Catalog: Antiques (147)

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...

DESCRIPTION: A whimsical lint clothes brush, the wood handle carved in the form of a gentleman in a formal jacket wearing a red top hat. Most of the original paint remains; the long brush bristles are horsehair. DIMENSIONS: 8” long x 1.5” diameter.

DESCRIPTION: A tall Japanese Sumida Gawa (Sumida River) vase featuring two hand molded children in high relief. The rim and neck of the vase are covered in a rich, dark flambé glaze that runs down the shoulders onto the ribbed body. Each of the children are perched on a ledge above and below a large, flat vase. The child at the top puts something in, while at the bottom of their vase we see a crack where water pours out...

DESCRIPTION: A beautiful antique Chinese necklace strung with pink coral, turquoise and silver beads. Three silver figural pendants hang from the necklace, including a foo dog, a horse with saddle and bridal, and a child holding a large flower, each with agate beads. Qing Dynasty, excellent condition. DIMENSIONS: 28.5” end to end (72.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A large Japanese Sumida vase with three children in high relief playing on a bridge against the red ribbed body. The neck rim is covered in a rich, thick flambé glaze that runs down the shoulders onto the traditional, cold painted body. This vase is in excellent condition with no chips and very little rubbing...

DESCRIPTION: An engaging carved wood santo figure of a winged cherub, most likely carved in the Philippines. This figure, dating from the early 1900’s, is depicted with black hair, inset glass eyes and extended wings. CONDITION: Some age appropriate losses to original paint. DIMENSIONS: 6.5" high x 16" wide.

DESCRIPTION: A simply carved agate rubbing stone in the form of a Chinese boy carrying a ruyi. The semi-precious stone is pure white with brown inclusions that have been incorporated into the design as the boy’s cloak, hat and ruyi, which he carries on his shoulder. A small hole has been drilled through the ruyi at the back of the head for stringing and wearing from the belt as a toggle...

DESCRIPTION: An ornate, cast iron oil lamp by Bradley & Hubbard in gothic style with a pierced, rounded body and vine & tendril feet. Beautiful iron work, original font, bulbous glass shade; stamped B&H for Bradley & Hubbard. Very sturdy and in excellent condition. DIMENSIONS: Lamp is 13”H x 9”W; Shade is 9”H x 5”W.

DESCRIPTION: A large, handsome Burmese wood sculpture of a male Nat, or nature spirit, dressed in traditional attire and engaged in a joyful dance. Such images were first carved from wood, then laboriously decorated with applications of red lacquer then gold gilt. Dating from the early 20th C., it has been mounted on a rod with square base. Please see the last photo for size comparison with our other Nat, FIG56. Although not purchased as a pair, these make wonderful companion pieces...

DESCRIPTION: A Qing dynasty bamboo pipe, possibly used for either opium or tobacco, with a bulbous body crafted from a large segment of giant bamboo. Mounted onto this segment are heavy brass fittings, one for the tubular tobacco bowl with its long brass shaft descending into the body. The other brass tube holds the long, bent bamboo stem that is used to draw the smoke out. Very good condition with a nice patina. DIMENSIONS: 16” high assembled (40.5 cm)...

DESCRIPTION: A skillfully lacquered suzuri-bako (writing box) from the Meiji Period, early 1900’s. The lid of the rectangular box is decorated with a takamakie floral design in gold, silver and shu (a hue of red-orange) lacquer on a black ro-iro ground. The interior of the lid and box are sprinkled in a nashiji cloud motif. This suzuri-bako is a complete set, fitted with the original water dropper and inkstone and its original kiri (paulownia) wood box with inscription...

DESCRIPTION: A finely painted Chinese glass snuff bottle in flattened rectangular form, each side featuring a lohan (a Buddhist disciple) in landscape settings, one with a crouching dragon and the other with a playful foo lion. Above each lohan is a poem in fine calligraphy with red seal marks. Aventurine stopper, in excellent condition, early 20th C. DIMENSIONS: 3 ¼” high (8.3 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A large, carved wood figure of the Chinese deity Guanyin (also Quanyin, or Kwan-yin), seated on a throne with right leg folded and right hand extended in the abhaya mudra position, a gesture of reassurance, blessing and protection (or “do not fear”). Her hair is worn pulled up in a chignon inside her crown, and around her shoulders is draped a short shawl with flowing ribbons. In good, solid condition with minor age wear; early 20th C...

