PAGODA RED Scholar's Objects
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Chinese Dahua Meditation Stone
Located in Chicago, IL
Set upon its side, we display this dahua stone like a traditional scholars' rock (gongshi). Meditating on the stone’s irregular composition, the Qing-dynasty scholar sought inspirati...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Chinese Teal Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Blue Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Calligraphy Brush with Glass Bead Handle
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
20th Century Chinese Scholar's Objects
Materials
Metal, Other
Pair of Thai Gilt Black Lacquer Scroll Cases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Made of bamboo and delicately lacquered in gold and black these early 20th century Thai scroll cases were an essential accessory for any esteemed scholar. The perfect size for a roll...
Category
20th Century Thai Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
Pair of Chinese Longevity Relief Scroll Cases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Delicately carved of dense hardwood, these 19th-century scroll cases were an essential accessory for the esteemed Qing-dynasty scholar. The perfect size for a rolled-up scroll, the cases were once used to store and protect works of traditional calligraphy and landscape painting.
The matching cases are hand-carved in low relief with all-over scrollwork and borders of geometric meanders. Each case is carved with repeated Shou characters, symbols of longevity and a blessing for a long and complete life. Amid the scrollwork flourishes are ribbon-clad objects known as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, including the eternal knot...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Calligraphy Brush
Located in Chicago, IL
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’s creative spirit. This large calligraphy brush...
Category
20th Century Chinese Scholar's Objects
Materials
Other
Chinese Red Glass Snuff Bottle
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Glass
"Recumbent Lion" Lingbi Scholars' Rock Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural and unusual stone formations have long been fixtures of the scholars' studio, displayed as sources of beauty and creative inspiration. Known as gongshi, or scholars' rocks...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Natural Specimens
Materials
Limestone, Steel
Chinese Zitan Brush Pot with Soapstone Inlay, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This beautif...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Chinese "Winged Guardian" Lingbi Scholar's Rock
Located in Chicago, IL
Known as gongshi, or scholars' rocks, lingbi stones such as this were fixtures of the scholars' studio, displayed as sources of beauty and creative inspiration. Meditating on the sto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scholar's Objects
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Calligraphy Brush, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, this fine calligraphy brush would have been an essential tool for a Qing-dynasty scholar-official, used to draft official documents or compose poetry...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Calligraphy Brush, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was among the four treasures found in a traditional scholar’s studio. The brush served as a direct link to the artist’s creative spirit...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Elm
Chinese Literati Tea Tray, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite 19th century tray reflects the Qing-dynasty literati's taste for fine materials and balanced proportions. Once used to serve tea or hold scholarly implements, the tray is...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Guardian's Tail Inkstone, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only functional, but also beautiful. One of the "Four Treasures of the Study," inkstones such as this were used to mix dry ink with water for use in calligraphy painting.
This 19th century inkstone is guarded by a mythical fu dog, or shizi, depicted with open jaws and a long mane of flowing curls. Resembling a Buddhist fly whisk...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Chinese Meandering Tea Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully carved of a fine-grained hardwood, this late 19th century tray reflects the Qing-dynasty literati's taste for fine materials and balanced proportions. Once used to serve ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Literati Tea Tray, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite late 19th century tray reflects the Qing-dynasty literati's taste for fine materials and balanced proportions. Once used to serve tea or hold scholarly implements, the tr...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Calligraphy Brush, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was part of the Four Treasures found in a scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Elm
Chinese Gnarled Brush Pot, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A brush pot, such as this one made in Hainan province, may once have sat on the desk of a learned scholar next to his brushes, inkpot, and ink stone. Made of rustic, gnarled wood...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Elm
Chinese Flora and Fauna Inkstone, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only f...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Chinese Eighteen Luohan Walnut Shell Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Plastic, Walnut
Chinese Double Gourd "Root" Amber Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Other
Chinese Horse and Full Moon Inkstone, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only functional, but also beautiful. Scholars relied on inkstones such as this one to mix their dry inks with water for use in calligraphy painting. This stone inkstone is covered in intricate carvings of crashing waves, surrounding the image of a horse bearing a saddle. Covered in scales, the horse is likely a longma, or "dragon horse...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Chinese Guardian Fu Dog Ink Stone, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Hunkered down on his drum perch, a fu dog jealousy guards the pool where a calligrapher once prepared his ink. A symbol of protection, the lion-like beast bears the features of a shih-tzu, a dog originally bred to resemble this mythical canine. Scholarly implements, such as this carved limestone ink...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Table Screen Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Screens served numerous functions as portable architecture in Chinese homes. The largest examples sectioned off entire rooms, allowing a family to shape the spaces in their home to a...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Table Mirrors
Materials
Hardwood, Mirror
Chinese Jade Archer's Ring, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand carved of vibrant red jadeite, known as konpi, this 18th century archer's ring was likely once worn by a gentleman-scholar in northern China. Traditionally, Chinese archers wore...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Jade, Sterling Silver
Chinese Calligraphy Brush, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was part of the four treasures found in a scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Jiulongbi Mountain Meditation Stone
Located in Chicago, IL
A well-chosen stone is a focal point of both a traditional Chinese garden and a scholar's studio, evoking the complexities of nature and inspiring creative thought. Polished to bring...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Natural Specimens
Materials
Stone
Chinese Mustard Jade Archer's Ring, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved of the highest quality jade, this 19th century Archer's ring was likely worn by a gentleman-scholar in Northern China. Traditionally, Chinese archers wore these rings to ...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Jade, Sterling Silver
Chinese "Tree Jade" Petrified Wood Specimen
Located in Chicago, IL
Like scholars' rocks, petrified, or fossilized, wood is appreciated for its natural beauty. Sometimes called "Tree Jade," petrified wood is thought to bring peace and prosperity to its surroundings. Each log has its own unique patterns of fossilized moss, bark, and the scars of a lifetime. These facets bring to mind a fascinating combination of organic mortality and preserved permanence. We keep them in their raw, unworked state, using the logs in...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Scholar's Objects
Materials
Petrified Wood
Chinese Taihu Stone
Located in Chicago, IL
Taihu stones are naturally occurring limestone rocks native to Lake Tai in Jiangsu Province, China. They are revered as scholars' rocks and meditation ston...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scholar's Objects
Materials
Limestone
