Catalog (321)

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a good pair of hand-colored steel engravings circa 1843, drawn by Thomas Allom and engraved by W. Wetherhead and W.H. Capone. The first engraving is titled "Sowing Rice at Soo-Chow-Foo," and the second piece is titled "Temple of Buddha, Canton" both of which hail from the famous four volume 1840's series called "China Illustrated."

Thomas Allom (1804-1872) was a notable architect and topographical illustrator active during the mid-19th century, ...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, a fine 19th century brass surahi (water flask) paired with a large Kashmiri flashed-silver over lacquered-brass undertray, also 19th century. These two pieces were not originally part of a formal set, but we find that they make for an attractive and logical pairing. The surahi is of traditional form with large bulbous body, splayed foot, and long tapering neck. There are six individual cartouches of animated people and animals crafted into the lower bod...

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. The negoro effect here is not as pronounced on this piece as it is on our other recently posted hsun-ok (see item ...

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 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 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 enameled silver box from Jaipur, Rajasthan (India), featuring a very attractively painted elephant in regal attire executed in royal blue against an irridescent turquoise background, with floral motifs in green, blue, and champagne color around the borders and on the sides, all executed upon high grade silver. This particular box is a larger example of another similar piece we offer, item # 937150.

There is a plethora of arts and crafts th...

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 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 European Collection, a beautiful hexafoil Egermann Bohemian Crystal compote, a one-of-a kind artist signed original by Mledenov. This piece is hand-cut, wheel-engraved, and stained in ruby colored crystal. The general feel of this piece is classic old-world Egermann, and it pays tribute to the established Bohemian Crystal design motifs, but it is nevertheless an original and in a very interesting and elegant hexafoil form.

Egermann Crystal was founded in 1832 by Friedrich Ege...

From our European Collection, a large and beautiful Egermann Bohemian Crystal Vase, a one-of-a kind artist signed original by K.Varra. This piece is hand-cut, wheel-engraved, and stained in ruby colored crystal exhibiting the stag motif, which historically is a classic Egermann design for which the company is credited with being the very first to incorporate into crystal ware.

Egermann Crystal was founded in 1832 by Friedrich Egermann of Novy Bor, and is recognized as being one of the ea...

From our World Handicrafts Collection (Ex-Asia), a large, fine, and wonderfully vibrant hand-made kilim from Uzbekistan or the Caucasus Region, with bird and geometric motifs executed in a rich multicolor palette of indigo, red, blue, mint green, brown, cream, and purple against a burnt orange ground. A very elegant, intricate, and sophisticated example. This piece can be used either as a standard floor rug, or hung vertically on a wall as a dramatic art statement.

Size and Condition: ...

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 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 World Handicrafts Collection (Ex-Asia), a charming hand-carved mirror frame from Cuzco Peru, sister city of the famed Macchu Piccu ruins. The wood used here is an indigenous Andean softwood that has been very skillfully carved in Spanish Baroque style, not uncommon since Peru was colonized by the Spanish in the 1500's and Spanish architectural influence still pervades their culture and crafts. The mirrored glass was installed later in the States. A lovely and unique gift item.

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An excellent pictorial reference book specializing in Song Dynasty ceramics with very good informative text by Rose Kerr. This is an especially well-photographed book with about 120 color photos covering all areas of Song Dynasty ceramics including Ru and Jun wares, Xing and Ding wares, Yaozhou wares, Cizhou wares, Celadon wares, Qingbai wares, and Jizhou and Jian wares. 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...

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...

An excellent pictorial reference specializing in blanc de chine (dehua) and a must-have book for anybody collecting within this field. The text by Robert Blumenthal is very good as well. We personally find that blanc de chine is probably the biggest area of fraud, abuse, and mistake by unscrupulous and /or unknowledgeable dealers, and as such it is probably the main area where novice collectors get burnt the most. From what we see, we estimate that a staggering 75% of so-called blanc de chine s...