Scholar's Objects

Rare find!: 24 feet long Zen monk Mala Prayer Bead String plus original wooden alms bowl with its original attached triangular shaped stone ojime. A huge...

Along with paper, ink and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist’...

Our calligraphy brush stands are made of solid wenge wood, a prized, sustainable, exotic wood with beautiful grains. Top of the stands are deco...

A fine Chinese scholar's stone. Made of nephrite jade from the Hotan (Hetian) region of China. Scholar's rocks (gongshi, 供石) are naturally occuring rocks that are appreciated for t...

A Spinach Jade Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty. The flattened ovoid form symmetrically rendered from a waxy spinach green speckled nephrite stone having a high shoulder and short stout round neck, with the countersunk mouth having a narrow aperture. The flat narrow base concave bearing a carved 3 character studio mark. The stopper of coral and vinyl collar attached to a cork with evidence of a previous ivory spoon...

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...

A rare handsome Chinese Heavenly jade Bi disk carved in a rarely found combination of mutton fat yellow and green jade with patches of brown accents in the stone that depict a green ...

Chinese scholars rock, Qing dynasty, circa 1900 or earlier, mounted on a custom carved hardwood base. This is a large scale rock is a fine example, with beautiful striations of light...

A good antique Early 19th Century Southeast Asian Bronze Buddha statue, Circa 1800. The Buddha seated upon a triangular shaped base with lotus decoration, the Buddha's hands posed i...

In Japan, there are stones for viewing called suiseki. The same culture has existed in China since ancient times. Suiseki is a Japanese culture and hobby of appreciating stones indoo...

Beautiful hand made large calligraphy brush with stunning green marble beads, bone ferrule and horse hair. This is a substantial 15" piece that weighs a whopping 1.2 lb with beads me...

A beautiful, rare brush made with 5 natural rose pink rhodonite gemstones, each stone measuring at 1.25" wide. A healing crystal for the heart, rhodonite dissolves negative emotions ...

A pair of stunning bracelets crafted from 100% genuine lapis lazuli, showcasing the finest AAAA-grade quality, all natural and ethically sourced from the legendary mines of Afghanist...

Stone dimensions: 11 × 8 cm, thickness 5.5 cm, height on base 13 cm A natural dream stone (scholar's rock) with an organic and asymmetrical shape, pierced in its center, thus creatin...

A Rare Mughal Indian Gold and Enamel Mother of Pearl Spoon with Diamonds Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of Mughal India with this rare and...

An incredibly rare 18th Century monumental palace size Ottoman Islamic astrolabe on an easel stand, Turkey, circa 1720. This rare palace size Astrola...

A fine Chinese Peking glass snuff bottle, hand-blown and finely carved in high relief through an amber-red overlay on a clear ground. Each side is decorated with a carp swimming bene...

An exquisitely hand carved bone Chinese dignitary standing figure portraying a lavishly dressed bearded male. Difficult to date, in our opinion last quarter of the 19th century. ...

Antique Thailand sutra bamboo/palm leave book, 1873. There are about 48 pages and are written on double sides with lots of writing. The following handwriting on the Lacquer reads: ...

Large-Scale Islamic Astrolabe with Five Rolling Celestial Globes India or Persia, Early 20th Century Reproduction after Medieval Islamic Originals An impressive early 20th-century Is...

An exceptional scholar's rock lingbi (灵璧石), traditionally intended for Chinese scholars, on a very elaborate Qing period wooden base. It is presented with the larger end above the sm...

An exceptional and large antique Middle Eastern regal gem set silver intaglio collectors seal ring dating from circa 1900. This large and heavy man’s ring is handcrafted with wonderf...

This calligraphy brush is distinguished by its faux turquoise handle. Hand cut and polished, exhibiting a beautiful turquoise color with naturalistic black veining, very much approxi...

SUISEKI, KAMUY KOTAN STONE – Kamuy kotan stone from the canyon called ‘Kamuy-kotan’ (‘Whereabouts of God’ in the Ainu language) in the western part of Asahikawa city in Hokkaido, Jap...

Chinese, probably late 19th to early 20th century. Super heavy piece, great quality and carving to this antique scholar rock!.

This is an old Japanese stone object. This stone object has a beautiful black and beige gradation. An art object that gives you a sense of wabi-s...

A lovely and luxurious Japanese silver incense burner of lobed melon form, akoda koro, marked jungin and signed Nomura, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The silver koro...

A small and elegant Chinese cloisonné vase for incense tools, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th century, China. Made for the scholar's studio, this small refined vase, was used to hold incense tools, including a small pair of tongs or chopsticks and spoon. The tools no longer present. Of miniature baluster vase form, the vase beautify proportioned and decorated in the cloisonné enamel technique, with gilt wires forming the cloisons, or partitions. Within the cloisons, colorful enamels have been expertly laid. The small incense tool vase...

A superb Chinese yellow and russet nephrite jade carving of a mythical beast, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) or earlier, China The mythical beast is portrayed with feline features, i...

Antique Chinese Moss Agate Snuff Bottle, 19th century. The bottle of a deep forest green color overall with white and brown inclusions. The finely carved rounded square form well ho...

Add a vibrant touch of artistry to your space with this Chinese hand-painted multi-colored vase. Featuring intricate patterns and a stunning array of col...

Our calligraphy brush stands are made of solid wengé wood, a prized, sustainable, exotic wood with beautiful grains. Top of the stands are deco...

A sophisticated Chinese carved and pierced hardwood scholar's tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th century, China. The tray of rectangular form with high sides and rounded corners. The sides...

