Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese (180)

This circular box with domed lid displays a well-painted scene of a lady standing in a rocky garden, holding a banana leaf and a sprig of flowers. The enamels are rendered in meticulous detail in a pallet of greens, aubergine, yellows, reds and shades of blue. On the sides of both the box and lid, there are three cartouches outlined in blue with a peony sprig in each. A speckled green ground with a four-petaled pink flower fills the remainder of the sides. The base is enameled white with a reddish-brown four-character Qianlong mark. The foot is exposed copper. The interior of both the lid and base is enameled white. There is a very small nick to the enamel on one side of the lid's interior. There is some overall soiling and evidence of age and use. The exposed copper edges on the top and bottom lips is oxidized brownish-gray. The overall condition is very good. Acquired from an estate in North Carolina.

Diameter: 2 ¼ in., Height: 1 1/8 in.

With an unusual European form, this oblong bowl with lid is decorated overall with a flower and butterfly design in shaded enamels on a white ground with an ultra marine blue secondary ground, as a banding around the lid and as a surround for the two flower cartouches on the bowl's exterior. A small turquoise band encircles the base of the bowl which rests on a flared foot. The interiors of both the lid and bowl are covered in a speckled, medium green enamel. The exposed metals rims are all gilded, though the exterior rims are somewhat rubbed and dulled. The interior metal retains its brilliant gold surface. The base is enameled white. Very good condition.

Length: 4 5/8 in., Height with lid: 2 7/8 in.

This brush pot displays shallow carving with incising utilizing the natural “skin” of the bamboo to depict a scene of tortoise, cranes, and pine as a wish for longevity. The carver's name is incised beneath the pine tree. It is in good condition and has a nice patina. There is some wear to the interior from use. Acquired in London in the mid 1980s.

Height: 5 1/8 in., Diameter: 3 1/8 in.

This wrist rest is carved in low relief of an official and his attendant in an architectural setting. The carving is well executed with precise line incising. It has an overall reddish brown patina and a slight blackish stain from ink on the official's hand and just above it. The underside shows approximately the same patina, while the cut edges have darkened with use. As an essential item for the scholar's table this piece remains in good condition with its original patina from use. Purchased in a Chapel Hill, North Carolina estate in the early 1980s.

Length: 10 ¼ in., Width: 2 ¾ in.

This milky glass bottle is applied with four colors of glass and carved in relief with the symbols of the eight Taoist immortals. The sides have carved bat handles in black glass and the interior is well-hollowed. The stopper is pale whitish jade with a small apple-green splash. It is in good condition. Acquired in Norfolk, VA in the mid 1980s.

Height: 2 5/8 in. with stopper, 2 5/16 in. without stopper, Width: 2 in.

This toggle is carved from a single piece of carnelian agate of a rich brownish-orange tone and utilizes the naturally occurring white layer to produce a cameo of an elderly man, possibly a Taoist figure. The reverse is carved with a monkey climbing a banana tree with what appears to be a ruyi fungus. There are several holes or pits incorporated into the design, three of which are carved through allowing for attachment to a cord or chain. The deep colored stone has a few areas of lighter and darker shades running through it, and a few minor flaws. Acquired in the 1960s from a South Carolina collection.

Height: 1 5/8 in., 1 ¼ in., Width: 1 ¼ in., Thickness: 7/8 in.

This pendant is carved in the shape of a peach and pomegranate in an orange-toned semi-translucent stone, having a slightly reddish tone toward the flower end of the pomegranate. The carving is of flattened low-relief form and the stone has a fairly high polish that has mellowed somewhat from wear. Good condition.

Length: 1 ¼ in., Width: 1 in., Thickness: up to ¼ in.

The deep red lacquer is thickly applied to a wooden base and carved in high relief. The slightly domed lid is carved with a garden scene consisting of pavilions and scholars in a landscape of thick foliage, trees, various rocks and a small bridge. The sides of the box are carved all around with a repeating floral design and the base is carved overall with diamond shaped florets. Minor cracking from age is present on the lid and around the sides of the box often seen on 17th and 18th century wares. Two corners on the sides of the lid appear to have restoration to the vertical edges. The raised lip on the interior bottom shows considerable wear and loss to one end. There is wear on the base and on the interior that is consistent with age and use. The lacquer work is generally in good condition for its age.

Length: 6 ¾ in., Width: 5 ¼ in., Height: 2 ¼ in.

