17th Century Chinese Ming Bronze Figure of a Boy

These early 20th century candlesticks are cast of bronze in the form of two young boys dressed in flowing garments and standing on square pedestal bases. Each boy holds a dish for ta...

This hand carved Chinese wooden horse is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Depicting the pleasures of daily life, míngqì f...

This monumental Ming-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Covered in scales and ending in expressive faces, the bell's handle is cast in the form of a two-headed hong dragon, thought to be the embodiment of a rainbow and thus visible only after rainfall. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter garden.

This curious Chinese jewelry chain dates to the early 20th century and is strung with an array of petite bells, charms and amulets. Worked of gilded silver alloy, the repoussé charms are laden with blessings and symbolism, including fruits for abundance, bats for happiness, and a lotus for perfection. The chain is strung with three larger charms of a horse, a donkey and a three-legged toad, the mythical creature known as the Jin Chan, or Money Toad...

This is thought to be part of the decoration of a gilt-bronze Buddha made in ancient China, from the late Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is thought that it is probably an ornament t...

A small and interesting cast bronze archaistic scholar vase with loose ring handles and taotie mask design, late Ming or early Qing Dynasty, mid 17th century, China. The small vase of archaistic hu form, and cast with archaistic designs. Sitting on a tall splayed ring foot, the round body is cast with a large band featuring a ferocious taotie (ogre) mask. The taotie mask in this case id decidedly feline, with a ruyi shaped snout above a whiskered mouth. Two flanges stick out to either side of the mask, reminiscent of ears. A wide, tall neck rises from the body, terminating in a slightly everted mouth. The archaistic cast design on the neck is not as clear, but most likely represents Fusang, a mythical island in the Eastern Sea where the legendary Fusang tree grows. The Fusang tree, home to the mythical Sun Bird...

A decidingly charming Chinese polychromed and gilt cast bronze figure of Nanhai Guanyin, Guanyin of the South Sea, Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th century, China. Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, is portrayed here as a beatific figure seated upon a raised lotus pedestal over waves. Guanyin is dressed in heavy robes, and wears an elaborate headdress. The small figure of Amitabha Buddha in the headdress positively identifies this figure as Guanyin. Guanyin rests one hand in his lap, holding a cup of pure water said to be able to alleviate all suffering. His other hand is raised, holding a willow branch which is used to sprinkle the healing waters. The two lotus blossoms to either side of Guanyin would originally have supported figures of the acolytes...

A tall Chinese green and amber glazed figure of an attendant, Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century, China. The figure stands upon an integral plinth, dressed in long robes...