Catalog: Archives (223)

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.

A bamboo brush pot carved in relief of a sage in contemplation wearing a flowing robe surrounded by nature - the hills are carved in relief while trees, grasses and flowers are etched around him. To his right side is a feather fan. There is a signed poem about his feather fan inscribed to the left of the carvings. It is a serene, well proportioned, beautifully carved piece. Period: Late 19th Century Size: Height = 15.7 cm (6-1/8 inches), Diameter = 11.25 cm (4-3/8 inches)

A celadon-colored jade pig of elegant shape and proportions. Unlike Han pigs which are stylized, this is sleek and more realistic. Jin pigs are rarer than Han pigs. The pig signifies wealth and prosperity in the Chinese culture. The celadon coloration of this jade is complex and translucent in some areas. There is a hole bored under the tail for stringing and attaching to the belt...

A bronze official's seal with the Chinese characters meaning "natural" and "pure." The top of the seal has a seated rabbit with its long ears folded behind its head. The rabbit is well-formed and proportioned down to the details of the toes on its paws. Period: Western Jin Size: (Seal) 2.4 cm x 2.4 cm., Height = 2.7 cm. Condition: Very good.

A choker necklace of assorted carnelian, calcedony,agate beads from China. Some of these beads are over 2,000 years old. There are also two carved,good luck,ivory pieces. Size: Length 41.5cm.

A beautiful ancient glass bangle in blueish green color. This probably from Vietnam or Cambodia. Size: Outside diameter 6.9cm. Condition: Almost perfect. A very small almost invisible chip on the outside edge.

A nicely made ancient gold ring with a pink ruby setting. Weight: 1.89 grams. Most probably a child's ring

A rare ancient gold ring with a natural brown stone. This ring is over 1,000 years old. Weight: 3.50 grams

A rare ancient agate bead made for wearing as a pendent or necklace. These beads date back to over 2,000 years. They have some kind of tiger influence in their shape and stripes.. Size: 4.2cm X 2cm. Condition: No breaks.

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 seal from what is now Burma/India with carvings of an elephant and a flower. The handle is smooth and well-worn. The ivory has taken on a rich brown color with age.

Period: Pyu Dynasty - 100AD to 500AD)

Size: 3.5 cm (1-3/8 inches, Diameter of seal = 2.6 cm (approx. 1 inch)

Condition: Part of the seal has broken away from age (see photos). Has a very beautiful patina.

An ancient necklace made from fossilized wood also know as Pumtek. The word Pumtek means "buried thunderbolt". This type of necklace is very rare. Size: 56 cm from end to end.

A nicely made ancient Pyu solid gold frog pendant with a seal carving at the underside of the base. It has a hole though it to make into a pendant. Weight: 14.05 grams. Size: See last photo

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 wearable bronze ring from the post Angkor Wat period. Size: Inside diameter. 2 cm x 1.9 cm. Condition: No repairs.

A blue glazed Song vase of unusual color for Song pieces. Size: H. 18.8cm. W. 15cm. Condition: No repairs

An important thangka depicting the succession of Dalai Lamas to the large one in the center of that period. The central image is surrounded by a host of guardian deities, bodhisattvas, asparas and symbolic animal figures. Size: L. 97cm. W. 72.7 cm. Inside measurement. Condition: No repairs, rips or tears on the painting. Some fraying of the silk, framing the artwork.

An unusual pair of huanghuali plates with writing on the bottoms of each plate. Age: 19 century. Size: 13 - 13.2cm. Condition: Perfect.

Two Rosewood boxes with flying bats, a symbol of good luck, surrounded by keyfrets and stylized clouds. Age: 19th century. Size: lg.12cm. sm. 10.5cm. Condition: No repairs.

Two Song coins. Can be used as pendants. Size: 3.5cm. 3.6cm. respectively.

A small Burmese Buddha made of silver. Its form is simple, unadorned and its hand is in the earth-touching gesture. The face has a wide nose with connected eyebrows and has a quiet presence.

