Late Qing hand carved turquoise snuff bottle with bok choy and radish along with an ant, cicada, grasshopper and cricket. The workmanship and details is superbly done including the insects, having very fine details to the legs, antennae and bodies. Presented on a rosewood stand, this snuff bottle has a wonderful color and patina and is one of the coolest bug type carved snuff bottles that we have encountered in some time. In excellent condition, a later spoon and cork was applied...
A unique blend of communist history, rendered in a subtle propagandist doctrine (teaching). The two Chinese characters translate 'the way' and a broad road made up of many arrows point in one direction ultimately swinging upward; in the make up of this rather odd configuration is the obvious color 'Red' which completes the translation stemming from the two Chinese characters which roughly translates..., The 'Red' way points in the right direction, pathway to promotion...
Large Chinese embroidered silk badge of a three toed dragon. The 3-toed dragon is the symbol of government ministers and public officials. This piece could have been from a wall hanging or off of a room screen. Color of badge is even; glare from the glass is making it look darker or lighter in areas. This badge measures 20.5" high and was placed on a cream colored closely cropped brushed velvet material, then framed. Framed measurements are: 26.5" wide x 33" high.
Antique Chinese tortoise shell box with inset carved ivory plaque. Measures 3" x 2.5" and 1.75" high.
A 'famille-rose' porcelain figure of a Chinese revolutionary young woman. Standing on a gray base wearing a pink t-shirt and yellow shorts, a picnic basket slung across her body, and a sun hat hanging down her back inscribed with one of the revolutionary slogans: 'Wéi rénmín fúwù' which translates as 'Serve the People'. Dates Mid 20th century, circa 1966-1970. Base has maker's stamp. Measures 12.75" high
Mid-late 1800s, Chinese seed coral hat finial made with hundreds of small coral beads that were wired and woven to form the finial over a brass base. This removable finial still has its brass screw-pin. Measures: Bead only 1 1/8" diameter x 1 1/4"high. As shown with screw 1 1/2" high.
19th C Chinese shagreen over copper eyeglass case with a carnelian toggle on silk tassel of Shou Lao, the Buddhist god of longevity. In very good antique condition having some damage that seems to have been stabilized on the upper left top edge. Measures 7 inches x 3".
Round Chinese wooden red lacquer storage box with auspicious symbols in gold. In excellent condition commensurate with age, measures 7.5" diameter x 3" high. Dates first half 20th century.
Antique Chinese framed blue silk embroidery which appear to be sleeve bands that are stitched together. The textile is decorated with two phoenix, two dragons, and Chinese seal script. All are hand applied using gold gilt wrapped threads. In excellent condition, measures 27" x 15" including frame. The silk measures 21.5" x 10". Dates circa 1900.
A hand woven Chinese kossu tapestry with gold foiled tread accents depicting a day of leisure in Chinese life. A scholar is studying in a pavilion, 2 people are walking by a fence, and 2 men are fishing. The background is blue and the color is even throughout. Presently, it is out of frame. The last photo shows it in frame. We can ship with or without frame. Provenance: Duke University. Measures 9.5 inches by 11.5". Dates circa 1880 - 1910
Richly enameled with vibrant colors this snuff bottle features a bee headed towards a group of flowers. The cap is a red stone and the bottle is hand painted and signed on the bottom. A nice piece for the beginning collector which will only increase in value over time. Measures 3.75 inches high.
Near perfect pair of fuschia colored silk Chinese lotus shoes for bound feet. Each shoe is embroidered with delicate gold couching and a silk satin stitched butterfly. In excellent condition they have been packed and stored in a box for the past century. Color is vibrant having not been exposed to sunlight.
Old Chinese carved stone birdbath. Made in 2 pieces that fit together nicely, the bottom is a Buddhist lion. The bowl has vague dragon like carving around the exterior. No condition issues. As shown the bird bath measures 18.5" high. Bowl or bath measures 9.5" diameter or across. Interior measures 7" across.
Chinese 4th Rank Court Official's silk badge of a wild goose. The background is black silk and is embroidered with very fine metal threads. The sun and its tendrils are silver foiled threads tacked down with red silk threads. The flowers are also silver but tacked down with green silk threads. The flowers appear to be white chrysanthemums, a symbol of nobility, elegance, and longevity. Each flower encompasses a display blue forbidden stitch knots to create the effect of pollen being dispersed...
An unused Chinese civil 5th rank silver pheasant (baixian) badge in original paper wrapping. Background is black silk with a border of bats and the “shou” character. Eight Buddhist symbols are featured with the endless knot having been created using the forbidden stitch. Made for the front of a woman's surcoat, this rank badge is in excellent condition, measures 12", and dates late 19th century.
Rare antique Chinese court official's rank badge with an bird standing on a rock. The background is black silk and embroidered with very fine silver foil wrapped over silk threads that are tacked into position with gold silk thread, a technique known as couching. This is some of the finest most delicate couching I have seen. This color combination give the silver couching a slightly golden tint but with silver being dominant color. The bird is embroidered using satin stitch technique...
A fabulous piece of black satin silk embroidered with real seed pearls to create 2 bouquets and 3 individual flowers. Custom made in the 1950's there are about 2,000 seed pearls which are individually hand sewn. There are 3 sizes of small pearls in two different shades, two are a silvery dark grey/black color and the third is a medium black. Black jet beads make up the make the stems and the center of the largest flowers. These beads are the darkest black on this material...
A rare and unique offering of a Ming dynasty (1368-1644) wall section from Nanning in Guangxi Province. Molded in deep relief it shows a typical scholar from the Ming dynasty wearing the literati hanfu, the traditional black straight-lined robe. His hair style is the traditional wavy cloud that rests in a neat pile on the pate of the head...