Chinese Song to possibly Yuan dynasty brown glazed stoneware jar with horizontal ribbed body moulded in high relief with a dragon chasing the pearl of wisdom. The glaze stops above the unglazed foot. 6 7/8” high. Circa 12th/13th century. Very good overall condition with a barely visible old break to the horns (see closeup image). The lighter areas on the surface of the glaze are burial encrustations...
Late Meiji (1890s - 1910s) Japanese bamboo wrist rest used by painters and calligraphers, with low relief carving of an iris flower about to bloom and cursively written poem. Beautiful subtle piece, superb quality carving, rich warm patina, in excellent condition. Wonderful object for a scholar’s desk. Size 6 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches.
During the Qing dynasty, carved wood blocks were used to produce the ancestor portraits which decorated the homes of many Chinese families. The Chinese translation of the term "ancestor Portraits" can be misleading to Westerners. These were not portraits of the particular family's ancestors. They were portraits of various Chinese officials, emperor, empress, etc. for whom the family wished to show respect and or allegiance...
19th century Chinese bronze brush rest / scroll weight in a form of two reishi fungus (the Fungus of Immortality) heads with stems. Wonderful clever design and casting, pleasantly heavy, beautiful patina, old collection number on the underside. Excellent piece in scholar’a taste. Length 3.13 inches.
This Chinese carved bamboo brush rest has traditional dragons chasing pearl and cloud motif. The background shape is the 5 mountains and the rim of the mountains have carved ridges. The piece measures 3.5 inches high and 6 inches across. The natural curve of the bamboo allows the piece to stay upright, and the piece remains balanced on the 1/2 inch thick bamboo. Condition is very good.
This antique toggle was sourced from China. I suspect that was originally from Tibet. The carved circular markings on bottom of 2 of the sides of the toggle are more typical of the ethnic minorities.
Toggle is almost 2 inches long and .5 inches x .5 inches.
Chinese Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) pottery jar with splayed neck and everted rim covered overall with an iridescent green lead glaze. Characteristic kiln support remnants are on the base and mouth. 5 1/2" high x about 5” diameter. Very good overall condition. Three kiln kisses are on the side of the jar. This jar is from an Arizona collection. It was purchased in 1996 from Lam’s Gallery in Hong Kong.
Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) featuring two beauties from Act 5 of "Chushingura e-kyodai" (Matching Pictures of Chushingura) dated 1859. "Chushingura" is also known as the "Tale of the Forty-seven Ronin." The censor's seal and the seal of the publisher, Moriya Jihei, are at the bottom of the print. The signature of the artist (signed "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow) is located at the bottom left corner...
A large, highly decorative, antique Chinese wall vase which shows a jar, with a frontal clock and two rams heads, that is filled with lotus flowers, leafs, pods and buds. The vase and its contents are potted from non-porcelain pottery clay and fired at a low temperature. The front of the vase is colored with over-glaze enamels. The back is not glazed and has one hole for hanging it on a wall...
A beautiful late 19th C. Chinese thin wall famille rose porcelain vase with plum tree flower motif, in excellent condition. H:21cm $225
Late Qing Dynasty (1890s to 1911) Chinese / Tibetan mala - Buddhist rosary consisting of 108 wooden beads and 4 jadeite ones that serve as spacers dividing the prayer beads into groups of 27 each. Dark dense wood, beautiful green jadeite. Traditionally Buddhist rosary of 108 even-sized beads is used for mantra recitation. The thread represents the continuity of the buddhadharma piercing the 108 worldly passions...
This antique sutra book is from Tibet...
more pages than I want to count, original paper, writings and covers...
size 6 inches x 2 x 1.5
Japanese Cedar and Pine wood Writer's Box with Black Iron handle, hinges, and drawer pulls, Ca. early Meiji period, 19th C., 7" high, 11" deep front to back, 5 1/2" wide. Large open space under the hinged top is for storing Scholar's utensils. Push the small button on the side lock compartment to lift up the top. Two(2) drawers have black iron ring pulls. The condition is good, no damages. The black finish is original.
This is an attractive bronze spear dating to circa 300 BC. It is a Dong Son Culture piece. There is some pitting to the bronze but the metal appears solid and stable with no signs of repair. It measures 240mm and weighs 142 grams.
19th century Edo period Japanese sword bronze kashira (metal pommel at the end of the hilt of a sword) with inlaid silver decoration of 2 cranes in flight. Wonderful design in Japanese taste, beautifully made piece, excellent crisp work with gilding to their claws, in great condition. Length 1.35 inches.
Late Meiji (1890s - 1910s) Japanese bamboo wrist rest used by painters and calligraphers, with low relief carving of blooming peony bush. Beautiful subtle piece, superb quality carving, rich warm patina, in excellent condition. Wonderful object for a scholar’s desk. Size 6 13/16 x 2 1/2 inches.
22 inches long and a century of hard use but the tip is clean and sharp. I suspect a skilled carpenter could still use this old Chinese drill to build a cabinet or post and beam house. Personally, I am so thankful for electrical tools.
A massive sub-rectangular seal with high handle and perforation, in black large grained stone, Halaf period, 6th. millenium BC.
The seal is beautifully engraved with a leaf design with a central line and diagonal strokes off it.
Size: 38-39 mm...