are painted with scenes of birds in trees, a beautiful and large piece, Edo Period ( c1800). Size: 17 3/8" wide diameter x 3 1/4" high

Chinese pottery granary jar with amber and green glaze, round shape, decorated with bands of incised lines on the body, and supported by three legs in the shape of bears. It is difficult to find Han granary in amber and green glaze like this.

Age: China, Han Dynasty, 206 B.C. - A.D. 220
Size: Height 22.8 C.M...

This small Chinese inro style container would have been worn suspended from the wearer's belt. It was hand carved from wood and detailed on each side with delicate decorative carvings of birds, flowers and a phoenix.

The piece is 2.5 inches high and 2 inches at the widest point. Because of its small size and shape, it was most likely used as an opium container. The inside has been carefully cleaned to avoid dog encounters at the airports.

Pair of Japanese shokudai candlesticks made of copper with chrysanthemum shaped base. Original finish consistent of its age.

Dimensions for each candlestick is 24 3/4" high x 6 3/4" wide diameter (at base).

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

This hand carved panel is from a Chinese Buddhist Temple erected around 1860. The panel is deeply carved with a scene which takes place at the foot of the sacred mountain. Bits of Mother of Pearl are inlaid into the mountain and is also used to highlight a few costume details.

This panel was used as an architectural element and has the mortise cuts in the top which were used to hold the panel in place. It is one of a pair of panels which were taken from the temple...

This hand carved panel is from a Chinese Buddhist Temple erected around 1860. The panel is deeply carved with a scene which takes place at the foot of the sacred mountain. Bits of mother of Pearl are inlaid into the mountain and is also used to highlight a few costume details.

This panel was used as an architectural element and has the mortise cuts in the top which were used to hold the panel in place. It is one of a pair of panels which were taken from the temple...

This Chinese lady's purse was made with silk satin fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread using a satin embroidery stitch. The edges are bound with carefully aligned silk threads. Each side opens to a separate storage compartment and there is a third compartment which is accessed from the top of the purse.

Made and used during the late Qing Dynasty, the quality of the materials and workmanship clearly show that this purse was used by a woman of means...

This is a very rare and finely carved jade tubular bead with raised collars. It dates to the Costa Rican Nicoya and Guanacaste period, C50 BC. It is 4 3/4" long and 1/2" thick. It has a beautiful patina. One end has a single break (shown in the pictures). It has been professionally repaired and does not distract.

For festivals including her wedding, a Yao girl of marriageable age would wear the traditional "celestial crown" clipped to her hair on the top of her head. This traditional ornament was common among the Yao of Laos, Thailand and China's Yunnan Province. Upon reaching puberty, the Yao girl would be expected to make her own crown following traditional patterns and methods of her local region...

Rare Pair of Large Painted Korean Funeral Bier Panels imbued with syncretic symbolism, with painted lotuses that are profound symbols in Buddhism of rebirth and purity, and attached painted Taoist pullocho, the mythical longevity plant, projecting in in a row from the front, all used in the service of a Shamanist funeral ritual. A fine, rare and striking example of old Korean folk art, and a great example of the traditional Korean open-mindedness and blending of religious faiths...

This rare bone point was found by Carrol Howe and is pictured in his book "Ancient Tribes of the Klamath County", page 243. It dates to 4500BP and was found by Carrol at Nightfire Island, Siskyou County, California. It is 3 1/8" long and exhibits a beautiful patina.

This outstanding frame of bone points are from the Columbia River, Oregon and are C700-1200. They were pictured in the Oregon Archaeological Society Magazine "Screenings" Volume 5 Number 6 on August 13, 1956. A copy of the article is included. They were recovered from the Wakemap Mound. The longest is 3". These are extremely rare bone items with beautiful patina.

Japanese kuruma tansu (wheeled storage chest), from the Mikuni area of Japan, made of keyaki (elm) wood, two long drawers on top portion of chest are held in place by a locking bar (comes with key), bottom portion of chest has large open compartment covered by sliding panels with horizontal slats, wonderful iron hardware, Edo Period. Size: 49 1/2" high x 54" wide x 23 1/2" deep.

A beautiful Tang dynasty changsa stoneware bowl with an abstract plant/weed motive, with long thin leaves all painted in green and iron brown colour. A very artistic, creative and free hand drawing in an abstarct form. The changsa bowl stand on a short footrim with a recess base...

