Catalog (321)

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a small but fine Burmese ink on palm leaf sutra with thayo embossed wood covers, depicting Buddha under the Bodhi Tree of Enlightenment flanked by two adorants in the center medallion, then encircled by disciples and zoomorphic entities in the surrounding images. The reverse side contains sutra writings in Burmese script, not yet translated. Overall workmanship is quite fine with great attention to detail, reflecting the devotion, reverence, and skill of the c...

From our European Collection, a fine and elegant 19th century bronze tazza, probably French, featuring well-cast leonine head motifs with twisted serpentine handles, supported upon a tapering circular pedestal base with some very attractive and realistically cast floral motifs. This piece has acquired a nice chocolate-brown patina across most of the surfaces.

Size and Condition: 13 1/4 inches across handles, 7 inches tall. Some minor scratches to the serving surface of the tazza tray, a...

From our European Collection, a good late 19th century bronze figural inkwell, probably French.

Size and Condition: 9 inches wide, 5 1/4 inches tall, 6 1/4 inches deep. Some verdigris to the patina, the interior glass ink container liner has a small crack, and the inkwell lid does not fully close, though this can easily remedied with a competent repair. Still fine overall condition.

From our European Collection, a fine and very ornate cast iron letter holder, late 19th century, most likely French though possibly Italian or even Spanish, crisply cast with cherubs and other figures and very intricate openwork.

Size and Condition: 14 3/4 inches wide, 14 1/2 inches tall, 4 3/4 inches deep when opened. Excellent condition. Some minor rubbing on the periphery, and also on the facial extremities of some of the figures as shown in the photographs, but overall the wear is q...

From our European Collection, a fine and very ornate cast iron plant stand, late 19th century, most likely French though possibly Spanish, featuring highly detailed and animated figures gracing the corners, along with some very intricate openwork on the legs and stand surfaces.

Size and Condition: 30 inches tall, 15 inches wide, 15 inches deep. Some minor and general wear commensurate with age but really no notable flaws. This item was apparently very well-kept, and comes from the estat...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a superb Indonesian ebony wood carving of Ruana, expertly rendered with such animation and ferocity that the character looks almost demon-like, so much so that we actually find this particular piece a bit creepy.....But that is ultimately testimony to the tremendous skill of the carver.

For those unfamiliar with the differences between ebony wood and the other woods in the hardwood / rosewood family, ebony wood is especially dense and heavy and very d...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a superb Indonesian ebony wood carving of a Legong dancer, expertly rendered capturing the marvelous grace and elegance of this traditional Balinese dance.

As Wikipedia describes it, "Legong is a form of Balinese dance. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions. Legong probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend has it that a pri...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a very fine and intricate Indonesian original painting by N. Mandra of Ubud (Bali), depicting an offering scene executed in subdued earth tones. The painting is acrylic on canvas and is very well done.

Size and Condition: Framed dimensions are 32 inches tall, 24 1/2 inches wide. Perfect condition, no damages.

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a large and fine vintage Pakistani Bokhara rug using extra fine wool and silk in classic Tekke Gul design, handwoven on a vertical loom with cotton base, using a combination of natural mineral pigments and synthetic dyes in brown, black, taupe, cream, and pale green. Whilst Bokhara rugs are often perceived as utilitarian in nature and not seen as art objects by their makers, this particular rug is of such good quality that the maker decided to sign it. T...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a large and elegant hand-etched brass floor lamp from Southern India. The etched designs on this piece are really quite intricate, and it is clear that a tremendous amount of time and handiwork went into the layout and artistry of this piece.

Size and Condition: 71 inches tall (just shy of 6 feet), lampshade is 18 inches in diameter at widest point. The lamp has been fitted with American electrical hardware and is still in good working order. ...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a fine and large Thai Rattanakosin bronze Buddha, early-to-middle 19th century, depicting Buddha with both hands raised shoulder level with palms forward in Ham Samut mudra, also known as "Calming the Waters" or "Calming the Ocean" mudra. Buddha is wearing regal attire here with traditional tall crown and body jewelry that is elaborately inset with lacquer and glass adornments. Gilding retention is relatively high on this example. Buddha's crown is removable...

From our Japanese Collection, a superb and large satsuma lidded jar / tea caddy by Ryozan, Meiji Period 1868-1912, stunningly executed with exceptional fineness depicting two cartouches of people gathering, alternating with two cartouches of ducks and birds in nature scenes, all separated and framed by intricate brocaded reserves of floral motifs using wonderful color variation and extensive gilt.

Size and Condition: A relatively large caddy at 7 1/4 inches tall, 6 1/8 inches wide.

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a fine and very large Khmer (Cambodian) handmade silk textile now framed as a wall hanging, executed in traditional Khmer palette using a combination of natural vegetal dyes and synthetic colors, depicting various animal and geometric motifs. A very striking and dramatic piece not commonly encountered.

Size and Condition: 94 1/2 inches wide, 40 1/2 inches tall. Some minor thread pulls here and there but overall excellent condition.

From our Chinese Monochrome Collection, a beautiful white porcelain Guanyin, Goddess of Compassion and Mercy, executed in the style of early 20th century slip-cast blanc de chine from Dehua, but actually a later vintage-era white porcelain example from Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province. (Among other things, the difference here rests in the nature of the underlying porcelain paste, which to novice eyes may be difficult to discern, but to our eyes is clearly not true blanc de chine.) Nevertheless, s...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a very large teakwood sideboard / buffet from Kerala in Southern India, crafted with old-growth teakwood using carved sunburst motifs for the compartment doors. A very understated yet elegant example featuring large compartments and a large top surface area, making it very functional besides its strong appeal as highly decorative ethnic furniture.

Size and Condition: A large piece at 74 inches wide, 34 inches tall, 23 inches deep. Overall condit...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a fine and large pair of ornamental bronze Burmese gongsmen, early 20th century, crisply cast depicting two gongsmen carrying a large circular gong known as a "maung" suspended beneath a pole. During Burma's Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885), official announcements were made to the townspeople by a King's Representative accompanied by two gongsmen, who would customarily alert the town to their announcement by striking the maung. Later, in the subsequent era ...

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a fine and complete Burmese Kammavaca Manuscript, late 19th - early 20th century, containing all 16 leaves and the original teak wood covers.

Kammavaca manuscripts are a quintessentially Burmese artifact that reflect the general reverence afforded to the monastic system in that country. To Western eyes, they are usually just highly decorative ethnic handicrafts from an isolated and exotic culture. But to the Burmese, they are a rather important and quit...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (ex-Asia), a large and very fine Persian rug, hand-woven of wool and silk in a rich and elegant palette of deep red, dark and light blue, tan, mint green, pale orange, and cream.

Size and Condition: 10 feet and 4 inches long (124 inches), 7 feet and 8 inches wide (92 inches). There are some thread pulls and light general wear, but overall condition is excellent.