Primitively carved molave hardwood mortar from the Philippines. This container would have been used for food preparation for grinding grain. It has an interesting wooden handle that gives this piece an unusual character. The bottom of the square bowl is worn through with years of use.

19th Century

Size: 18" wide 16" deep 16" tall.

This antique copper reposse gau houses a picture instead of a clay tsa tsa which was common for a family gau. when the family could afford to do so, the picture would be replaced by a clay tsatsa. Curiously, this gau also houses 2 amulets, which were typically provided by a monk. The paper is very old and I am told it is bad Karma to unfold the amulet...

Big "Tunkou" of Kaishan, he who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Tunkou or "Mouth who swallows" the demons, the bad spirits; terrifying mask for hanging on the Nuo temple's door or above the main altar...

Nuo mask of Tang Shi Tai Po, venerable Tang lady, the Guardian of the peach tree (the peach of immortality); identifiable because she has the" fat face" of the Tang court ladies; backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?); 22x14 cms, end of 19th C. Hunan. (see bibliography)

Very old Nuo mask of Bao Gong, Judge Bao, wearing his characteristic and beautiful hat with a kind of knot. Judge Bao is an historical character who lived during the Song dynasty and became the model of justice and integrity...

A rare Kashmir teapot with hinged lid standing on three small feet. The metal base, here copper or bronze, was first engraved with special tools to create the design in relief, the grooves were later filled with glass and then embellished with additional engraving and shiny gilding. This technique is called in India "meena" or "meenakari" and was first applied by the Mughal. With a small handwritten note explaining its provenance. Dimension: 20.8 cm long, 14 cm high, weight: 688 g.

Beautiful antique Korean pottery vase with gray glaze, dark-blue etched markings, and crackle on the neck and body, beautifully shaped. Period: 19th century. Size: 9" height and 6.5" diameter.

Elegant Chinese famille rose enameled porcelain vase, trumpet neck above a tapering body. Decorated with pink and lavender peonies and fruiting vines. Qianlong mark (1736-1795), but I believe 19th century. Size: 9 3/8" height, 3.25" diameter.

A very old 18th/19th C. Chinese blue and white plus copper red snuff bottle with a fisherman and people motif, in excellent condition without spoon. H:6.5cm Signed. $225 Sold

Chinese Peking glass brush washer in the form of a lotus blossom in pink and white glass with green foot in the form of a curling lotus leaf, unusual and beautiful shape - round with slight gourd shape. Republic Period. Size: 2.25" height and 3.5" diameter.

Ming blue and white dish decorated with double "KUI" Dragon at the center. 32,5cm diameter. Good condition. Cracled glazed.

Song dynasty longquan celadon dish decorated with molded twin fish at the center. covered with nice bluish green celadon glaze. 20 cm diameter. Dish has two chipped at the back side, but still look nice from the front.(please see on the picture)

Nuo mask of the Fish Eater; extremely rare character; good condition; remnants of pigments, backside scratched (for ritual purpose ?). 26x14 cms. 19th C (see bibliography)

Nuo mask of Kaishan, He who "Opens the mountain", clears it; God of mountains with a terrifying face (horns, fangs) who leads the procession during the ceremony organised for the clearing of a new field or building of a new rice field; his fierce face is intended to repulse the bad spirits (and the dangerous wild animals?).
Very old and heavy hardwood mask; 2 fangs and 2 growing horns, tongue, big bulging eyes and big nose; traces of old pigments, very good condition (1 crack on the back...

Big and rare golden protection mask of Da Jiangjun, the" Great General", for hanging usually near the door, for protection against evils or bad spirits.
Rare representation with a very elaborate headdress (upper part missing); remnants of old pigments; ancient indigenous restoration on both sides (see photos). 31x20 cms. Jiangxi, 18th or 17th C, Ming? RM 181,184,189; MC 184 (see bibliography)

Pair Chinese Rose Quartz hardstone carved Foo Lions on carved hardwood stands, 19th century, 3 3/4" high with stand and 2 3/4" high without stand, 3 1/4" wide, 2 1/4" deep, with open mouth. There are some natural grains and infusions on the tail and head area. Round hole on the bottom and also on the stand, and tiny chips on the front paw area.

This very well carved Japanese ivory okimono is a mid-19th century product. It is 5 3/8″ high, 2″ wide and 1 1/2″ thick. It depicts a standing fisherman with a big smile because of his catch. The happy fisherman is wearing a straw apron and carries a small bag. His left hand holds a wood paddle and a string of three fish, his right hand holds a basket of sea weed. A large basket with fish and shell fish sits at his side...

This carved ZiTan (紫 檀) hard wood Bitong (brush holder) is an early 20th century product. ZiTan is a species of Pterocarpus native to India. Chinese love the quality and hardness of the wood; therefore, they use it to make expensive items. The brush holder is 6 1/8” high and 4 1/4” in diameter. Carved in deep relief, it depicts Nan Ji Xian Weng (南 極 仙 翁) or Shou Xing, Shou Lao...

