Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (424)

This carved bamboo brush holder (BiTong) is an early 20th century product. It depicts five sages and two young servants surrounded by pine trees and rocks. It is 6 ½” high and 5”~ 5 ½” in diameter. The carving is elegant and quite deep. Aside from some cracks due to the age and nature of the bamboo, it is in excellent condition.

Middle 19th century Chinese white jade Pi. The piece is 2 ¼ inches in diameter and 5/16 inches thick. A pinhead (Gu) design is on one side; the other side has a five scroll design. The carved wood stand has six round vase shaped corners. There is a tiny chip on the rim of the jade and a small piece is missing on the curve of the stand. It is in good condition.

This early 20th century pale green porcelain Guan Yin is 9 inches tall. The image of Guan Yin holding a baby boy is a fertility symbol in Chinese custom. It is in good condition.

The pair of early 20th century carved ivory emperor and empress snuff bottles are 2 ½ inches high, 7/8 inches wide and ½” thick. The emperor’s right hand holds a fan; his left hand carries a long staff. The empress’ right hand holds a flower; her left hand carries a round fan. The impressions on their faces are very well presented and their robes and hair pieces are nicely carved and colored. Aside from some worn pigment due to age, they are in really great shape.

S. E. Asian blue and white porcelain twin duck water dropper of the Ming period (1368~1615). There are two small chips; one is on the tip of tail and the other is on the wing. It is 4 inches wide and 4 inches tall.

This late 19th century Chinese Famille Rose Mille Fleurs (thousand flowers) plate is 1 ¾ inches tall and 9 ½ inches in diameter. Hundreds of flowers such as peony, chrysanthemum, lily, lotus, wisteria and hibiscus cover the entire plate. Two separate floral (peony) designs are on the back. It has an honorific Qian Long mark on the bottom. The workmanship is excellent. The gold edging on the rim has slightly rubbed off. Aside from this minor wear, it is in great condition.

This pair of carved ivory emperor and empress are early 20th century export pieces. The emperor is 14 ¼” high with base (without base, it is 12 5/8” high), 2 ½” wide and 2” thick. The empress is 13 ½” high with base (without base, it is 12” high), 2 ½” wide and 2” thick. The emperor is holding a sword and the empress is holding a Ruyi. The robes are very well carved with dragon and phoenix design. They are in excellent condition.

This late 19th or early 20th century Chinese jade carving is 6 inches tall, 3 ¼ inches wide and 2 ¼ inches in depth. One side depicts a seated goddess of mercy (Guan Yin) in a cave. Pine trees are growing above the cave. A pagoda covered with clouds appears on a far away mountain. On the other side, we find two old pine trees growing on a mountain. Two sages appear to be chatting; one is in the pagoda, one standing outside. The gated style building sits atop a mountain...

This late 19th century Chinese egg spinach vase is 15 ½” high and 8 ½” on the widest part. It depicts phoenixes surrounded by peony blossoms. There is a blue honorable Qian Long mark on the bottom. Aside from an old chip on the rim, it is in great condition.

This superb ivory carving of a Chinese legendary figure Tie Gui Li is a late 19th or early 20th century product. It is 11 ½” tall (including base); without the base it is 9 ¾” high, 2 ½” wide and 2” in depth. The statue presents a legendary Chinese character who is a member of the eight immortals. According to legend, one day he told his follower that his spirit was going to travel far away. He asked the young follower to watch over his body for seven days while he was away...

This superb ivory carving is 12 inches tall (including base) and 3 inches wide. The statue presents a legendary Chinese character who is a member of the eight immortals. According to legend, one day he told his follower that his spirit was going to travel far away. He asked the young follower to watch his body for seven days while he was away. If he did not come back after the seventh day, the young man must burn his body...

This 19th-century bamboo carving represents an old sage leaning on a broom as if he has drifted into thought once he finished sweeping. He has been there long enough for one fresh leaf to fall. This figure evokes the well-known maxims for good living written by Zhu Bolu (1617-1688), which begin: Rise with daybreak; sweep the courtyard and clean the house thoroughly. . . . For every bowl of rice, think how hard it is to grow the grain...

This signed and dated Guang Xu period (1875~1908) plate is 2 inches high and 8 ¼ inches in diameter. It has a cloud and wave pattern over a bright yellow background inside the plate; the four characters mean¡± long life without limit.¡± On the outside of the plate, there are three groups of flowers. It is in great condition.

This Shou Shan stone carving of Zhang Guo (or Kuo) Lao is a mid 19th century product. It depicts a seated Zhang Guo Lao. In his left hand, he is carrying his emblem Yu Gu (or Ku) or fish drum which is a tube-shaped bamboo drum with two iron rods. His right hand is resting on his knee. There is a straw hat hanging on his back. The statue is 4 ½” high, 3 ¼” wide (from the bottom) and 2” thick. The carved wood base is not included. The carving is simple and elegant...

This late 19th or early 20th century lacquered bronze statue of a boy is 8 ¾ inches high, 4 inches wide and 2 ½ inches thick. It has a signature “Mantoshi” on the back. Aside from some wear due to its age, it is in good condition.

This late Meiji (1868~1911) 3 piece calligraphy lacquer box is 7 ¾ inches long, 6 ¾ inches wide and 1 ¾ inches high. The outside of the cover depicts an open winged eagle resting on a stand; autumn flowers and plants before a full moon appear inside. There are two movable pieces decorated with gold maple leaves in the box. Also, there is a small round metal container, maybe a water dropper, decorated with a gold and silver crane and plum blossom tree...

This Chinese Jia Qing or Dao Guang period (1796~1850) hand painted enamel leaf-shaped tray is 12 ¼ inches long, 8 ¼ inches on the widest part and 1 1/8 inches high with legs. It depicts a blue orchid, two pink roses, an unknown yellow flower and a blue beetle with white spots on a turquoise background. It has yellow-green bottom and three legs. This tray was part of a private collection which was on display in 1970 at ¡°The China Institute in America¡± in New York...

This late 19th century Japanese gold lacquered tortoise shell box is 5 inches long, 2 ½ inches wide and 1 inch thick. On one side, it depicts an eagle resting on a plum tree and a sparrow flying over a river on the other side. The workmanship is precise and elegant. Except for a few tiny chips and scratches due to its age, it is in good condition.