Catalog (853)

Antique, 18th century, baroque, continental, finely carved wooden figure of Saint John of Nepomuk. The figure, dressed in a surplice and almuce, is polychromed and parcel-gilt with gold leaf, mounted on an elaborated plinth.

John Nepomuk (c. 1345 – 20 March 1393) was the saint of Bohemia (Czech Republic) who was drowned in the Vltava river at the behest of Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia. Later accounts state that he was the confessor of the queen of Bohemia and refused to divulge the secrets o...

Ancient pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican, Guerrero, Mezcala culture, late pre-classic period (c. 500 -100 BC) large anthropomorphic god-axe in the form of a standing idol carved from speckled brownish-gray stone.

The figure is characteristically abstract and minimalist, comprising of a large head, a dome-shaped brow, and a thin and open mouth.

Torso with slightly defined, tapering short legs- hence the name "axe god" since replicates the shape of a traditional chopping tool - an axe. ...

Antique, Byzantine, 16th/17th-century horn cross pendant, pressed in relief, with rounded finials and a suspension loop.

The cross depicts the Holy Trinity; God the Father with Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

The other side shows the orant figure of Christ with upraised hands and sunburst around his head. The three arms of the cross are adorned with busts of saints.

DIMENSIONS: 6.3 cm x 3.7 cm (2.5 inches x 1.5 inches)

CONDITION: In its original condition with a dark, glossy pa...

Antique, rare, authentic, papal silver Locket pendant of oval locket form with a chain from the pontificate of Pope Pius XI. On the face of the locket is a finely hand-engraved papal coat of arms of Pius XI. The interior is gold gilt. It is fitted with a suspension ring at the top and a trace link neck chain. This type of gift was presented personally by the Holy Father at private audiences to prominent guests visiting the Vatican. Pope Pius XI (Italian: Pio XI), born Ambrogio Damia...

Ancient Chinese massive pottery cooking stove model, Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD).

There are; cylindrical chimney on the stovetop, two rounded cooking pots, and an oval wine cup with winged handles (Erbei).

The exterior is covered with a striking green glaze with an iridescent mineral deposit.

CONDITION:

The stove is in good condition considering its age of over 1800 years, except for minor chips and a small piece of one corner chipped off.

No repairs or restorations.

Ancient Chinese horse snaffle bridle-bit, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC).

Made of bronze bit with a mouthpiece composed of two canons connected in the center, each cast with a loop at both ends.

REFERENCES:

Similar snaffle bits from the collection of the Shaanxi History Museum are published in the exhibition catalog “Imperial China: The Art of the Horse in Chinese History” by Bill Cooke. Page.117. No. 92. (see the last picture in the listing).

Ancient Chinese horse snaffle bridle-bit, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC).

Made of bronze bit with a mouthpiece composed of two canons connected in the center, each cast with a loop at both ends.

REFERENCES:

Similar snaffle bits from the collection of the Shaanxi History Museum are published in the exhibition catalog “Imperial China: The Art of the Horse in Chinese History” by Bill Cooke. Page.117. No. 92. (see the last picture in the listing). T...

Outstanding antique, Qing dynasty 19th-century, a large Chinese opium pipe. It is composed of three sections; a huge central wood section, finely hand-carved in high relief with two Fu dogs, also known as guardian lions or Shishi (Imperial guardian lion), among vegetation waves entirely polychromed, enclosed by two massive solid brass fittings ended with a mouthpiece and a bowl.

CONDITION: The pipe is in good overall condition with a nice patina indicating its age and uses, with signs of...

Authentic antique Chinese porcelain scholar's brush rest with pale Celadon glazed, Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD).

Made of biscuit porcelain in a crescent shape in the classic Wu Shan "Five Mountains" form.

The base is recessed and pierced at both ends with small holes.

The ceramic brush rest in the form of the mountain has been a popular design since the Ming dynasty.

REFERENCES:

A similar brush rest is published in the Lempertz catalogue: Auction 1061, Asiatische Kunst, 04...

