Chinese yellow soapstone scholar's seal. The stone is carved with scenes of sages and their attendant with landscape ground of mountains, pine trees, and bamboo. The reverse is also carved with a man seated at the edge of water, his finger pointing towards the mountains where a temple roof is partially unobscured. The seal on the base of the soapstone reads "a virtue should be praised".

Dimensions: 3" x 2" x 4" height

Chinese antique hardwood box inlaid with stone in a scene of figures in a garden. The hinged lid of the box opens to reveal a mirror underneath and a storage area for jewelry or cosmetics divided into six compartments.

Republic Period

Dimensions: 2 1/2" high x 8" wide x 5 3/4" wide.

Chinese hardwood painting table. The whole body, except for the top, is carved in relief with lingzhi fungus. The waist, the apron, and the connecting joints are also decorated. The legs are cabriole with block carved hoof feet.

Dimensions: 68" x 28 1/2" x 34" H

Chinese rock crystal scholar's brush washer. Carved into the form of a large heavenly peach with twisting leaves and branches bearing smaller peaches. A small monkey is carved hanging onto the edge of the large peach, in a playful frog like pose. The reticulated carved brush washer rests on two small carved peaches as the feet.

Dimensions: 6" x 4" x 2" Height

Pair of pate de verre figures of fu dog temple guardians. Made of rich red amber colored pate de verre "glass paste". Originally produced by Daum studio in Nancy, France. Each figure signed "Daum France".

Provenance: from a prominent bay area peninsula estate.

Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 2" x 4 1/4" H

Chinese wood carved plaque, created by two grandsons in memoriam of their deceased grandmother for what would have been her 70th birthday. The four large characters are "Peng Hu Chang Chun", which translates to "The flagons of the immortal beings in Penglai never get old". Legend tells that the coastal area of Penglai in the Shandong province of China is inhabited by immortal beings of kindness. The left side calligraphy is signed by the scholar grandsons Huajio Cheng and Junwen Cheng, bowing in... Click for details

Each mirror is carved with scrolling floral decoration and silver gilt on linden wood. The main body of the mirror is oxidized and cut. The surround is individually fitted on to outer frames. The mirror is also decorated with a top central crested mirror. *Note the other pair has a replaced mirror. From the Mondavi Estate.

19th century

Dimensions: 24" x 56"

Chinese Han Dynasty belt hook. Made of gilt bronze with chimera motif in stippling technique. Arching form with the "hook" portion in the form of a chimera head.

Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 220)

Dimensions: 5 3/8" long x 1 1/4" wide

Chinese scholar rock of an over hanging ying stone, mounted on a carved Suzhou rosewood stand with five cabriole legs and an undulating stretcher. The base is decorated in high relief of lingzhi fungus and swirling clouds. Gongshi, also known as scholar's rocks, are naturally occurring or shaped rocks, which are traditionally appreciated by scholars. Gongshi rocks can be any color and contrasting colors are not uncommon. The size of the stone can be quite varied from hundreds of pounds to less... Click for details

Chinese small carved jade ink stone and brush washer in one piece. The ink stone side is carved with a leaning pine tree and mist. Turned on its reverse side, it functions as a brush washer. The sides are incised with a key fret motif.

19th century

Dimensions: 3 1/8" long x 2 1/2" wide x 1/2" deep.