Clay Scholar's Objects

Mint condition From Japan, a hard to find and unusual hand-built, painted and glazed tea bowl featuring "flying bats" - signs of good fortune, created over thirty years ago. A stunn...

Discover this rare and exquisite shimmering goldstone snuff bottle from the Republic of China period (1910-1940), a representation of the era's refined craftsmanship. Made from the distinctive goldstone, the bottle captivates with its natural sparkle, resembling a night sky strewn with stars. Each side features a pair of gracefully carved cranes...

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...

A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Being one of the most creative ceramists, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze around 1880s. New colors allowed him to create underglaze designs that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama...

A rare and attractive pair Chinese Qing Jun-ware Foo dogs decorated in liver red glazes and dating from around 1850. The porcelain dogs are heavily made and stand raised on rectangul...

Antique Chinese Agate Master Snuff Bottle, 19th century. Larger scale bottle of pale translucent color with varied caramel inclusions, symmetrical rectangu...

This mid 20c, 5/6/7 period carved rose quartz snuff bottle is a delicate and exquisite artifact, reflecting the refined aesthetic and skilled ...

A small and elegant Chinese cloisonné vase for incense tools, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th century, China. Made for the scholar's studio, this small refined vase, was used to hold incense tools, including a small pair of tongs or chopsticks and spoon. The tools no longer present. Of miniature baluster vase form, the vase beautify proportioned and decorated in the cloisonné enamel technique, with gilt wires forming the cloisons, or partitions. Within the cloisons, colorful enamels have been expertly laid. The small incense tool vase...

A vintage Chinese porcelain snuff bottle in compressed globular form, hand painted in underglaze blue with a Qilin beast to each side, and four characters Daoguang mark to base withi...

Crafted with a handle of natural jasper, this calligraphy brush highlights the stone's inherent beauty. Natural jasper has been expertly cut to display artistic swirls and polished t...

This exquisite 19th-century Qing Dynasty celadon jade miniature vase is a masterwork of Chinese craftsmanship. The vase features intricately carved beast handles, each adorned with free-moving rings, adding a layer of complexity and artistry to the piece. The body of the vase is embellished with archaic carvings, a nod to China's rich artistic heritage. The vase culminates in a trumpeting mouth, elegantly flaring outward, and is raised on a meticulously carved footring. The jade itself is of a celadon hue, highly prized for its subtle, translucent quality. The vase is presented on a matching hardwood stand, enhancing its visual appeal. This piece is not just a vase, but a testament to the high level of artistry and skill that defines Qing Dynasty jade...

An antique Chinese carved agate snuff bottle with a carved green jadeite stopper. The intense red agate material shows real life likeness of a red pepper in shape and color, and is w...