The basic fabric is a very fine plain weave, probably cotton with some silk, embroidered with pastel colored silk yarn and metal threads. Worked identically on both surfaces. Condition: few losses of metal thread, six small holes, little patina. Dimension: 214 cm x 36.5 cm.

These four points were found in the Arkansas River area of southeast Colorado and are from the old-time collection of Arley Hudson. The longest one is 1 1/8". All are very thin and expertly chipped. They are from the Mississippian Period C1000AD.

Chinese painted pottery warrior wearing a "wind" hat with side and back flaps, with red, black and white pigments remaining.

Age: China, Northern Wei Dynasty, circa A.D. 386 - 535
Measurement: Height 22.8 C.M. / Width 7.5 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adherings (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide ...

Tang dynasty bowl covered with green glaze color with five spur mark at the center.flat based.18,5 cm diameter , 5cm high.bowl in good conditions with just minor degradation glaze at the rim.

Decorated with a fish biscuit in the center. W=12 cm. Early Ming 1368-1398. Condition : excellent, no chips, cracks, hairline or restoration

Decorated with a plantain leaves in the center and floral spray on the outside. W=12 cm. Early Ming 1368-1398. Condition : excellent, no chips, cracks, hairline or restoration.

Decorated with a lion playing with a ribbon and balls in the center and floral scroll on the outside. W=12 cm. Early Ming 1368-1398. Condition : good condition with minor frit on the rim.

This small Chinese hand made purse would have been made by a woman for her personal use or possibly as a gift to a female friend. It was made using cotton background fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread on each side. The butterfly and floral motifs were made with silk thread using a combination of satin stitches, chain stitches and couching embroidery techniques.

It is a charming example of a Chinese woman's needlework and is in excellent condition. Each side opens separately and me...

Chinese pottery court lady with nice facial expression, her hair raised up, wearing tunic, with red, black and white pigments remaining.

Age: China, Tang Dynasty, A.D. 618 - 907
Size: Height 24.3 C.M. / Width 5.8 C.M.
Condition: Well-preserved old burial condition overall with some amount of soil adhering (some abrasions and wearings on the piece due to the long burial time underground). Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shippin...

A beautiful Tang dynasty changsa stoneware bowl with and abstract flower motive. The flowers look like crocus with it long thin leaves embedded beside a rock, all painted in green and iron brown colour. A very artistic, creative and free hand drawing in an abstarct form. The changsa bowl stand on a short footrim with a recess base. The glaze stop about three quarter way down, exposing the light buff clay. A must have piece for the discerning collector. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

A beautiful Japanese golden brocade plate dating to the early 18th century, a powerful rendering of a Kylin is majestically displayed front and center. This unusual ko-imari plate is without flaw and has a slight creme color tone to the porcelain, it is very unique in terms of beauty and presentation. It measures 9.5" x 2" (24.1 cm x 5.1 cm).

A very rare and early imari that more closely resembles the kakiemon palette, but with the heavy use of gold and some under glaze blue, it would fall under the imari family group. This is a very rare dish as it displays the pomegranate fruit in the center well, its seeds being exposed as to suggest the hope of many sons. 5 cranes are symmetrically arranged, 3 on the garden rock, 2 in flight. Condition is excellent, save a very tiny glaze flake to the rim. No other damage, chips, hairlines, or...

A golden brocaded basket suspended in air and filled with flowers. A bird resting on a branch while another flutters about surrounded by the joy of spring. This cup and saucer is one of my personal favorites, delicate and translucent and without flaw; the gold accentuates the weaving of the basket, the flowers well arranged, and every detail seems to spring to life. Our treasure is perfect in every way, except for very minor wear along the raised spines of the foliated saucer. Our special treas...

The most unusual and unique Japanese soba (noodle) cup that we have encountered, with very beautiful contrasting colors and a garden scene that is breathtaking, a plethora of flowers and a bird swooping down from heaven will delight the senses of the discriminating collector. The footed feature of this soba cup along with the color combination is almost rarely never encountered, as I have never seen another in years. Signed Dai Nippon (Great Japan) we date this soba cup to the very late Meiji ...

