Antique Chinese late Qing Dynasty woman’s informal satin silk robe, finely embroidered in satin silk stitch with six roundels displaying vases with branches of various flowers and butterflies, amidst branches, peonies, magnolias, and goldfish, all picked out in bright shades of red, blue, pink, brown, and orange, reserved on a cream - white ground, and edged by black silk. The cuffs, embroidered in suite, are bordered with a band of brocade woven with five-clawed Principal Celestial Long Drago...

A spectacular and beautiful circa 1730 English silk embroidered apron front, exquisitely embroidered in polychrome silk and metallic threads with garlands and sprays of flowers urns. Scalloped edges are finished with embroidered metallic trim. A somewhat later but very similar example is shown in The Lotus Collection.

There are some scattered unimportant splits and very very minor and small spots of discoloration, all to be expected in such a delicate piece. The textile size is 41 3/8" by 17 ...

A textile panel made of different dyed silk stripes, exquisitely embroidered with motifs from Zoroastrian myths such as fishes or botehs. The backing is a coarse blue dyed cotton, framed by a black ribbon. These embroidery panels originally would have formed the knee to ankle section of one trouser leg, of a shalvar (pantaloon) from a Zoroastrian woman's wedding costume. Condition: one stripe with small fabric losses (see photo 6), few tears, an old mend, little faded. Dimension: c. 49.4 cm x 13...

The size of Screen: 277cm Wide x 138 cm High (109 " x 54 3/8")
The both side Left/Right Panel size: 47.2 cm x 138 cm (18 1/2" x 54 3/8")
4 panels in between size: 45.5 cm x 138 cm (17 7/8" x 54 3/8")
Each Fan design size: 55 cm (21 5/8") wide.

This is wonderful 6 panels Japanese Byobu screen from 1750's middle 18th Century with 21 Ougi (fans) design with gold leaf background. This type of painting properly called, "Senmenga" with fan design Byobu called "Senmen Byobu". Th...

This is an old silk fukusa from Meiji period (1868-1912). This type of fukusa is a covering placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony. Lined with a deep red crepe silk, this fukusa is almost in perfect condition.

Pine trees are considered as sacred in Japan. Here, an ancient pine tree is mostly done with the gold couching, overlaying of threads (wrapped in gold) rather than going in and out of the base fabric. The color of gold is particularly pretty here contructing to t...

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...

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. ...

This type of fukusa is a cover placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as the "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; the plum blossoms represent purity, subtle beauty and the inner strength of women. Bamboo is often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bam...

This is a woman's shift ("kurta") from Swat Valley, Pakistan. It measures 125 cm from one sleeve extended to the other; the gusset measures 24 cm; the bust 57 cm. From top shoulder to bottom hem it measures 91 cm. The sleeve opening is 17 cm. The embroidery technique is pink and red floss silk on indigo-dyed and black cotton depicting geometric shapes typical of the embroidery of the Swat Valley. Condition of this textile is excellent. Estimated age: mid to late 20th century.

Extremely Rare Poupee (doll) from the Louis Vuitton Toy Shop. Made from a type of plastic (possibly celluloid) with delicate hand painted features, dressed in a detailed regional costume of Bretagne (Brittany). The costume appears to be of a style found in the area around Pont Aven. The face of the doll is of a mature woman not a child. The dolls wig appears to be of human hair and is in a pulled back style. The headdress is of stiffened lace, as is the wide collar of the dress. The dress itself...

Over the years we have taken a special interest in Raku pottery, especially in pieces made by the original Raku family (16 generations) and by a branch kiln known as Tamamizu—started by the illegitimate son of the potter Ichinyū, whose work we see here. Approximately 350 years old, this piece displays a beautiful red glaze and has a shape known as “tsutsu” with high walls and a slender form making it ideal for keeping in heat during the cold winter months. Antique gold repairs...

Large Chinese Qing dynasty oval form lidded jar densely decorated on the front in underglaze blue on a faintly celadon tinted white ground with a phoenix bird among peonies. Three blue clouds are on the lid. The base and interior are glazed while the foot is unglazed. Late 19th century. 12 1/2" high. Very good overall condition. The unglazed mouth rim has tiny imperfections. There are a few glaze losses to the tip and side of the finial that might be from the original production. From th...

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...

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...

Solid sterling earrings with inset chrysoprase by Jensen USA designer, Laurence Foss. These were made in 2005 and bought directly from the artist. They hang 2-1/2" excluding wires. One corner/edge of a pendant is a tiny bit curved but it was purchased that way.

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 ...

Rare Chinese Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Stupa Jar (AD 618 - 906)

This tall pottery set comprising stand, jar and cover was made during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906). Each part is made from a relatively high-fired grey pottery and "cold painted" in orange and white pigments, the decoration comprising geometric and floral (lotus) patterns. The stand has cut-out apertures and petals to represent a lotus flower. The cover has purpose-made holes in its upper part; it is painted with lotus lea...

Chinese Western Han Dynasty Painted Pottery Head (206 BC - AD 8)

This fine pottery head was made during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 8). It has been "cold painted" in a base coat of white pigment on top of which have been painted pink, red and black pigments to pick out the facial details.

Height 10.5 cm. It is in very good condition with expected surface wear but no repair or restoration.

Note: the black plastic base on which it stands in the first photo is a photographic p...