Circa 1850, an extremely rare water/medicine dropper figurine of one of the eight immortals, he is Lu Dongbin, usually identified wearing a sword on his back. Lu Dongbin is highly venerated throughout China, and many local shrines have been built in his honor. At first you would think this to be a ewer, but there is no lid, only a protruded side hole where the thumb is placed over it, to control the water flow...

This rare tortoise shell carved RuYi (scepter) is a mid-19th century product. It is 13 ½” long and 3 1/2” wide from the widest part (head of the scepter). There are fourteen cranes carved in relief flying in coiled lucky clouds. The pattern repeats and covers the entire handle and head. It is in excellent condition. More photos are available.

DESCRIPTION: The art of Chinese seal making developed from very ancient times. First seen as molded clay stamps, bronze seals then appeared in an embryonic form in the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600 BC – 256 BC). This pair of small bronze seals are an excellent representation of the early forms of Chinese seal making. The simple square seal pictured dates from the Han dynasty or earlier (206 BC – 220 AD), while the seal with a tortoise dates from the Tang or Song Dynasty (618-1279 AD)...

An unusual underglaze blue Chinese cricket jar with charming scenes of a scholar in garden settings. The condition is very good without chips, cracks, or hairlines. Dating circa 1900, it measures 5" across x 3.5" high.

DESCRIPTION: A handsome Chinese scholar's brush pot crafted from burl root and hollowed well to hold a number of brushes (pictured here with three quality brushes we also have listed). Its undulating form, texture and patina are striking to view, and its natural shape would have had great appeal to the Chinese scholar in his studio. Dating from the Qing dynasty, mid 19th C., this pot is in very good condition with a few inconsequential rim cracks; very solid and sturdy...

A simple one line Chinese calligraphy attributing to Chi Xizhao (1793-1866). The calligraphy reads: The pure jade harmonizing with the gold with the pure wind in the forest of treasure. The work is dated to year of the water boar (approximately 1863), mid spring. Chi Xizhao was a noted Qing Period poet. Chi Xizhao was a scholar of the xueshi rank during the Jiaqing period. This scroll originally was one of a pair.

A pottery stand was in knurled wood form.
It was well preserved with nice patina.
Width: 17.3cm.
Height: 12cm.
Date: 16th Century, Ming Dynasty.
A Cotton Box is Included.

This Chinese golden colored Sha-green is large by shagreen standards...it spans almost 7 inches at the longest point front to back, and stands just over 3 inches high. The top clearly has some scuffs and loss to the hide, which for me enhance the beauty of the box. The box is hinged at the back and the inside is lined with leather.

A Suanzi wood scholar tray was in rectangular form.
Decently preserved in nice patina, the wood tray was found on the reverse side with inscription attributed to an official of Japanese occupation district in China during World War Two.
During that periods, the Japanese invasion troops undertook the task of finding Chinese antiques back to Japan.
The tray was sent as a gift in great respect due to the excellent craftsmanship on the carving of the inscription...

19th century Chinese wooden brush rest carved in the form of a crouching dragon. Dense hardwood (must be wood species related to huanghuali), wonderful warm patina, old nicks, ink and water stains adding character to the piece. Clever functional design, very good object for scholar’s desk. Length 4 7/8 inches, height 1 5/16 inches.

Beautiful Chinese calligraphy scroll, adorned with gold flakes, with a signature by Chinese scholar and official Lin Zexu (1785-1850). Qing dynasty Size: (entire scroll) 79.5" height, 26" width (artwork only) 41" height, 20.5" width

Description:
An old wood carving was nicely preserved in warm patina.

Condition is perfect.

Height: 13.3cm

Date: 1920s. China.

DESCRIPTION: This Chinese scholar’s brush is a simple brush crafted from a mottled bamboo handle, very thick bristles, and a shaped, dark horn ferrule. The brush, dating from the early 20th Century, is in very good condition and would be perfect for display in a medium to smaller sized brush pot. DIMENSIONS: 9 5/8” long (24.5 cm).

19th century Chinese soapstone seal carved on the top with a Foo lion, its head down to the ground touching a ball. Very beautiful stone with extensive red veining giving extra depth to the carving - probably Shoushan soapstone. Very nice carving, beautiful patina and wear, the bottom is carved with raised characters, red seal paste in the grooves, the impression of the seal is shown on Enlargement 1. Extensive inscription on one side of the seal. Wonderful object for scholar’s table...

19th century Chinese scholar’s rock / brush rest in a form of a piece of malachite perfectly resembling a range of hills covered with green vegetation. Also resembles a snail or a traveling caterpillar, can be viewed from two sides. Shape and colors may suggest a characteristic Guilin landscape of limestone peaks. Excellent natural stone with pleasant patina, fixed in carved fitted rosewood stand. Wonderful object for contemplation on scholar’s desk. Height with stand 2 7/8 inches.

This antique pair of spectacles folds into the space of a single eyeglass for easy carrying. Lacking ear pieces, they rest on the nose, hence the name pince nez. The rims are tortoise shell.

Large, rectangular brush pot made from a dark bamboo wood. Each of its four sides has a large panel, carved skilfully with beautiful scenery. Adult and children figures are carved performing similar tasks, such as fishing over a bridge, with grass huts, rugged rock formations, large exotic trees bearing fruit, and beautiful architecture becoming the main focus of each panel. Each side is separated by a thin corner panel, carved with two serpents or dragons with vine-like bodies...

this old set of books was originally held together into a single volume with a cover.. The cover is now clearly falling apart and the books are all tied together with a leather cord probably done sometime in the 50's. Each volume covers a different aspect of law...civil, criminal etc... There is a very faded red seal on the front page...the photo of the seal has been enhanced to hopefully make it more readable... Lots of Chinese characters used throughout the text...