This nephrite jade carving of a resting Mandarin duck dates to the Ming Dynasty or earlier.

It is a pale celadon to yellow jade altered to brown overall.

It appears to have been buried for an extended period of time, based on the level of alteration or oxidation.

It may actually date to the Song Dynasty, but we are dating it as Ming to be conservative.

It measures 80 mm x 45mm x 12 mm in depth.

It is in very good condition with the exception of a slight loss to one wing tip, which appears to have happened ages ago because it shows wear and toning consistent with the rest of the carving.

The shape of the tail is unusual in that it looks like a sea monster . Without its pointed beak, it could be mistaken for a dragon or a kylin.

This Qing Dynasty Chinese carved jade double tube vase or nuptial cup measures just slightly less than 7 inches tall by about 4 inches wide by 3 inches in depth.

It is also known as a "Champion Vase".

It is carved from one piece of celadon colored nephrite jade with inclusion of lighter jade that give it the appearance of cloud formations. It also has a few rust colored inclusions that follow the natural inclusions of the stone.

It is carved in the shape of a mythological bird or phoenix standing on a Chinese lion or Chilung while holding two ornately carved tubular vases with its wings. The lids of both vases are conjoined by a dragon wrapped around both sides.

Double jade carvings of this type have been described not only as “Marriage or Nuptial Cups”, but also as “Champion Vases” by their owners over the centuries.

These are quite rare and can be found in museum collections throughout the world. There is a jade champion vase in the Victoria and Albert museum in England.

There is also one at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.

Prices for similar but not absolutely identical jade champion vases have been increasing over the last decade or so. There are major similarities in most all of these vases but the minor details often vary from one to the next.

On November 1, 2004 , Christies Hong Kong sold a calcified green jade Champion vase for $80,256.00 against an estimate of $25,831.00- $38, 746.00 (sale 2177-Lot 834).

On November 27, 2007, Christies Hong Kong sold a white jade Champion vase for $248,842.00 (sale 2388-Lot 1547). It had an estimate of $38,730.00 - $51,640.00. It was 5 1/8 inches tall ( 13 cm).It was exceptional and from a well known collection.

On March 18, 2008, Christies Auction House sold a Champion Vase of somewhat similar appearance for $50,000.00 US (Christies: Sale 2267-Lot #440) It was 5 7/8 inches tall. On June 12, 2012, another jade Champion vase was sold for $64,000.00 (Christies –Sale 3509 /Lot #161). It was 5 1/8 inches tall.

Another jade champion vase is scheduled to go up to auction very soon ( Christies NY- September 13, 2012 ( sale 2580- Lot # ?). It is estimated to bring $50,000.00-$70,000.00. _________________________________________________________________________________

This large bronze figure of Avalokitesvara dates somewhere between the Song Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty in China.

This figure represents one third of a Buddhist Triad, which may have originally been created as an altarpiece in a Buddhist temple.

This bronze figure measures 21 inches tall by 9 inches wide by 8 inches in depth. He/she is depicted wearing a Tang Dynasty upraised hair style and ornate robes and jeweled detailing.

It is in excellent condition with remnants of old gilt and colors remaining in areas. The head is completely covered with a layer of gold and the remainder is covered with a deep brown patina overall.

Traditionally, Avalokitesvara would sit on the left side of Amitabha Buddha in a three figure triad with Mahasthamaprapta sitting on the right side. There are engraved Chinese characterson the reverse side of it's base which translate as left two.

There are additional marks on the Gui held in front of the figure which may represent the date or the original donor of the bronze.

Since the side figures of a triad were smaller than the central figure,the central Buddha must have been fairly large. This fits with the theory of an origin in a temple or possibly a very wealthy home.

In Chinese Buddhism the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is also known as Guanyin. Among the Chinese, Avalokitesvara is almost exclusively called Guanshiyin Pusa. Some Daoist scriptures give her the title of Guanyin Dashi, and sometimes informally as Guanyin Fozu.

In Chinese Buddhism, the worship of Guanyin as a goddess by the populace is generally not in conflict with the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara's nature. In fact the widespread worship of Guanyin as a "Goddess of Mercy and Compassion" is seen as the boundless salvific nature of bodhisattva Avalokitesvara at work. The Buddhist canon states that bodhisattvas can assume whatsoever gender and form is needed to liberate beings from ignorance

This museum quality gilt bronze figure was purchased from an old collection of Asian antiques originally formed during the early portion of the 20th century.

The authenticity of this bronze is guaranteed without exception.

This original carving of a Chinese lions and cub.

It dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Each one holds a lingzhi in its mouth.

It measures about 55 mm x 41 mm x 20 mm ( 2.1 x 1.5 x .75 inches)

It is carved from a uniformly pale celadon jade.

