Animal Skin Metalwork

A fine antique Asian Indian brass alms dish molded with a hamsa bird design and dating from the 19th century. The hamsa is believed to be based on ...

Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...

A large and rare antique Indian copper Yoni Shiva Lingam Ceremonial water Vessel dating from the 19th century. The Yoni represents the Hindu godd...

A fine and unusual vintage Asian Indian red lacquered bronze statue of Shiva Nataraja dating from the 20th century. The figure represents the Hindu God Shiva performing a dance. The ...

A Chinese paktong basin, engraved with scenes of many children at play and before pagodas, within borders of shou characters, bats and flowerheads, the flattened rim with vases of flowers and lingzhi, swords, lotus pods...

Okitenugui kabuto Samurai helmet shaped as a head towel Saika, early Edo period, 17th century The Haruta armorers who moved to Kii province in the early 17th century, took the name from the village where they worked, Saika, near Wakayama, possibly on request of the local daimyo, Asano Yukinaga, a great armour amateur. Specialised in the construction of plate helmets, they produced mainly two typologies of kabuto: one with six plates covered with a chrysanthemum-shaped plate on top and one shaped as a “head towel”, called okitenugui. The latter type of kabuto employs very heavy plates crafted in a curved manner and was improved in order to make it resistant to firearms. This okitenugui kabuto features some distinctive decorations of the Haruta school, including the application of cut-out iron elements, including eyebrows, washers and lozenge-shaped decorations on the sides. The ring on the top, however, is a rare feature and could be used to hold a small war flag.

A very good quality Meiji period (1868-1912) Japanese patinated bronze vase, depicting two seated dogs below a Bamboo plant.

This is a pair of antique equestrian tack rests. An English, cast iron stable or outdoor rack, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Fascinating dome top form to this app...

Antique Large Pair of Japanese Bronze Mixed Metal Vases - Exquisite Meiji Period Artist Pieces! These stunning Japanese bronze mixed metal vases, dating back to the Meiji Period cir...

A fine 19th-century ornate Indian dagger superbly made from hand forged folded steel known as Damascus which shows on the blade with a pattern almost like wood grain. The whole knife is made from solid steel and the handle is most elaborate with a curved grip which terminates in a tiger’s head all of which is profusely inlaid with finely cut silver in foliate patterns and panels with realistic markings to the tiger's head. This fine and interesting antique knife would be a good addition to any collection or would be very useful on a desk as a paper or letter opening knife. Some history on the Damascus steel: The history of Damascus steel can be traced all the way back to 500 A.D. when in India it was called Telangana, Wootz or Ukku steel. It then found its way to Damascus, Syria, which was the centre of trade in that region for war equipment such as knives, swords and armour. The name “Damascus” wasn’t adopted until the time of the Crusaders. The Crusaders witnessed Damascus swords...

Antique Very Large Pair of Japanese Bronze Vases - Exquisite Meiji Period Presentation Pieces! These magnificent Japanese bronze vases, dating back to the Meiji Period and dated 190...

A pair of Edo period black and gold lacquer Samurai helmet boxes (Hakko Bako), each of ribbed cylindrical form with a lid, a black lacquer interior,...