Period: Burmese, 16th Century

Size: Height = 5 cm., Width at base = 3.5 cm.

Condition: Normal wear due to its age. Has a nice patina.

An Assortment of 16 various stone beads including some jade ones dating from around 2,000 to 1,500 BC. Sizes: See last photo. Condition: Normal wear.

A nice stoneware plate in off blue and white with two fish swimming among water plants. Probably from Northern Thailand or Vietnam. Size: Diameter. 31cm. H. 7.7cm. Condition: Some of the glossy is gone and there is one chip on the rim. See photos.

A gold ornament which looks like to me to be a warrior carrying a club. It's hard to date this piece, but looking at the patina on the gold I would say around 16th century.Found in Burma but could be from India. Size: 3cm x 2.5cm. Condition: No repairs.Some opening which are normal in old gold repousse work.

A ceremonial cylinder used by Senior Monks to send letters to each other. The animal in the panel is a "balu-gwin" Size: H. 33.5 cm. Base diameter: 5.8cm. Condition: Normal wear, no repairs.

A elegant lacquerware for monastery use. Made in Kyaukka, in the lower Chindwin District in Burma, made from woven matting and coiled bamboo and lacquered in black and red. This piece has six sections. These original Kyaukka pieces are difficult to come by. Size: H. 38cm. W. 38cm. Condition: No repairs. Very good condition.

A Mandalay Buddhist votive domed covered alms bowl with glass inlays. Age: Early 20th century. Size: H. 48cm. W. 20cm. Condition: No repairs.

A late 19th - early 20th century "Yun" lacquered betel box with incised design of two horses and riders, elephant and dancers. The box is divided into three pieces. The bottom part for betel leaves and the top part for lime, areca nuts, clove and other ingredients. Size: H. 10.5cm. Diameter. 21cm. Condition: No repairs. Some age cracking.

A rear and large lacquered manuscript chest. These chests were essential to every monastery as the stored Buddhist scriptural texts. Size: L. 61cm. W. 17.6cm. H. 15cm. Condition: Normal wear. One leg has been replaced. See photo.

A well carved "crystal" glass Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra position. Both hands are placed on the lap with the palms facing upwards. It could be Quartz. Size: H. 5.2cm. W. at the base, 3.5cm. Condition: Perfect. Some staining from long burial and some dirt incrustations that can be removed.

A very rare and beautiful Pyu agate carved bird. A hole is drilled from the top of the head to the bottom of the bird so it can be worn as a pendant. The bird is still the symbol for Burma. Size: L. 3cm. Condition: Perfect. No repairs.

An unusual double headed silver dragon bracelet with both dragons chasing the elusive pearl connected by alternating bands of plain and textured links. Age: Mid 19th century. Size: Inside diameter. 6.5cm. Condition; No repairs. Normal wear.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant with one bat and leaf design. The bat represent longevity and happiness. The bat and happiness sound is in the Chinese language is similar - both pronounced Fu. Size: L. 2.5cm. Condition: No repairs, cracks or chips.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant with one bat and leaf design. The bat represent longevity and happiness. The bat and happiness sound is in the Chinese language is similar - both pronounced Fu. Size: L. 2.4cm. Condition: No repairs, cracks or chips.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant of the hand of Buddha citron with a hole at the top so it can be worn as a pendant. The citron fruit may be given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. Size: H. 3.7cm. W. 2cm. Condition: No repairs, chips or cracks.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant of the Hand of Buddha Citron. There is a hole at the top on the piece so it can be worn as a pendant. The citron fruit may be given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. Size: L. 5cm. W. 2.5cm. Condition: Perfect.

A nicely carved natural amber pendant of the Hand of Buddha Citron. There is a hole at the top on the piece so it can be worn as a pendant. The citron fruit may be given as a religious offering in Buddhist temples. According to tradition, Buddha prefers the "fingers" of the fruit to be in a position where they resemble a closed rather than open hand, as closed hands symbolize to Buddha the act of prayer. Size: L. 3.9cm. W. 1.5cm. Condition: Perfect.