From our Chinese Monochrome Collection, a fine carved jade image of Guanyin, late 19th- early 20th century, depicting the deity with a wonderful serene expression in a variation of Royal Ease mudra while sitting upon a rockwork base, and cradling a ruyi sceptre in her right arm. The jade is of pale olive tone with russet colored highlights and is rather substantial in heft, weighing almost 1.4 pounds.

Size and Condition: 5 inches tall, 4 1/4 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches thick...

Antique Japanese red over black lacquer low table with negoro finish. It is decorated with incised scrolling leaves and floral design, scallop legs, circa 1910. It measures 35.5" wide 35.75" long 13.25" tall.

Hardwood Nuo mask, big and heavy, representing an unidentified character with a very serene expression. Coat of red lacquering on plaster, long gone around mouth and nose (the red color is generally used to indicate courage, loyalty and devotion).
Very good condition (a few little chips on the back along the edge), very nice inside patina; 26x17 cms. Beginning of 19th C, Hunan. (see bibliography)

Nuo masks of Tudi Gong and 2 Xiaopo. 2 Xiaopo: small masks for children. Very humorous set of 3, beautiful craftsmanship and nice backside patina.
Tudigong: the "God of soil" and grains, essential in an agrarian country. He is the main actor in Wunuo cult, usually represented with a smiling face, and long eyebrows and beard often missing or replaced later; when missing, we can see holes where the hair was fastened. Chinese character for "happiness" on the cap...

Antique Chinese pale cream glaze monochrome eight sided porcelain vase. The glaze suffused with a matrix of fine contrasting dark and fine lighter crackles, inside and out, including the base. Period: 18th century, Qing Dynasty. Size: Height 6.25"

Beautifully shaped antique Chinese monochrome porcelain vase, ox-blood glaze. White rim with ox-blood stripe. Imperial Guangxu mark (1875-1908) Size: Height 7.875"

Antique Chinese monochrome porcelain Langyao vase with dark peach bloom glaze with white rim. Period:19th century Size: Height 3.5"

A vintage Chinese Zitan wood stand from late Qing Dynasty. Fair antique condition with cracks, small chips and repairs. Please see enlargements for details. 7-3/4"w X 7-3/4"w X 5-7/8"h.

Pair of antique Chinese monochrome porcelain vases. Ox-blood glaze with white rim. Period: 19th century, Qing Dynasty. Size: Height 7.625"

Lovely antique Chinese monochrome porcelain small vase, ox-blood glaze. Imperial Guangxu mark (1875-1908) Size: Height 3.75"

Chinese monochrome porcelain brushwasher, ox-blood glaze with white rim and underside. Period: 18th century Size: Height 3", Diameter 3.75"

This rare carved jade archaic burial ornament is 4 7/16” long, 1 11/16” high and 3/16” thick. It was carved on both sides. It depicts a stylized beast with small wings, a small long tailed beast is hanging on its body. It has a very nice patina, especially on its tail. It is in great condition.

This jade (jadeite) pendant is 2 3/8” long, 1 3/4” wide and 5/16” thick. It is an early 20th century product. It is carved on both sides as a carp with lotus leaf and some small unknown flowers. It was designed and carved in an ingenious way, using the green part of the stone as the carp and the white translucent part as the lotus leaf. It is in great condition.

Silver cocktail shaker with strainer and detachable cap. Embossed decoration of a dragon and a round cartouche with monogram on a shagreen simulating ground. Base marked "Nanking", mark of the Nanking Silver Store in Shanghai. Condition: the cap with one, the foot and beaker's rim with small dents. Dimension: 26.2 cm high, diameter: 10.7 cm, weight: 406 g.

Beautiful small dish covered with white glaze. Unglaze base. Song Dynasty. Width = 13.1 cm Condition : perfect

Beautiful foliated small dish covered with white glaze. Unglaze base. Song Dynasty. Width = 13.1 cm Condition : perfect, mint

Exceptional Chinese highly carved cabinet made entirely of solid Huanghuali wood, carved with vases and flower arrangements, scrolling vines and key fret motif, two compartments closed with cabinet doors, three small drawers in the middle. Republic Period.

Size: 76.75" height x 35.375" length x 15.75 deep.

This hand painted blue and white statue of standing Hotei is a Taisho period (1912~1926) product. It is 6 ¾” high, 4” wide and 3” thick. In Japanese or Chinese culture, Hotei (Budai in Chinese) is an immortal who is always shown smiling or laughing and carrying a huge cloth bag. This porcelain Hotei is holding a wood stick in his right hand so he can carry both his huge cloth bag and a fan. His left hand is holding a round pot. His body is the only part unglazed...