1930s Scholar's Objects

Cachepot is a beautiful Japanese vase realized in the 1930s with the typical oriental objects elegance and sinuous line. This decorative bronze objec...

The mark on the underneath (see image) indicates that this spittoon is of Japanese Imari porcelain, manufactured circa 1880, and made specifically for the American market for the preponderance of bars and saloons at that time. These were popular from 1865 to the turn of the century; this is a particularly fancy and elaborate example. Note the copious and highly detailed and beautiful floral decoration to the inside of the upper portion of the spittoon; pretty fancy for something meant for spit and saliva! Fantastic and all original condition with no cracks, no chips and very bright paint in sharp colors of blue rust and pink, and meticulously painted in a floral pattern. Several of these would have been “stationed” in strategic places within a saloon. This is a wonderful piece of porcelain, and quality item of saloon and Western United States history...

I would like to introduce some wonderful stones mined in Japan. This is probably a stone produced in Shizuoka Prefecture or Wakayama Prefecture. It is believed that the quarrying a...

A six panel screen in black paint with overall gilt scrolled and carved and painted wood applied low relief decoration with some Mother-of-Pearl details. Scenes with pavilions and fi...

Ghurid Rulers Of India, Mu'izz Al-Din Muhammad B. Sam (567-602h). Gold 10-Mithqals/Dinars, Balad Ghazna 601h. Obverse: In Field: La Ilaha Illa Allah | Muhammad Rasul Allah | Al-Nasir Li-Din Allah | Amir Al-Mu'minin; In Field (Above, And To Left And Right): Allah A'la; (Below): Ornament Of Two Intertwined Tendrils; In Margin: Qur'an Ix, 33. Reverse: In Field: Al Sultan Al-A'azam | Mu 'Izz Al-Dunya Wa | Al-Din Abu'l-Muzaffar | Muhammad Bin Sam; In Field (Above, And To Left And Right): Allah A'la; (Below): Ornament Of Two Intertwined Tendrils; In Margin: Mint And Date. Weight: 44.82g. Published: The Shah Firzan Heritage Of Islamic Coins...

A vintage Japanese ikebana made from lacquered bamboo basketry circa first half of the 20th century. This piece of bamboo art displays an very light and delicate classic tapered squa...

A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock) on a fitted display wood stand circa 19th century. This is likely a grey Lingbi type stone with subtle arch mimics a horizontal mountain range. The wrinkles and folds on the greyish black surface were perfectly weathered by elements for millenniums. Smooth and rugged at the same time, the mountain range shows a poetic formation that was often depicted in the ink scroll...

On offer is a tall Taihu scholar rock in a mushroom-cloud form displayed on a custom carved wood stand. Wonderful and well-balanced, the stone is of an uncommon waxy deep yellow color with black and white mineral deposits mixed into the texture. Being exposed to the flowing water for millennium, the surface has been polished and weathered, and is now mostly smooth yet still maintains some slightly rugged edges and points at places. Many grottoes puncture and permeate the piece, interlinking and window-like, creating interesting positive and negative spaces for a meditative mind. A remarkable work of art created by mother nature. Stones such as this from Taihu lake was among the four famous stones since ancient time in China. They have been collected and prized by Chinese scholars since Tang dynasty when using them in garden came in vogue. Later on, smaller pieces like this one were displayed in the scholar's private study serving as a mini form of nature for meditation. In China, they are also known as Gongshi ("worshipped stone") and in the west, known also as Spirit Stone...

An elegantly woven bamboo basket with handle as an ikenana container by Suzuki Gengensai (1891-1950) circa 1923-50. Suzuki Gengensai was from Kansai region and active in Osaka. He studied bamboo art under Yamashita Kochikusai (1876-1947) and became an independent artist in 1913. He received his artist name Gengensai in 1914 and in 1923 he changed the characters to Gen, a slight written variation of the character. This basket was signed in this later variation, which helps to date the piece to post 1923. The basket is woven entirely in a free style irregular plating on the body and with a twisted bundled handle. The surface is lacquered in a deep reddish color. The seemingly less rigid technique renders the piece a more rustic and natural aesthetic that is more suitable for certain occasions. It is singed on the base with artist's signature in the variation post 1923. A very similar basket of the irregular weaving but without the handle is illustrated in plate 72 in "Baskets Masterpieces of Japanese Bamboo Art...

This is a large antique calligraphic ink block. A Chinese, boxed soot ink printing stone, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb ...

This is a vintage scholar's drawing set. A French, brass case of draughtsman's tools, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Useful set of instruments with appealing vintage fi...

The extra large, extraordinary 17" Chinese calligraphy brush captivates with its fusion of history, symbolism, and artistic finesse. Comprising a collection of seven jade Archer's ri...