Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian (4830)

This is a mystery piece. Purchased by my mother about 30 years ago in japan. The piece is definitely quite old but the origin is not clearly Japanese, Chinese or Southeast Asian. l welcome any opinions. The glaze and patina is very attractive brown with a creme splash interior, I would venture a guess of age 18th/17th century.

Provenance Sharon Zentner Collection
18th/19th century
Origin unknown
Size H 1.5" X W 3 7/8"

Antique Tibetan gilt bronze Tara diety, seated with left hand raised and thumb and forefinger touching and right hand resting on knee. Eye drawn on forehead and palms of both hands. Dressed in royal garb. Beautiful serene expression. Well worn, remnants of blue pigment on hair.

Provenance LA Collector
Age: 17th century or Older

Size 6" H x 4 1/4" W x 3 1/2" D

Antique Japanese Hexagon Kakiemon Bowl, with floral, pine and plum blossom "Shochikubai motif". Some repaired loses on the rim but dates from the 17th, 18th century. This a very rare piece with the typical white bisque and colors of over enamel distinctive of 17th, 18th century work. Considering the age and rarity the piece is in excellent condition.

Provenance McIntyre Collection
Dates 17th/18th century
Size H 4" W 8 7/8"

Antique Chinese gilt bronze Medicine Buddha, seated on lotus throne base. With hands held together upright on his lap. Eyes downcast in meditation. Base closed with cover embossed with the visvavajra or double vajra, symbolic of the thunderbolt and diamond. Wear consistent with age.

circa 17/18th century
Size 8" High x 4 3/4" Wide x 3 1/2" Deep

Chinese antique blue and white dragon vase. Three-clawed dragon flying in clouds on body with molded side handles of fu dog heads. Bottom of vase with divided lapels. Unglazed bottom with reddish color. Good condition.

Provenance McIntrye Estate
Dates 19th century
Size: H 13 1/4" x 8" Diameter

Dramatic 14th century Vietnam Creme colored vase five tie loops along top, contoured cylindrical shape with a recessed foot and flanged lip opening on top. Perfect condition.

Provenance San Diego Collection

Dates from 14th century
Size H 6.75" x 5.5" Circumference

Japanese antique Kakeimon porcelain cone-shaped dish. Delicately painted with chrysanthemum flowers, using palette colors of underglaze blues, overglaze reds, green yellow and grey. Raised moriage and incised white flower on white body. Good condition.

Provenance McIntrye Collection
Edo period, circa 1800s
Size: H 3 1/2" x W 5 1/2"

Indian Himalayan Copper Yoni Lingam ceremonial vessel for Holy water, Dates from the 17th - 18th century. Forged from hand hammered copper, a tier-shaped vessel with a navel on the interior. Placed on stand, the vessel has a dramatic sculptural presence with a patina showing its use and age. The Yoni (vulva) is the symbol of the Hindu God Shakti.

Dates 17th-18th Century

Size H 16" x W 8" x D 2.5" without base

Chinese antique white brass hand warmer with moveable handle. Reticulated lid with central Shou or Happiness design and with floral pattern cutout on cover. Oblong in shape. Good condition.

Circa 1900s Ching Dynasty

Size: 5" H (includes handle) x 5 3/4" W x 5" D

Chinese antique Yixing teapot with impressed geometric design around rim and on base. Lid also with impressed design. Good condition. Impressed maker's seal on inset bottom. Lid with small losses to inside rim. Ching Dynasty, circa 1860s>.

Collector's seal Qing Xuan.
Dates 19th century
Size: H 3 3/4" x W 6" x 3 3/4" Diameter

Japanese lacquer kogo incense container in Korin-style with rabbits gazing at the moon. One rabbit made of quail egg mosaic and the other of silvered lacquer sitting in the reeds. Square shaped container with mitered corners. Top with silvered moon. Tomobako with typed old labeling.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Size: 2 1/4"H x 1 5/8"W x 1 5/8"D

Japanese Negoro lacquer ritual server, dates from the 18th century with a spout from a bowl over a conical base, overall wear shows classic negoro red over black.

