Antique Japanese scroll painting depicting a dragon in clouds. In his left-hand claws, he holds the flaming hoju, the wish-granting pearl. Storm clouds billow below him. Painted in sumi ink on silk with details in white and gold ink.
Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: total size of scroll 75" high x 10 3/4" wide (12 1/4" wide including rollers). Size of art: 45 1/4" high x 9 3/8" wide
Rare Chinese hat in silk, silver and gold kesi. Built like a melon with 6 pieces of sewn kesi. The ponpon is original in silk and silver.
Excellent quality the points are tight and thick for more strength. The decor is extremely rare, it is made up of assembled cubes. From memory I remember having seen on an imperial porcelain a similar cubic decoration, it was specified that they were stylized dragons...
Antique Chinese bronze censer (incense burner) in the form of the tripod vessel Li Ding with cover and rosewood stand, Ming dynasty (first half of the 17th-century)...
Kobako in the rock shape in gold lacquer fundame. The interior and underside of the kobako are in nashi-ji lacquer. The cover is decorated in hiramaki-e with a mountainous landscape on a gold background. A river crosses the mountains, bordered by pines, rocks and thatched cottages. Leaves and flowers enhanced with red adorn the sides.
Kobakos (“little boxes”) are often adorned with harmonious decors and sceneries inspired by Japanese fauna and flora...
Antique Chinese bronze censer with oval form body, high neck and rounded rectangular mouth. Standing on four feet with heads of mythical creatures. A band with a swirling motif in low relief encircles the middle of the censer. The neck of the censer is also decorated with a wave motif in a band of low relief. The lid is pierced for incense smoke and topped with a sitting Qilin.
17th Century, Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)
Dimensions: 8" high x 5 1/2" wide x 4" wide
Japanese early 20th century vase by Sasaki Niroku. The vase is done in the shape of a well bucket with crab on the side. The piece is done in fine detail and very realistically. The vase TOMOBAKO, or original artist signed wooden storage box. The piece measures 9" tall, 6" wide and 6 3/4" deep.
The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: "As a pastime ― bringing clumsy, fragile things to sell ― at Uruma Market ― how lonely!" A very significant poem as it conveys a bit of irony; for the Edo period nun who inscribed this poem would go on to create a legacy of art, beauty, and philosophy that endures even today...
Antique Japanese musha-ningo (samurai doll) of the Empress Jingū-kōgō (Okinagatarashi-hime no Mikoto 170 - 269). The wife of the 14th sovereign, Chuai, Jingū ruled as empress-regent after her husband was killed in battle in 200 A.D. Considered the 15th Japanese imperial ruler, she lead an invasion of "the promise" land (believed to be the Korean Peninsula). After 3 years away, Empress Jingū returned to Japan, surviving a ship wreck...
Young boy in cast bronze. The subject is treated with breathtaking realism, thoughtful expression, body movement, everything is perfect and announces one of the greatest artists of his time. Examination of the fishing rod confirms this. Indeed this rod is so thin that it could not be cast, it was made patiently with a file starting with the thin end. It is movingly realistic with the knots and twists of growth. It is extremely fragile because bronze is a brittle metal...
Large Japanese antique bronze vase with mixed metal overlay of resting geese, with incised etchings of reeds and rippling water. Beautifully rendered in silver, copper and gold. Signed with cartouche.
Meiji period-19th century
Size: 18" tall, 8.5" wide
Extraordinary stunning Japanese robe of purple woven asa (hemp), with gold woven through in striations and bold gingko leaf design. The suou is the traditional kimono once worn during ceremonies by the samurai during the Muromachi period (1392-1573).
As styles of fashion evolved latter around the 17th century onwards, the suou became in important costume worn by the actors of the noh and kyogen theaters. Today the suou is still used in Noh and Kyogen, and with the Shrine maidens...
Chinese Bronze vase from the Qing Dynasty C. 1700's
The Qing dynasty, officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by a Tungusic-speaking ethnic group who became known as the Manchus.
Age: 18th Century
Dimensions: 15 1/2" High x 10 1/4"
Antique Japanese hangai tansu (captain's chest for business transactions). Two door panels outfitted with heavy iron work set into the frame and open to reveal five drawers on either side. The exterior frame of of the box is made of sugi (cryptomeria - Japanese cedar) while the drawers are made of kiri (paulownia) wood. The exterior has square iron handles while the interior has iron warabite shaped drawer pulls...
