Chicago - Metalwork

This antique Persian water kettle is shaped from silver-plated brass and was once used to boil water for tea and other hot drinks. The body is decorated with repoussé and chased desi...

This slender metal container is a 19th-century white brass incense burner, used for storing and burning incense sticks. The small box has a rectangular form and a removable sliding t...

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...

This fantastic pair of etched brass hooks recreates those used throughout the Qing dynasty to hold open the gauzy curtains of traditional canopy beds. Each of the large hooks is affixed to an etching of the Daoist immortal Liu Hai and his animal companion, the three-legged Money Toad. Known as Jin Chan...

Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...

This petite bronze figurine is cast in the form of Garuda, a demigod and mythical king of birds in Hindu and Buddhist faith. Taking the form of half-bird...

Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the m...

Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the m...

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...

Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this large Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mir...

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...

This antique Chinese mirror is cast of bronze in the tang-dynasty style, with a lobed rim of eight flower petals, each filled with small cloud ...

Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mi...

For one short decade, from around 1910 to 1920, pewter was all the rage in China’s bustling commercial centers of Shanghai and Canton. Drawn to pewter’s soft, silvery glow, artists t...

Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mi...

This petite Thai prayer amulet depicts a seated medicine Buddha, also known as the King of Healers. Cast of brass with traces of red and gold pigments, the petite Buddha sits in quie...

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys....

This early 20th century Tibetan snuff bottle is delightfully ornate, crafted with silver metalwork and encrusted with colorful beads. The small bo...

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...

Decorated with a raised fan motif, this aptly named teapot was used to boil water for traditional tea ceremonies. Known as tetsubin, the kettle’s cast-iron construction is said to ch...

This petite bronze figurine is cast in the form of Garuda, a demigod and mythical king of birds in Hindu and Buddhist faith. Taking the form of half-bird...

This lovely silver box exemplifies Japanese refinement in all crafts. Precious in the hand, the petite bonbonnière is formed of high quality silver in the shape of a paper folding fa...

Decorated with stylized chrysanthemum blossoms, symbols of longevity and rejuvenation, this Japanese teapot was used to boil water for traditional tea ceremonies. Known as tetsubin, ...

This curious Chinese jewelry chain dates to the early 20th century and is strung with an array of petite bells, charms and amulets. Worked of gilded silver alloy, the repoussé charms are laden with blessings and symbolism, including fruits for abundance, bats for happiness, and a lotus for perfection. The chain is strung with three larger charms of a horse, a donkey and a three-legged toad, the mythical creature known as the Jin Chan, or Money Toad...

Fine cast bronze figures created over 400 years ago during China's Ming dynasty are rare and highly appreciated. In this exceptional example, a spirited young boy stands on a lotus b...

This lovely Qing-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter...

This monumental Ming-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Covered in scales and ending in expressive faces, the bell's handle is cast in the form of a two-headed hong dragon, thought to be the embodiment of a rainbow and thus visible only after rainfall. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter garden.

Antique Signed Asian Bronze Dragon Vase - Pair This pair of antique Asian bronze vases are decorated with sculpted Imperial royal dragons. The dragon in Chinese culture is a symbol ...

Minimal and refined, these petite bronze cups are simply formed with gently curved sides and a short footed base. The pair dates to the 19th century or earlier and would have been us...

In 19th century China government officials wore different hats to show their various ranks of office—the styles and designs changed depending on the season. A hand-crafted, one of a ...

This unusual bronze sculpture is a 19th-century dorje, or vajra, a scepter used during Tibetan Buddhist ritual recitation. Translated as thunderbolt or diamond, the dorje symbolizes ...

This elaborate chain of repoussé charms and tools is a traditional Chinese grooming kit, intricately worked of silver alloy with fantastic detail. Much like a Victorian chatelaine, a...

This early 20th century Tibetan snuff bottle is delightfully ornate, crafted with silver metalwork and encrusted with colorful beads. The small bo...

Filled with burning coals, this finely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the hands of a wealthy lady on a cold winter's night in northern China. The portable brazier is hand-w...

Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...

This petite brass box was originally part of an early 20th century betel box set from Indonesia, one of several small containers that held the individual ingredients of a betel quid....

Pair of Chinese floral-decorated and mirror-image black cloisonne vases. Colorful flora and fauna depicted in green, red, blue, gold, purple and t...

This vintage cast iron mortar and pestle from is from China's Shanxi province and is patterned in low relief with floral motifs. It...

This unusual bronze charm is the handle of a 19th-century ritual bell known as drilbu or ghanta, a ceremonial instrument that accompanies the dorje scepter in Tibetan Buddhist ritual...

This petite brass amulet depicts the Hindu god Ganesha, easily recognized by his elephant face and four arms. Ganesha is a widely worshipped deity believed to grant success, prosperi...

This squat brass vessel is an early Qing-dynasty hot water bottle, originally used to heat a bed or warm the body. The round container would have been filled with hot water through t...

This early 20th century iron vessel is a Meiji-era vase designed especially for ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement. The two-piece vase was cast in the classical usubata (thin rim) form, with a broad, flat top with an upturned lip. Usubata vessels are typically cast of bronze and have been used in ikebana arrangements since the 16th century. The broad rim of this usubata vase...

Decorated in relief and cloaked in an antique patina, this curious brass case is an early 20th century betel nut box, attributed to the Maranao people of the island of Mindanao, Phil...

This petite Thai prayer amulet depicts a devout bodhisattva in standing mediation, arms held forward with an alms bowl in dhyana mudra. Known as the gesture of inner balance, this po...

Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...

This petite brass prayer amulet depicts the Buddhist bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known by the names Chenresi, Guanyin or Kannon. Considered the embodiment of compassion, this b...

Decorated with silver inlay and cloaked in an antique patina, this curious brass case is an early 20th century betel nut box, attributed to the Maranao people of the island of Mindan...

This unusual piece of silver hardware is wonderfully patterned with intricate Tibetan repoussé decoration. Comprised of two thin silver plates linked ...

This 18th century bronze vessel with tripod feet was crafted by hand in a traditional Chinese shape known as "ding," that dates back to 1600 BC. Tripod bowls were originally used for making religious offerings to ancestral gods. This ding is mounted on a finely carved hardwood...

Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...

Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...

With a flaring lip and striking profile, connoisseurs often refer to these exquisite vases as “turnip-shaped”. Each was crafted out of bronze over two centuries ago, and is decorated...

This vintage cast iron mortar from China's Shanxi province is patterned in low relief with a simple floral design. Originally used in a traditional ap...

Tibetan traveling shrines, known as Gau, were believed to offer protective powers and were used to hold and carry sacred objects during long journeys. Crafted over a century ago, a B...

Antique Chinese Bronze Royal Dragons Sculpted Vase - Pair  This pair of 19th century bronze vases are decorated with sculpted Imperial royal dragons. The dragon in Chinese culture i...

Once ornately gilt, this serene bronze seated Buddha was created in Thailand in the mid-19th century. Cast in the older Sukhothai style, the Buddha bears a uniquely Thai flame-like s...

Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the cold hands of a wealthy woman on a winter night in northern China. The brazier is hand-wrough...

The gu vase form dates back as far as 1600 BC, when it was originally cast in bronze. This set of early 20th century pewter gu vases would have been used in traditional Southern Chin...

This unusual piece of silver hardware is wonderfully patterned with intricate Tibetan repoussé decoration. Comprised of two thin silver plates linked ...