Calligraphy by the Joseon Dynasty's Last Prime Minister, Lee Wan Yong aka Ildang (1858 - 1926). He was prime minister of Korea in 1906 - 1910. Lee is Korea's most infamous traitor, the "Benedict Arnold of Korea", for signing the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910. Connoisseurs begrudgingly acknowledge his great talents as a calligrapher, but the disdain with which he is regarded keeps the demand, and thus the prices of his work very low. Mounted on sky blue silk...
Hanging scroll with image of the descent of the Buddha to welcome the souls of the deceased and accompany them to the Western Paradise. He is standing on a lotus on clouds and holds his hand in gebon josho. The mudra is the appropriate level for common citizens to be reborn in. Mineral colors and gold on silk. The garment exquisitely decorated in gold. Japan, late Muromachi or early Edo period, 16th century.
Image: 38 ¼ X 15 ¾ inches. Mounting: 84 ¼ x 21 3/8 inches...
Late 19c Chinese Blackwood or possibly Zitan wood brush pot in the classic style with smooth sides and a raised ring at mouth and bottom having 3 low standing low profile feet with drain hole in center bottom of pot. Carved from a single piece of wood, it still retains its original plug which is easily removed for drainage. In excellent condition commensurate with age, it measures 4-5/8" high x 4-1/8" diameter.
18th century stag antler netsuke of Kan no Koso with a long sword in one hand and a severed head of the slain dragon in the other. Kan no Koso is the Japanese name for Liu Bang, the founder and first emperor (Gaozu) of the Han Dynasty. Very strong early carving, great depiction of of his severe face, graceful flow to the lines of his robe, superb wear and patina...
1930's Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Buddha Happy Buddha Marked "朱茂盛造"
It is 8.1 inches (20.6 cm) tall by 9.6 inches (24.5 cm) wide. It is 3.5 Lb.
It has dark spots, skip glaze and surface wears and scratches (as seen in the photos).
Our Guarantee: We stand behind all of the items that we sell. That is to say, if you purchase an item from us and are unhappy with it for any reason, return it for a 100% refund of the amount you originally paid...
This is a very rare tattered boro textile with a lot of Japanese antique natural Persimmon astringent dyed brown and indigo dye hemp patched with sashiko stitches.
The vintage old cloth, which has been repaired and used many times and has faded, is a wonderful work of art in itself and can be enjoyed on both sides. You can easily decorate it on the wall or use it as a bedspread. Size: Length: 176cm (69.2inch) / Width :: 100cm (39.3inch)
Rare Chinese Neolithic Pottery Jar (Xindian)
This rare pottery jar was made around 3,000 years ago. Although we are not certain from which Neolithic culture it originates, it does have similarities to pottery of the Xindian Culture (c. 1200 - 500 BC). The surface colour of the pottery varies considerably due to uneven conditions in the kiln during firing. It a has a convex base with two wide loop handles and a castellated decorative band around both sides of the mouth...
A Philippined betel nut box. Silver inlaid decoration on bronze. Rectangular form with canted corners and conforming hinged cover over three comparments (two small side compartments, one with old lime residue, flanking one large central compartment also with hinged covers. All hinges held by wood pinning. Good condition. Length, not including the bale handles on each side, 6 7/8 inches (17.46 cm)
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo, and bird; engraved leaves and flowers at corners. Cover top has embossed slithering, scaly dragons with horns and talons in same frame; blossoming branches at corners. Ground stippled. Maker's mark for Guang Qing Yong. Very good condition with deep patina.
Dimensions: H 3 1/2 x W 6 1/4 x D 4 1/8 in. Weight: 18.4 troy ounces...
Japanese Kutani Porcelain Cup and Saucer, Ca. 1910, Meiji Period, 4 7/8" diameter-saucer, 1 7/8" high, 3 7/8" wide include handle-cup, very detailed design of Japanese garden and bird flying over in Orange and Gold on white background, highlighted with brilliant gold on orange background design. Artist or Studio signature with very stylish script in gold on the bottom. The condition is good.
A two section large antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) with front and sides made entirely of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood with Sugi (Cryptomeria) interior and Kiri (Paulownia) interior drawer sides. It features mitered through mortise and tenon joinery and side horizontal support ribs for additional strength, durability and visual elegance. Behind the two sets of large sliding doors are areas for spacious storage while the small sliding doors hide two small side by side drawers...
