Chinese gilt temple carving of a Qilin breathing fire. Resembling a fu dog, the creature is a chimera mixed with a lion, a deer, a dragon, and sometimes other animals. The Qilin is said to appear with the arrival and the passing of a sage or high ruler.

19th century

Dimensions: 7 3/4" L x 1 3/4" D x 6" H

Antique pair of Chinese official's hat arm chairs, made of huanghuali wood with intricately woven rattan seats. Carved cusped edged apron. Dramatic grain.

Provenance: From the collection of the Santa Barbara Museum.

17th century

Dimensions: 44" high x 18 7/8" wide x 17" deep. Seat: 20 1/2" high.

Chinese porcelain figure of a seated Daoist monk. The monk's skin is left unglazed, his draping robes and seat with Sancai "three colors" of yellow, green, and dark purple underglazes. One of the figure's ears is pierced through for gas to escape during kiln firing.

18th/19th century

Dimensions: 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 11" H

The Ming dynasty tradition of mortise and tenon joinery can be seen and experienced in this later Ming form day bed. The Zitan bed platform rests soundly on all four inverted horse hoof legs. Mortise corners frame the woven bamboo rattan seat cover. For added flexibility, roped lacing and carved wooden support structures help reinforce the durability of its function.

The back and side rails form a lattice-like structure called “wheel of life” pattern. The finely polished Zitan... Click for details

A Chinese rock crystal carving of a mythical beast called a Qilin. Resembling a fu dog, the creature is a chimera mixed with a lion, a deer, a dragon, and sometimes other animals. The Qilin is said to appear with the arrival and the passing of a sage or high ruler.

19th Century

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

A symbol of humility and modesty, a bed made for the scholar's hermitage aesthetics. Carved huanghuali wood in a naturalistic root form, constructed and joined together creating the enveloping roots and branches. The seat platform is of block wood fitted to mimic woven mats. These types of furniture are reminiscent of the Song dynasty. Scholars retreated into the mountains and relinquished materialism. The aesthetic is based on nature moving away from the lavish life style.... Click for details

A pair of Quan Yi Huanghuali horseshoe back armchairs from the 18th Century. The generously proportioned curving top rail is made in five parts using half-lap pressure peg joints terminating in a curved look beyond the goose-neck side and front corner post. The back splat is carved with a Chimera medallion. The back corner posts continues through the frame of the soft mat seat to form the back legs and front legs enclosing the cusped apron carved in relief with curling tendrils. Reinforced... Click for details

Chinese round lacquer box made with a guri lacquer technique in which many layers of red and black lacquer are carved away into intricate designs. The interior in glossy black lacquer.

19th century Dimensions: 3" x 3" x 1"

Chinese rectangular ink box made of white brass and copper. The lid is decorated with calligraphy inscription and chop. The interior of the box with dark patina and ink stone. The copper based is signed with maker's mark.

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

Chinese monochrome purple peking glass cup and saucer. The glass has a deep purple tone. Both the cup and dish have flared rims and a round, recessed foot.

Dimensions: 3 1/8" x 2 1/2" H (cup) 4 3/4" x 1" H (dish)