Berkeley Hills Estate
Dates from 18th century
Size H 6.75" x W 13" x D 9.625"

Chinese Black Monochrome porcelain Vase, beautifully rendered and dates from 19th century.

Provenance McIntyre Collection
Dates 19th Century
Size H 8"

Rare antique Chinese porcelain Robin's Egg Stem Cup with gilt edge to rim. Old restorations to hairline crack on rim.

Kangshi period (1661-1722)
Size: 4" High x 5" Diameter

Chinese Oxblood Monochrome Porcelain Vase with Kangxi inscription on base. Beautifully rendered with rich red tones and exact glaze flow pattern. Most likely 19th century or early 20th century.

Provenance Richmond East San Francisco Estate
Jingdezhen Inscription, early 20th century
Size H 6.25"

Delicate white porcelain vase wrapped with a baby dragon. This small monochrome has a delicate crackle pattern with a flanged lip.

Provenance Steve McIntyre Collection
Dates from the 18th /19th century
Size H 6.125"

Ming Dynasty Chinese Bronze Quanyin composed of two sections, a Lotus petal base with a detailed rendered religious figure on top. Condition is generally excellent with small repairs to one finger. The base is not original to the figure but is of same period.

Provenance Zelig Collection

Dates from Ming Dynasty c1600
Size H 12.25" x W 10.5" x D 6.5"

Chinese Antique Tomb Pottery Guardian Figure standing proudly on vanquished head of foe. Great modeling, wonderful pigment remaining on the figure.

Tang Dynasty (618- 947 AD)

Size: 22" High x 6 1/2" Width x 4 1/2" Depth.

From a New York Collector.

Chinese tomb pottery of standing guardian. Wonderfully modeled with flaming headdress, dragon form shoulders and breastplate armor, standing in relaxed pose atop vanquished foe. Expressive with bold expression, red pigment over white slip, black pigment on hair and face. Tang Dynasty (618-917 AD) Size: 22 1/4"High x 7 1/4" Width x 4 3/4" Depth. Signs consistent with age, old encrustation, restoration. From estate of a NY collector.

Chinese Antique Tomb Pottery Fat Lady with hollow body, modeled with upswept hairdo and pursed lips. Standing with right hand upheld. White slip on terra-cotta body. Old restorations. Tang Dynasty (618-917 AD). Size: 14" High x 4" Width x 4" Depth. Provenance from a NY Collector.

Charming Chinese Tomb Pottery Fat Lady with hollow body. Standing with hands demurely hidden by long sleeves. Floral design painted on flowing dress. White slip on body with black painted features and hair. Consistent signs of age.

Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)
Provenance New York Collector
Size 13 1/4" High x 4 1/2" Width x 3 1/4" Depth

Antique Gilt Bronze Himalayan Seated Diety of Kubera, lord of riches and wealth, holding mongoose spitting gold. Ornamented with crown headdress and jewelry with flowing robe on lotus throne. Pleasant face with well nourished pot belly. Base intact, sealed with cover with incised vajra design.

Size 5 1/4" High x 5 " Wide x 3 1/4" Depth
circa 1920s

Large Soapstone Quanyin dates from the 19th century , beautifully carved, with great detail. Rich rare dark green stone with interesting internal figures, great luster.

Provenance Vibroondej Collection
Dates 19th century
Size H 13.875" x W 7" x D 3.75"

Chinese antique blue and white underglaze porcelain serving container with spout on side. Ribbed body with bulb shaped pouring spout. Foliage design on today and floral design on spout. Small restoration to bottom.

Circa 17/18th century
Size: 5 1/2" High x 4" diameter.

Charming antique Chinese roof tile of horseman in colorful glazed costume riding a galloping horse. Harmonious glazed colors of turquoise, blues, green, mustard yellow, and browns used on the creamy body of rider and horse. Hollow body and mounted on a metal stand.

Circa late 19th century

Size: 10" H x 15 3/4" W x 3" D

An antique Chinese day bed made of Jumu (Elm) and woven rattan. Beautiful inset Marble behind auspicious carved symbols with a round medallion at the front end of the neck rest. The underside of the bed has a woven jute webbing used to support the rattan bed above. Two opposing drawers with bronze chrysanthemum backed pulls highlight the decorative wood carving front and center.

