Catalog (251)

DESCRIPTION: A handsome Japanese hibachi, crafted from a section of kiri wood (paulownia wood) with rounded body and lacquer floral designs. Inside is the original copper liner where coals would be placed for heating or keeping a tea pot warm. Two large peony blossoms are lacquered in gold and orange on the front, with smaller leafed branches on the reverse. Paulownia wood is very light, fine-grained, and warp-resistant, and is often used in Japan for chests and boxes. Today Japanese hibachi...

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 Qing Dynasty Chinese scroll painting depicting a seated Chinese deity with a large blue foo dog mask in his lap and two attendants at his feet. All figures have ornate colorful robes and auroras around their heads. An inscription can be found at the lower middle between the two attendants. CONDITION: “Waves” in paper from being rolled; colors and images are bright; painting has been remounted on white paper-backed silk. DIMENSIONS: Image is 47 3/4” high (1.21 m) X 20 1/...

DESCRIPTION: Some of the most spectacular Acoma pottery pieces are the geometric designs rendered in black on white. This thin-walled, hand coiled olla represents the pinnacle of this category with exceptionally small squares, both white and black, forming intricate mazes across the entire surface signifying rain and lightning bolts. The pot is narrow at the base and gradually widens to the broadest section just before the taper towards the mouth. In a bold stripe from top to bottom, Kokopell...

DESCRIPTION: It's extremely rare to find a complete suite of matching antique Chinese jewelry; it's even more rare to find them in their original box. This beautiful set consists of a matching silver filigree bracelet, a pair of earrings, a pin and a ring, all having natural turquoise and coral stones set between delicate scrolling silver wire work. The inside lid of the box is stamped, "The Old Friend, 18 Brass Street, Peiping." Dating from the 1920's, the whole suite is in excellent conditi...

DESCRIPTION: Before the availability of electricity and modern irons, this simple but useful implement was produced to iron clothes. The long wood handle is attached to a large cast iron bowl designed to hold hot coals. The bowl has been cast with designs on its outer surface and is shaped with one side flared to protect the worker’s hand. After the bowl absorbed sufficient heat from the coals, it was pressed onto the garment using the flat bottom surface to smooth out wrinkles. Dating fro...

DESCRIPTION: A Spanish carved oak buffet a deux corps (buffet or hutch with the top cabinet having a shallower depth than the bottom), 19th C. The carved cavetto molding crowns double lattice work cupboard doors with hand forged iron hinges which open to reveal two interior shelves. These are set on a base with a frieze drawer over double cupboard doors, also with iron hinges, each carved with a six point flower set within a circle. Flanking the doors are beautifully carved sunburst side pan...

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 Spanish Colonial Cuzco School painting of the Virgin Mary, originating from Cusco, Peru. Here Mary is depicted with a golden halo looking straight at the viewer, wearing a royal blue robe with gold floral accents. In her hands she holds the crown of thorns and nails; however her image is not one of sorrow but of great peace and serenity. The painting is enclosed by its original, reverse-slant carved and pierced frame, very characteristic of the elaborate carvings made by ...

DESCRIPTION: A Qing Dynasty Chinese scroll depicting a plethora of Chinese deities, each in colorful robes of blue, green, yellow and red, and each with an aurora around his head. The deities display different symbols or attributes that identify them to the knowledgeable follower. The artist’s inscription can be found between the two lower left figures.

Chinese mythology has a rich, long history and is a collection of folktales, cultures and religions that have been passed down in ora...

DESCRIPTION: A small Navajo rug made of handspun wool in an "Eye Dazzler" pattern of three vibrant, serrated diamonds on a bright red ground, enclosed with a double border of white and black. The Eye Dazzler, so named by early traders because of the intense coloring of the dyes, is a serrated design that was woven in multiple colors of bright aniline dyed yarns in the 1880 - 1890 period. Navajo Eye Dazzler weavings were influenced by the Mexican satillo weavings and the Germantown yarn weavi...

DESCRIPTION: A lovely white jade toggle (or pendant) with scattered light brown to grayish inclusions, strung with an orange amber bead on a cord. This toggle dates from the Qing Dynasty and is in very good condition; the jade surface is quite smooth to the touch and there are no chips to the jade or amber bead. DIMENSIONS: Jade toggle: 1 1/4" long (3.2 cm) x 1" wide (2.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A striking Acoma pottery olla with dramatic traditional graphics in white, black and orange. This greenware olla is skillfully painted in traditional designs including hatched (symbolizing rain), stepped (representing clouds) and curvilinear, with distinctive "heartline" deer figures and bold flowers. These designs speak of water, fertility, the life cycle, the earth and sky, and their interrelationships to each other. The concave bottom is signed, "Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, Lou...

DESCRIPTION: A pair of decorative, large and captivating carved wooden figures of two reclining “lotus boys,” each with a candle stand in one hand. The fat-cheeked, gilded babies are carved separately from their large lotus leaf bases, which are complete with curled edges and seed pods. In Chinese folklore, such figures represent the wish for many sons - “as many as the seeds in the lotus pod.” These large figures are absolutely charming, and would make wonderful focal points on a Chi...

DESCRIPTION: A hand painted and artist signed steer skull with copper accents. The white steer skull is hand painted with Native American designs and incorporates ornamental attachments including copper plates over the eye sockets, an attached copper ring at the top of the skull, and hanging ornaments of leather strips, copper tubing and feathers. Signed and dated by artist Pat Schwartz, 1985, and titled "Flight Skull." Good condition and a perfect Southwestern accent piece. DIMENSIONS: 26 ...

DESCRIPTION: A significant Chinese sculpture featuring a Scholar with his boy attendant, carved from a large slab of burl hardwood. The undulations and knobs of the slightly curving burl slab have been beautifully incorporated into the carving, forming the scholar’s garment and top of his curled hat. The bearded scholar looks slightly upward with a pleasing expression and holds a scroll in his hands. At his side is his young attendant gazing upward with a charming smile. Naturalistic burl c...

DESCRIPTION: A very old Chinese wooden incense holder, crafted in the form of a partially unrolled scroll that bends and folds to form the container. On the edges of the “scroll” is a relief carved key pattern border with traces of gilt; the worn lacquer surface still shows the original designs of a bird, flower, bamboo and Chinese characters. The top of the flat back plate has a shaped and carved design with a center hole for hanging. On its reverse can be seen the old, hand forged iron ...

DESCRIPTION: A classic painting from the Peruvian Cuzco School, this stunning oil on canvas of Arcangel San Rafael dates from the 19th C. San Rafael is depicted with angelic face and a crown of roses on his head. The angel is dressed in boots and an elaborate traveler's coat with lace cuffs. From his left hand he holds a fish, which is the symbol of this saint. Wonderful condition; in a more recent burlwood frame; unsigned. Fine detail work and an excellent representation of the distinguis...