Amazing antique Chinese porcelain dish. Beautifully formed, glazed with a rich monochrome turquoise color. Standing on four small unglazed feet. Intricately decorated with tiny drum-like rivets around the outer edge and on the inside with raised stylized 5-bat motif around a central prosperity symbol. The underside has an incised 6 character Qianlong zhuanzhu mark (1735-1796) or later.

Provenance Michael S. Smith Collection, well-known NY Designer

Dimensions: 5 1/4"... Click for details

Antique Chinese large porcelain low bowl possibly for bulbs. Shallow, oval form with purplish-blue monochrome glaze and four low feet. Zhuanshu Yongzheng mark (1722-1735) under glaze on the bottom. With wooden stand.

Mark: Yongzheng

Dimensions: 10 1/2" long x 7 5/8" wide x 1 3/8" high (3 3/4" high on stand)

Antique Chinese ovoid form ink stone carved of green serpentine and inscribed with calligraphy on one side and archaic script on the reverse. The text on the front of the ink stone references a quote from the Analects of Confucius:
子曰：“不患人之不己知，患不知人也。 Which translates as Xue Er: The Master said, "I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men." There is a key difference however in the middle of the phrase. ... Click for details

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. They are also thought to hold medicinal properties and so can be characterized by the "dig marks" left over the surface of the bead where a small portion has been scraped away to be ingested. This Dzi bead has a pattern of one large white square and one circle, or "heavenly eye", considered one of the most sought after... Click for details

Mystical Dzi beads have been implements of ancient Tibetan culture for thousands of years. They are believed to hold magical properties bringing prosperity and protection. They are also thought to hold medicinal properties and so can be characterized by the "dig marks" left over the surface of the bead where a small portion has been scraped away to be ingested. This Dzi bead has a pattern of 8 white circles, or "heavenly eyes", considered one of the most sought after characteristics. It also... Click for details

Antique Japanese round lacquered wood container decorated on both sides with a karakusa (octopus vine) pattern and blossoms around the central aoi mon of the Tokugawa shogunate. Gold lacquer on a dark brownish black ground. Possible for archer bow strings.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 3 3/4" wide diameter x 1 3/4" deep

Antique Chinese slate stone carving of small houses on the edge of a mountain lake. The hills around are covered with pine trees and great rocky peaks rise up in the distance. Created with a wonderful transportive quality that makes the viewer feel as if they are within the scene. A contemplative piece for the scholar's desk. Provenance: Collection of Artist R. Garreki

Age: Republic Period

Dimensions: 4 1/2" high x 8 1/4" long x 2 1/8" deep

Antique Chinese ruyi scepter carved of boxwood in a naturalistic representation of a lingzhi mushroom. Long and elegantly curved with smaller lingzhi sprouting from it's stem. Beautifully carved with great attention to detail and form. Ruyi scepters were used in Chinese Buddhist ceremonies and as symbols of good fortune, luxury and power.

Age: 19th century

Dimensions: 15" long x 3" wide

Antique Chinese large cast iron temple bell with scalloped bottom edge. Four square reserves with raised writing, roundels and rolling wave or mist design in band around the bottom of the bell. One of the square reserves reads, 乾隆四十七年　吉日造 "Made on an auspicious day in the 47th year of Qianlong"

Age: Qing Dynasty circa 1782

Dimensions: 17" high x 14 3/4" wide

Antique Chinese Song Jian Zhan chawan (tea cup) with beautiful cafe au lait coloring and subtle hare's fur effect. Made specifically for the appreciation of whisked tea.

19th century or earlier

Dimensions: 3" high x 5" wide