Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Scholar Art (26)

A completely hand formed and detailed fresh water coup in the form of a highly stylized archaic duck. This sancai water pot dates late Qing, circa 1880, and is pattern after the porcelains of the Song dynasty. A great item for the collector of scholar items. Measures 3" long x 2.5" high at head.

Deeply carved Cantonese style hardwood calligraphy brush depicting figures, foliage, and other designs with a pin pierced background. Ferrule and end cap is one piece and brush is natural animal hair. Circa 1900. Excellent condition. Total length is 13 inches long, wood handle 9".

A fine Chinese scholar's agate brusher washer with many of the stems and leaves worked away from the vessel in an open worked manner. The stone is a translucent light grey to almost clear color with the stems and leaves having light russet colors terminating in the leaves to an orange hue. The overall appearance resembles a lotus leaf curling on the edges with stems, leaves, and seed pod that are worked over top and around all sides including the bottom...

Late 19c Chinese Blackwood or possibly Zitan wood brush pot in the classic style with smooth sides and a raised ring at mouth and bottom having 3 low standing low profile feet with drain hole in center bottom of pot. Carved from a single piece of wood, it still retains its original plug which is easily removed for drainage. In excellent condition commensurate with age, it measures 4-5/8" high x 4-1/8" diameter.

Early 19c Chinese scholar’s carved rosewood double dragon brush rest. The dragons have wonderful facial features with turned up snouts. There is a round knob on the top between the two facing dragons to turn it easily. The bodies, feet and curling tails are wonderful. Workmanship and quality is superb, showing early original patina to the surfaces. The color is a rich reddish brown with all the shiny areas right where they should be from handling...

Republic period, 1940s or earlier, semi translucent jade brush washer, or possibly a snuff tray, in an unusual oval shape with a small carved flower button in the center. The jade has a lovely soft polished surface which is always rare to find. Color is best described as white jade with a pale celadon tint and, for presentation; we have it resting on a white jade bi from a later date. Both are included in the sale. Oval snuff tray/brush washer only measures: L 5" x D3" x H 5/8"...

Superb little agate lotus design brush washer. Hand carved and polished natural color stone, it has russet/orange skin in the areas carved with curling edges and the design is complete with an incised center area and fully worked underside showing stems, pods, leaves and flowers. The surface polish is first rate and this is a very desirable piece. Includes original fitted hardwood stand. Dates late Qing to early Republic. Brusher measures 3.75" x 3". Height 1.5", On Stand Height 2.25"

Very hard to find Chinese scholar's desk plank. Made of huanghuali wood, the plank has aged beautifully having a wonderful warm golden patina with a beautiful sheen. There are 3 minor age cracks at 3 of the 4 corners. These cracks do not compromise the integrity of this incredible scholar's item, but instead attests to its age. Planks were used to set objects on that a Scholar was using. He could have also used it to display an item or items. Measures 15" x 6.5" x .5"

19th century Chinese carved green fluorite scholar's table libation cup/brush washer with nice purple highlights on the superbly done top rim. It is carved in high relief with birds, flowers and rockery with the bottom part having a twisting stem type riser. In excellent condition, it measures without stand 3" high x 3" long (at the very top rim) x 2.25" wide as the top rim flairs out more across the length.

Umber glazed porcelain Chinese scholar's brush rest. Measures 2 3/4 inches high, 2 5/8" across. Condition very good with just 2 old chips on base. Circa 1900 or earlier.

Cheerful Chinese large bamboo brush pot featuring several scenes which consist of a boy and girl feeding five little biddies (chicks), a man dancing, a dog barking, and 4 boys playing hide and seek. All in a garden setting with a fence and mountainous rocks. In very good condition, there is some old insect damage to the base bottom rim. See last photo. Measures 6.75 inches high, 5" diameter. Dates circa 1920's.

A blue glazed porcelain scholar's brush rest in the shape of a five peaked mountain. In good antique condition showing wear to the highest peak. Height 2 3/8", length 3 5/8 inches. Circa 1900 or earlier.

A pair of small bronze foo dogs or foo lions created by the lost-wax casting process, showing traces from the mold. Both have a wonderful warm patina and would make excellent brush rests for a calligrapher's or artist's detail brushes. In excellent condition, they measure about 2" long x 1.5 inches high.

A charming little blue and white Chinese water dropper in excellent condition without hairlines or restoration. Circa 1900-10, it measures 2 inches high.

Ming Dynasty Chinese scholar's duan inkstone. Simple and elegant in design with foot rim, the stone measures 4.25 x 5 inches. Custom rosewood box was made at a later date.Box 5.25" x 6".

Old Chinese Scholar's ink box with remnants of ink inside. Mark on bottom. In very good condition, it measures 2 3/8 inches diameter. Circa 1900.

This is the rarest cricket cage of its kind to be found, as it is made of tortoise shell, the cap is possible horn and is capped with mother-of-pearl shell on which is a carved four toed dragon that covers a solid gold wire mesh to prevent the naughty cricket from escaping. This cricket cage is in very good antique condition and measures 4" (10.2 cm).

An unusual underglaze blue Chinese cricket jar with charming scenes of a scholar in garden settings. The condition is very good without chips, cracks, or hairlines. Dating circa 1900, it measures 5" across x 3.5" high.