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...

DESCRIPTION: A good Chinese scholar’s brushpot, carved in deep relief with a continuous mountain landscape scene framed by gnarled pine trees and depicting two groups of scholars, some examining a scroll and others in a boat. The base and rim are encased in hardwood and the pot is engraved with a two line inscription. Very good condition, latter Qing Dynasty, 19th to early 20th C. DIMENSIONS: 6 ½” high (16.5 cm) x 6” diameter (15.2 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A large antique porcelain plate, well decorated with a mythical Kylin gazing upward at a large bird perched in a pine tree. The decoration is in underglazed blue with a clear glaze containing a faint blue tint. The base is unglazed and unmarked showing the finely grained paste. Excellent condition, no chips, cracks or repairs; wood stand not included. DIMENSIONS: 11 1/4” diameter (28.5 cm) x 2 1/8" high (5.4 cm).

DESCRIPTION: Antique embossed copper double picture frame featuring a heart at the center crown and foliate leaves at the corners. DIMENSIONS: 7 1/2" H X 9 1/2" W. PROVENANCE: From the private estate of a Peruvian gentleman; Houston, Texas.

DESCRIPTION: A Chinese scholar’s calligraphy brush, the brush crafted with natural bristles encased in a horn ferrule. These are secured with a silver band to a pitted green jade handle inscribed with archaic characters and terminating in a round knob. A quality, well made brush in excellent condition, most likely dating to the latter Qing Dynasty to early republic Period. DIMENSIONS: 9 ¼” long (23.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A very good woven oak-splint basket in lobed buttocks form, used as a field gathering basket or a market basket for goods. This large, late 1800’s to early 1900’s Pennsylvania basket has a sturdy bentwood handle with bentwood-wrapped rims. CONDITION: Very good with minor age-appropriate usage wear and losses. DIMENSIONS: 20” wide x 14" high x 16.5” deep.

DESCRIPTION: A pretty little repossee’ silver Chinese export box on short paw-feet legs with a large pink quartz carving inset into the top, carved in the form of a peach and a pomegranate. The inside has been gold washed and the base bears a stamp “Made in China, Silver.” The perfect size for holding a favorite ring or earrings, the box is in good condition with wear to the white overlay on the horizontal band; first quarter of the 20th C...

DESCRIPTION: A large and attractive Sumida Gawa tankard with a red ribbed body, graceful handle, and high relief figures of two children. A traditional flowing flambe' glaze in dark brown and beige coats the top third of the mouth and handle. Fine attention to detail has been paid to the handmade figures of children standing on ledges against the ribbed, cold painted body...

DESCRIPTION: A lovely graduated set of Japanese Kutani porcelain bowls, each delicately hand painted with three overlapping rectangular cartouches which reveal landscape, garden and interior scenes, highlighted with raised gilt decoration. Each bowl is signed on the base, Kutani Sei. The mark and style of this set dates it to the end of Meiji period (1868-1912), from around 1910-20. All bowls are in excellent condition, no chips or restorations.

DIMENSIONS: All three bowls nest neatly. ...

DESCRIPTION: Beautiful melon-shaped split oak basket with a sturdy bentwood handle and oak-wrapped wide rim. This early 1900’s folk art basket is in great condition with no major losses noted. DIMENSIONS: 18" long x 14.5" wide; height with handle is 13.75", without is 8.75".

DESCRIPTION: A Chinese Hill Tribe necklace, handmade of alternating coral colored beads and silver repousse lappets, strung on two lengths of woven silver chain with hook clasp. A very attractive short necklace dating from the early to mid 20th Century. In very good condition and a nice example of ethnographic Chinese tribal jewelry. DIMENSIONS: 9” drop when clasped; lappets are 1” long each.

DESCRIPTION: A large and fabulous Sumida Gawa tankard with an unglazed body, graceful handle, and figures of a man and small boy in very high relief. A thick, flowing flambe' glaze in blues and brown coats the mouth and runs down the body and handle in thick drips. Fine attention to detail has been paid to the handmade figures of a seated man with a cane facing a young boy, both supported by craggy rockwork ledges. On the back in blue characters in a raised white cartouche is the potter's ma...