Early 19th century wooden netsuke of a lotus pod with 2 seeds that can move inside their sockets. Great early carving, dark dense fruitwood, himotoshi (cord opening) formed by the stem of the pod. Beautiful mellow patina from handling, in great condition. Pod diameter 1.66 inches.
Antique Tibetan gilt bronze figure of the Buddhist deity Kubera, lord of wealth, protector of the physical world. He lounges with piles of gold around him. In one hand he holds a mongoose, who is said to spit jewels. The mongoose shows rule over the Naga (malevolent snake people and guardians to vast treasure). Kubera is shown seated on his vehicle, a large beast atop a lotus pod throne.
Size: 19th century
Size: 2.5" W x 1.25" D x 2.5" H
These late 19th century Chinese Famille Verte ceramic bowls are 1 7/8” high and 5” in diameter. There are two green dragons chasing flame surrounded red globes on the outside the bowls. Inside the bowls, there is one globe with flames. There is an orange peach and lucky bat mark on the bottom of each bowl. Aside from some small hair line cracks due to their age and three tiny chips on one bowl due to the firing, they are in very good condition.
Pre Columbian Tripod Bowl With Mammiform, Rattle Supports - Atlantic Watershed Zone Period V, A.D.
Earthenware: Red Slip Paint - Costa Rica
Bowl with flaring rim and three large, mammiform supports. Size Dia 4.5" H 2.25"
A beautiful Nashiji (sprinkled gold flakes) ground lacquer Natsume, Tea caddy. It has an elaborate cartouche on the lid in gold makie, gold and silver on a chocolate lacquer background depicting a stylised landscape (mountain, hermitage river and boat).
3 cartouche on the sides in lozenge form in
heavy, raised lacquer; one with fishing hut among reeds and half moon; one with fish nets and seagulls and the last with seabirds on raised waves...
An antique Japanese Chobako (merchant box) made of Hinoki (Cypress) and Kiri (Paulownia) woods. All original hand forged iron hardware. Upper carrying handle and hinged door that hides 4 drawers of varying sizes used by a merchant to store writing paper, receipts, money and calligraphy brushes.
Age: Meiji Period (1880-1890)
Dimensions: 10" Wide by 12 1/4" High by 14 3/4" Deep
Antique Japanese woodblock print, framed oban diptych entitled "The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Provence" from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures" by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). In the scene, the strong-woman, Takashima Oiko leads Saeki Urinaga, the sumo wrestler home in order to strengthen him for an up coming match. Printer: Tsunajima Kamekichi.
Age: 1889
Dimensions: diptych print: 14" high x 19" wide...
Lovely large figural stele of Pavati, Eastern Java, Early Majapahit, c. 13th.-14th. cent. AD.
The figure is carved in grey-black Vulcanic rock with red iron-oxide patination.
In this sculpture the Hindu goddess Parvati, consort of Siva is represented. It was customary in Javanese sculpture of this period to identify local rulers with cult deities and it is possible that this image of Parvati is intended to represent a deceased east Javanese queen.
She is shown ...
An antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Hinoki (Cypress) woods. Original wiped lacquer technique finish and hand made iron hardware. The lock knobs feature a Plum Blossom design and the design of the handles is a straight Gumbai. Sliding side by side doors open to a spacious area where once merchant books and records were stored.
A rare feature of this chest are the hidden compartments under the four bottom side by side drawers. Under the center tw...
Japanese sake cup, well painted with Hyakunin or one hundred poets motif, late Edo or early Meiji. Red overglaze mark of Kutani, and possibly the name of the artist. Height "2¼/ 5,5 cm. Condition: fine.
Antique Japanese pair of silver shokudai or candlesticks Made of repousse silver with motifs of scrolling vines and chrysanthemums. The base and top of each candle stick is lobed in a lotus pod form with scalloped edges.
Meiji period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 8 1/4" W x 21 1/2" H
18 pages (9 double sides) of a Tibetan/Mongolian music manuscript
with YANG-YIG GRAPHIC MUSIC NOTATION.