Antique Korean painting, very tall and narrow, of a pair of phoenix birds, one occupying the upper portion of the painting and the other one on the bottom. The lower phoenix emerges from water as shown by a blossoming lotus. The rest of the space surrounding both birds is filled with robust peony blossoms of different color. Painted in rich mineral colors on paper. Later put into a custom lacquered wood frame.
The magical phoenix is called Bonghwang in Korea...
Japanese late 19th or early 20th century bronze OKIMONO of a ram done in the style of Imperial Court artist, ISHIKAWA KOUMEI or MITSUAKI. The ram is done in fine detail. The OKIMONO is signed on the bottom by the artist, KOUMEI. The OKIMONO measures 10 1/4" wide, 7" deep and 7 1/8" tall.
An antique Japanese Kyoto Mizuya Tansu (kitchen chest) in 2 sections made of Keyaki (Zelkova), Hinoki (Cypress) and Sugi (Cryptomeria) woods. All original hardware including bronze sliding door handles and hand forged iron drawer pulls. The full moon theme follows the round upper sliding door handles and the drawer pulls. There are five horizontal and five vertical drawers for organizing storage with spacious storage behind the sliding doors...
The cup on foot was turned in 2 parts, the bowl and the foot, then were assembled with slip clay, you can see the trace of the assembly covered by translucent glaze on the photo. The decoration is underglaze in a pretty luminous cobalt blue. It represents a dragon with 4 claws among clouds on the inside and a geometric decoration on the outside.It is interesting atypical decor which is a fine example of the freedom of expression and originality of the potters of this period freed from imperial c...
This is one of the earliest and rarest original types of vases made in Vietnam. It has a rich chocolate brown glaze with beautiful drippings going down to the base. This style of jar has been copied in later times in China and Southeast Asia. Size: H. 64.8cm W. 40cm.
Condition: Perfect. No repairs.
The body of the ewer seems in embossed rather than cast bronze because the walls are very thin, however the neck and the handle are in cast bronze and very thick. The decor is incised with a character fighting a snake, details are inlaid in gold. 3 fantastic animals are arranged on the sides on either side of the ewer, they are treated in high relief and seem to be in solid bronze and to be one with the body of ewer because we do not see any welding or rivets. The animals are also encrusted with...
Okimono depicting a koi carp in boxwood with excellent color and blonde patina. The carp is represented in movement with glass eyes and scales superimposed on the body.
The carp has a difficult to read signature under the base.
Origin: Japan
Period: Meiji end of 19th century.
Dimensions: 33 x 9.5 x 12 cm.
State of conservation: Very good
Chinese antique colored porcelain immortal, Sau, beautifully modeled and painted, standing with blooming peach staff, symbol of longevity & immortality, jovial countenance, facial hair attached made of grey horsehair. Yellow robe with Shou on sleeves.shoulders, and back, peaches, dragon in clouds, flying cranes, impressed cartouche on base. Good condition, some wear to overglaze.
Circa 1920s, Republic Period
Size: Height 24 1/4" x Width 9 1/2" x Depth 6 1/2"
Ivory netsuke depicting a snail crawling on a bamboo shoot. The snail is carefully rendered highlighting its curvature of the shell.
The underside is enhanced with spherical horn details and an excellent patina.
Origin: Japan
Period: Edo 19th century
Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 3cm.
State of conservation: Very good
Very large antique Japanese bronze temple water dispenser with handles and spout in the form of peach tree branches, Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Size: 29" high x 21" wide.
Large Japanese Zenga calligraphy scroll of the character 'KOTOBUKI', or long life, longevity. Bold, large brush strokes showing great intensity. Signed and sealed with three red seals by the artist. Small black kanji translates with the first 4 characters: 日光門主 Nikkō Monzu, who was a very high-ranking monk of imperial lineage at the temple, Rinnō-ji, in Nikkō.
The seals used by monk show his rank and importance. The bottom left seal in red says: 日光山 輪王寺 門跡印 ...
Huge 73.8 cm (29 inches) Antique 19th century India solid sterling silver Islamic Indo Persian, Indian water pipe hookah, huqqa narguile comprising a base of truncated conical form with concave walls, resting on a spreading flattened rounded foot, the squat shoulder and the base decorated with bands of repousse repeating vegetal designs against punched ground.
