Catalog: Archives (223)

A pottery jar glazed with a green lead glaze. Half of it is still green while the other half has oxidized to a silvery iridescent color. The variance in color is due to how the piece was buried and the effect of moisture getting under the surface of the glaze and "lifting" it to give it the pearl-like sheen. We've nicknamed this the Yin-Yang jar because of its unusual natural patterning. What makes this unique is its beautiful silvery- gold iridescence...

A very rare Chinese jade of a stylized bird. The jade is translucent of a green and brown mottled coloration. Carved with a minimum of design giving an it a minimalistic, abstract look. It has large convex circles for eyes. The back has two interconnecting holes for passing a string through. The back has a naturally occurring hairline fissure of a dark reddish brown coloration. Has some calcification from long burial. Size: H = 1-3/8", W = 1-3/4"

Huanghuali brushpot with original finish. Late Ming early Qing. Size: H.14cm. Diameter: 14.2cm. Condition: No repairs.

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 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.

Large table top scholar's huanghuali chest with all it's original hardware. This is an early Ming piece as the huanghuali wood is quite thick. In later Ming pieces the wood was reduced in thickness as the huanghuali became scarcer. The hardware is typical early Ming. It is 100% original except for the inner tray that was probably added later. Size: L. 41.5cm. W. 24.6cm. H. 19.3cm. Condition: Normal ageing.

A cricket cage made of a long bodied gourd with ivory mounts to accommodate the ivory and tortoise shell lid. The surface of the gourd has a leathery look from age. The tortoise shell piece has intricate pierced carvings of the "Eight Taoist Symbols" amidst curling tendril patterns. Period: Ching (19th Century)

Very pale celadon color jade buckle with 2 dragons. The dragons are beautifully carved with nice detailing. A graceful arch formed by the body of the main dragon curves over the "button." Period: Ching (Early 19th Century) Size: Length = 3-3/4", W = 1" Condition: Very good. A slight inclusion, natural to the stone, on the bi-furcated tail of the smaller dragon

A creamy-beige colored crouching chimera. Open-mouthed and with head tilted upward, the details are nicely carved. There are some rusty-brown colored inclusions from long burial. Period: Song (960-1279D) Size: H = 1-1/2", Length = 2-1/2" Condition: Very good

A well carved jade frog that can be used as a pendant. Actually is was worn on the belt.It has two holes under the chin that do not go all the through. It probably had some metal clip attached to it. The color is a little lighter then appears in the photos. Age: Early 19th or late 18th century. Size: L.5cm. W.3cm. Condition: no chips or repairs. Nice smooth finish from being fingered a lot.

A nicely carved light celadon good luck jade pendant with a country scene on the front and a good luck character on the back. Age: Late Ching. Size: H. 6cm. W. 3.8cm. Condition: Perfect.

A Beautifully carved tube shaped jade. It is hard to date this piece and cannot say that it is from the Hongshan period (3000BC). It is most likely from a later period as these item are extremely rare. It is not know what these were used for but it is thought to be for the hair ornament to hold the pony tail. Size: L. 8cm. W. 5cm

A nicely carved jade pig done in the Han style.Pigs represent prosperity and jade pigs were were placed in the hands of the deceased. Many jade pigs were used for this purpose in later times and are sometimes mistaken for Han pieces. Size: L.10cm. H. 2.8cm. W. 2.3cm. Condition: No chips. Some calcification.

A Beautifully carved tube shaped jade. It is hard to date this piece and say that it is from the Hongshan period (3000BC). It is most likely from a later period as these item are extremely rare. It is not know what these were used for but it is thought to be for the hair ornament to hold the pony tail. Size: See Last photo