Catalog (251)

DESCRIPTION: A pair of beautiful matching red lacquer Chinese chairs, c. 1880. Crafted from jumu wood (Southern Chinese elm) and originating from Fujian Province, these chairs have matching gilt medallions on the gracefully curved back splats, woven wicker over solid wood seats, and elaborately carved front skirts. Elegant and attractive. CONDITION: Excellent, both very sturdy and solid; professional restorations in China to bring them back to their original condition. DIMENSIONS: Each chair...

DESCRIPTION: A large, boldly colored Chinese ancestor portrait featuring seven generations of mandarins and their wives. Such paintings were commissioned by descendants, and this one is executed in classic ancestral portrait style with the unsmiling subjects facing directly forward and seated on chairs with rounded backs, the men with hands and shoes showing and the women with their robes completely covering hands and feet.

A mandarin was a highly educated civil official who had passed a s...

DESCRIPTION: A fantastic Acoma pottery water jar of large size with a wonderfully complex polychrome design containing bear and Kokopelli figures. A double rainbow of light and dark sienna bands divides this beautiful greenware olla into six cartouche segments, three larger ones with bears below the arched rainbows, each with different background designs, and three smaller ones with stylized Kokopelli figures (fertility deities) playing flutes. Additional geometric designs in black on white are...

DESCRIPTION: A colorfully painted Tibetan chest with four side drawers having leather strap pulls (two drawers on each side). The chest is painted with green floral panels having red floral borders and is supported by short legs. A carved key fret pattern decorates the neck just below the top. Dating from the 19th C, this chest is in good condition with very minor scuffs to paint. DIMENSIONS: 33” high x 28.5” wide x 18”deep.

DESCRIPTION: A pair of rare Qing Dynasty (early 1800's) ancestor portraits of miniature size, framed in an archival, off-white silk matt. Both figures are seated on horseshoe back chairs with tiger skin drapes, the husband in a bright blue robe with black silk overcoat, his rank badge displayed on his chest; the wife in a bright orange-red coat, teal colored skirt, and elaborate headdress. Both are well painted with detailed, lifelike features. Portraits of this size are very rare as most anc...

DESCRIPTION: From the Amazon rainforest of Peru, the Shipibo-Conibo are an indigenous tribe known for their distinctive pottery and textiles. Their unique, intricate geometric designs are sophisticated interpretations of their cosmic beliefs that the jungle rivers follow the same course as the stars. Collectors world-wide clamor for their coil constructed pottery, made by the women of the tribe.

This very large, outstanding female figural vessel has a wide, double lobed body and dates from ...

DESCRIPTION: A large and quite fantastic Sumida Gawa vase with ribbed body, four large figures in high relief, and wide flared mouth. A thick, traditional flambe' glaze in dark brown and white covers the mouth and neck, and flows down the shoulders. Fine attention to detail has been paid to the four large handmade figures, all characters from Japanese lore, standing on ledges against the ribbed body. Inoue (Ryosai) maker's mark in oval-shaped appliqué toward the base, representing a family ...

DESCRIPTION: A handsome Chinese scholar's brush pot crafted from burl root and hollowed well to hold a number of brushes (pictured here with three quality brushes we also have listed). Its undulating form, texture and patina are striking to view, and its natural shape would have had great appeal to the Chinese scholar in his studio. Dating from the Qing dynasty, mid 19th C., this pot is in very good condition with a few inconsequential rim cracks; very solid and sturdy. DIMENSIONS: 7 3/4" high...

DESCRIPTION: Dramatic in its bold yet simple design, this Japanese lacquer box makes a striking statement. The background of this large box is lacquered in a mirror-like, black ro-iro ground, with a vivid gold lacquer design on the lid of bamboo superimposed over a ginko leaf, all within a gold circle. The box is supported on four curved feet, and the interiors are brilliantly lacquered in orange-red. This box is in excellent condition, with very minor “bumps” to the outer lid, and the r...

