Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art (122)

This large carved ivory beauty is a 1950’s product. It depicts a young lady (quite possibly an image of a fairy) holding a flower basket in one hand and a branch of peony blossoms in the other. There is a phoenix leaning on her left side. She is almost 14 ¾” high, 3 ¼” wide and 2 ¾” thick. It is in excellent condition.

This superb carved bamboo brush holder (or Bitong) is an early 20th century product. It is 7 ¼” high and 5 ¼” wide. It depicts the popular Chinese folk story of Fu, Lu, Shou ( 福祿壽 ). Fu, Lu and Shou are attributes of the good life. They were personified as deities in Chinese culture. Fu is carrying a young child and represents good fortune. Lu is holding a RuYi scepter and represents prosperity. Shou is holding a peach and represents longevity...

The Chinese name for this bodhisattva, sitting on a lotus flower which is draped on the back of a lion, is Wenshu (Manjusri). Wenshu was a disciple of the Buddha. Together with the Buddha and fellow disciple Samantabhadra (Chinese name is Puxian who rides on a white elephant) they form the Shakyamuni trinity. Wenshu is associated with wisdom, keen awareness and bravery. This carved ivory Wenshu is 10” high (with base is 11 ½” high), 4 ¾” wide and 1 ¾” thick...

This very nice boxwood statue with a fitted hard wood base is a mid 20th century product. It depicts a legendary Chinese figure called Ji Gong with one hand holding a wine bottle and the other hand petting his pet lion. It is 9 ½” high (with base is 10 7/16” high), 7 ¾” wide and 4” thick. As the story goes, Ji Gong was a Buddhist of the Southern Song; his dates are 1148~1209. His original name was Li Xin-Yuan. He came from Tai-Zhou in modern Zhe Jiang province, Lin-Hai county...

This very well-carved lapis of a fairy (Ma Gu) is 8 ¾” high (with fitted wood base, it is 10 ¼” high), 8 ¼” wide and 2” thick. It depicts Ma Gu, the beautiful, young fairy who always brings joy to a birthday celebration. Her right hand is holding a platter containing a wine bottle, peaches, Buddha-hand citron and pomegranates. A boy and girl holding a giant peach with both hands are standing near her. A deer is at her side. The peach and deer mean good luck and longevity...

This very well carved fisherman is 10” high (11 ¼” high with base), 2 1/2” wide and 1 3/4” in depth. It is a middle 20th century product. The long bearded, smiling fisherman wears an old style top and pants. His right hand is holding a long bamboo fishing pole; his left hand is holding two fish on a string. The carved wood base is a replacement. It is in excellent condition.

This 1930’s ivory carpenter is 9 ¼” high, 3 ¼” wide and 3 ¼” thick. It depicts a smiling carpenter carrying a wood bucket and cloth bag on his right arm and holding a saw in his left hand. His tool boxes are set in front of him. The artist’s signature “Gyokushi” is on the bottom. It is a well carved piece in great condition.

This bare foot fisherman is 8” high (9“ high with base), 2 ¼” wide and 1 1/8” in depth. It is a middle 20th century product. The long bearded fisherman wears an old style coat and pants. His right hand is holding a fish on a string; his left hand is holding a long fishing pole. It is in excellent condition.

This nice horn carving of a vase (or cup) is 4 5/8” high, 2 ¾” wide and 1 ¾” thick. It depicts the theme of “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove”, Chinese name Zhu Lin Qi Xian (竹 林 七 贤). As is traditionally depicted, the group of seven scholars, musicians and sages wished to escape the intrigues, corruption and stifling atmosphere of the court life during the political chaos of the Three Kingdoms period (220 AD~265 AD)...

This ivory carving of ShouXin (God of longevity) accompanied by a young girl is a mid 20th century product. This ShouXin is 5 ½” high, 1 ½” wide and 1 ¼” thick; the young girl is 3” high, 1 ½” wide and 1” thick. The carved wood base with a pine tree design is 1” high, 4 ¼” wide and 2” thick. The carving depicts ShouXin carrying a long carved staff in his left hand; the other hand is holding a RuYi scepter...

This circular jade (nephrite) pendant (or plaque) is 2 ¾” in diameter and 3/16” thick. It is a late 19th century product. It is carved on both sides and depicts a young boy holding a court tablet “Hu.” The boy is riding on a dragon headed carp and is surrounded by lucky clouds. In Chinese culture, this is a very popular subject. For centuries, passing governmental examinations offered a life time of opportunities for a young man and his family...

This elderly man with a smiling face is 8” high (with the hard wood base, it is 9” high), 1 ¾” wide and 1” thick. It is a mid-20th century product. The bearded man wears an old style short robe and pants. His right hand is holding a straw bag and a wooden tobacco pipe; his left hand is holding a long bamboo staff. It is in great condition.

This finely made celadon vase is a mid 20th century product. It is 9 ¼” high and 7” wide from the widest part. The artist name “Sadame” and seal are on the top of the original wood box; his seal is stamped on the bottom of the vase. It is in excellent condition.

This Chinese ivory carving of a mountain scene is a mid 20th century product. It is 5 1/8” high (with carved wood base is 6 ¼” high), 2” wide and 1 ½” thick. It depicts a village scene on a mountain. It starts from a boat in a river. Going up the trail, people are riding a buffalo or horse, sitting in a sedan chair or just walking. There are houses, booths, a pagoda and pine trees along the trail. It is in very good condition.

This very well carved lapis lazuli water bowl is 2 ¾” high, 6” long and 3 ½” wide. It depicts a young boy and a small dragon tortoise riding on the back of a large dragon tortoise. A tiny tortoise sits inside the water bowl which is formed from the back of the large dragon tortoise. The piece is accompanied by a black silk brocade box...

This carved ivory okimono of Daikoku is a mid 20th century product. It depicts a smiling Daikoku holding a mallet (Japanese called Uchide no Kozuchi) or a lucky hammer over his head in his left hand. In his right hand, he holds a cloth bag of rice. Daikoku is one of seven gods or immortals in Japanese culture. He represents wealth and fortune. It is 5 ¼” high, 2 ¼” wide and 1 ½” thick. The artist’s signature is on the bottom. Aside from one small hair line crack, it is in excel...

This carved amethyst double snuff bottle is a mid 20th century product. It is 3” high, 2 ¼” wide and 1” thick. One of the snuff bottles is a leaping carp. The other is a vase surround by lotus leaves and lotus blossoms. The top is a pair of intertwined birds. Ocean waves support both bottles. The two spoons are later replacements. The flaked composition of the crystal has left a small chip on the rim of the vase. Aside from this small imperfection, it is in great condition.

This small jade (nephrite) carved brush washer is 2 3/8” long, 1 3/8” high and 1 3/4” thick. It is a mid-20th century product. It depicts a pomegranate surrounded by a peach branch and leaves. It is in excellent condition.