Carved More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture

This is a very old Japanese sliding door. It is a simple design that conveys the charm of the material. You can feel the world of wabi and sab...

Free shipping within the continental United States. Qing dynasty. A pair of Chinese mid 1900 century semi precious stone lacquered wall panels. Jade and amethyst hardstone carved pa...

Japanese early Meiji period Noh theater mask made of carved wood with gofun layers. The piece was made in Japan in circa 1880 and is signed on the back. In great antique condition wi...

Mid-20th century oriental camphor wood chest or trunk. Elaborate shape, different sort of wood, detailed carved scenes. Retaining the origi...

Qing dynasty Kang XI blue and white Chinese porcelain censer with a design of "Antiques" and auspicious objects, the base in clear glaze and the mouth...

Intricately hand carved from a single block of richly variegated stone, this incredibly detailed and elaborate, Chinese sculpture is a true work of art. It features a dragon on a car...

19th century sterling silver Malaysian Dagger. Original carved mahogany wood handle. Sterting silver carved crown. Damascene steel. The kris is an asymmetrical dagger with distincti...

Thai Dancer in a classic pose, balancing on a wooden base. Graceful and expertly executed. The losses of paint in some places lend to the beauty of the piece.  

Antique Teak wood Door Frame imported from India with absolutely beautiful carvings. We have just received (3) Antique Door Frames (all slightly dif...

Large wood carved Otafuku , Goddess of Mirth, Japanese, 20th Century. Sometimes known as Okame, a beloved and popular symbol in Japanese culture. With plump cheeks and joyful smile...

This spice mortar from the island of Java in Indonesia was hand-carved from a single block of limestone. It was once used to grind various spices. Its wor...

Monumental Chinese serpentine jade carved pagoda censer, early 20th century. A masterfully carved Chinese serpentine pagoda censer. The base of the...

This antique Mahjong set is unsigned and documentation shows it to have originated from China and date to approximately 1900 and done in the Chines...

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...

Wood netsuke of three peanuts. A naturalistic grouping, dark stained. An ivory plug may bear a highly stylised signature. Provenance : Arlette Katchen, Paris. Japan, 20th centu...

This is a stone mined in Japan. Not only in China but also in Japan from ancient times, rocks in the mountains have been shaved and stones for v...

A signed Okimono from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912). Very rare, unusual and large sculptural assembling of a dysplaying piece of okimono. Created in Japan during the imperial period of the Meiji (1868-1912). This extraordinary piece okimono sculpture depict a group of four intricately and realistically rendered carousing males skeletons representations (Gaikotsu) standing in several position. One skeleton is crouched down playing with mouses in the floor. The second is seated resting in the other's back, peacefully smoking opium. The others two are fully standing in interacting position. The entire composition is arranged freely displayed on the wood base including a woven basket, apparently with food and four playfull mouses. There are an extra five mouses in different positions, freely playing around, all of them with the eyes accented with carved black ebony. The composition is displayed on a four-legged free form carved wood platform with an inlaid red plaque engraved with the artist's signature. The level of detail and the quality of the carving is truly exceptional. Has an exact measurements of 216.15 mm by 139.7 mm by 359.41 mm (8.51 x 5.5 x 14.15 Inches). After an extensive collection of data, comparables and references to this piece, we have only been able to find only three okimono sculptures like this, with similar themes and the same quality of work. References Note: A similar carving of four skeletons playing an animated game of dominos, signed Shutaro in an inlaid rectangular red plaque, was sold in London by Christie’s South Kensington in October 14 2014, Lot 120 Sale 5546. References Note: A similar carving with four skeletons in an otherwise typical victorian scene of a photographer and three sitters signed Shutaro in an inlaid rectangular red plaque, was sold in Edinburgh at Lyon & Turnbull in November 7, 2018. References Note: A similar carving with five skeletons seated, playing cards and drinking, was sold in London by John Nicholson Fine Art on September 26, 2018. Meiji period, is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912.The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization by Western powers to the new paradigm of a modern, industrialized nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western scientific, technological, philosophical, political, legal, and aesthetic ideas. As a result of such wholesale adoption of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound, and affected its social structure, internal politics, economy, military, and foreign relations. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji. It was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era, upon the accession of Emperor Taisho. Okimono, is a Japanese term meaning for display an ornament; art object; or decorative object, usually displayed in a tokonoma or butsudan "Buddhist altar". It is an ornament or figure, especially one placed in a guest room. An okimono may be a small Japanese carving...