The middle part divided into two baluster form parts surmounted by a large bulbous furnace decorated en suite with the base with ban...
Relics of the Nile is pleased to present this outstanding and well-wrapped ancient Egyptian mummy. This mummy features fine wrapping with an outer shroud surrounding the ibis within. This is in the style found in similar offerings to the god Thoth and dates to the Ptolemaic period, ca. 350 B.C.. This is a rare mummy and is an excellent example of an ibis mummy. The mummy was originally part of the Wallace N. Stearns collection and was part of the MacMurray College collection in Missouri.
Chinese porcelain water coupe, with a monochrome oxblood red underglaze. The rounded, half circle form has a short, fluted neck, and flattened recessed base with blue signature.
Republic Period
Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 4" H
Antique traditional robe of the Ainu people of northern Japan. Attush (attusi) fabric was made of the inner fibers of elm tree bark (ohyo). The bark was harvested by the men but refined and woven by the Ainu women. This robe is edged with dark indigo-dyed cotton cloth. The back of the neck of the robe is sewn with a bit of lighter blue cotton fabric with a white paste resist pattern.
Age: late 19th/early 20th century
Dimensions: 54" high x 58" wide
This is Katsugi used in the latter half of the Edo era(1800 ~ 1868) in Tohoku. This is good-quality Katugi produced in a district for Edo period. This is Katsugi produced with a tradition of Kyoto in a district. This has Oomon to a shoulder center part. This was dyed with a natural indigo plant. As for this, the bottom part is colored into black. As for this, Katazome of the small build is expressed by three patterns. The part of the hem is Tsutsugaki, and this is expressed. This does not have a...
Unusual Thai architectural sculpture known as a chofa. These beast-like ornaments embellish temple and palace rooftops as a symbol of power and protection. Natural patina and remnants of red show antiquity. A photo is shown to demonstrate how a chofa would look while still in place on a temple roof. The temple shown is in Chiang Mai, the largest and most culturally rich city in Thailand.
Dimensions:15" X 10.5" x 8.5"
Date: 18th Century
This is a Japanese antique indigo dye and Bengala dye hemp-Umakake Tsutsugaki-type dyeing.
A very impressive and charming pattern of wheel crests, treasure balls and checkers. There is a slight stain, but it is not noticeable. There is no damage. It's in very good condition. Size:Length:440cm(173.2inch) / Width:67cm (26.3inch)
A Japanese fascinating embroidered silk hanging tapestry depicting a flying Phoenix 鳳凰 and a Kirin 麒麟, the two most powerful and sacred beasts of all Japanese within a silk frame finely decorated with a dense pattern of stylized motifs.
The central scene is very unusual and it represents a Phoenix in flight in the upper part and a Kirin looking at each other.
Even the back is finely embroidered with a dense decoration of stylized motifs on a blue background.
The kirin and the ph...
A Japanese excellent ivory netsuke depicting a group of three mushrooms.
The green patina is of excellent quality with finely engraved and crafted lamellae. Every detail has been carefully taken care of, from the shape of the cap to the roots at the base.
Origin: Japan
Period: Edo 19th century
Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 4,7 cm.
State of preservation: Very good
18th Century Chinese Yongzheng period Famille Rose Porcelain large deep Charger/Platter, between 1723-1736, 15 1/4" diameter, 2 1/4" high, with large Peony flowering branches in the center bordered by high and wide rim decorated with more Peony floral design, highlighted with gold. The decorations are done by raised low relief overglaze enamel and emphasize for the each design, strokes and colors with black fine lines. The condition is good, no damage or restoration.
Massive faiance figure in the shape of a fish, 19th. dynasty, 1292-1203 BC.
A museum quality sculpture of a Tilapia nilotica fish which is commonly found in the Nile River. This fish was greatly loved by the ancient Egyptians and it was used as a decorative motif on a variety of materials including stone, ceramics and glass. Here the fish has been fully finished with its green glaze covering touched with black pigment depicting eyes and other details.
On the lower part of ...
Antique Caucasian Talish Azeri runner carpet.