Japanese Edo period woodblock depicting the poetess Gon Chunagon Atsutada (906-943) gathering sea shells from the series "Lessons for the Young from Thirty-six Poetic Immortals" by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) dated circa 1842. Vertical oban size (14"V x 9 3/4"H). Very good overall condition. A few tiny wormholes and a few slightly thinned areas in the paper. This series is illustrated in plate 106 of "Utagawa Kuniyoshi," an exhibition catalogue based upon the Raymond A. Bidwell collection of Japanese ...

A very well painted and delightful Kutani tea caddy, perfect condition and has its original inner cap lid still intact also in perfect condition. It measures 11 cm (4.3 inches) high and dates pre-1920, circa 1912-15.

This is an extremely interesting artifact. It has quadruple imagery. The figures almost resemble a northwest totem. There is a different image when you turn the face upside down. There is also double imagery to the faces on the side. The same face is repeated at both ends of the stick. A lot of thought and work went into this beauty. The paint is very bold and strong. It is extremely well patinated. Carved from wood, it is 14 1/2" long. It has some stress cracking of the wood and both tips are b...

This is a very unusual artifact. It is bone that has been covered with 22K hammered gold. It is 8" long. It is either a pectoral or perhaps a nose ornament. The bone is broken near the center, but is completely covered by the gold. It is from La Tolita, Ecuador C500BC-500AD. This piece was found with a gold death mask in a tomb. It was found lying next to the mask and was part of the mask. The two were separated. The mask sold for $75,000. It is from the Ken Klassen collection, Bogota.

This set of 4 matching Chinese toggles were hand carved from animal bone, probably the vertebra. Each side is carved with an identical design which continues around the side. They are well aged and show both wear and usage. As artifacts from the folk art culture, they were probably carved by the person who intended to use them to secure his personal items. Each piece is approx 1 inch in diameter and .5 inches thick.

One of the finest examples of Kamakurabori carving techniques we have seen. The chrysanthemum in raised relief on the tray is fabulous and the many layers of lacquer have created a Meiji Period c.1900 masterpiece. Excellent condition. (14" x 9") (36cm x 23cm). EMS Shipping/Insurance to USA or Western Europe $55.

A beautiful Tang dynasty changsa stoneware bowl with ruyi motive along the cavetto of the bowl and in the center with a dot with radiating lines towards the ruyi, all painted in green and iron brown colour. The 5 ruyi motives is design in such a way that no matter which angle you focus on, it is designed in a star formation. The changsa bowl stand on a short footrim with a recess base. The glaze stop about three quarter way down, exposing the light pinkish clay. A must have piece for the discer...

This whopping point is 4 7/8" long and 2 1/4" wide. Lar Hothem calls it a very scarce 1st stage St. Charles Dovetail. Tom Davis authenticated it as a Lost Lake, G-9. It is made from semi-translucent high quality burlington chert. It has excellent mineralization and patina. It has a very clear imprint of a fossilized shell on the upper left about a 1/4" from the tip, making this a no-brainer for authenticity. It was found near St. Louis, Missouri. It is pictured in Who's Who, John A. Atkins, Vol...

This is a very rare Iroquois female effigy bone carving adopting the "September Morn" pose (one hand on the chest and the other hand over the genitals or the abdomen). It is from West Bloomfield, New York, Seneca. "1600 to 1620" carefully printed in black ink on the reverse. She shows a pronounced band at the forehead, as if wearing some head gear or maybe some hair style. Cheeks are shown as broad and flat. Prominent breasts. This piece came from the Robert N. Converse collection. Robert wro...

These extremely rare bone dice, from Kentucky, are 7/8" square. I purchased them directly from Tom Davis many years ago.

A nice and finely potted famille rose covered teacup dated to the Tongzhi period. It has a scene of a garden with flowers, grass and butterlies flying. A red Tonzhi reign mark to the top of the cover and base of the teacup.

Generally in very good condition. Minor pinholes. No hairline, glaze fritting,crack, repair or restoration.

The dimension of the teacup is: the height with cover on is 8.1cm and the diameter is 10cm.

This petrified wood tang knife is from the four-corners area of the southwest. It is 3 1/4" long. It is from the Wallis-Thomas collection. The base of the tang has been snapped off anciently, but does not detract.

This bone pendant is 1 3/4". It has been drilled and modified. It may be an atlatl finger rest. It is C1000AD. I purchased it from Tom Davis many years ago. It is from Kentucky.