A fine and unusual carving of a mythical animal, possibly a pixiu, of celadon and russet nephrite jade, Ming Dynasty or earlier, China. The mythical animal masterfully carved as a...

A charming Korean keyaki (Japanese elm), lacquer, and mother-of-pearl inlaid personal accessory chest for a woman, Joseon Dynasty, early 19th century or earlier, Korea. The small ac...

A good quality Chinese vintage double gourd scroll weight molded with scholars, court ladies and a small boy dating from the 20th century. The weight is formed in a mottled green res...

A Chinese Glass Snuff Bottle, 20th Century Dimension: Height: 9 cm Diameter: 9 cm. Provenance: Private Western Australian Collection.

Antique Chinese Agate Master Snuff Bottle, 19th century. Larger scale bottle of pale translucent color with varied caramel inclusions, symmetrical rectangu...

This is an old vermilion suiseki from Japan. Not only in China but also in Japan, rocks from mountains have been quarried and shaped for appreciation since ancient times. These deco...

Vintage hand-carved soapstone seal - mythical beast to the top - original presentation/padded fabric covered box - signed - China - mid 20th century. E...

Bamboo and wooden slips - jiandú- were the main media for writing documents in China before the widespread introduction of paper during the first two centuries AD. This substantial group, 59 pieces, of one-of-a-kind slips with painted and applied hand calligraphy appeals to book lovers and antiquity sleuths We believe them to be circa 1900 Qing dynasty and are offering this group from a collection of old works of art. Dimensions: bamboo slips...

Antique Chinese Honey Quartz Dragon Snuff Bottle, a flat rectangular form with rounded shoulders and footed base of a golden coloured translucent material with horizontal striations ...

The first we have seen A spectacular and hard to find Inlaid mother of pearly - using the raden technique- and lacquered three-drawer Tansu complete with all original bronze accoutrement including a fine engraved antique long pipe and two removable covered bronze cylinders all executed by expert mid-19th century Edo samurai...

A Chinese Taihu scholar rock is displayed on a carved wood base in an vertical form. Well-balanced and resembling a mushroom head, the stone is of an uncommon deep yellow color with ...

A large and dramatic Chinese Gongshi (known as meditation stone or spirit stone) from Taihu (Lake Tai) balanced on display stand. This scholar rock features a relatively red and poro...

A finely carved zitan wood display stand in the form of a round table, China, Republic Period, mid 20th century. The circular display stand carved from rare and precious zitan wood. Fashioned as a classical Chinese round table...

A Chinese late Qing dynasty shadow agate snuff bottle, exquisitely carved to depict a scene of contemplative serenity. It features a scholar, thoughtfully seated on a rock, positione...

Introduce a piece of history to your decor with this antique Chinese bronze censer incense burner. Featuring intricate detailing and a ri...

One of the finest Japanese Maki-e Suzuribakos (ink box) we have on offer, the roiro color box showcases an ambient nocturnal scene in which two shakudo inlaid crows perched on the ha...

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...

A set of 3 beautiful porcelain handle Chinese calligraphy brushes. The handles with hand painted round and oval porcelain balls of longevity motifs and basketweave, in classic, timeless blue and white...

Fine antique Chinese Qing Dynasty silvered golden copper alloy snuff bottle of hulu double gourd form, inset with 4x carved five petal white jade p...

A six-panel painted folding floor screen from Korea circa early 20th century. This type of screen is called Chaekgeori (books and things) which is quite unique to Korea. It became popular at the end of 18th century favored and encouraged by King Jeongjo (1752-1800) as a political tool to promote social conservatism such as the traditional Confucianism value, especially considered important in a time when waves of new ideology influx came to Korea. Initially commissioned for the royal court, they became increasingly popular with the scholars of noble and affluent households and were used widely in their halls and studies. Early screens were painted with trompe-l’oeil bookcases displaying books and arrays of collectibles. Later, the bookcases were eliminated to focus on the assemblage of neatly stacked books and objects of scholarly pursue. On this screen, the six panels were neatly presented and framed in woven brocade borders. Among the stacked volumes, one can find many fine porcelain vases with flowers, potted orchids, pen holders with brush pens and scroll paintings, incense burner, ink stone, teapot, fan with ink painting, vessels of fruits, exotic plants such as lotus, plumeria and even a pair of glasses. It feels like a pleasant visual measure hunting for the viewers. Several words in Chinese found their way into the picture as well, including filial (xiao), longevity (shou) and luck (fu). The painting was done in a meticulous way with no details overlooked and also with a rather western still-life dimensional perspective. In a rather unusual maximal but also minimalistic way, the screen exudes a historical charm with a folky flair but appears modern at the same time. Each panel is 17.5"w by 70.2"h. For general information on the subject see reference: Chaekgeori the Power and Pleasure of Possessions in Korean Painted Screens...

A rare and beautifully illuminated Quran manuscript from the Timurid period, dating back to the 15th century. The manuscript features intricate floral motifs, vibrant colours, and el...

A ceramic stem bowl with high cylindrical pedestal foot in white glaze from Korea, circa 18 centuries of late Joseon Dynasty. By shape, this piece appears to be a ceremonial vessel t...

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...

A Caitao type Chinese scholar stone presented on a carved confirming wood stand circa 1990s. Caitao, which means colored pottery in Chinese, was a newly discovered scholar stone type...

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist...

This is a stone mined in Japan. Measure: w 22cm. Not only in China but also in Japan from ancient times, rocks in the mountains have been shaved and stones for viewing have been qua...

This remarkable glass snuff bottle, crafted by the esteemed artist Ya Qing in the spring of 2009, is a masterful example of inside painting. The bottle showcases...