Inks on paper. Good condition, finger marks to corners, stain across centre fold, each page 22 x 8.5 cm.
Undated estimated to be 19th century or earlier. In stiff paper binding.
Can be viewed in London and shipped worldwide.
Such texts would have been used as a mnemonic device by the master of chant. The type of graphic notation of the melody line goes back to the 6th century. It d...
A most unique pair of Chinese Pig Skin Trunks, obviously painted by a Japanese screen artist who made these wonderful decorative, rare creations, featuring a marvelous crane and flowers painted in the Japanese style. Late 19th to early 20th Century. 22w x 9.5h x 13.5d inches, 56 x 24 x 34 cm.
Antique Korean blue and white porcelain square water dropper, raised on 4 short L-shaped feet with artist's signature in cobalt blue on the base. Design of flowers on the top surface in cobalt blue underglaze.
Dates from the 19th century
Dimensions: 3.25" L x 2.5" D x 1.75" H
Chinese Blackwood and Natural gray Mottled Marble top round Stool/table, later part of 1800's, 18" high, 13" diameter, interesting design of open carved apron with X cross stretchers are connected to the curved legs and also stretchers in the lower area also strengthen the legs, no nails were used, very solid and heavy piece of stool, can be used as a table, there are some joint separation in the wood.
Antique 19th C rosewood sewing box with a ball bun foot at each corner. Padded top fits nicely and lifts off. Designed to be displayed on a table top, it is a solid piece measuring 6.5" high, 6.75" across, 5" front to back.
Japanese hardwood platform shelf for a tokonoma, a recessed art display area for a traditional tea ceremony room. Made with bold Keyaki (elm) hardwood with original dark lacquer finish. Original condition.
Dimensions: 54" L x 18" D x 9" H
Antique Japanese Iron Tetsubin (teapot). Detailed with flowers and landscape scenes. Wonderful condition with interesting lid signed by the artist.
Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)
Dimensions: 6 1/2" Wide X 5" High
Porcelain decorated with floral spray in the center and petal lappets with scroll on the exterior. Diameter = 30.5 cm. Periode : 15th- 16th Century Condition : a hairlines to the rim and free from restoration.
19th century Chinese silver hairpin with chased decoration of flowers, the leaves are enhanced with enamel, and with a Chinese hallmark of a Canton based workshop on the back. Made for Straits Chinese (known as Peranakan - persons of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage), lower grade silver, beautiful sharp work, some losses to enamel, overall in great condition. Length 3 7/8 inches.
Charming antique Chinese pewter gourd shaped container with labels on body. Diamond etched design with floral and shou symbols on banding. Stem lid cover. Makers manufacturing mark stamped on bottom.
Age: 19th century
Size: 6"H 3.5"D
Length:19.7 cm (8 in)
Width: 19.7 cm (8 in)
Height: 1.3 cm (0.6 in)
Chinese porcelain set of ‘lazy susan’ dishes; lotus scroll and flower decoration; minor frits; good condition
Mexican Pre Columbian Tlatilco Terracotta pregnant female body . Unique female fragment from an early culture c 1200bc-600bc. Tlatilco is noted in particular for its high quality pottery pieces, many featuring Olmec iconography. Tlatilco figures were known for their elaborate hair styles. Size 2.5 " by 2.25"
KURAWANKA SAKE FLASK
Japanese Hasami ware kurawanka*-type white porcelain tokkuri (sake flask), mid-late Edo period, mid 18th – early 19th century, approx. H 19.7 x D 10.5cm (7.75 x 4.13in). Characteristically calm and refined white texture with such pale blue-gray reflection. (Those photos are shoot in natural daylight.) Aged crack/chip at neck as is, but in practically and aesthetically usable condition.
*Reference: https://hotoke-antiques.com/kurawan...
Kobako in gold lacquer fundame in the shape of two joined shells, the interior and the bottom in nashi-ji lacquer. One of the two shells has a hiramaki-e decoration of gold lacquer and mura nashi-ji on a black background. It represents a landscape lit by the diffuse light of the moon, crossed by a river and animated by mountains and a valley dotted with trees and thatched cottages. White lacquer highlights for the moon and red lacquer to represent the leaves of a maple
Much apprecia...