Rare antique Chinese multi-color scholar's brush holder in the form of the Chinese men's boot, Ming Dynasty 1368 -1644 AD.

Made of ceramic with sancai glazing, elaborately molded-in raised pattern, the boot's toe is adorned with a monster mask and richly glazed in cobalt blue, turquoise, brown, and cream beige.

CONDITION: Shows the age and use, with minor age wear.

In good condition, considering its age of more than 376 years, no damage or repairs.

MEASUREMENTS:

Hei...

Antique Chinese finely hand-carved with superb details rosewood sculpture depicting the Laughing Buddha -Budai (also known as Hotei or Pu-Tai), late 19th century (Qing Dynasty).

Hotei sits on the back of a recumbent Buddhist lion, Shishi or Foo Dog, wearing loosely draped robes open at his chest to reveal his corpulent figure, and holds a bag in his hands that represents wealth and good fortune, while three laughing boys are climbing on him.

CONDITION: In good overall condition, showi...

Antique bronze figure of seated Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva finely cast and skillfully hand chased, 18th century, China.

Bodhisattva sits in dhyanasana on a lotus base. The hands are held in dhyana mudra, dressed in layered robes and arrayed in beaded jewelry, with a jeweled necklace, large pendant earrings, and an elaborate crown.

MEASUREMENTS: Height: 6.3 cm (2.5 inches)

CONDITION: In good condition considering its age, showing age and use, worn in exposed areas, with a dark...

Antique bronze figure of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Quan Yin or Kuan Yin) seated in dhyanasana on a lotus base, 18th-19th century (Qing Dynasty), China.

The goddess of compassion and mercy is adorned with an elaborate crown and necklace.

MEASUREMENTS: Height: 12.3 cm (4.8 inches)

CONDITION: In good condition considering its age, showing age and use, worn in exposed areas, with a dark natural patina.

A superb quality antique Chinese large headdress ornament of elaborate lobed shape, 18th -19th century (Qing Dynasty), China.

Composed of several separate elements made of filigree silver and adorned with a small embossed rosette.

The ornament has a large convex form with a gilded flower-head rosette placed in the center with a central round, beveled black stone (probably Onyx), flanked by two crescent-shaped ornaments.

The reverse affixes with attachment mount on which small recta...

Antique porcelain Famille Verte puzzle teapot and cover modeled in the form of a Shou character, 19th century (Qing dynasty), China.

The central panel is painted with fine figural scenes against a floral background. Horizontal black lines decorate the handle and spout.

MEASUREMENTS:

Height: 19.2 cm (7.6 inches), width (handle to spout): 20 cm (7.7 inches).

CONDITION:

The handle was broken in two places and then reglued (repair almost invisible), firing crack inside one o...

Antique bronze incense burner - censer in the form of Laozi riding a buffalo, 17th-18th century (Qing dynasty), China.

The bronze depicts the philosopher Lao Tzu on his famous journey away from civilization to find simplicity; he sits on the animal's back with his robes flowing around him.

Lao Tzu or Laozi, or Lao-Tze, was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is the author of Tao Te Ching, the founder of Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism. According to legend, Laozi left C...

Rare antique silver and gold damascened iron ceremonial tea bowl, possibly 13th-14th century, Tibet.

The bowl is deep in form with a flaring rim, it rests on a disc-shaped foot, its external surface is richly inlaid with silver scrollwork and three gold inlaid long-life 'Shu' symbols.

PROVENANCE: In "From the Sacred Realm: Treasures of Tibetan Art from the Newark Museum," Page 116-117, Plate 61, a Tibetan Tsampa container is published that is also made of iron and decorated with the...

Antique medieval splash-glazed stoneware ewer with phosphatic splashes, Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), China.

The ewer of rounded ovoid form is set on the shoulder with two loop handles, a curved handle, a short cylindrical spout, and a flaring mouth rim.

The ewer is covered with a white crackled glaze decorated with irregular splashes of mottled shades of purple, brown, and blue.

The glaze finishes unevenly above the splayed foot, exposing the brown ware; the base of the ewer is unglaz...