Beautiful Chinese fan of Canton of the 19th century in Bone, Paper and Silk. Dimensions: H: 49cm, W: 28cm, D: 2cm.  

Exceptional Large Incised Lacquer Hsun-ok Offering Box With Interior Tray, Bagan, 20th Century.   The large round bowl form is for holding cooked rice and the interior tray is for ho...

Very Unusual Horn Sectional Hand Carved Chinese Walking Stick or Dress Cane of outstanding quality, last half of the Nineteenth Century. The ...

A truly magnificent and special work - this beautiful and exceptionally long string of Japanese handcrafted natural wood (perhaps rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads with four large square-like beads called shitenshu beads said to represent the Four Heavenly Kings: Jikko-Ten, Zocho-ten, Hiromoku-ten, and Tamon-ten (Since there are four square beads, the denomination is probably Tendai or Nichiren sect). These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers / rituals and worn by Samurai as amulets of protection. We have not come across another set of Juzu beads...

A charming carved giltwood Chinese export mirror frame with a watch-stand Canton, Qing Dynasty, early 19th century H. 65 x W. 34.5 cm At the top of the frame, two angels are suppo...

We Japanese introduce unique items with unique aesthetics, purchasing routes and methods that no one can imitate. This is a small wooden Buddha statue made in the Edo period in Japan. And this pose is called "Shaka Nyorai". It is the highest Buddhist statue in Buddhism. It is a very precious existence that saves the lives of many people. I think it was in a private house such as a small village. Since it is a simple sculpture, it was not carved by a person who specializes in carving Buddha...