The Talish carpet received its name from large region stretched along the Talish mountains, by the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is a well known carpet type. The middle field of carpets, which are known as Talish, happens to be of both simple and complicated composition. The central narrow indigo panel with motifs of flowers and medallions, bordered in scrolling vines and rosettes. All hand-woven 100% wool in colorful blue, red, yellow, and cream dye...
Rare Antique Japanese Negoro red lacquer tiered stand. Five arched cabriole legs below the hand carved apron, the feet ending at a floral step base. Overall condition is very good and consistent with age.
Edo Period (circa mid 1800's)
Dimensions: 12" w x 14 3/4" h
Chinese Antique Tomb Pottery Fat Lady with hollow body, modeled with upswept hairdo and pursed lips. Standing with right hand upheld. White slip on terra-cotta body. Old restorations. Tang Dynasty (618-917 AD). Size: 14" High x 4" Width x 4" Depth. Provenance from a NY Collector.
Set of Twelve Chinese Jin Dynasty Painted Pottery Filial Piety Tiles with Oxford TL Test (AD 1115 - 1234)
These interesting pottery tiles with the subjects depicted in high relief were made during the Jin Dynasty (AD 1115 - 1234). They are made from quite a high-fired grey pottery that has been "cold painted" in various coloured pigments. Each tile depicts a scene from a story of the paragons of filial piety. Together they depict a total of thirty-four human figures (men, women and children)...
A Tokyo school bronze sculpture depicting a geisha sitting on a wooden bench. The figure of the geisha is portrayed in a moment of deep reflection, with a fan held in her hands. She wears a luxurious festive kimono, embellished with rich details and a large cushion adorns her place to sit.
The artist's extraordinary mastery is evident in the impeccable folds of the kimono, which lie with surprising softness.
Origin: Japan
Period: Meiji 19th century
Dimensions: 34 x 15 x 20 cm. – We...
An antique Japanese large Jizai (hearth hook) used above an Irori (fire hearth) and hung beneath the house rafter to support a rope and hook or a Jizai Kagi (adjustable hook) to hold a kettle or large teapot above the burning charcoal. Carved from one solid piece of Keyaki (Zelkova) wood, this sculpture epitomizes the true feeling of the Japanese word Mingei (folk art). It was designed in the style reminiscent of the hat worn by the popular Shinto God Daikoku (God of Agriculture) thereby being ...
A beautiful large Han court lady with original pigment, standing and dressed in full robe with long swaggered sleeves and wide train. The head and hands have slots for inserting ornaments.The head is removable. Size H. 66cm. W. 25cm. Condition: No repairs.
A Pair of Large Chinese Early Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Foreigners (with Oxford TL Test)
This impressive and imposing pair of pottery figures was made during the early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). They are "heavily-potted" and made from a fairly high-fired pale greyish-brown pottery. They have been "cold-painted" in a base coat of creamy-white pigment with details picked out on top in red and black pigments, especially to the heads and faces.
These figures represent a pair of foreign ...
A beautiful authentic Western Han pottery cocoon jar in the shape of a silkworm cocoon. The outer surface is embellished with the original painted abstract banding and scrolling designs in pigments of dark and light brick reds, grey blue, and white.
Size: H. 28cm.L. 31cm. W. 28cm Condition: Minor chip on the rim and the base from age.See photos.
Fine & Rare Chinese Yuan Dynasty Burnished Black Pottery Horse & Groom with Oxford TL Test
These impressive and attractive pottery models of a horse and groom were made during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368). Such figures from the Yuan Dynasty are very distinctive and are particularly rare and desirable. The surface of these figures is typically fired to grey, or almost black, and sometimes, as in this case, burnished to a smooth finish.
The horse is laden with a pack on its back, on t...
Jizhou Tortoise Tenmoku tea bowl of Southern Song (around 13th century) with paper-cut Phoenix design. It was once part of the Taiwan National Palace Museum.
This fine Jizhou tea bowl comes with the original storage box of the Museum. The official seal of the Supervisory Committee of the National Palace Museum of Taiwan is on the box.
The Jizhou region located in central Jiangsi province produced its best known wares during Southern Song (1127-1279). This was a technical...
An ivory netsuke depicting a mouse with horned eyes and head turned backwards, crouching on an overturned candle while the wax flows.
Origin: Japan
Period: Edo late 18th century
Dimensions: 3.4 x 5 x 2 cm.