DESCRIPTION: Silver needle cases first appeared in China in the 1700's. Elaborate embroidery has a long tradition in China, and young girls began intensive training in needlework skills by age seven. Given the importance of embroidery in her life, a silver needle case was often presented to a girl as part of her dowry.

This particular case is an extraordinary example. Most silver needle cases held only one container for needles, while this elaborate case has a total of five large silv...

DESCRIPTION: A fine antique folk art frame with deeply set mirror, the frame intricately inlaid with multi-colored woods forming geometric designs including diamonds, stars, fans and other parquetry motifs. This is a wonderful folk art piece executed with obvious skill; narrow beaded inner frame is gold leaf. Excellent condition, no losses or cracks. Provenance: Clifford A. Wallach, Tramp Art, Folk & Americana. DIMENSIONS: 13 5/8” high x 11” wide.

DESCRIPTION: E. (Edward) P. (Penfield) WWI patriotic lithographic poster, "Every Girl Pulling for Victory", featuring a young woman rowing a boat named “VICTORY.” Caption at base reads, “VICTORY GIRLS, UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN.” Signed lower left; very good condition, no fading or defects visible. DIMENSIONS: 27 1/2" H x 22 1/4" W.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The United War Work Campaign was a joint effort undertaken by seven voluntary organizations active during World War I: the Nation...

DESCRIPTION: A colorful pair of Chinese cloisonne deer, both standing foursquare with heads turned, their bodies decorated with a profusion of designs including dragons and taotie masks, all on a turquoise blue ground. These are a nice larger size, perfect for a table centerpiece. Republic Period (1911 - 1949); very good condition. DIMENSIONS: Each 15.5" long (39.3 cm) x 15" high (38 cm).

DESCRIPTION: An early Southwestern Native American trade bead necklace with rare orange glass trade beads strung in pairs then separated by hand worked silver beads, some round with alternating pierced beads, and some with twisted silver wire set within square frames. Also included are a total of six Republica de Guatemala silver coins (two 1/2 Reals and four 1 Reals), all dated between 1900 and 1912, and one large Republica Mexicana 8 Reales with the liberty cap and starburst pattern, dated 18...

DESCRIPTION: A well carved cylindrical jade cricket box, the body carved and pierced from white jade in a leaf and flower pattern, with a dark cyan colored jade lid, pierced and carved in the same pattern. The box is raised on an ebony stand with three feet. Dating from the first half of the 20th C., this cricket box is in excellent condition. DIMENSIONS: 3 1/8" high (8 cm) x 2" diameter.

CULTURAL BACKGROUND: Keeping crickets is a tradition in China, with cricket boxes made in a vari...

DESCRIPTION: A large and masterfully carved Chinese shou shan stone (soapstone) seal in tall rectangular form, the knob carved with a crouching dragon having both wings tucked back covering its sides, and whose mouth is poised to grasp the sacred pearl. On each flat surface of the base are engraved inscriptions and characters among idyllic scenes of rivers with boats, hills, houses and pavilions. The bottom seal characters leave a positive (red) impression. An outstanding seal in very good co...

DESCRIPTION: In Burma (now called Myanmar), one of the most honored and beautifully decorated ceremonial pieces was the box that held the many gold lacquered sheets of Buddhist manuscripts, called the Kammawasa. These sheets are read aloud at monastic assemblies, and topics covered could include formalities for the ordination of monks and the bestowal of their robes, the consecration of an ordination hall, celebrating the festival of the full moon, or other such instructions. (Please see our sto...

DESCRIPTION: A large and handsome Sumida Gawa vase with ribbed body, high relief figures and pinched neck. A thick, traditional flambe' glaze in dark brown and blue covers the mouth and neck, and flows down the shoulders. Fine attention to detail has been paid to the handmade figures of a boy and girl standing on ledges against the ribbed body. Inoue (Ryosai) maker's mark in pear-shaped appliqué on the back. Early 20th C. (pre WWII) and in perfect condition; no chips or repairs. DIMENSIO...