Antique painting of a scene from one of the poems in the Kokin Wakashu or "Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times", dated from the Heian period (794-1185 AD). It was invented and published by Emperor Uda and his son, Emperor Daigo in the year 905, and was compiled by four of their court poets: Ki no Tsurayuki, Ki no Tomonori, Oshikochi Mitsune, and Mibu no Tadamine...

Finely moulded and carved white glazed porcelain bottle, dcorated with sheep. Signed : Wang Bingrong, Jingdezhen Kilns, c. 1820 - 1860. H : 7, 7 cm. Porcelain stopper. Condition : Perfect. Pronenance : Old German family estate.

Korean antique Buddhist Sutra text with cylindrical reliquary, the reliquary is made of gilt copper repouse with a figure incised on one side, the contents of the cylinder has been laid out flat for display in a plexiglas stand, one side is a flat rectangular gilt metal section with raised characters of buddhist text and praying figure on the left, the other side of the display has a similar rectangular section of raised Buddhist text and two figures on silver, dates to about 11th to 13th ...

Antique Japanese print depicting the founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism, Kūkai (774-835). He was a famous calligrapher and engineer who invented the kana, syllabic Japanese scripts used in the Japanese writing system. In his hands he holds a vajra, a ritualistic weapon representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power, and prayer beads...

Ca. late 1700s

The exterior of this bowl is painted overall in famille verte enamel colors of predominantly greens, with some yellows, blue, aubergine, iron-red and black. Three cartouches of people in a landscape setting are surrounded by various flowers on a dotted background that is covered overall in a pale green transparent enamel glaze. The interior is glazed white. The footring is glazed white with the foot unglazed to expose the dense porcelain body. The base is recessed and glazed...

The group of small porcelain items known as "toys" is composed of scent bottles, bonbonnieres, etuis, and seals. These were produced from the early years of Chelsea through to the Chelsea-Derby period. (The most comprehensive work on these items is "The Chelsea Porcelain Toys", by G.E. Bryant, published in 1925.)

Seals were carried by members of the upper class and used to imprint a uniquely identifiable mark in the wax used to sign or secure documents or letters...

Beautiful antique painting of a scene taken from the Japanese novel The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), written by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period (794-1185 AD). The painting depicts chapter 4, in which Genji, 17 at the time, goes to visit his old wet-nurse, Koremitsu ,who had fallen ill. He notices some moonflowers growing in the adjacent yard, and he orders his servant to pick one...

Antique round bronze suiban, a shallow tray or bowl to be filled with suiseki or viewing stones, as well as sand and bonsai, signature on the bottom, 19th century. Size: 3.5" height, 12" width

Antique ukiyo-e style woodblock print by artist Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III (1786-1865), of a samurai warrior blocking the strike of another warrior's sword with his own. He has very detailed undergarments in mesh-patterned blue with light pink flowers, a black and white robe with jagged designs and red trim with a blue obi, and a red headband, with his hair styled in a traditional chonmage...

Mask of the "Nuo" esoteric theater representing the character of Heshang, the Buddhist monk, with very expressive features. The mask was carved on wood, then paper was affixed all over its surface, on which polychrome pigments were painted. China, early 19th century, probably earlier. Height: 9 13/16" (25 cm). The mask is nicely mounted on a custom metal stand. Paper partly flaked, and consequently the colors, otherwise very good condition.

14th century
Yuan – early Ming dynasty
Porcelain with Longquan celadon glaze
D: 36 cm, H: 8 cm
From a Philadelphia, PA collection

A classic Longquan celadon charger of the 14th century, with a typically fluted cavetto and incised floral center, and the base with an exposed ring fired to reddish orange. Its glaze is a rich and creamy olive green, unbroken by the kind of crazing seen on later Ming Longquan wares...

Ca. 1800-1850, 19th century
Mid-Qing dynasty
Yixing stoneware with famille rose enamels
W: 20.5 cm, L: 17.5 cm, H: 5.8 cm (without stand); 8.7 cm (with stand)
From a Seattle, Washington estate

An elegant early 19th c. Yixing zisha jardinière, formed in a classical circular “narcissus bowl” shape, and decorated with famille rose enamels. Against a blue enamel ground are matching sets of calligraphic verses...

Ca. 1850 – 1900, 19th century
Late Qing dynasty
Porcelain with overglaze famille verte enamels
D: 25.8 cm, H: 10 cm
From a Vero Beach, Florida estate

A late Qing famille verte large bowl, decorated with scenes from the life of a successful imperial examinee, along with landscape illustrations framed by peach cartouches, all against a butterfly and floral ground...

A beautiful 19th C. Chinese famille rose porcelain large size basin in excellent condition. D:29cm

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a samurai warrior in a crouched pose, one sword on his hip and one in his hands. He wears a blue and red kimono and he has a traditional chonmage hairstyle. Framed behind glass. The back of the frame lists artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864). Size: (entire frame) 21.75" height, 17.25" width (artwork only) 14.25" height, 9" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a man wearing a white kimono with designs of black bamboo shoots, a black apron, and black lacquered geta (footwear). Artist Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1905), pupil to Kunisada. Set behind glass in a large frame, with artist and publishing information written on back. Size: (entire frame) 22.5" height, 17" width, (artwork only) 14" height, 9" width

Relics of the nile is pleased to present this interesting and large ancient Egyptian alabaster offering table. The table remains in good condition restored from large fragments. The alabaster features a nice marbled pattern and looks brilliant under the light. The table would have originally been used to hold various offerings such as unguents and food to be used in the after life. The table is very large and measures 14.5" in diameter and forms an impressive display...

Ca. 1850 – 1900, 19th century
Tongzhi – Guangxu period, Qing dynasty
Porcelain with overglaze famille rose enamels
D: 22.7 cm, H: 16.1 cm
From a Carmel, CA estate

A large late Qing yellow-ground famille rose covered box, gorgeously decorated in famille rose with a mature peach tree rising from a rock amongst rolling waves. Large famille rose boxes such as this one were popularly used to hold cakes and treats during celebrations...