Catalog (321)

From our Fine Arts and Americana Collection, a fine original watercolor painting from Miraflores Peru, depicting a beguiling image of a single solitary front door. Lending itself to all sorts of interpretation, we ordinarily do not gravitate towards watercolor as an artistic medium, but this unusual piece had a certain draw to it. In terms of technical merit, it is also very well done for watercolor, especially the shadowing. From an unknown but obviously talented local artist, we have had this...

From our Fine Arts and Americana Collection, a very good and sizeable original oil on canvas seascape from Peruvian artist Fernando Giron of Miraflores Peru. Executed in a warm earth tone palette of various browns, sea-green, pale yellow, pale orange, and white, depicting crashing waves upon a beach at sunset with gulls in the foreground, this is a very nicely painted and evocative piece.

Giron is apparently not well-known yet beyond the Miraflores / Lima art circle, but this could change...

From our Chinese Monochrome Collection, a fine and large lacquered carved wood stand, late 19th - early 20th century, elegantly constructed with four chilong / serpentine legs and carved with floral motifs.

Size and Condition: 30 inches tall, 22 inches across the widest span of the legs, 15 inches in diameter for the circular top. There is some minor scuffing to the wood and lacquer, but this is all commensurate with age and use and the stand is in excellent overall condition with no re...

From our European Collection, a good late 19th / early 20th century cast iron mirror, probably English. A charming but unpretentious piece that can complement many different styles of decor.

Size and Condition: 28 1/4 inches tall, 16 inches wide. Excellent condition, no repairs or restoration and the glass appears to be original: Some general wear to the ironwork commensurate with age as seen in the second close-up, but this only adds to the charm.

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a fine vintage Afghani tribal rug, wool on wool handmade construction, using exclusively natural pigments / mineral dyes. A modestly sized but very well-executed and elegant example that works well in either a rustic or formal decor.

Size and Condition: 57 inches long, 39 inches wide. There are some random expected thread pulls and light wear commensurate with age and use, but overall excellent condition.

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a superbly carved sandalwood buddha from the city of Jasailmer in the Rajasthan region of India. This buddha sits in padmasana (interlocking lotus position) upon a double lotus base while displaying vitarka mudra with the right hand, and holding what is probably a kalasa pot in the left hand.

When we travel to collect pieces, we shop with a very discerning eye. There is a vast multitude of shlocky handicrafts around that no doubt, please the casual...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a good Thai repousse silver box with burlwood lining, depicting the Thai and Burmese kings in battle during the sixteenth century. Sourced directly from Chiang Mai Thailand in 1990, this is a substantial box of good quality silver. The exterior has been allowed to patinate for 20 years and has taken on the usual dark grey patina typical for sterling silver, but the interior is completely pristine as it has never actually been used. A new owner may prefer to ...

From our Fine Arts and Americana Collection, a fine dore bronze wall sconce, late 19th to early 20th century, fully gilded with four separate candlestick holders cast in floral motif. We are not positive whether this is French fin de siecle, or American Art Nouveau circa 1905-1915, but in any event an elegant piece. We probably didn’t do this piece proper justice in the way we photographed it, but at night with 4 candles aflame, it is a very striking and evocative piece.

Size and con...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a large and classic 19th century Burmese Hsun-ok from Pagan, of well- known and documented form, constructed of wood that is first lacquered in black, and then covered in successive layers of cinnabar-colored lacquer called hinthabada. Over time, through use and handling, the cinnabar lacquer wears off to reveal the black lacquer base underneath as seen on this example, in an effect likened to the negoro effect seen in Japanese lacquerware.

These old,...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a handsome Caucasus accent rug, early 20th century, featuring wool on wool construction using red, two different blues, dark green, black, peach, orange and gray. A very nice unpretentious example with good character. Though there is a fairly wide spectrum of colors used, the main feeling is mostly of red, gray, and blue, and the overall palette is quite subdued, making this piece very useable in a variety of different decors.

Size and Condi...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, an unusually fine and early Qianlong Period (1736-1795) Nanking meat platter, depicting a willow tree and scholar's table objects amidst a flowered outcropping as the central design, surrounded by an elaborate border of butterflies, buddhist symbols, scrolls, and floral motifs.

Like our similarly shaped Qianlong Period Tureen Base Item # 959327 (Sold), this piece is top quality in terms of "Nanking Ware" (not to be confused with Nanking Cargo Sh...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a very cheery and colorful original oil painting on canvas of a woman in traditional garb gathering flowers. From the lovely city of Oaxaca Mexico, this charming scene in vibrant colors captures well, that certain relaxed slice of life from one of the more idyllic and unhurried parts of the country.

Size: Framed dimensions are 25 3/4 inches wide, 30 inches tall. Unframed image size is 15 ½ inches wide, 19 ½ inches tall.

