Exquisite & rare this lifelike sterling silver, copper & brass angelfish brooch was designed in the late 1930's by Margot Van Voorhies for her husband's taller Los Castillo. This wearable work of art measures 3 3/4" high X 3 1/4" across & weighs 42 grams. The finely detailed angelfish floats through waving brass seaweed above a copper conch shell. Beautiful condition with excellent patina. Pin back and safety catch are tight and secure. When her marriage to Antonio Castillo ended Margot went on ...

A very rare and highly charming porcelain figure of Budai (Daduze), bare chested with a laughing expression, seated leaning on his sack of treasures. Decorated in famille rose manner with additional gold. Two maker’s seals: “Fujian Huiguan” and “ Made by You Linji). ****These seals are identifying marks of the Jingdezhen artist working at Fujian Huiguan. **** You Linji was the artist name of You Zhangzi /You Linzizi ( 1872-1922 ). Before moving to Jingdezhen, he first trained unde...

A rare and wonderful American doll or child's bench, with a shaped crest rail over 3 spindles and a plank seat, with 6 turned legs. The crest rail and the seat are decorated with polychrome free-hand flowers. Those areas, and the splayed arms, spindles, and central leg also have gilt line borders or decorative motifs.

Because of the delicate nature of this form, and the fact that not that many were made, it is highly uncommon to find surviving examples in any condition, let alone one as beauti...

This Japanese okimono quality bronze turtle has a champleve decorated shell that opens to reveal a pipe stand. The turtle measures about 6 1/2" long x 3" wide x 2" tall and dates to the turn of the Century. The turtle has the makers' impressed seal underneath. The condition is very good with just a chip to the end of the tail and the hinge pin is missing. The asking price includes shipping within the USA.

Very rare brass and enamel pin signed "MACCHIARINI", c.1940's. Peter Macchiarini(deceased) was a very famous San Francisco modernist jewelry designer and his works are extremely desirable. The provenance of this piece has been identified by his son, Dan Macchiarini. He states that it was a private commission by someone wanting a clown face. This turned out to be a joint venture between Peter and his then student, Virginia De Haas, whom he later married. Dan has stated that this is an extremely r...

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...

Spectacular and extremely rare Giant size antique Buddha Figure dressed in royal robes, lacquer intricately inlaid with inset flat glass/mirror mosaics backed with colored foil and further decorated with moulded relief work forming beautiful spirals. The Buddha seated in "bhumisparshamudra" (subduing Mara), his left hand rests palm upward, on his lap, and the right hand rests on his right knee, calling the Earth to witness. He has elongated earlobes to demonstrate his princely parentage and a ve...

This is an exceedingly rare calligraphy on hand-made paper by famous Kyoto artist Tokuriki Tomikichiro. He was best known for his prints, but was originally trained as a painter. It is delicately brushed on Japanese hand made paper (24.2 cm x 21 cm), a bit smaller than shikishi size, and much thinner. Two edges are deckled. It is inscribed “Close Friend” (知音). Signed: Tomi (富), red seal: Tomi (富). Date inscribed on the back in pencil: 94.11.30. Condition: minor handling creases, mi...

Measuring 3.25 inches high, this delightful English child or baby transfer porcelain mug is a quite rare find!

In excellent condition with the exception of some minor wear to the gilt rim and scripted banner, the cup or mug features two gentleman sharing a tub bath- one Caucasian and one African-American. The African-American gent is surrounded by musical notes indicating that he is doing quite a bit of whistling, while the Caucasian gent covers his ears in annoyance. The scripted banner abov...

A rare Chinese enamel on copper medallion bowl decorated with three red-crowned cranes each holding a lingzhi, against a pink background. The interior with flowering peony. 18Th ~ 19th century.

The medallion bowls, three roundels against a coloured background, were produced in porcelain from the Qianlong reign to the Daoguang in the main, this bowl appears to be the enameller’s answer to the challenge.

Approximately 12.5 cm diameter. The bowl has had a slight knock to the e...

Fine Rare Chinese Song / Yuan Dynasty Inscribed Buddhist Sanskrit Pottery Jar

This very rare and fascinating pottery jar was made around the 13th - 14th century during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 - 1279) or possibly the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1279 - 1368) and has been excavated from a Buddhist site in Yunnan province, at the time a particularly isolated part of China. It is made from a relatively highly-fired grey pottery the surface colour varying in places from pale to dark grey although much of t...

Published in 1913, by Valentine & Sons, Dundee, London, and Montreal, this extremely rare publication, "Ten Little Nigger Boys", is a highly creative and imaginative variation of the original 1869 minstrel song "Ten Little Niggers", composed by the British songwriter Frank Green.

(Likely inspired by Frank Green's lyrics, Agatha Christie, in 1939, composed her very well-known "Ten Little Niggers" story, with the title for the 1940 US edition changed to "And Then There Were None", the final lin...

A very rare pair of Antique European late 19th century cold painted spelter sculptures on elaborated square bases. The finely and realistically modelled sculptures depict a Chinese man and a Chinese woman in national costumes. The man is wearing a long green robe with gold swirl motifs, grey Balloon Pants and red shoes on his feet, the hair is braided and drawn back under a black hat. His left hand is grasping a Chinese musical stringed instrument (Erhu). The female is wearing a lavish robe, ela...

A rare print by surrealist print maker Ozaku Seishi, professor emeritus from Tama Art University. He is best known for small edition etchings, usually up to 30 copies, limitless experimentation with printing techniques and surrealist, often graphic imagery resembling distorted reality ¬neither quite explicit nor quite horror, but rendering a fairly dark version of dreams. This lithograph on Arches paper is from a 1994 portfolio titled “Constitutional Fantasy”, vol. 1 (憲法幻想その壱...

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 ...

Chinese Qing dynasty wucai baluster form porcelain jar painted with two large phoenix birds in flight among peony flowers and leafy scrolling foliage. A narrow border holding two qilong among flowers and leafy vines is at the high shoulder below a band of scrolling foliage at the neck. Brown dressed rim. Glazed interior and flat unglazed base. 17th century. 11 1/4" high. Weighs 5 1/2 lb. (2.5 kg). There is wear to the overglaze pigments. A brown kiln kiss is on one side. Two brown hairline cra...

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...

Large Chinese Eastern Han Dynasty Sichuan Glazed Pottery Dog (for repair)

This pottery model of a standing dog was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25 - 220) and excavated from Sichuan province. It is made from a "heavily-potted" reddish-coloured pottery. The upper body has been coated with a thin green glaze that has mostly degraded although there is a run across the chest where the glaze is thicker and finely-crackled. The dog stands upright and alert with its ears pricked up. Note ...