Circa Early 20th Century
Size: 28" High x 67" Wide x 28 3/4" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Kyoto Kasane Tansu (stacking chest on chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Kirinoki (Paulownia) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. All iron fittings are original and hand made. Two sliding Keyaki doors the top section open to a spacious storage area behind while a hinged door on the lower section opens to two small drawers.

Straight dovetail joinery construction using hardened wooden nails. Tansu of this configuration have become rare to find in Japan...

Antique Chinese large cloisonne censer. Standing on 3 legs, the round body of the censor has two large wing like handles, a tall neck, and is topped with a domed lid. 4 pierced characters around the lid allow for incense smoke and a seated fu-dog acts as a finial and lid handle. Everything but the fu-dog finial and parts of the side handles is covered with cloisonné enamel. The most dramatic portion of the design is the large fu-dogs amidst exuberant peony blossoms...

An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) made of Keyaki Burl (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Handmade iron fittings featuring the raised tea leaf design on the front corners of each drawer. Sliding doors with locking bar covering a book and business document storage area with shel while the hinged door covers 2 small drawers...

Antique Japanese Todana Tansu made from Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Originating in the Kansai region of Japan it features sliding doors covering a shelved storage area with 6 drawers...

An antique Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage chest) made of Kirinoki (Paulownia) wood. Hand made iron fittings with hardened wood nail and straight dovetail joinery construction. Opening the hinged door reveals two small storage drawers behind. Original age patina.

This chest was originally used in a Japanese home to store letters, documents, stationary and small keepsakes. In a contemporary home it functions well as a beside stand or a side table...

An antique Japanese alter tansu made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Sliding doors cover an area used to store religious books featuring decorative side cut-outs for ventilation. Multiple drawer configuration used to store alter fittings and accessories.

Age: Late Edo Period (1800-1868)

Dimensions: 29 3/8" High x 36" Wide x 14 3/4" Deep

Antique Japanese large lacquer document box decorated with a design of climbing clematis vines in full bloom. Gold maki-e lacquer with details in gold nishji lacquer on some of the leaves. All on a black lacquer ground. The sides of both the lid and body of the box are carved with a recessed area where reddish orange lacquer has been applied over a loose material, creating a woven texture. Hardware rings on the sides...

Antique Japanese lacquer suzuribako (calligraphy box) decorated with young pine shoots and a fruiting tachibana (wild orange) tree near a small stream. Gold maki-e lacquer on a dense gold nishiji ground. The underside of the lid has a continuing scene of the stream winding through rocks with sprouting bamboo in gold maki-e lacquer on a spars nishiji on black lacquer ground...

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Kurinoki (Chestnut), Keyaki (Elm)and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Sliding doors cover a spacious area where business books and documents were stored. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nails were used in the construction of this chest. Multiple drawers were used to store business stationary, writing brushes, money and business supplies...

Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box) decorated with a design of wildflowers that wraps around the sides of the box. Gold maki-e lacquer with fine detail and a mist of gold flecks on a black lacquer ground. The entire interior as well as the underside of the box is covered in a dense gold nishiji.

Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 1 1/4" H x 2" W x 2 3/4" L

An antique Japanese Mikuni Gyosho Bako (Peddler's Box) that originates from the Chūbu region of Japan. Made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress), and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nails complete this unique piece. Behind the hinged door lies 3 drawers and a storage shelf. The carrying handle atop the chest allowed for easy transport from place to place.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 24" High x 8 3/4" Wide x 11" Deep

Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box) with image of a crane standing on the bank of a lake or stream. Looking up at the crane from the swirling water, is an ancient turtle. A pine tree and fruit tree grow on the hillside behind the crane. Fine gold maki-e lacquer with dense gold nishiji on a black lacquer ground. The interior of the box is entirely covered in gold nishiji. The rim of both the bottom and lid of the box is edged in silver...

A Japanese Ko Tansu (personal storage Chest) made of Kiri (Paulownia) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Hand made iron fittings and hardened wooden nails were used in the construction of this chest.

