Korean Painted Portrait of the Yan Emperor, Joseon Dynasty 18th Century, Korea

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...

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 quiet and elegant Korean white glazed bottle vase, Joseon Dynasty, late 18th century, Korea. The graceful vase beautifully proportioned, resting on a short recessed foot, with a...

A subtle and sublime small Korean white glazed porcelain moon jar, Joseon Dynasty, 18th/19th century, Korea. The small moon jar of typical form, ...

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 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 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...

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 Korean four-panel folding screen circa 1830s, from the late Joseon Dynasty. The painting depicts a vivid hunting scene on four vertical scroll panels mounted with brocade borders. The four panels are related to each other in narrative but not in an absolutely continuous fashion, therefore they could be viewed individually and independently, which was not uncommon in the screen paintings as they are meant to be folded and unfolded as needed. The pictures show a general on the far left panel seated on a low platform bed...

18th century Japanese scroll of poppies. Edo Period (early 18th century) Japanese painting of poppies with lilies in the background. Seal on the lower...

An impressively sized 19th century Chinese Qing dynasty ancestral portrait painting of a senior official of the first rank in bamboo frame with silk ...

A rare striking 18th century Tibetan Thangka depicting the Green Tara seated on a lotus throne ready to step down to offer comfort and pro...