19th century Chinese export silver open salt in a shape of a bamboo section with low relief sprays of bamboo on the sides and glass insert. Excellent crisp work, in very good condition, hallmarked with 2 stamps on the bottom - one with Chinese characters, and the other one with letters HC. Wonderful old piece in great condition. Height 1 3/8 inches.
Pair of 19th century Chinese export silver open salt and pepper shaker, each on 3 makara (mythical dragon-fish) shaped feet, and engraved with bamboo leaves on punched ground, all under a key fret border. Excellent crisp work, hallmarked with Chinese stamp on the bottom of the salt. Pepper shaker height 1 15/16 inches.
Late 18th to early 19th century Chinese bronze seal with a caparisoned elephant on round base. The impression of the seal is shown on Enlargement 1. Really charming piece with clever modeling (see the curled trunk of the beast), beautiful patina on the surface with wonderful feel of age. Nicely carved characters on the base, traces of red seal paste in the grooves. Excellent piece for scholar’s table. Height 1 3/8 inches, base 1 3/16 inches in diameter.
19th century Chinese bronze scholar’s seal with a thoughtful monkey resting on an oval base. Wonderful piece with very good casting and chiseling, great thought face, beautiful patina on the surface. Nicely carved characters on the base, traces of red seal paste in the grooves. Excellent piece for scholar’s table. Height 1 5/16 inches, base 1 inch long.
19th century Chinese wooden burl box with cover used for carrying tobacco or some small items. Was worn suspended on a belt by a cord. Beautiful pattern to the wood (does not photograph well). Excellent patina with rich sheen from long wear, overall in great condition. Wonderful tactile object with great feel of age, looks very nice on scholar’s table. Height 3 1/4 inches.
Unusual late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century to 1911) buffalo horn carving of two reclining chimeras touching each other’s front to hind legs. Does not photograph well - the material is nicely translucent, and is particularly beautiful when viewed against the light. Excellent crisp carving, overall in superb condition. Fantastic quality material - deep honey/amber colored translucent horn with beautiful texture. Wonderful object for scholar’s table. Length 2 inches.
19th century Chinese scholar’s rootwood brushrest / scholar’s rock giving a perfect impression of a craggy mountain range with numerous crevices. Did not photograph well - photos came out too harsh. Wonderful object conveying the raw energy of the mountains. Natural root of a tree with old cracks, nicks and scratches adding to the wild energy of the piece. Beautiful patina, powerful piece for a scholar’s table. Length 5 1/4 inches, height 2 1/4 inches.
18/19th century Chinese scholar’s bronze scroll weight cast in a form of a resting elephant. Excellent casting and detailing, pleasantly heavy. Wonderful warm patina from 2 centuries of handling, beautiful wear adding character to the piece. Extremely powerful piece for a scholar’s table. Length 2 1/2 inches.
Late 19th century Chinese jade seal with a finial carved as a Foo Lion with its mouth wide open. Does not photograph well. Off-white nephrite jade, nice carving, pleasant matte finish to the stone. The bottom is carved with raised characters, red seal paste in the grooves. Imprint of the seal is shown on Enlargement 1. Wonderful piece appropriate for scholar’s table. Height 1 1/4 inches, length 3/4 inches.
19th century Chinese scholar’s small brush washer made out of natural wood burl (hua mu) and lacquered black on the inside. Beautiful natural pattern of swirling clouds on wood surface, superb wear and patina. Wonderful object in scholar’s taste, very pleasant to the touch. Width 3 inches, height 1 1/8 inches.
