Korean Minhwa Dragon Painting, Joseon Dynasty, Late 19th Century

An important Chinese 17th century early Qing Dynasty "Water and Land Ritual" painting, mineral pigment and ink on silk, mounted as a scroll, framed and glazed. The painting depicting groups of heavenly court officials and deities descending from the clouds to participate in the Liberation Rite of Land and Water. The figures all wear full, sumptuous robes, complete with hats indicating their station. The blue, green, red, black and white of the robes decorated with gilt dragon and geometric designs. This painting is interesting in that it incorporates Daosit deities and heavenly officials coming down to participate in the Buddhist rite. There are five distinct groups of figures, each with a small inscribed plaque. Some of the groups are identified as Tian Xian, or Heavenly Immortals. The group at the bottom left are identified as the Sanguan Dadi, or Three Great Emperor-Officials. The Emperor of Heaven is dressed in blue robes with gilt painted dragons. The Emperor of Water wears black robes. The Emperor of Earth wears yellow robes...

A large and incredible Japanese painting of a Buddhist temple hall with Amida Nyorai, late Edo or early Meiji period, mid-19th century, Japan. Mounted wit...

A delightful Japanese six panel painted paper screen featuring the beloved figure Hotei, Edo Period, early 19th century. Hotei, called Budai in China, and known as the Laughing Buddha or Fat Buddha in the West, is considered to be an emanation of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. In Japan, he also holds a special place as one of the Seven Lucky Gods, being the god of fortune, and protector of children. He is always portrayed as a mirthful and corpulent man, dressed in loose robes that show off his round belly. He carries a sack with him, said to be filled with treasure. As the protector of children, he is often portrayed with them playing on or around him, as he is here. The children portrayed in this screen are dressed in Chinese style clothing...

A sublime and well carved Korean lacquered and gilt wood figure of Amitabha Buddha (Amita Bul), Joseon Dynasty, early 19th century, Korea. The Budd...

A subtle and elegant Korean Joseon Dynasty white glazed porcelain bottle vase, 19th century, Korea. The bottle vase with an unusual globular body, nar...

A sublime Korean white glazed porcelain globular jar, Joseon Dynasty, 18th century, Korea. The squat jar is heavily potted, with a globular body, very short neck, and wide mouth r...

A hyper realistic portrait of an official with watercolor on silk bordered panel, framed in dark wood, from Korean late Joseon dynasty, circa 19th century. The beard man sitting with a formal frontal view, displays a benevolent facial expression, in keeping with the Confucius value of the officialdom at the time. He dons a black linen official hat and a blue silk robe...

A Korean Folk Art painting mounted as a hanging scroll. The watercolor on paper was likely dated from 1930s-1940s. The work depicts a "Jakhodo" theme (...

A large Korean folk-art painting framed in a carved gilt frame under museum-quality acrylic glass. The ink and watercolor on paper was dated circa late 19th century to turn of the 20...

Anonymous. Korean, 17th century. Joseon period. Hanging scroll. Ink on paper. Seal: Shinso Dimensions: Scroll: H. 200 cm x W. 31 cm (79” x 12”) Image: H. 122 cm x W. 29.5 cm (48” x 11.5”) The grapevine came to China and then Korea from western Asia via the silk road trade routes. By the mid-Joseon period, it was one of the most popular subjects for Korean literati painters. Grapevines were painted as a singular subject or, less commonly, in combination with squirrels, which are associated with children due to their playful nature. Together, grapevines and squirrels embody wishes for abundant offspring and wealth. For the Korean literati artist the twisting vines, curling tendrils and round, plump grapes provided ample opportunity for expressive "brush play”. In this painting the artist has abstracted the scene and is seemingly unconcerned with discontinuities and proportion. Vines spring up from nowhere, grapes hang in random clusters and the squirrel’s head appears as if twisted backwards. For the vines and leaves we can feel a sense of speed in the brushstrokes, imparting a dynamic feel which is at once intense and animated. This contrasts dramatically with the countless tiny strokes of ink which realistically capture the texture of the squirrel’s fur...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period framed painting from the 19th century of an official's wife with bird-adorned buzi, painted on a linen canvas. Created in the North-Eastern province of Shanxi during the Qing dynasty, this 19th century painting showcases a frontal depiction of an official's wife recognizable thanks to the bird-themed rank badge sitting on an elegant armchair with scrolling arms and carved apron. Wearing a red robe and topped with an ornate headdress, the figure is highlighted with gold foil accents and stands out beautifully on a linen canvas. The print size is 17.5"W x 41.5"H. These paintings traditionally come from Shanxi province which was home to many of the wealthy merchant families associated with the imperial court during the Qing dynasty. Set inside a custom made frame, this 19th century Qing Dynasty official's wife painting...

An antique Indian painting from the 19th century depicting Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion sitting on a dragon. Created in India during the 19th century, this large painting features Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion, sitting on the head of a dragon. Her right foot on a lotus flower, Guanyin wears an ornate headdress and elegant clothes. The painting itself measures 27.5"W x 53.5" H and has been set inside a custom frame. With its vivid colors and elegant subject, this 19th century Indian painting...