Japanese scroll painting with a figure of Manjusri in the center of a circular chart below which sits a fu-dog; the very bottom of the scroll has numerous signatures and seal marks. The waves along the border of the circle indicate that this is a Sea-Crossing Manjusri (Tokai Monju). The text within the circle indicates that the painting comes from the Matsumoto castle in the Shinano province (the Nagano prefecture in central Japan). The document that comes with the scroll is signed Bankyu (can...

Japanese Edo Period Peddlar's Box, gyoshobako, kiri wood throughout with mixed metal for original hardware of brass and iron on locks, side carrying rings, double safe compartments, with the lower inside containing a removable safe box with 3 drawers, worn condition with original finish, 11"W 19"D 26"H.

Pair of Indian Miniature Botanical Prints with Lily Bulbs on border margins, lily in central panel of one, tomato in other, gold leaf in background, newly painted images on manuscript paper 18th-19th century, waterstained and patched areas. Print Size: 6" Width 9.75" Height, framed.

This ceramic warrior is in the process of throwing a rock with another in his hand and a basket full on his back. It is from the estate of the late Lynn Langdon. The figure was acquired in Mexico in the mid-20th century and is attributed to the Colima horizon, c.300BC-300AD. It is 4" tall. It retains some red pigment. It has a small chip off the back which I have and can be glued back on. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkt0z56QMvE.

This is one of my favorites from the Heflin ceramic collection. It has been broken and glued back together and is missing parts. Dr. Allen Heflin found this piece in Xico, Mexico in 1960 according to his journal. He must have hung it on his wall since he glued a wire to the back. This is a clear representation of a man either emerging or being swallowed by Quetzalcoatl. It is 6" long by 5" wide. The imagery scrams pre-Columbian. It is attributed to the Aztec culture C1300AD.

This ceramic Colima warrior is 6" long. It is in perfect condition with no dings, restoration or repair. It is from the estate of the late Lynn Langdon. The figure was acquired in Mexico in the mid-20th century and is attributed to the Colima horizon, c.300BC-300AD. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5mdTRv36FY.

Chinese Scholar's Hat Chair, Jumu, elmwood with translucent red lacquer, late 18th century early 19th century. Size: 21.5W 17D 38H, surface wear to finish and exposed wood.

Pair of massive Chinese Buddha scrolls, Buddha dressed in flowing red robe with blue hair and usnisa, displaying different hand mudras for each. Partial chop on lower left margin,18th-19th century, worn and old repairs, new mounting for tops reinforced bottom, wood scroll ends. Size 12' L 5' W each

Japanese Edo Period Boxwood Netsuke of Grazing Horse on base, lovely patination and soft wear. Two character signature on bottom (illegible), Edo Period. 1.75 inches long

Kuba Caucasian Wool Handknotted Carpet, good design and coloration, running dog border, 44"W 74"L, old restoration, age wear, pre 1920s.

This cannel coal gorget is 2 3/4" wide and 1 3/4" long. It is very thin and well made. It is from the Jim D. Humphrey's collection. He collected from 1930-1970. It is from the Holliston Mills site, Hawkins County, Tennessee, Holston River. It dates to C1500BC. A rare piece.

This beautiful translucent honey quartz gorget is 3" wide by 2 1/2" long. It is from the famous late Jim D. Humphrey's collection of NE Tennessee. It was found in the early 1970's on the Holliston Mills site, Hawkins County, TN. It has lots of mineralization and fine patina. This is an archaic piece dating to C1500BC. To view my youtube video of this item please cut and paste this link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgYCAJN2m2M

This rare ceremonial Chinese "lock" necklace is Hmong ethnic minority. Made from pure bouillon silver, it over weighs 4.5 lbs. The Hmong Ethnic Minority group range from southern China into Northern Thailand. This piece was sourced out of China to a dealer sometime between 1920-1930. In both Chinese and ethnic minority cultures, the lock necklace acts as a talisman and symbolically "protects" the wearer from ill fortune, much as a lock on a piece of furniture will protect the contents inside...

This glacial kame green banded slate gorget is 4" long. It was found near New Castle in Henry County, Indiana. It came out of the Chris Thompson collection. I purchased it from Gary Mumaw. Pictured in Prehistoric Antiquities, August 1995, page 44. This piece dates to late Archaic C2500BC. It is a beauty with fine concentric banding.