DESCRIPTION: An extraordinary Chinese tray, its rectangular form crafted from one slab of huanghuali wood that has been skillfully hollowed to expose the beautiful grain and form the graceful, curved edges. This elegant tray highlights the incredible beauty of this favored Chinese wood and virtually shimmers in the light. Excellent condition with a nice weight to it; from a private collection. DIMENSIONS: 13 1/2" wide (34.2 cm) x 9" deep (22.8 cm).

DESCRIPTION: An attractive oval brass box, the hinged lid decorated with a carved carnelian stone at the center with raised brass leaves on either side. Signed at the interior lid, such a box might have been used for snuff, jewelry, cosmetics or medicines. This attractive little box is in excellent condition and dates from the first quarter of the 20th C. DIMENSIONS: 2 ¼” long (5.7 cm) x 1 1/8” wide (2.9 cm) x 1” high (2.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: Three antique wooden kitchen spoons, hand carved from maple wood. These have been waxed showing a beautiful patina, and new leather straps are attached for display. DIMENSIONS: Largest = 17” long x 4” wide; smallest = 14.5” long x 2.25” wide.

DESCRIPTION: An attractive scholar's calligraphy brush, crafted using long brown horsehair bristles attached to a bulbous ox-horn ferrule and segmented, solid ox- horn shaft. A very handsome brush in good condition from the latter Qing Dynasty, which would have been used for calligraphy or painting. DIMENSIONS: 14” long (35.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: A hand woven gizzard basket, c. 1890-1900, originating from Crossville, Tennessee. Gizzard baskets, sometimes known as the bow basket or egg basket, are made forming the handle and rim first, then are lashed together to form a frame. Into this lashing, ribs are inserted which hold the weaving that forms the shell of the basket. Gizzard baskets are the “Cadillac” of white oak baskets and are prized by collectors, being difficult to make and time-consuming. This basket has the “...

DESCRIPTION: A large and delightful carved wood figure of one of the seven Japanese gods of good fortune, Daikoku, the deity of prosperity. Here he is seen in his traditional pose, standing on two bales of rice with his wish-granting mallet in his right hand, and a bag of riches slung over his left shoulder. Daikoku is also venerated as the deity of the kitchen where such carvings were traditionally displayed, sometimes in the ceiling rafters for good luck. A wonderful mingei piece, his happ...

DESCRIPTION: A pair of polychrome figures engaged in joyful dance, one male and one female, mounted on display stands. These colorful hand carved figures, called "Nats" or nature spirits, are dressed in traditional Thai costumes with the male figure wearing a tiger head cap. Prior to the advent of Buddhism, the Thai people were animists who worshipped a series of nature spirits called Nats. Later these were incorporated into Buddhism and often Nat statues will be found in Buddhist temples. ...

DESCRIPTION: A fine and very sculptural Chinese Duan ink stone in the form of a bell with a deeply carved water well on one end, and a flaring flat surface on the other for mixing ink. The stone is raised on two elongated prong feet, between which is a five character inscription. Worth noting is the attractive coloring of the stone, best described as a plumb or eggplant color mixed with dashes of scattered sea-green inclusions, often called “eyes.” CONDITION: One tiny chip on raised lip at...

DESCRIPTION: A late 19th to early 20th century cast iron garden bench with serpentine crest over the back and side arms and a classic openwork fern pattern with pierced seat, the naturalistic legs having side stretchers with similar fern decoration. Very good condition; light, scattered rust spots, paintable. DIMENSIONS: 41" wide x 27 1/2" high; seat height is 14 1/2"

DESCRIPTION: This large, boldly decorated early 19th century Japanese Arita sometsuke (blue and white) porcelain dish in square form (“kaku-zara”) is hand painted in deep cobalt blue with a center floral design against thin parallel lines. This center ground is bordered by diaper designs around the raised rim with floral cartouches at each corner. Such a dish was used in Japanese tea ceremonies for serving raw fish or shellfish. The reverse is hand painted with stylized decorations in cobal...

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 ...