Rectangular kobako in gold lacquer fundame. The cover represents in hiramaki-e a Japanese castle, surrounded by majestic pines. The decoration extends on the edges of the lid and on the sides of the box. The interior and bottom are in nashi-ji lacquer.

Japanese castles (shiro) are constructions mainly made of stone and wood. They are perched on stone headlands. Their appearance coincided with the beginning of Japanese feudalism...

1800s, possibly earlier

The body is formed by a fairly thinly turned jade tube that is fitted with a turned hardwood plug for the base. The wooden bottom is visible on the interior base of the jade tube and it is turned to form a stand that compliments the simplicity of the jade form. The jade is slightly yellowish to pale celadon and has white veining on one side with brown inclusions on the other, creating patterns resembling clouds or a landscape...

A wonderfully well-carved jade, dating to the 19th century and done by hand. Most likely an attachment to a sword scabbard. Please examine the photographs as they are part of the description. This is not a modern piece, so often described as "Qing." This is the genuine article and is guaranteed to be such to the original purchaser.

Ca. 1800s or earlier

The stone is a creamy tone with pale russet flecking mainly seen on the back. A darker brown veining can be seen on the lower leg. It is carved overall, including the underneath showing one leg folded under. The polish is an even soft gloss like that produced from years of handling. Good condition, with no chips or restorations.

Length: 1 ¾ in., Width: 1 3/8 in., Height: ¾ in.

19C Chinese Carved Cameo Agate Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty Horse Scholar Jadeite Top Of rounded-rectangular form, carved on one side utilizing the darker markings with a prancing horse, and a squatting scholar on the opposite side. Jadeite stopper with horn collar. Size: 6.7 cm high, 4.9 cm wide, 2.7 cm thick Condition: minor texture hairline on the stopper collar, otherwise in excellent condition

Arabic manuscript on vellum, inscriptions in Arabic and Persian in light brown ink, tabulated formulae of magical power. Ayat al-kursi, the Throne verse written within the loops, a lion with the rising sun emblem. Framed. 48 x 43 cm.

1800s or earlier

The stone is of a mottled celadon to a pale creamy tone. The interior well appears to have originally been covered in lacquer, with some remnants still visible. The stone retains a soft polish and patina from handling. The round base is slightly raised and the piece fits very very nicely in the hand. Good condition, no chips or cracks.

Diameter: 2 ½ in., Height: 1 ½ in.

2 different hand coloured lithographs signed David Wilkie 1841. The Sheik of Lebanon and The Nativity. Double mounted and in traditional frames under glass. Image size 40 x 30 cm, overall size 65 x 54. Old labels on reverse from The Fine Art Soc. Further images on demand,

A rare and unusual archaic style Jade carving in the form of a "double bird" You. There is a late Shang dynasty bronze You of similar form, described as a Xiao You (Owl You) in the collection of Shanxi Museum, Shanxi Province. This item was exhibited in the Royal Academy, 1973, and can be seen on page 72 of "The Genius of China" (ISBN 0 7230 0107 3)...

Wonderful wooden pipe case and tobacco pouch. The pipe case contains the original pipe, made of paktong and bamboo. The pouch in the shape of Daruma,made of softwood and boxwood with inlaid mother of pearl eyes. Dimensions: pipe case L. 23 cm, the pouch H. 10,5 cm, W. 7 cm. Condition: excellent. Age: Late Edo, first half 19th century.

Antique Tibetan kapala, or human skullcup, with a beautiful bronze stand. In Tibet, it was considered a great honor to have one's cranium turned into a kapala, which would be used for religious purposes. Kapalas are used in the Hindu Tantra and Buddhist religions. The skull itself is very old and is lined with nickel. The bronze stand has a beautiful lotus design, skulls going all around, the image of a kneeling worshipper, and hoof shaped feet. Stand is 18th century...

Mongolian/Tibetan drawing of a REFUGE TREE Early 19th century. It has a blind stamp with Russian text. Overall size 48 x 37 cm. Old folds and stains and has the particular smell of burnt Juniper that characterises Mongolian manuscripts...

Pair of Twin Circular Screens made from Translucent Jade, with applied Black Jade, White Jade, Nephrite Jade, Agate, Carnelian, Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Coral and more, carved into multiple compositions of flowering plants on rock formations with hovering butterflies. The carved circular Jade Disks rest on carved wood stands. Each carved jade disk measures 12 inches.

Excellently preserved original condition.

This small 19th century Chinese carved nephrite cup is 3 ¼” long 1 ½” high and 1 ¾’ on its widest part. The cup was carved to look like an old bronze vessel. A dragon (or beast) head is carved on the top of the handle and belt like “Ru Ding” design encompasses the entire body. Aside a tiny indentation on its rim, it is in great condition.

1800s

This semi-translucent stone is carved in high relief on the bottom in the form of a lotus leaf with pods and buds and stems. It is jade-green in areas and almost clear in others and it shows the numerous flaws running through the stone typical of so-called green quartz (actually fluorite). There are numerous chips and losses around the rim edges...

1700s / 1800s

Even, whitish celadon tone, intricately pierced and carved on both sides with a scene of a daoist immortal rowing his log craft over the waves. A crane flies overhead symbolizing wishes for longevity. The raft terminates in a pine tree. The pine tree along with a flower basket in the center, are symbols of one of the eight immortals, Lan Caihe. This plaque was original intended to be used as a pendant ornament...

Two 19C Chinese White Jade Jadeite Hairpins The tapered white jade hairpin is carved with a dragon head. The other jadeite one terminates in a scroll and is carved with a shou-symbol. Size: Jade hairpin: 15.4 cm long Jadeite hairpin: 12.7 cm long Condition: Excellent

Imari ware soba choko from the mid-Edo Period (1600-1868). Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue painting of "houzuki" (Chinese lantern plant), a very unusual and delightful pattern among soba choko.H.5.5cm, Dia.8cm.