Catalog: Archives: Regional Art (212)

A rare crystal ring from the Pyu dynasty carved with a fish,the sea and a crescent moon. The fish is a early Buddhist symbol for incarnation carried over from Hinduism. In Hinduism, one of their symbols is a fish. One appeared as an avatar (incarnation or physical bodily manifestation) of Vishnu to save mankind from the Great Flood. The Fish (matsya) were originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus, Jain and Buddhists...

A well carved circular pendant with two facing dragons carved in the Shang Dynasty Style There is a carved circular relief designs on both sides. Age: Qing. Size: Diameter. 4.8cm. Condition. No chips or repairs.

A nice stoneware plate in off blue and white with two fish swimming among water plants. Probably from Northern Thailand or Vietnam. Size: Diameter. 31cm. H. 7.7cm. Condition: Some of the glossy is gone and there is one chip on the rim. See photos.

A set of seven (7) miniature paintings on canvas of winged Tibetan protector deities and gods surrounded by flames including Vajrapani and Yama Dharma Raja. Four (4) of the miniatures are finely executed line drawings with color washes on a light-weight canvas. These four appear to have been done by the same artist and are of approximately the same size. The other three are painted on a heavier canvas - two of which are painted in full with darker pigments...

A very unusual stretch bracelet with old ivory of a hand and club,Ming glass beads,striped Tang beads and a old bronze ball. The bracelet is strung with a stretch material to fit all sizes. A nice piece of Chinese antiques to wear.

A nice well made Tibetan prayer beads consisting of 108 bone beads and three pink mountain coral. Two leather counters with ten silver rings each ending with silver inlaid with coral and turquoise. The bone is most likely yak but could also be human. Size:Total length of the necklace 52cm. Each bead is 1.2-1.3 cm in diameter. Condition: No repairs. All original.

Four Foo Dog seals. Two carved, two blank. Two made of ivory, one of black stone and one of red stone.The Foo dog is also known as the celestial dog and happiness dog. The animal is also a symbol of energy and value. Age: Mid 19th century. Size: H. Tallest 4cm- Smallest:2.5cm. Condition: The red stone one has a small chip at the base, all others are fine.

The fish is symbolically employed as the emblem of wealth or abundance on account of the similarity in the pronunciation of the words "yu", fish, and "yu", superfluity. Age: Song. Size:L. 6.5cm. W. 2cm. Condition: No repairs or chips.

A very rare and unusual seal of a mythical animal made of pottery. Age; Ten Kingdoms. Size: H. 5.2cm. W. 3.5 x 3.5cm. Condition: Some loss of the white slip and a chip on the horn.

n old bamboo brush pot with unusual zigzag pattern. Age: 18th century. Size: H. 13cm, Radius. 10.3cm. Condition: No repairs. Old chip on the rim, natural cracking along the rims and natural ageing.

A nice off white Chinese jade pendant from the Qing Dynasty. Size: W. 6.6 x 6cm. Condition: White spot at the bottom of one side. See photo.

A seal from what is now Burma/India with carvings of an elephant and a flower. The handle is smooth and well-worn. The ivory has taken on a rich brown color with age.

Period: Pyu Dynasty - 100AD to 500AD)

Size: 3.5 cm (1-3/8 inches, Diameter of seal = 2.6 cm (approx. 1 inch)

Condition: Part of the seal has broken away from age (see photos). Has a very beautiful patina.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant of the Hand of Buddha Citron. There is a hole at the top on the piece so it can be worn as a pendant. The citron fruit may be given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. Size: L. 5cm. W. 2.5cm. Condition: Perfect.

A nicely carved jade pig done in the Han style.Pigs represent prosperity and jade pigs were were placed in the hands of the deceased. Many jade pigs were used for this purpose in later times and are sometimes mistaken for Han pieces. Size: L.10cm. H. 2.8cm. W. 2.3cm. Condition: No chips. Some calcification.

A very rare crystal tiger from Burma/Thailand. Crystal was thought to have magical powers and the tiger represents strength. It is unknown how they drilled the holes to make it wearable.As you can see they were drilled at both ends, probably before the crystal was carved. Age: over two thousand years old. Size: L. 3cm. W. 1.5cm Condition: Perfect.

This ancient conch shell bead from the Pyu period and dates back to around the first century. It represents the emblem of the voice of Buddha preaching the laws of his doctrine, and occurs as one of the auspicious signs on the "Footprint of Buddha". Size: L. 2.2cm. Condition: No repairs. In the enlarged photos you will see the natural faults of the stone but is not very noticeable with the naked eye.

An unusual and rare Jin Dynasty stone carved seal for a high ranking military official.The carving on the stone is very beautiful and distinct. Size: 2.8 x 2.8 cm. Condition: No repairs.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant of the Hand of Buddha Citron. There is a hole at the top on the piece so it can be worn as a pendant. The citron fruit may be given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. Size: L. 3.9cm. W. 1.5cm. Condition: Perfect.