Set of Framed Monk's Meditation Cards

Believing that the departed continue to hold influence over the lives of the living, many Chinese households honor their ancestors in private family rituals, invoking their spirits for long life, health, and prosperity. Commemorative portraits, which came into vogue in the late Ming and Qing dynasties, were commissioned specifically for ancestor worship and were believed to house the spirits of the deceased. When properly cared for, one's ancestors were believed to be a powerful source of honor, protection, and good luck. This pair of ancestor portraits was hand-painted in the late-19th century and beautifully depicts a Qing-dynasty couple. While some ancestral portraits offer a more stylized representation of one's ancestors, this particular pair is painted with incredible realism and life-like expressions. Rather than depict the pair in a regal hall wearing elaborate finery, the couple is shown in a quiet home environment, seated at either end of a square tea table. Their surroundings are minimal, practically undecorated, and they wear simple, matching blue silk robes. Two young children stand beside them, each trying to capture the attention of their grandparent. We love the painting's close attention to detail and the glimpse it offers of Qing-dynasty interiors - from the carved apron of the marble-top table to the red silk lotus slippers...

Since the 12th century people in China have used folding screens and doors to partition and decorate their homes—the vivid scenes backing the screens added life and color to a room. ...

Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “sp...

Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “sp...

Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “sp...

Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “sp...

A Japanese framed painting from the 19th century depicting two walking Buddhist monks holding a lotus flower and a wicker box, in custom frame. Created in Japan during the 19th century, this vertical linen canvas painting depicts two Buddhist monks walking together, one of them holding a partially bloomed lotus flower, symbol of enlightenment, while the other one is opening a wicker box, the content of which seems to be bringing them great joy. They are both wearing a golden bracelet...

Large Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting of a Monk. Gilt Wood Frame, 19th Century The painting depicts a portrait of a bearded monk. In a hand carved ornate gilt wood oval frame. Uns...

The five pen-and-ink drawings by Lauzon represent various aspects of a summer concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, Lenox, MA: the co...

A striking set of three framed vintage Chinese woodblock prints from a book printed in the 1960s, each depicting a different phase of Chairman ...

A stunning Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive...

A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive elaborat...