Chinese guardian lions, or imperial guardian lions, are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament. Typically made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi (石獅; shíshī). They are known in colloquial English as lion dogs or foo dogs / fu dogs. The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, features a pair of highly stylized lions—often one male with a ball and one female with a cub—which were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. Used in imperial Chinese palaces and tombs, the lions subsequently spread to other parts of Asia including Japan (see komainu), Korea, Philippines, Tibet, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. There has been extensive interaction between Chinese mythology and Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Elements of pre-Han dynasty mythology such as those in Classic of Mountains and Seas were adapted into these belief systems as they developed (in the case of Taoism), or were assimilated into Chinese culture (in the case of Buddhism). Elements from the teachings and beliefs of these systems became incorporated into Chinese mythology. For example, the Taoist belief of a spiritual Paradise became incorporated into mythology as the place where immortals and deities used to dwell. Sometimes mythological and religious ideas have become widespread across China's many regions and diverse ethnic societies. In other cases, beliefs are more limited to certain social groups, for example, the veneration of white stones by the Qiang. One mythological theme that has a long history and many variations involves a shamanic world view, for example in the cases of Mongolian shamanism among the Mongols, Hmong shamanism among the Miao people, and the shamanic beliefs of the Qing dynasty from 1643 to 1912, derived from the Manchus. Politically, mythology was often used to legitimize the dynasties of China, with the founding house of a dynasty claiming a divine descent. Mythology and philosophy. Further information: Chinese philosophy True mythology is distinguished from philosophical treatises and theories. Elaborations on the Wu Xing are not really part of mythology, although belief in five elements could appear. The Hundred Schools of Thought is a phrase suggesting the diversity of philosophical thought that developed during the Warring States of China. Then, and subsequently, philosophical movements had a complicated relationship with mythology. However, as far as they influence or are influenced by mythology, divides the philosophical camps into two rough halves, a Liberal group and a Conservative group. The liberal group being associated with the idea of individuality and change, for example as seen in the mythology of divination in China, such as the mythology of the dragon horse that delivered the eight bagua diagrams to Fu Xi, and methods of individual empowerment as seen in the Yi Jing (Book of Changes). The Liberal tendency is towards individual freedom, Daoism, and Nature. The relationship of the Conservative philosophies to mythology is seen in the legendary Nine Tripod Cauldrons, mythology about the emperors and central bureaucratic governance, Confucianism, written histories, ceremonial observances, subordination of the individual to the social groups of family and state, and a fixation on stability and enduring institutions. The distinction between the Liberal and Conservative is very general, but important in Chinese thought. Contradictions can be found in the details, however these are often traditional, such as the embrace by Confucius of the philosophical aspects of the Yi Jing, and the back-and-forth about the Mandate of Heaven wherein one dynasty ends and another begins based according to accounts (some of heavily mythological) where the Way of Heaven results in change, but then a new ethical stable dynasty becomes established. Examples of this include the stories of Yi Yin, Tang of Shang and Jie of Xia or the similar fantastic stories around Duke of Zhou and King Zhou of Shang. Mythology exists in relationship with other aspects of society and culture, such as ritual. Various rituals are explained by mythology. For example, the ritual burning of mortuary banknotes (Hell Money), lighting fireworks, and so on. A good example of the relationship of Chinese mythology and ritual is the Yubu, also known as the Steps or Paces of Yu. During the course of his activities in controlling the Great Flood, Yu was supposed to have so fatigued himself that he lost all the hair from his legs and developed a serious limp. Daoist practitioners sometimes incorporate a curiously choreographed pedal locomotion into various rituals. Mythology and practice, one explains the other: in these rituals, the sacred time of Yu merges with the sacral practice of the present. Various ideas about the nature of the earth, the universe, and their relationship to each other have historically existed as either a background or a focus of mythologies. One typical view is of a square earth separated from a round sky by sky pillars (mountains, trees, or undefined). Above the sky is the realm of Heaven, often viewed of as a vast area, with many inhabitants. Often the heavenly inhabitants are thought to be of an "as above so below" nature, their lives and social arrangements being parallel to those on earth, with a hierarchical government run by a supreme emperor, many palaces and lesser dwellings, a vast bureaucracy of many functions, clerks, guards, and servants. Below was a vast under ground land, also known as Diyu, Yellow Springs, Hell, and other terms. As time progressed, the idea of an underground land in which the souls of the departed were punished for their misdeeds during life became explicit, related to developments in Daoism and Buddhism. The underground world also came to be conceived of as inhabited by a vast bureaucracy, with kings, judges, torturers, conductors of souls, minor bureaucrats, recording secretaries, similar to the structure of society in the Middle Kingdom (earthly China). Chinese temple Dogs...

This exceptional and rare antique "Honor Reward" sign board which issued by Qing Dynasty - Dao Guang government at year 1839. This Sign board has been kept in very good care and in i...

This 2 panel cabinet is beautifully painted with a pair of dragons, vases and lotus blossoms adoring both the front doors. Both sides of the cabinet are painted with the same floral ...

Once an original part of a Mid-19th Century Buddha wood sculpture from Thailand, this reclaimed hand fragment is lacquered in black and gold, showing the...

Antique Wooden Pot or Tekhi, from Nepal, 13" Tall, circa 1900s Early 20th century wood pot from Nepal, this particular style of wooden container, pot has a r...

Vintage Wooden Coconut Grater in Animal Form, Thailand A utilitarian implement commonly used in an Asian household. To use it, the coconut is cut in h...

Chinese Ming Dynasty Style side table with humpback stretcher. Chinese Ming Dynasty style side table from the mid 19th century with hump...