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a very good Qianlong Period (1736-1795) Famille Rose porcelain dish, depicting a domestic scene of a husband, wife, and child sitting upon a bench, while their servant plays fetch with the family dog, all well-painted and better than average for typical export ware. The skill of the painter is evidenced here by amongst other things, the skillful use of shading in the blue, green, and pink enamels of the folds of the clothing to create depth and texture. Th...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (Ex-Asia), a very interesting Afghani hand-made tribal rug decorated with American military helicopter and B-52 bomber motifs. This piece was acquired about 16 months after the American military campaign in Afghanistan was launched in response to the 911 attacks, and in a fascinating example of art imitating life, the villager who crafted this rug chose to fashion it in this manner, reflecting the military aircraft he/she no doubt saw in the sky day after d...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a superb contemporary Indian miniature painting, executed in a very rich and intricately colored palette of burgundy, pink, dark green, mint green, blue green, mustard, peach, light blue, red, brown, black, white, blue-grey, and gilt. Ordinarily we prefer only the antique miniatures, but we thought this one was so well-done that we made an exception. In fact, in terms of proficiency of the painting here, we would stack this particular one up against t...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, a good ginger jar with "double shu" design bestowing "double happiness," late 19th century, either Tongzhi (1862-1874) or Guangxu Period (1875-1908).

Jars such as this current example were often given as gifts containing foodstuffs with the lids glued shut. As a result, many lids were broken upon opening and subsequently lost to history, which is why so many are seen without their original lids. It's always nice to find an example with its origin...

From our Fine Arts and Americana Collection, an elegant Haviland porcelain soup tureen, late 19th century circa 1888-1896, decorated with floating flowers in “Indian purple,” with molded floral applique and a generous use of gilding.

The history of Haviland porcelain is a very interesting story of American entrepreneurship, sibling rivalry, and French protest....We encourage our clientele to read about this fascinating history on the web. Many people mistakenly assume that Haviland w...

From our Japanese Collection, a good kutani baluster-shaped jar and cover, Meiji Period (1868-1912), executed in traditional kutani palette of iron-red, green, yellow, and gilt highlights, depicting a continuous scene of figures gathered around the circumference of the piece. A small but charming example of genuine 19th century kutani.

Size and condition: 7 1/4 inches tall, 5 inches at the shoulder. Some very minor rubbing to the gilt commensurate with age, and an incidental hair line on ...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a large and very attractive Indonesian tribal mask, crafted from a dark hardwood we think is either teak or some other rosewood variant, inlaid with mother of pearl or shell. They craft a lot of masks in different versions in Bali, but the more frequently encountered version you see there is a much smaller but heavily painted multicolor style, that we tend to find a bit gaudy. We selected this style from Central Java for its austere but artful presence, achiev...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a contemporary but very beautiful Burmese shwei-zawa wall hanging from Pagan, Burma, executed in brilliant gold leaf against a shiny black lacquer ground. The scene depicted is most likely something from the Jataka Tales (the stories of the previous lives of the Buddha), though we are not positive which exact scene is being portrayed. Nevertheless, this is a very fine and strikingly attractive example, and for those who understand how shwei-zawa work is crea...

From our European Collection, a good set of Egermann Bohemian Crystal wine glasses, hand-cut, wheel-engraved, and stained in ruby colored crystal.

Egermann Crystal was founded in 1832 by Friedrich Egermann of Novy Bor, and is recognized as being one of the earliest pioneers of the cut, engraved, stained crystal making process from the Czech Republic that has come to be known as "Bohemian Crystal or Bohemian Glass." Egermann's main competitor is the Moser Company, but Moser actually ...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a very fine contemporary Indian miniature painting, executed in a colorful but subdued palette of red, green, purple, and blue, with a lavish use of gilt highlights and detailing.

Ordinarily we prefer only the antique miniatures, but we thought this one was so well-done that we made an exception. Often painted with single-haired sable brushes or their equivalent, some of the details here are so fine they are difficult to appreciate without a jewele...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a lovely original still life painting in oil, cheerfully executed in bold primary colors depicting a kitchen cupboard full of various sundries. Quintessentially Mexican, this pretty painting comes from Oaxaca Mexico.

Size: Framed dimensions are 19 inches wide, 24 inches tall. Unframed image size is 10 3/4 inches wide, 15 ½ inches tall.

A very good late 19th - early 20th century Tibetan ewer, crafted of thin, hand-worked sheets of what is probably some type of brass/bronze amalgam that has acquired a rich chocolate patina over time, with deep repousse and chasing techniques forming the decorative bands along the shoulder, neck, and lid of vessel, a well-formed makara shaped spout and handle, all atop a splayed footed base. Overall a very nice example with legitimate age, good presence, and very decorative.

Size and Condi...

