Catalog: Antiques (145)

DESCRIPTION: A handsome scholar's calligraphy brush, crafted using a dark brown bamboo for the shaft which connects to a shaped horn ferrule and long, natural bristle brush. One of the "four treasures of the scholar’s studio," this striking scholar’s brush would have been used for calligraphy or painting. This attractive, well made brush dates from the early 20th C. DIMENSIONS: 13.25” long (33.5 cm).

DESCRIPTION: This outstanding and rare antique Japanese Tonkotsu, or tobacco box, has been crafted from boxwood in the form of the Three Wise Monkeys, with a beautifully carved Iwazaru, or “Speak no Evil” monkey, serving as the main tobacco container. Mizaru, or “See No Evil”, forms the ojime and Kikazaru, or “Hear No Evil”, forms the netsuke to complete the set. Each of these has been meticulously carved with inlaid eyes and finely delineated fur...

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: 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...

An attractive antique Chinese porcelain plate, hand painted with a large, leaping blue carp with russet colored cross-hatched scales. The carp was an auspicious fish in China and a symbol of perseverance and success, often applied to success in business enterprises and state examinations. In excellent condition (no cracks, chips or hairlines), this deep-dish plate would have served as a large shallow bowl as well...

DESCRIPTION: An engaging Spanish Colonial carved santo figure depicting Saint Anthony holding the Christ Child. St. Anthony of Padua is perhaps one of the most loved and admired saints in the Catholic Church. Born in Portugal in 1195, he was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order who later did much of his work in Italy. Here St. Anthony is dressed in a brown friar's habit with head tilted to one side, gently holding the Christ Child in his arms...

DESCRIPTION: An antique Chinese toggle (guajian), carved from boxwood in the form of a Buddha's hand fruit (or fingered citron), a symbol of happiness, longevity and good fortune in China. The fingered citron is unusually shaped with bright yellow fruit segmented into finger-like sections, resembling a human hand. Highly fragrant, it is used predominantly in China for perfuming rooms and personal items such as clothing...

DESCRIPTION: An appealing Chinese toggle (guajian), carved from Huanghuali wood (a hardwood similar to Rosewood) in the form of a Buddhist lion seated on a plinth with one paw placed on top of a ball. With raised tail, textured fur on his back, and brass studs decorating the eyes and each limb, this foo dog would have been used as a counterweight for a tobacco pouch or other object suspended from a belt...

An attractive pair of antique Chinese porcelain plates, each hand painted with a large, leaping blue carp with russet colored cross-hatched scales. The carp was an auspicious fish in China and a symbol of perseverance and success, often applied to success in business enterprises and state examinations. In excellent condition (no cracks, chips or hairlines), this pair of deep-dish plates would have served as large shallow bowls as well...

DESCRIPTION: A large polychromed wood figure of Saint Martin De Porres, Peruvian, 18th C. Here he is depicted gazing upward toward heaven, arms outstretched, wearing his Dominican robe embroidered in gold with a long painted rosary dangling past his waist. His white undergarment is richly painted with flowers and gold leafy tendrils. Carved in full round, his head is set with glass eyes and he retains a good amount of the original paint...

DESCRIPTION: A lovely, large cuff bracelet crafted from a fine silver filigree mesh with a large center turquoise stone and six smaller stones of turquoise and coral. Around these are raised silver bamboo sprigs decorating the front and two hinged sides. This bracelet is closed with a silver clasp and secured with silver chain. Stamped "SILVER, MADE IN CHINA" on opposing plaques at the clasp. Very good condition; c. 1920's...

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 fine Spanish Colonial carved wood figure (or santo) of the Christ Child. This devotional sculpture was sensitively and realistically carved with the Christ Child standing, looking slightly downward with his right hand raised and wearing a draping red robe tied at the waist...

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...

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...

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...