This jadeite carving measures about 3.5 x 5 inches by .5 inches in depth. It is in the shape of a rectangular plaque with slightly rounded edges.

It features a robed figure of Buddha holding a large lotus leaf while another figure kneels beside him.

This jadeite carving is in excellent condition .

It has colors that range from pale green to variegated colors that include a bright apple green, deep moss green and touches of emerald green.

The colors of the stone have been used to good effect to make the Buddha stand out on the obverse. On the reverse two large lotus leaves are framed utilizing the natural colors of the stone.

This original 19th century wooden carving of a Chinese Emperor with gilded and polychrome details measures 11 inches tall, 5 3/4 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches deep. It is in outstanding condition with ornate detailing and symbols in high relief on it's golden robe.

The one exception to it's unusually good condition is the loss of one hand. The hair in it's beard is REAL.

This small jade or hard stone carving of a stylized face measures 2.25 inches x 2.75 inches x 1.5 inches in depth.

It's colors range from a medium to dark green to a pale green with areas of translucence. It also has natural inclusions in the stone with areas of dark brown or off white oxidation.

It is carved in the style of old Olmec carvings, but it may be early 20th century. It may also be Chinese, rather than Latin American in origin, but neither origin has been documented yet.

It is unusual in that it has a mounting bracket extending from the reverse side. Similar brackets have been seen on occasion to allow for mounting as architectural components or as decorations in religious settings.

If this stylized carving actually is older than our estimate, it would be worth a great deal more than our asking price.

The mounting bracket would allow for this piece to be worn as a belt slide or buckle, or as a large pendant.

This rather substantial jade carving of a frog is in a style which originated in the late Neolithic to Shang Period, but we estimate it to actually date from the middle to late Ming Period (15th -17th Century).

It measures 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 1 inch in depth.

It is a gray-green celadon color with dark brown suffusions on it's back.

It is covered with symmetrical designs and shows evidence of much handling. It also has fully articulated toes on the bottom of it's feet. Location-GH-BX6

This large Chinese Cloisonne covered box measures 15 inches in diameter. It actually measures 17.5 inches wide, when you include the bronze handles on either side. It also measures 8 inches tall.

It is in excellent condition with the exception of a small circular restored spot on the bottom of the exterior. It appears to have been repaired in the late 19th century, based on the odd shade of green enamel that was used in the repair.

The cloisonne scene on the lid consists of a phoenix (fenghuang) looking down on a mountain range across the waters and under a red sun (a possible reference to Japan).

The chrysanthemums in the foreground may refer to Japanese royalty. This could have been designed as a gift for Japanese royalty.

Pair of Imperial Bronze Dragon Seals: Qianlong Marks and Period

This large pair of dragon handled bronze seals date from the period of Qianlong (1735-1795), emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in China.

The rectangular base measures 8 ½ inches by 7 ¼ inches (21.5 cm x 19.5 cm). The dragon handle stands up about 3 inches tall (8 cm.).

The top portions of the seals are covered with chiseled and engraved patterns of dragons and swirling lines representing the ocean or the sky. Standing on top of all this is the dragon handle.

The bottom of the seals are covered in archaic old Chinese pictogram script (see closeup photos). They also include traditional Chinese characters in one corner which are easily interpreted as Qianlong Reign Marks.

Some folks thought these might be paperweights because of their rather large size, compared to most seals of either bronze or jade. A recent article in the Jakarta Post referred to a very similar bronze seal as a “casted paperweight from the Qianlong Period”. See link below:

( http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/04/04/scholar-objects-undervalued-small-treasures.html )

These bronzes may have served double duty, with an original purpose yet to be determined by deciphering the archaic script and the possibility of also having been used as massive scroll weights.

The Emperor Qianlong had a serious interest in painting and was known to dabble in it himself on occasion. Some scrolls are exceptionally long and might have required a substantial scroll weight to keep them open for viewing (or possible two or more to hold the whole long thing open in the privacy of one's palace).

On April 4, 2010 , one identical bronze seal/scroll weight was sold at auction in China for the amount of RMB 651,200. (about $108,000.00 US ). The auction estimate had originally been 600,000-800,000 RMB (about $100,000-$130,000) for one single bronze seal.

The pair of bronze seals or scroll weights or “paperweights” are both in excellent condition. The buyer will not be disappointed.

They were purchased about 30 years ago in Southern California.

NOTE: Although the photos below make the the bronzes appear to be of different sizes , only the photos are of different sizes, not the bronzes themselves.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: THERE ARE A FEW VERY TINY SPOTS OF VERDIGRIS ON ONE OF THE SEALS . THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR A BRONZE ITEM THAT IS OVER 200 YEARS OLD. IT IS REALLY NOT WORTH MENTIONING BUT WE ALWAYS LIKE TO HAVE FULL DISCLOSURE SO THERE ARE NO SURPRISES FOR THE BUYER.