Catalog: Archives (223)

A necklace of 26 large Tibetan turquoise beads ranging in color from delicate greenish-blue hues to a vibrant turquoise blue separated by silver rings. Each bead has its own attractive matrix and nice patina from years of wearing. The necklace was bought together with the two glass dZi beads and two red coral beads in Lhasa, Tibet. It was restrung again recently to give it strength.

Period: 19th Century...

A white translucent jade cicada. A simple carving on one side and plain on the other side. The cicada is the symbol of happiness and eternal youth. Age: Han Dynasty -206 BC - 220 AD. Size: L. 6.7cm. W. 3.3cm. Condition: No chips or repairs.

This ancient conch shell bead from the Pyu period and dates back to around the first century. It represents the emblem of the voice of Buddha preaching the laws of his doctrine, and occurs as one of the auspicious signs on the "Footprint of Buddha". Size: L. 2.2cm. Condition: No repairs. In the enlarged photos you will see the natural faults of the stone but is not very noticeable with the naked eye.

A rare Bronze Ding or food offering container with domed cover and looped handles (when inverted the cover becomes a tripod dish) Age. Qin Dynasty (First Emperor) 221-206BC Size: H.17.2cm. W. 22cm. Condition: No repairs. All original. A small dent on the lid.

A very rare ancient eye bead from China from the Warring States period. It has a hole for stringing and can be worn. Size: Diameter. 2.5cm. Condition: Excellent for its age. One eye is slightly chipped. See last photo.

A beautiful and well made scholar's screen made of blackwood and having the original marble insert. Most of the marble in early pieces have been replaced. The frame for the marble has a key fret design. The base has carvings of two peaches, representing longevity, and the peony for prosperity. Age: Early 19th century. Size: H. 64cm. W. 43.5cm. Condition: No repairs, all original, age crack on the marble, common for it's age.

A very rare crystal tiger from Burma/Thailand. Crystal was thought to have magical powers and the tiger represents strength. It is unknown how they drilled the holes to make it wearable.As you can see they were drilled at both ends, probably before the crystal was carved. Age: over two thousand years old. Size: L. 3cm. W. 1.5cm Condition: Perfect.

A very rare Chinese Nanmu scholar's table chest. Nanmu wood has been used in China since the Han dynasty and is very prized by collectors as it is difficult to find. I feel that it is rarer than huanghuali. I have only come across one Nanmu scholar's chest in all the years that I have been collecting. Size: L.34cm. W.17cm. H.6cm. Age: Mid Qing or earlier. Condition: No repairs

Brown jade pig dragon also known as Zhulong in Chinese. These pieces are extremely rare. Probable a later type but not a fake. It is well carved and would make a nice pendant. Size: L. 7.5cm, W. 5cm

A nice carved curling pig dragon with a bird head terminal to the crest. Hongshan styles have been copied through out different dynasties. It is hard to date this piece, probably early 20th century. Will make a nice pendant. Size: H.5cm, W. 4.5cm.

A ewer with an greyish-olive toned glaze that covers all but the foot and base. The mouth is trumpet-flared and the 3-lobed rim of the mouth is trimmed in silver (see photos). The grooved strap handle is typical of Song items .

Period: Song: 10th-13th Century

Size: Height = 21.2 cm (8-3/4 inches)

Condition: Tiny firing separation at the base of the spout (not a crack).

A huanghuali wood brush washer carved in the form of a frog resting on a lotus pad that gently curls around him, giving protection. Brush washers and brushpots were important implements for painting and calligraphy for Chinese scholars. They were used, not only for practical purposes, but also for enjoying their beauty.

Period: Ching - 19th Century

Size: Length = 25 cm (9-7/8 inches, Width = 17 cm (6-5/8 inches)Condition: Very good with no repairs. Natural age wear.

A magnificent red and white Beijing glass vase . Basic vase is white glass with an overlay of red glass that has ben carved to expose the white vase. Scenes of scholars, merchants, painter, bridge, birds and mountain scenes. Qianlong mark at the bottom. Age: Pre 1920. Size: H.27,6cm.

A rare and very 18th century large scholar's standing screen. The front of the screen is painted red with a gilded mountain scene. The back is painted black with the remains of a good luck symbol. Size: H. 91cm. W. 78cm. Condition: Normal ageing. No repairs. In it's natural state, could use some professional cleaning.

A rare huanghuali clapper with three beautiful pieces of huanghuali. The two outer clappers are rounded at the tops while the center piece is flat on both sides.The sound of the wooden clappers sets the rhythm of the music as well as some of the actions of the performers. Age: early 19th century. Size:L.26.5cm. W.at the widest point-6cm. H.all three together 2.5cm. Condition: No repairs. Normal wear.

A very rare Song stone carved mirror holder in the shape of a mythical ox called n Xiniu. The ox has his head turned upward and is looking at the moon which is represented by the bronze mirror above and the stone carvings represent the clouds. It is very unusual to find this type in stone mirror holder as the few I have seen have been in gilded bronze. Size: H. 19.5cm. W. 15.5cm. D. 8.2cm. Condition: No repairs or chips. The horns are long gone as they were either made of wood or ivory...

A cache of 9 very fine old silver coins from the Mon period from which is now Burma. One side has the symbol of the Sun , the other the symbol of a (Srivatsa) Temple. Weight: Total, 87 grams. Average size: Diameter, 2cm.Condition: Very fine.

Very rare wine vessel in the Meiping shape used by the boarded patrol. The inscription reads a kind of alcoholic beverage, most likely rice wine. The bottom has the inscription of the maker. Found in north western China. Size: 31.5cm. high. Age: Yuan - 1279-1368 AD. Condition: No repairs, two small chips around the spout and a small chip in the back. See photo 11. Looks worse on the photo then the actual chip.