Large vintage hand-carved from one piece of solid wood African Tribal mask richly decorated with intricate tribal motifs. Beautifully hand carved, painted details, it has a hook, ready to hang. Circa 70 cm high (2 ft) In a very good vintage condition, this gorgeous sculpture, that comes from the early 1970s, would fit perfectly in your ambient, making a focus point on your wall. Or just add it to your mask collection...

Beautiful proportioned Chinese Blackwood (Hongmu) tea table. The Blackwood on this table is dark brown in color. Hongmu typically has more of a reddi...

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...

This is Ho-te-i, an old Japanese god. hotei is one of the seven gods of good fortune in Japan. This god is plump and has a large pouch. He also carri...

This exceptional piece is one of the few impressively carved granary doors which have survived to our days. Created in the village of Wakching, in the Indian state of Nagaland, it ev...

An exquisite late 1970s Asian black cerused wood wall mirror with relief carved Japanese crane and camellia flower motif. Black lacquered cerused...

We are delighted to this lovely circa 1900 hand carved and paint Chinese Export wall panel A very good looking and well-made piece, would suit any setting its ornately carved in s...

Japanese Kimono storage box, constructed of wood and bamboo, painted black with family crest painted in red on the sides. The top has wood slats, which ...

This is handcrafted Tibetan container made from Tibetan copper and tin. It has hand crafted Tibetan folk art all over the container, very detailed ca...

Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a skeleton. The skeleton naturalistically carved in the foetal position in preparation for transitional burial. With...

A high quality lacquer inro with a carved wooden netsuke. Both are unfortunately damaged but still very nice art pieces. The way the rooster is executed is just exquisite.

An extremely well detailed wood carving of Ebisu, as a fisherman. Beautiful and well detailed sculpture, created in Japan during the Meiji dynastic period (1868-1912) back in the 1890's. This piece represent the god of good fortune Ebisu. Was exceptionally carved and executed from one solid single piece of rose wood, showing a gorgeous face expression, with intricate details in the hands and feets, he's carrying as usual a rod and a fish. Ebisu (yebisu), ???, god of fortune, the ocean and fisherman. In the japanese mythology is one of the seven gods of luck, sichi-fuku-jin, the patron of the fisherman and tradesmen. he is depicted as a bearded, smiling fisherman with formal long court ropes, often carrying a rod in one hand and a tai, symbolic fish of the good luck, in the other. The height is 14.25 inches (36.20 cm) and the base measurements is 6.5 by 6.45 inches (16.5 x 16.38 cm). Meiji period, is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912.The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization by Western powers to the new paradigm of a modern, industrialized nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western scientific, technological, philosophical, political, legal, and aesthetic ideas. As a result of such wholesale adoption of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound, and affected its social structure, internal politics, economy, military, and foreign...

A truly magnificent and special work - this beautiful and exceptionally long string of Japanese hand-crafted natural wood (perhaps Rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads. These rosary-type large prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers/rituals and worn by Samurai as amulets of protection. During the Edo period, Buddhist priests/monks and samurai warriors used to wrap the beads around their bodies and use the beads in their worshipping and meditation ceremonies. After reading the sutra once, one bead would be moved (some sects used them instead of wooden tally counters). It would take a tremendous amount of intense concentration and physical stamina to read the sutra while holding and counting/moving each individual prayer bead as well as a copious amount of time to move all the prayer beads to complete the sutra cycle. We have not come across another set of Juzu beads...

Japanese Lion Gion Festival Dance Mask, Lacquered wood, Late Edo period This lion mask can be found at the head of a float in the Gion festival. It is...

A highly decorative early 19th century Vietnamese carved wooden and polychrome painted Buddha with traces of original gilding, creating a beautiful p...

From our recent Japanese Acquisitions Travels. A remarkable artistic Noh Play survivor. One of a kind Japanese Complete "Noh Play" Production as written in 22 Woodblock books from the Utai Bon Houshou school, complete with original signed wooden storage box tomobako and dated Kaei 6 (1853). This antique Japanese book...

