This elegant cup is made of a burl and sits here very quietly. It is stunningly simplistic, no carving and just waiting to be grasped and used. It is probably a kind of brushwasher or a vessel for pouring water on to an inkstone. 19th Century
This tray was carved in the late 18th early 19th century. It is in the shape of a large lotus leaf. The leaf can be seen rising from the bottom of the tray to the top. Its edges are naturally carved to resemble the leaf curling in. The curling is quite uniform. To make a statement the unknown Qing carver placed a strong and active frog at one end: he is sitting, ready to pounce. His eyes are alive. The whole tray is elegant but also active. It was probably used by scholars or artists to lay b ...click for details
This is Jiao xiang, a sedan chair box. Used by scholar-officials to carry their documents and writing implements from post to post. This is NOT of a great wood, but today it is still a rare piece of furniture/scholar's art in Beijing. Probably made of elm. This is complete, good condition. Serviceable and very good lines. This box had been a bit rickety for a long time, I have simply had it put back in order: no wood needed to be replaced, so none was. I cannot source the missing brass p ...click for details
This is a small but elegantly and elaborately carved zitan small brushpot, or a vessel for holding various tools. Middle Qing. Excellent condition even as a few minor chips on the rim.
square not round burl small brushpot well joined feet at the bottom of each side good patina. Late 19th Century. Very good condition with one minor exception: some color missing on one side, like a bruise. Height is about 9 cm, each side about 6 cm.
This beautiful "tray" was used in the Qing dynasty by artists and scholars either to "dry" their brushes or as a palette for their inks. The rosewood is elaborately carved with insects associated with water, a prominent pair of beetles facing each other may be seen. They rest on a flat lotus leaf of 33 sections. It has been carved out at the petals. There are no discernible defects.
shaped like a large flower -- maybe a sunflower, this well carved brushwasher was probably done in the early 20th Century. Diameter 9 cm, height 2.5 cm
This is a zitan brushpot carved to resemble a section of a tree trunk, all very naturalistic. It is a "medium sized" pot. It is 12 cm high, 10.5 cm wide at the diameter. It is Mid-Qing, probably Qianlong. Very good patina, no cracks or chips, in excellent condition.
This is beautifully patinated drum shaped fitted round box. The patination is rich, the effect is a dark warm deep brown color throughout. The top and bottom fit together perfectly, this was carved from one piece of burl. Measurements to follow. A very beautiful round box for the scholar's studio.