From our Shipwreck Ceramics Collection, a charming blanc de chine Guanyin from the Vung Tau Shipwreck circa 1690-1700 (Kangxi Period), one of only 30 ever recovered from this wreck and in this sense quite rare. The Vung Tau Shipwreck refers to a cargo ship of Chinese ceramics that sank in the waters of the Can Doa Islands, nearby to Vung Tao Vietnam between 1690 and 1700, where it had briefly stopped to re-supply on its way to Batavia (Jakarta Indonesia). The wreck, which consisted mostly of ...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a very attractive 5 piece Pagan-style lacquer hsun-ok (offering vessel) from the famed U Aung Myint workshop in Myinkaba Village, Pagan Burma (Myanmar), from which the British Museum has commissioned pieces for display in London. See Isaacs and Burton, Visions from the Golden Land, Burma and the Art of Lacquer page 222-223. We had the honor, privilege, and education of watching artisans in this famous lacquer workshop creating modern masterpieces in the yun st...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, a fine Qianlong Period (1736-1795) sauce tureen base of rectangular form with chamfered corners, depicting a gentleman with ladies on a fenced terrace pavilion along with a flowering tree, surrounded by an intricate border design of cash diaper motifs, key frets, and flower sprigs, all executed in deep blue upon a body of dense 18th century export porcelain.

This particular example is quite unusual due to its subject matter. While in various inc...

From our Chinese Blue and White Collection, a very fine Qianlong Period (1736-1795), blue and white sauce tureen base of rectangular form with chamfered corners, depicting a river scene with fenced pagodas, people, bridges, and boats on water, with a meticulously intricate border design of cash diaper motifs, butterflies, key frets, and other details, all executed in an attractive blue of varying shades upon a body of dense 18th century export porcelain.

Qianlong Period export ware such a...

From our Fine Arts and Americana Collection, a very fine example of late 19th - early 20th century intaglio cut crystal, depicting a floral wreath on one side with floating flowers on the other side, “jeweled beveling” to the rim and foot, and all very well-cut and elegantly made. A nice addition for fin de siecle crystal and glassworks collectors. This piece is actually a lot prettier than our pictures seem to capture: We find crystal pieces like this very difficult to photograph well.

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a very good pair of contemporary Indian miniature paintings of caparisoned elephants, executed in a palette that contrasts rich red with a lavish use of gilt, along with grey, white, and black. Often painted with single-haired sable brushes or their equivalent, some of the details here are so fine they are difficult to appreciate without a jeweler's loop. Even our 6x magnification camera lens does not fully capture all the detail, we can only see it all...

A contemporary but very attractive Tibetan ewer, crafted of thin, hand-worked sheets of white metal that appear to be some type of nickel/aluminum amalgam, decorated with deep repousse and chasing techniques forming the decorative bands along the shoulder, neck, lid, and upper base of vessel, with well-formed makara shaped spout and handle, all atop a splayed footed base. This is a contemporary piece exactly 15 years old, but a very attractive ethnic handicraft.

Size and Condition: 12 1/2...

An excellent and absolutely essential pictorial reference book for anybody interested in Burmese wares. From lacquerware to carved statuary to offering vessels of all kinds, this book has over 180 excellent full color photos of all things Burmese. In our candid opinion, it's not enough of a reason to purchase an antique merely for the sake of a free book, but any client already seriously contemplating a purchase can enjoy this as a free extra.

Many collectors, especially beginners, do n...

A very interesting reference book that is more a specialist's reference on a compilation of certain individual topics than a general survey book on Burmese wares in general. There are 15 different essays here dealing with a broad range of topics such as Burmese Buddhist Sculpture in the British Museum; Court Dress of the Shan States; Burmese Votive Tablets; Problems and Issues Concerning the Preservation of Wooden Monasteries in Burma; Burmese Arts and Crafts in the Scherman Collection (German...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a truly delightful little enameled silver box from Jaipur, Rajasthan (India), featuring a very attractively painted elephant in regal attire, executed in turquoise blue against a purplish blue background, with floral motifs in green and gold around the borders and on the sides, all executed upon high grade silver.

There is a plethora of arts and crafts throughout the Rajasthan region, and the different cities there tend to have a few art forms in p...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (Ex-Asia), an interesting hand-made wool prayer rug, probably Persian but it could possibly come from the Caucasus region as well. The rug features a main central medallion in rust colored ground, two minaret motifs towards the top, and geometrical motifs on the borders. The workmanship seems to be a combination of natural mineral pigments and synthetic dyes.

Size and Condition: 60 inches long, 39 inches wide. This rug has seen a fair amount of we...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a high quality Rose Medallion plate, 19th century either Tongzhi Period (1862-1874) or Guangxu Period (1875-1908). Executed in the typical palette of pinks, blues, greens, yellows, whites and gilt with four individual cartouches: Two contain various figures usually representing scenes from either The Romance of the Western Chamber or The Dream of Red Mansions, the other two contain birds and foliage. All are set against a ground of flowering tendrils and g...