Originally used in a Japanese home to store letters, documents, stationary, and small items, its contemporary use as a bedside stand or a side table adds functionality and elegance to any home.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 22 1/2" High x 21 3/4" Wide x 12 1/4" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section tall Isho Tansu (Kimono Chest) made from Kiri (Paulownia) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. Handmade iron fittings and sliding door handles that feature embossed Paulownia and Chrysanthemums. Side handles were used for transporting this chest.

The 2 sections allows this piece to be used as a stacked set or separated for use in different rooms of the home.

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 63 1/8" High x 35 1/4" Wide x 15 1/8" Deep

An antique Japanese 2 section Kiri Kasane Tansu (stacked chest on chest) with handmade iron fittings. Bottom section features a hinged door behind which houses 2 small drawers). The top of each lock plate displays a stylized Chrysanthemum while above each handle has a plum blossom Ue Atari (upper handle stopper).

Age: Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 43 1/2" High x 37 1/2" Wide x 18" Deep

Antique Japanese 2 Section Kiri Kasane (chest on chest) Tansu constructed entirely of Kiri (Paulownia) wood. Two full drawers on top section with 1 full drawer and a smaller drawer with hinged door hiding 2 small drawers on the bottom half. Traditionally used to store kimonos, obis, and textile accessories, its contemporary use includes a dresser drawer, linen cabinet or when separated used as side tables or bedside nightstands.

Two features to note: There lies a secret box hidden beh...

Antique Japanese large cloisonne vase decorated with a blossoming white hydrangea. Detailed flower petals with pale blue gradated centers and large leaves are rendered with great naturalism and contrast dramatically with a very smooth rose/taupe background. A band just below the mouth of the vase is decorated with a tiny, subtle leaf motif. Silver wire used throughout.

Meiji period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 14 1/2" high

Antique Japanese Choba Tansu (Merchant Chest) constructed of Keyaki (Elm), Hinoki (Cypress) and Kirinoki (Paulownia) woods. Horizontal slates on the sliding doors and sides of the chest make up the traditional design of this piece. It features side pull-up handles, Kakute drawer pulls and rectangular locking plates. Originally used by a shop owner, this chest was typically positioned in a prominent location of the store to showcase the success and longevity of the business. The tansu comes fr...

Antique Chinese bronze censer in the form of a horse. Gracefully cast with head bent toward the ground, ears forward and with a friendly expression The oval shaped top portion of his saddle is removable and has a pierced design on the seat where the incense smoke would have escaped. This is further emphasized by the cast design of swirling smoke on the horses saddle cloth.

19th Century
Dimensions: 10 3/4" long x 6 1/2" high

Antique Chinese rectangular bronze censer. Flanked on either side by standing figures of men holding rings and themselves functioning as handles. Each figure is cast in such detail as to highlight long curling hair, beards, and jolly expressions. The men wear flowing robes and jewelry in a manner which suggest they may represent foreigners of some sort. The bottom of the censer is cast with a 6 figure Xuande mark (1426-1435) however, bronze is most likely 19th century.

Dimensions:...

Antique Japanese small lacquer tebako (accessory box). Rectangular form with rounded edges and decorated with Chrysanthemums on the lid. The whole box is covered inside and out with a dense gold nishiji background. The rim of both the lid and the body of the box are edged in bronze.

Edo Period (18th century)

Dimensions: 2 1/8" high x 3 5/8" long x 3 1/8" wide

Antique pair of small bronze seated Qilin. Cast with heads facing upward and mouths open. Details of scales and striated tails. Each has a single horn. As scholar objects, it is possible that these were once used as scroll weights. Each Qilin stands on an antique carved hardwood stand.

Provenance Zelig Collection

16th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)
Dimensions: 3" high (bronze only) 4" high including stand x 3 3/4" long

Antique Himalayan tall yak butter lamp. Made of hand hammered copper with gilt bronze applied details depicting Buddhist auspicious symbols. The butter would have melted and burned for a measured amount of time depending on the size and the amount in the lamp. A small hole in the bottom of the cup would have held a sort of wick to provide a long lasting light. Overall repouse details are in great detail. Original patina.

