Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Scholar Art (67)

This rare tortoise shell carved RuYi (scepter) is a mid-19th century product. It is 13 ½” long and 3 1/2” wide from the widest part (head of the scepter). There are fourteen cranes carved in relief flying in coiled lucky clouds. The pattern repeats and covers the entire handle and head. It is in excellent condition. More photos are available.

This is an 18th or 19th century Chinese brown glazed and carved porcelain brush holder (Bitong) signed by “Wang Bing Rong” who is considered one of the best porcelain carvers of that period. His dates are somewhat confusing. Some records say he was born in 1736 and died in 1795. Other records have him living from 1862 to 1908. Perhaps the most appropriate approach was taken by Christie’s. In their auction catalog of Fine Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1995, they state, Mr...

This jade (jadeite) carving Bi (璧) is a late 19th or early 20th century product. It is a quarter of an inch thick and 3” in diameter. It depicts two Pixie (辟 邪) on one side and four swirling patterns on the other side. It is in great condition.

This very well carved bamboo hexagonal brush holder (Chinese name is Bitong) is an early 20th century product. It is 6 3/8” high, 5 ¾” wide and 4” in depth. The rim, bottom and four small legs are made of hard wood. The six images depict the idyllic paradise for Chinese scholar, sage or official...

This small Shoushan stone (寿 山 石) carving is an early 20th century product. It is 2 ¼” high, 2 ¾” wide and 1 ¾” thick. It depicts two immortals He-He Er Xian (和 合 二 仙) also known as the “two spirits of Harmony and Union" sitting next to each other. Two straw hats rest on their backs. They hold a small woven round box in front of them; another large box is sitting nearby. A tiny lucky bat is trying to escape from the small box...

This carved ZiTan (紫 檀) hard wood Bitong (brush holder) is an early 20th century product. ZiTan is a species of Pterocarpus native to India. Chinese love the quality and hardness of the wood; therefore, they use it to make expensive items. The brush holder is 6 1/8” high and 4 1/4” in diameter. Carved in deep relief, it depicts Nan Ji Xian Weng (南 極 仙 翁) or Shou Xing, Shou Lao...

This very nice carved hard stone brush rest is a mid or late 19th century product. It is 6” long, 2 3/8” high and 1 ¼” thick. It depicts a reclining ewe facing her young kid; both of them are holding a branch of LingZhi (靈芝) in their mouths. It is very well carved and designed. It is in great condition.

This very well carved and designed carved bamboo root brush washer is an early-20th century product. It is 1 7/8” high and 5 7/8” wide (measured from the widest part). It depicts old pine trees with a crane resting on one of the limbs. According to Chinese tradition, pine trees and cranes represent longevity. It is in great condition.

This rare carved walrus tusk of a pine tree boat is a late 19th century product. It depicts 13 young female fairies riding on a pine tree covered boat crossing the ocean. They are engaged in playing musical instruments, chess and painting. In Chinese culture, the pine tree represents longevity because it is evergreen and lives for a long time. Showing a rich patina, the carving is elegant, and superb. It is 6 ¼” long, 2” wide and 2 ½” high...

This gourd cricket cage is a late 19th or early 20th century product. It is 4 ½” long and 2” wide from the top. The rim and lid were made of ivory and carved hard wood. A gourd is grown inside a carved wooden form(s) to create a patterned or shaped body. This cage does not have pattern or design but has a very nice balanced, shaped and light brown body. The ivory rim and lid are in great condition as well. There are no repairs, chips or crack lines.

This very nice carved bamboo arm rest is an early 20th century product. It is 11 1/8” long, 2 ¾” wide and a quarter of an inch thick. It depicts two elders and one young servant sitting under bamboo and pine trees which are beneath a cloud covered mountain. There are five characters and a seal carved on the top...

This 19th-century bamboo carving represents an old sage leaning on a broom as if he has drifted into thought once he finished sweeping. He has been there long enough for one fresh leaf to fall. This figure evokes the well-known maxims for good living written by Zhu Bolu (1617-1688), which begin: Rise with daybreak; sweep the courtyard and clean the house thoroughly. . . . For every bowl of rice, think how hard it is to grow the grain...

This 19th century sterling silver paper weight is 8 15/16” long, 15/16” wide and 1/8” thick. The raised images on the bar depict a young immortal sitting under an old pine tree. He has just opened a magic round box from which bats, the symbol of good luck, are flying. A crane, the symbol of longevity, is standing on a pine tree branch over the young immortal. The images on the paper weight recall a traditional story of “Two Immortals of Harmony and Unity.” In the story, one immor...

This wood carving of a RuYi scepter with hard stone inset is a late 19th or early 20th century product. It is 14” long and 3 ¾” wide from the head of the scepter. It depicts several Lingzhi around an old tree branch. In Chinese mythology, Linzhi is a supernatural mushroom and represents longevity. There is a carved Lingzhi shape hard stone inset on the scepter head. It is in very good condition.

This carved bamboo brush holder (BiTong) is an early 20th century product. It depicts five sages and two young servants surrounded by pine trees and rocks. It is 6 ½” high and 5”~ 5 ½” in diameter. The carving is elegant and quite deep. Aside from some cracks due to the age and nature of the bamboo, it is in excellent condition.

This carved walrus tusk bridge of elephants is an early 20th century product. It depicts five elephants in graduating sizes walking toward a large tree and rock. It is 11” long and 4 ½” high (with wood base, it is 5 ¾” high). Aside from repairs to two wood legs on the base, it is in great condition

This early 20th century carved jade brush rest is 8 ¾” long, 3” high and 1 ¼” thick. It depicts three playful PiXiu facing each other. PiXiu are Chinese mythical creatures who are considered to be very powerful protectors in the practice of Feng Shui. Not only can they protect an individual or a family, they will also draw wealth from all directions. The PiXiu resembles a winged lion and is the ninth offspring of the dragon. It has a pair of bulging eyes, a long, bushy tail and one ...

This early 20th century large stone carving of a water buffalo cow and calf is 6 ½” high, 7 ¾” long and 4 ½” wide. It depicts a cow eating grass but feeding her youngster at the same time. The bodies of both calf and cow are finely incised to represent hair. It is in excellent condition.