A massive bronze (copper tin alloy) vase cast in Han dynasty Hu shape and with Han style Taotie mask handles. The archaistic style decoration is an amalgam of Shang and Zhou dynasty motifs. These consist of upper and lower bands depicting stylized dragons and a central band of large Taotie ("monster"} masks. All are reserved against a flattened Leiwen (cloud) daiper ground. Below the upper two horizontal bands are pendent 'Cicida Blades'.
An accompanying 1973 British Museum letter suggests a...
This extremely rare and very early Derby enameled wine taster is of circular shape with gadrooned sides, and has a pierced scroll handle in puce with the exterior handle ends with applied leaves in green. The exterior has puce foliate sprays, and the interior has a circular central panel edged with black and red lines containing an insect.
While the form itself is uncommon, they are usually done in blue and white, and polychrome examples are of the "utmost rarity." It is for this reason that ...
An exceptional sterling silver hand wrought cigar lighter from Shreve & Co. San Francisco. Heavy globe in organic silver base. Measures about 4 1/2" tall, 2 7/8" across and weighs about 415 grams. Shows a little wear and a couple of dings. Globe has silver mark differing from the Shreve signature on base. Finely hand hammered base possibly a custom piece. Great, rare example.
Please feel free to enjoy this Chinese wood carving of a seated Guanyin, early Qing dynasty. The Guanyin is seated in rajalitasana, royal ease, on a pierced rockwork base with one leg lowered and the other with knee raised supporting the right arm, the face carved with a poised and calm expression, wearing a tiara and loose robes falling over the shoulders and open at the chest to reveal an elaborate beaded necklace.
There are no repairs visible, but pieces of laquer had been chipped...
How rare it is to find an early soft paste porcelain platter of this size, 16" X 20". This platter in excellent condition is made by the "Bow" factory circa 1765
Condition: excellent Width: 16 inches, Length: 20 inches
Ming Dynasty, Ca. 1500s
This figure of a seated scholar is glazed turquoise with amber colored highlights. The back is mostly unglazed except for the original white slip coating, now darkened with age. The interior is hollow and unglazed, exposing the reddish clay body. The white slip coating continues for an inch or so into the interior cavity. The face is covered with a thin white slip (now darkened) but is otherwise unglazed. The turquoise glazed hat has a few old losses to the glaze wh...
A Chinese Bronze Censer figure of buffalo and the figurine, Qing Dynasty. The figure of buffalo length approximately 12.6 cm and height approximately 7 cm. There's an old repaired at the one of buffalo horn. Decorated silver wire inlaid. The figurine height approximately 7.8 cm. Decorated silver wire inlaid. The figurine has few cracks around 1 cm (2 parts) and few small chips at the bottom.
This marked Dr. Wall period Worcester soft paste porcelain platter has beautiful, crisp "blue scale". It would make a fine addition to an important collection.
Condition: excellent Height: 8 inches
With a height of 32 inches, this is a rare and impressive example of early 19th century Imari ware. Both the vase and stand are finely decorated in shades of blue, gold and orange.
Condition is excellent.
The only authentic 19th Century Korean shaman paintings offered for sale. Sublimely rendered here is the spirit of divine response, Kameung Sillyeong. There are many 20th century reproductions of these types of paintings. Authentic Joseon Dynasty examples like this exist only in museums. And even in museums, a pair like this is very rare. You can discern them by the material and quality, such as fine hand-woven silk and mineral pigments that give warmth and depth and are vivid but not garish lik...
A Rare Khmer Pre-Angkor Masterpiece: Standing Avalokiteshvara Figure, Gray Stone 8th Century
Standing in samabhanga with both arms broken, wearing vertically striated sampot secured by a decorated belt and knotted in the center.
With single fishtail-shaped flange falling to the front.
Naked upper body with well defined breasts and incised belly-button.
Estimate Value: $25 000 - $35 000
Measurements:
Height - 150 cm (59 In)
Provenance: Private collection, acquired late 1950s...
A large rouleau vase of porcelain decorated with the Three Auspicious Gods (sanxing) of Daoism, in polychrome enamel glazes (famille verte style) on a deep, blue ground.
Excellent quality of work. China, late Qing to early Republican Period, ca. 1900–1925. Marked with a Kangxi-period nianhao. H 46 cm. Condition: Excellent.
A long, rare and attractive horizontal Yao Mien ceremonial procession scroll "DRAGON BRIDGE", circa 1890, Southern China, painted on rice or mulberry paper. Iconographically important in Daoist art. Condition: overall good, some minor effects of aging. Size: L 365 cm x H. 17 cm. Collector's item, difficult to find complete and in this condition. For further information/history on Lantien & Mien Yao paintings please refer to "Yao Ceremonial Paintings" by Jacques Lemoine. Publisher: White Lotus, B...
Description:
A Lapis Lazuli Carving was exquisitely done by master craftsmanship.
Depicting a mountain view with pine trees and pagoda when old man riding a deer up to the winding road, it was a picture the scholars would always be dreamed of.
Date: Qing Dynasty, 18th Century.
Width without wood stand: 9.3cm.
The wood stand is newly made.
A SIMILAR PIECE WAS IN THE NAGEL AUCTION, 2009.
Inscriptions: Man San Train Fon(the mountain is full of joyful ...
An important, rare modernist brooch by the renowned African American jeweler, Art Smith. Has a copper ball caged in swirled brass coils. The ball moves for an interesting effect.
Measures 3 1/4" long and 2 3/8" at the widest. Marked with the 'Art Smith' script signature. Has a secure rollover clasp. In fine condition with areas of tarnish.
A wonderful example of Mid Century Modernist design.
EXTREMELY RARE: Large and very substantial(weighs 20 troy oz.) sterling OPEN serving bowl hand made by William Spratling, Mexico, c.1931. Beautifully hand hammered, this piece measures 11" by 7" by 2 1/2" high. It has a rounded bottom and sides with beautiful handles. The sides are rounded inward and will not accept a top. It is complete and was made to be an open bowl and not a casserole dish. Marked "WS 925 MEXICO" and is in excellent condition.......$30 for insured US shipping.
This figural glass lamp was produced by L.E. Smith Company during the 1940's - 50's. The color was fired on over clear glass, giving the opaque finish. This style is referred to as the 'Southern Belle' lamp. I have 2 available. Both have been re-wired so they work fine. The shade clips on the light bulb. (Bulb not included, I recommend 25 or 40 watt bulbs so the glass doesn't get too hot.) Please specify which you'd like. All are in good shape.
A Chinese three piece tea and coffee set decorated with a raised dragon stretching right around the bulbous body of each item. This decoration is laid on the flat surface and forms a three dimensional sculptural effect. The handles are formed as sea dragons and the finials as heads of the creature. The craftsmanship is breathtakingly detailed and fine , the weight is a good gauage of 1800 grms (58oz.). It is stamped MH 90 and Chinese characters. Age: 19C. Please note that the heat separators of ...