State of conservation: Very good
Antique Chinese tomb pottery figure of an ox with bridle and harness. Modeled with large eyes and a friendly expression, this ox was made to loyally serve it's owner in the afterlife. Made of terra-cotta with traces of brown, black and white slip pigment.
Age: Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907)
Dimensions: 10 1/2" high x 13 1/4" long x 4 1/2" wide
Antique Thai gilt cast bronze figure of a recumbent temple deer. These sika deer are closely associated with the Buddha because of his "Teaching in the Deer Park" in Sarnath. Buddha's teaching, or "Spinning the Wheel of the Law" further links the deer to this sacred event. Thus deer are often depicted with the Wheel of the Law, or Dharmachakra in a temple setting. With one leg bent under his body and one outstretched, the deer turns a long, graceful neck to look back over it's shoulder. ...
An unusual Chinese amethyst covered vase, carved with squirrel amongst fruiting vines ,with the sides showing bunches of grapes. The cover is carved in detail with a laughing, mischievous boy holding some of the fruit. The vase stands on a separate base which is formed to resemble a rock. This is an elegant composition with high quality craftsmanship , where the carver has exploited the shades of the stone to perfection. Age: 19 C. size: 15.6 cm high x 15 cm wide. condition: very good indeed, n...
Chinese archaic pottery figure of a calling camel on a solid base, made from red clay. The statue has a great, incredibly detailed form. The inside body of the camel is hollow and within it you can see finger imprints from the original artist. In wonderful, original condition. Tang Dynasty dates from AD 618-907.
Size: 22" H
A very high quality Canton vase with interesting scenes of life in the 19th century. Size: H.60cm. W.26cm.
Condition: Perfect except for a small break on the rim that has been attached with the original piece. Can easily be restored professionally. See last photo.
Chinese Tang dynasty YUE YAO with lotus flower shape bowl. Bowl have restorations at the rim. 17,3 cm diameter. 8,2 cm high.
Dark brown patina bronze figure of a standing kappa with its right leg leaning on a cucumber. The figure is put on four-legged rattan-like bronze stand.
The kappa (河童) is a aquatic creature taken from Japanese folklore having the appearance of an anthropomorphic turtle.
His skull is either slightly hollowed out to accommodate water, from which it derives its power, or hidden with a water lily leaf hiding this sag. Naturally polite, it is advisable to bow to him in order th...
The head is carved in a grey stone that I think is limestone, it is harder than marble but it can be scratched with a steel tool. The naive sculpture seems to be made by a craftsman who was not a sculptor or a sculptor of a primitive people. It unquestionably represents a Buddha with his third eye in the middle of his forehead. There is some red pigment left in one nostril and in the corner of the mouth.The appearance of the stone seems very old. The style of the hairstyle reminds me of the Tang...
Antique Japanese small and exceptionally fine cloisonné vase. Four sided shaped body with a flower reserve on each side including irises, wisteria, chrysanthemums, daisies and maple. More fine details on the neck and sides.
Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 6" high x 2 1/8" wide
A Fabulously carved Gilt Wooden QING DYNASTY CHINESE HEADBOARD with the Quanying who figures in the top center; 19th Century. Many intricately carved details as shown in photographs. Consists of only 3 pieces, excellent condition. Size: Width 192 cm x Height 102 cm.
PM Messenger for details.
Antique Japanese set of five lotus leaves and blossoms. Carved of wood and lacquered silver. Made for a Buddhist altar, these leaves and blossoms symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. Every petal of the lotus flower is carved separately. Each blossom and leaf comes fitted with a custom metal stand so they can be rearranged at will.
Age: Taisho Period
Dimensions: approx 27 1/4"hight (tallest leaf)
Japanese 2 panel folding byobu screen, pigment on paper painting of peonies in red, pink, and white with gold flecks. Two small white butterflies with black specked wings float nearby. Signed with red seal.
Dimensions: 70" W x 29 1/2" H
A rare antique Japanese Choba Tansu (merchant chest) made of Keyaki (Zelkova) and Suginoki (Cryptomeria) woods. Original hand forged iron hardware including the Kikute handles and Urushi lacquer finish). Unusual design with two small drawers secured by a locking security bar and two sets of doors with the upper set having a spacious storage area behind and the bottom set having storage to the left and three small drawers to the right. The main drawer has a lock plate with an incised Chrysanthem...