A large natural amber snuff bottle with carved coral tiles of stylized dragon heads on both sides. The amber is intricately carver on all sides. Size: H. 7cm. W. 4.8cm. Condition: No repairs.

A nicely carved natural amber snuff bottle with two birds on one side and a floral design on the other. Size: H. 4.9cm. W. 3.4cm. Condition: No repairs, cracks or chips.

A lucky jade carved in the form of a lock. The front carved with a large peony and the back carved with the words for prosperity, good luck etc. Should be worn as a good luck pendent. Size: W. 5.8cm. H. 4cm. Condition. Perfect

A nice mixture of various colored glass beads from the Western Han dynasty. Size: See last photo. Condition: Some loss from long burial.

A natural amber pendant of a good fortune frog (toad) with the underside having a string of coins for wealth. The bottom has a hole for stringing. Size: L. 3.8cm. W. 3.3cm. Condition: No repairs.

n old bamboo brush pot with unusual zigzag pattern. Age: 18th century. Size: H. 13cm, Radius. 10.3cm. Condition: No repairs. Old chip on the rim, natural cracking along the rims and natural ageing.

An opium scale made of two carved bamboo parts that pivot open at the rounded end and close together with a leather strap. Inside this violin-shaped instrument are the original items - metal scale tray, counterweight and a measuring rod made of a long single piece of ivory that is approximately 38 cm (14-3/4 inches). (See photos) The interior is carved so that all 3 items fit snugly inside...

A rare black and white Ching jade of a sleeping cat. Black and white jades are very rare and the carver uses the two colors to fit the carving making a beautiful black and white cat. It has a hole drilled at the tail and can be worn as a pendant. Size: L. 4.00cm, W. 2.5cm. Condition: No chips or repairs.

An unusual blackwood ruler inlaid with silver markings on one side. Age: Qing Dynasty. Early 19th century. Size: L.35cm. Condition: No repairs. Normal ageing and some minor dents.

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.

An inscribed very heavy blackwood chest. The inscription states that it was given to a high official as a gift. There are two dragons carved on the front panel that probably had protruding heads that are now missing. Size: H. 36cm. L. 36.2cm. W. 28cm. Condition: No repairs.

A blackwood scholar's table chest with two side handles and brass lock. Size: L. 40.5 cm. W. 23cm. H. 17.5cm. Condition: Some wear and tear from age. Usable.

A beautiful and rare blackwood vanity chest. This is an unique piece and very large and quite heavy. It has all the original brass fittings and many drawers. There are many copies of this piece and this is the only original one I have come by in all the years I have been collecting. Age: Early 19th century. Size: L. 35cm. W. 25.8cm. H. 21cm. Condition: All original.

A glazed plate in blue and red depicting two birds, a chrysanthemum, bamboo and mountain scene. Size: Diameter.27cm. Age: Late Ching. Condition: No repairs

A very unusual stretch bracelet with old ivory of a hand and club,Ming glass beads,striped Tang beads and a old bronze ball. The bracelet is strung with a stretch material to fit all sizes. A nice piece of Chinese antiques to wear.

An unusual divided double brass cricket cage with a glass front. The top of the case has the symbol etched in for prosperity. The glass divider in the case is missing but can easily be replaced. Age. Mid 19th century. Size: H. 7cm. W. 10.5cm. Condition: No repairs.

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.

This coin is from the Warring States period and is known as a "Square Foot Spade" coin. Size: H. 5cm W. 2.8cm. Condition: No repairs, very fine.

Nicely cast bronze warrior from the Khengis Khan area. The uniform seems more Mongolian than Chinese. The weapon he was holding is gone probably made from an organic material. Size: H. 20cm. Base W. 9.5cm. Condition: No repairs. Some casting holes at the base.