Very Rare LARGE Chinese Qin Dynasty Pottery Cocoon / Listening Jar with Oxford TL Test

This oversized vessel, in the form of a "cocoon jar", was made during the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC) or possibly a little earlier during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC), but even then by the Qin state. It is made from a fairly high-fired fine-grained grey pottery. The whole of the outer surface of the body is decorated with repeated cord or woven impressions with vertical bands then being made aro...

Large Chinese Ming dynasty wide-mouthed globular form guan jar with short, vertical collar-like neck and wide angled mouth covered overall in a dark brown/black crackled glaze that coats the interior and ends at the base. A thread relief moulded band of scrolling foliage decorates the upper section of the jar. A narrow floral band is above it. A circular trademark with four small flowers surrounding it is in relief on the flat, unglazed base. 11” high by about 11” diameter. Circa 16th/1...

LARGE Chinese Han Dynasty Burnished Pottery Hu Jar with Oxford TL Test (206 BC - AD 220)

This unusually large and imposing pottery jar, or "hu" was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fine-grained grey pottery that is relatively highly-fired. This is an exceptional example of its type of fine form with its wide body and tall neck that flares inwards and then out again to the wide mouth. It has a pleasingly smooth burnished surface that in many places has a silver...

French 18th Century Louise XV period Provincial hand carved dark Oak Cupboard Buffet, 74" high, 55" wide, 20" deep-bottom cupboard section, 12 1/2" deep-top shelving area, retain old heavy Brass Hinges and black iron original lock mechanism inside. Three(3) shelves behind the decorative racks to hold plates on top, and deep hand carved large Sunflower with vines on the top, above large open space, with one shelf behind two blind doors which carved with original floral and vines in front of the ...

A rare and unusually large souvenir piece of wood cut from a beam from the painted chamber which was one of the oldest parts of the original Palace of Westminster, destroyed by the Great Fire of 1834. This piece of oak forms the back of a mahogany coin collector's cabinet which was made circa 1835-1850. The writing on this ancient wood panel reads: "The Oak forming this cabinet is part of a Beam removed from under the floor of the Painted Chamber (being part of the wood used in the original bu...

Japanese Marquetry inlaid Table, mid 1800's, beautifully detailed various design and color of wood Marquetry works are displayed in this three(3) functional table, all in one(1) table as a Book Stand, a Chess table and a Sewing or Work Table, 33 1/2" high, 13" deep, 35 1/2" wide when it is open, 17 1/2" wide when two(2) leaves are closed, with inlaid 4 side brackets support leaves on both sides. This multiple purpose table comes in two(2) parts, separate stand with curved black lacquered legs ...

Fine Large Chinese Han Dynasty Glazed Pottery Hu Jar (with Oxford TL Test)

This fine and impressive pottery jar (hu) was made during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). It is made from a fairly high-fired reddish pottery and coated in a particularly attractive glossy thick streaky green and finely-crackled glaze, the colour of which varies according to its thickness. Interestingly, the drips of glaze to the mouth rim and the pooling of glaze to the flat base show that this jar was fired upsid...

A Fine Pair of Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Painted Pottery Tiles - Deer

This fine-quality pair of highly decorative pottery tiles was made during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368 - 1644). They are made from a grey pottery and the decoration in relief features a pair of deer in a landscape. Note the detail to the deer, the carved and incised decoration as well as the impressed flower blossoms to the deers' bodies. The relief decoration has been cold-painted in various coloured pigments, good traces o...

The warrior’s armor and helmet, samurai sword, spears, banners and paper carps (later cloth) in the sky are all tools used to showcase boy’s day in Japan. This tradition started early Edo period (1603-1868) by samurai families wishing their son’s good health and studies to be honorable samurai.

This set is made in Kyoto, Japan and is called “Kyo-armor”. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. The culture there was developed to serve the best for the emperor...

Large and beautiful Burmese dry lacquer seated buddha, black lacquer with gold gilt, decorated all over with inlaid mirrors and colored glass, compassionate expression.

A mudra in Buddhist statues is a gesture and body posture holding special meaning and commemorating a few of the important moments in the Buddha’s life. One of the most common and popular mudra found depicted in Buddha statues is the Bhumisparsha, translated as the "touching earth gesture". The gesture represent the ...

Chinese Qing dynasty Tongzhi mark and period (1862-1874) cylindrical food container decorated around the circumference with four overglaze iron-red five-clawed dragons in profile above a band of underglaze blue waves. Each dragon is among underglaze blue clouds and separated from each other by a pair of vertical blue cloud bands shaped like opposing bats. A geometric blue band extends along the top. Each side has twisted metal handles supported by two animal mask lugs with gilt highlights. W...

Chinese Qing dynasty pewter-encased rectangular form “san ke zhu” (three pearl) lidded Yixing pottery teapot incised to one side in bamboo, the reverse with a calligraphic inscription signed Chun Quan. The inscription translates roughly as: “Sitting quietly [under] a bright moon [occupying] half of a window, with a book [in hand] and a fragrant incense [burning].” The top edge holds an applied coin and mixed metal strips. Flat, rectangular lid. Jade spout, handle, and square finial. The ...

The panache, verve, and energy of this striking wood carving of a Spanish conquistador is remarkable for its dynamism and expressiveness. The figure is hand enameled in traditional conquistador costume, wearing buccaneer shoes, pantaloons, coat, and plumed helmet, and dagger on his belt. The figure is in action stance, but it is clear that he is missing his original instruments of perhaps sword and shield. His penetrating gaze shows focus on his adversary.

While the sculpture is int...

Ceramics decorated by Zen monks are seldom seen and this piece is no exception. Two red enamel characters are boldly brushed in red enamel conveying the strong bond between Zen and the tea ceremony. The bowl is inscribed and named Taste of Zen (Zenmi 禅味), and dates to the 1970s, when Seki Bokuō 関牧翁 (1903 – 1991) was well into his abbotship at Tenryū-ji, one of most important, and certainly most beautiful temples in Kyoto. The bowl itself is by the well-known hagi potter, Hara Kiyok...

The painting depicted court musicians playing divine music called Bugaku. Bugaku is a Japanese court music accompanied by dancing. Here one of the players plays shen (a bamboo instrument first produced in China in 7th century) and the other one sounds a massive drum with mitsudomoe crest (three comma-shaped figures in a circle). Bugaku carries a ritualistic implication and is usually played at the start before dance performance begins. Bugaku purifies the stage. Painted with ink and pigments. Si...

There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits. ...

Folk Art Portrait by American Artist, attributed to Sheldon Peck (1797-1868). This Portrait was purchased at a North Carolina auction from the Larew Collection. The 19th century oil on canvas portrait of a gentleman was said to be Thomas Johnston from Concord, NC (Sept. 1850). It was marked on the original canvas (relined) bought in Davie County. It is mounted in a mahogany veneer frame with yellow pine backing. Canvas 29" 24" and the Frame is 38" x 33". The portrait was restored in 1973 by Hen...

A lightweight pair of sterling arrowhead earrings with feather dangles highlighted by coral cabs. For pierced ears, they are marked Sterling, hang 2-1/4" and weigh 7.8gr.