1820s Scholar's Objects

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 viewing have been quarried. It is a ve...

Rare find!: 24 feet long Zen monk Mala Prayer Bead String plus original wooden alms bowl with its original attached triangular shaped stone ojime. A huge...

Such stones for appreciation are collectively called "suiseki". Suiseki means "water" and "stone". The name comes from the fact that I enjoyed pouring water on the stones and changin...

Chinese Scholar stone, Meditation stone, Appreciation stone or Dream stone. All names for this beautiful natural stone that when studied evokes and por...

Ghurid Rulers Of India, Mu'izz Al-Din Muhammad B. Sam (567-602h). Gold 10-Mithqals/Dinars, Balad Ghazna 601h. Obverse: In Field: La Ilaha Illa Allah | Muhammad Rasul Allah | Al-Nasir Li-Din Allah | Amir Al-Mu'minin; In Field (Above, And To Left And Right): Allah A'la; (Below): Ornament Of Two Intertwined Tendrils; In Margin: Qur'an Ix, 33. Reverse: In Field: Al Sultan Al-A'azam | Mu 'Izz Al-Dunya Wa | Al-Din Abu'l-Muzaffar | Muhammad Bin Sam; In Field (Above, And To Left And Right): Allah A'la; (Below): Ornament Of Two Intertwined Tendrils; In Margin: Mint And Date. Weight: 44.82g. Published: The Shah Firzan Heritage Of Islamic Coins...

This is an old vermilion suiseki from Japan. Not only in China but also in Japan, rocks from mountains have been quarried and shaped for appreciation since ancient times. These deco...

A pair of antique late Qing Dynasty elmwood scholar's ceremonial chairs from the early 20th century, with dark patina and sinuous back splats. This pair of antique late Qing Dynasty ...

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 fine pair of antique Chinese Qing dynasty ( 1644-1911) hand carved jade table screens, circa 1850. The rectangular screens are made of variegated s...

A very fine antique bench with masterful carving, superb proportions and in all original condition. The crest rail and back with openwork panels of confronting dragons in the clouds....

Antique Anglo-Indian quill box handcrafted and decorated with porcupine quills and bone dots. Made in Ceylon which was the colonial name for Sri Lanka.

Stained leather covered wood in deep oxblood and dark brown tones. With three stitched plaques with raised characters on the front. A brass mount with lock on the front (lacking the ...