Hollow form oak sculpture by Vlad Droz. Dimensions: ?30 x H22 cm. Materials: Oak One of a kind. Hollow Form Oak Sculpture by Vlad Droz. Greenturned, carved, textured and sand...

A beautiful late 19th century paint bowl with a lid that was once used for storing the famous Tibetan barley flour (Tsampa). These bowls were used by the Buddhist mountain people of ...

Vintage gilded Asian wooden sculpture of a standing Buddha. Southeast Asian carved gilt wood and polychrome sculpture of the Buddha standing. Mandalay standing Thai...

Made of Chinese northern elmwood, this smooth block of wood was once used as a rigid headrest or neck pillow. The soft curve and height of the block not only supported the head while...

This early 20th-century ladder was originally used to access the loft in a traditional Chinese courtyard home. Crafted with mortise-and-tenon joinery methods, without the use of nail...

Nice and unusual Indian Mughal style large decorative box, filigree and carved horn. Anglo-Indian footed domed box with exceptional engraved details throughout with filigree and carved veneered bone plaques with arabesque carving. Vizagapatam, late 19th century. History of the Anglo-Indian Boxes Beginning in the early part of the 18th century, Indian artisans made what came to be known as Anglo-Indian boxes for the English residents living in India, who eventually brought or sent them back to England. At the beginning of the 19th century, India began exporting these boxes commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the 1850s. People valued them so highly that manufacturers of tins copied the designs on them in the late 19th and early 20th century. Anglo-Indian boxes fall into four groups: Rosewood or ebony boxes inlaid; sandalwood boxes veneered; sandalwood boxes covered with Sadeli mosaic; and carved boxes often combined with Sadeli mosaic/ The first two categories came from Vizagapatam in East India while the last two came from Bombay in West India. English traders discovered the rich woods and intricate workmanship of Indian artisans, so colonial government officials began to recognize the work of the Indian artists and craftsmen as a source for satisfying the need for furniture and boxes, which would both serve to enhance English households in India. This gave rise to the cabinetmaking workshops in Vizagapatam between Calcutta and Madras. Craftsmen made the first boxes to be decorated with Sadeli mosaic of rosewood or ebony, incised to give further definition to the decoration, directly inlaid into the wood. The shape of the early boxes was either sloping at the front with a flatter section at the back, reminiscent of English writing slopes, or rectangular. Artisans inlaid the borders with stylized floral scrolls and the centers with a single floral motif following a circular or oval symmetrical or asymmetrical pattern. The edging was ornamental and protective, both helped protect the end grain against the weather. Made in Vizagapatam, situated on the south east coast of India, near Madras These exotic boxes...

A beautiful late 19th century lacquer covered bowl that was once used for storing the famous Tibetan barley flour (Tsampa). This beautifully handcrafted wooden bowl has a gorgeous, l...

A large scale square frame with staggered panels surrounding the center mirror. A top and bottom panel on the front are decorated with gilt foliate scrolled motifs. The back with thr...

A bold and powerful kagura mask of the Shinto deity Sarutahiko Okami by Kiyomi Yokota, Showa or Heisei Era, late 20th century, Japan. The mask depicts t...

A stunning 19th century Chinese Rosewood and inset Marble plant stand. Wonderful carved flower design on it's skirt, and on the outside of it's leg...

19th century Anglo-Indian wooden box fitted with various compartments finely hand carved. The top is finely hand carved with the Taj Mahal. The interior with removable hand carved nine-lidded compartments, the front cover has a mirror, the whole exhibiting very fine workmanship. This fine late Victorian Anglo-Indian box from India is in great condition for it age. A beautiful example of an Anglo-Indian fine art...

This is a set of 3 pcs Chinese antique open carved wooden panels which used to be the interior divider/door panels in ancient China that are put together to make into a screen. Scree...