This semi-translucent stone is carved in high relief on the bottom in the form of a lotus leaf with pods and buds and stems. It is jade-green in areas and almost clear in others and it shows the numerous flaws running through the stone typical of so-called green quartz (actually fluorite). There are numerous chips and losses around the rim edges. It is accompanied by a fitted carved hardwood stand that has losses to two of its feet.

Length 7 in., Width: 4 ¾ in., Height: 1 3/8 in.

Carved on one side is an old gnarled pine tree growing out of a rocky outcrop. The vase is of a flattened ovoid shape with a rectangular foot that is hollowed to the base. The stone has a white jade-like quality, but is probably a type of serpentine. The tree is carved in high relief with some under-carving, giving it a feeling of being carved almost in the round. The stone is flecked with silvery inclusions and very light brownish veining in a few places. It retains its soft, even polish. There are a couple of very tiny, thought not very noticeable chips and wear to the mouth rim from use and age. Otherwise, it is in very good condition.

Height: 4 ¾ in., Width: 3 ½ in., Thickness: 1 ½ in.

The wood appears to be old jichi wood that is exceptionally well-carved with twisting tree trunks of pine and plum intertwined to form the body, while stylized pine needles and plum blossoms encircle the perimeter. The pine and plum trunks are carved to show their contrasting textures. The piercing and depth of the carving give an energetic quality to the piece. Based on the carving, this stand was not intended as a fitted stand for a particular vase or sculpture. It may have been used as a brush rest or a wrist rest. The patina is a rich brown with an overall soft polish. The underside shows wear in the form of smoothness from use.

Length: 6 in., Width: 2 5/8 in., Height: 1 1/8 in.

This jade pendant is well-carved with a design of peony flowers and leaves in low relief. The carving extends to the back, though simpler and flatter. It is a deep green with areas of lighter mottling, but when held to the light, it shows a brilliant translucent apple-green. It has an old probably 14k gold jump ring for attachment.

Length: 1 ½ in., Width: ¾ in., Thickness: 1/16 in.

This clear quartz stone is carved in the form of a mountain with tall peaks to accommodate five or six small calligraphy brushes. The front has a “ruyi” carved in low relief among rocky outcroppings across its slightly convex facade. The backside is flat and uncarved and reveals the natural flaws in the clear stone. It has a soft polish overall and an even wear. Acquired in Osaka, Japan in the 1970s.

Height: 1 ½ in., Length: 3 3/8 in., Width: ½ in.

This incense burner is cast bronze in a bombe form, having a brownish patina with small patches of verdigris. The base is caste with a six-character Xuande mark (though not of the period). The interior shows evidence of long use and has some areas of verdigris. It is set on a flaring footring which echoes its rather thick flaring lip. There is evidence of wear and use and some tiny nicks to one handle. It is in generally good condition. Purchased in London in 1978.

Height: 3 3/8 in., Width: 8 ¾ in. over handles

Probably made in the Longquan kilns, this bowl is of flaring conical form and has incised longitudinal lines on the exterior. The exterior is glazed in pale olive-green celadon and the glaze stops well above the foot. The foot and base are unglazed, exposing the light-gray porcelaneous body. The interior is glazed throughout. There is a small chip to the outer rim. Purchased in Kyoto, Japan around 1975.

Diameter: 6 3/8 in., Height: 2 ½ in.

This bowl is covered overall in an attractive bluish green celadon glaze except for the footring, which shows the buff-toned porcelaneous stoneware body. The glaze is somewhat unevenly applied to the exterior. The interior has a glaze bubble that popped in the firing. Acquired in the early 1980s from an antiques dealer in Alexandria, VA.

Diameter: 4 ½ in., Height: 2 3/8 in.

Lid is carved with a scene of two elderly sages in a rocky landscape with trees and a bridge. The sides are carved overall with a diamond pattern. The interior and base are lacquered black. Some minor age cracks and retouched chips to the interior rim, minor retouching of red lacquer to the rims of the lid and box bottom. General wear—all consistent with and indicative of its age.

Height: 2 1/8 in.; Diameter: 5 in.

This miniature vase has a whitish / buff stoneware body that is covered in a clear glaze that has areas of discoloration from pale gray to an attractive yellowish tone, likely a result from long-term burial. Three comma-shaped decorations were swiftly brushed onto the shoulder. The bottom third of the vase remains unglazed, exposing the strong stoneware body. The footring and base are likewise unglazed, and an old sticker from the early 20th Century remains attached to the base. There is a small chip to the underside of the mouthrim. Purchased in 1985 from the estate of a Chapel Hill, NC university professor.

Height: 3 3/8 in., Diameter: 1 7/8 in.