Early 19th century (Circa 1810)

Dimensions: 8 5/8" ...

Antique Chinese bronze censer with oval form body, high neck and rounded rectangular mouth. Standing on four feet with heads of mythical creatures. A band with a swirling motif in low relief encircles the middle of the censer. The neck of the censer is also decorated with a wave motif in a band of low relief. The lid is pierced for incense smoke and topped with a sitting Qilin.

17th Century, Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)
Dimensions: 8" high x 5 1/2" wide x 4" wide

Antique Japanese kannon biraki isho tansu (chest on chest with hinged doors for storing clothing). Made with all keyaki (elm) wood on the front. Sugi (cryptomeria) wood on the sides and top. The top portion of the tansu has hinged doors which open to reveal two large drawers. The bottom section has two large exterior drawers and a safe box with a hinged door in the lower right hand side. Inside the safe box are three small drawers. Extensive iron hardware includes cross bracing and hinges ...

Antique Japanese low table made all of carved keyaki (elm) wood. The top is made of a single piece of dramatically grained wood with the edges carved to create a gnarled burl effect. The legs are also made of solid keyaki wood and carved with rounded feet. Original deep orangish red translucent lacquer finish.

Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 13 1/2" high x 71 1/2" long x 38" wide

Antique Chinese blanc de chine censer of a Qilin. Made of porcelain and glazed white, this Blanc de Chinese piece is from the Fujin Province of China. The Qilin sits on his haunches with his head turned over one shoulder. On the underside of the creature is an opening and two tube-like incense holders for joss (stick) incense. The smoke from the incense would have come up through the nose and open mouth of the Qilin.

18th century (mid 1700's)

Dimensions: 7" high x 7 1/2"...

Antique Chinese bronze water dropper in the form of a crawling baby. Cast in bronze with details of traditional baby clothing tied at the back of the neck. The baby crawls forward with one leg slightly bent, elbows on the ground and face forward. When submerged, water would have flowed into the dropper through he hole in the baby's back. Water could then be dropped out of the baby's mouth as needed to mix ink.

17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Dimensions: 4 3/8" lo...

Antique Chinese bronze incense holder for joss (stick or agarabathi) incense in the form of Laozi riding a water buffalo. Laozi is widely celebrated as the founder of Taoism and the author of Tao Te Ching, a significant treaty on Chinese cosmology. According to legend, Laozi left China for the west riding a water buffalo. In this small bronze incense holder, Laozi sits on the back of the animal, his robes flowing around him. As in traditional representations, he holds a scroll to his ch...

Antique Chinese bronze figure of a seated immortal. He sits with robes flowing out around him. He holds a ruyi scepter in his right hand and another round object in his left. Kindly expression and elongated earlobes.

17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Dimensions: 3" high

Antique Chinese small bronze scroll weight of a seated man. He is squatting on his heals with hands clasped together over his chest. Wearing flowing robes tied with a chord.

17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Dimensions: 2 1/4" high

Antique Chinese small bronze censer in the form of a recumbent qilin. Possible used as a brush rest or for burning incense. Open on the bottom, the incense smoke would have come up through the qilin's open mouth. Subtle details include incised scales and a single horn.

17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Dimensions: 3" high x 3 1/4" long

Antique Japanese gold lacquer inro with 4 compartments. Decorated with a scene depicting a cottage high in the mountains. On one side, a small stream meanders by a thatched roof building with doors opening to a garden surrounded by a low fence and opened by a tall gate. A large, blossoming plum tree stretches it's branches dramatically over the roof and a mist floats over the top of the scene. The other side of the inro depicts a churning river with ragged outcroppings of rock. In the dist...

Japanese inro with 5 compartments decorated all around with a scene of a mountain stream running down hill through rocks and low tree branches. On one side of the inro, the stream falls over rocks and continues on the other side of the inro in a striated current. Various trees including blossoming fruit trees and pines spring from the rocks. Pine saplings emerge from a gold mist in the foreground. Created with a fine raised gold maki-e lacquer technique and inlaid with gold metal flecks. T...