Sculptures and Carvings

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely early 20th century Chinese hand carved soapstone small vase. This is a unique item of a Chinese hand carved vase...

This magnificent Chinese antique Famille-Rose Porcelain Kwan Yin Statuary was 100% hand made and hand craft seating Kwan Yin Statue with marks on th...

Very Unusual Horn Sectional Hand Carved Chinese Walking Stick or Dress Cane of outstanding quality, last half of the Nineteenth Century. The ...

A hand carved pair of male and female Chinese foo dogs, circa 1850. Each with original gilt with the old remnants of the import stickers. The male with hairy paw and foot on rattle...

Antique Chinese Red Elm Ancestral Shrine This hand carved and crafted Antique Chinese Red Elm Ancestral Shrine is used to place fruits and flowers offerings,...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely early 20th century Chinese hand carved soapstone small figure sculpture. This is a good example...

Bronze and gilt detailing combine to make this Chinese censer a beautiful decorative cast bronze accent. The bowl and cover are cast with various object...

19th Century Large Scale Chinese Burr Root Wood Carving This fascinating large hand carved figure stands almost 70 inches in height. Made in 5 secti...

This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...

An exceptional & highly decorative pair of antique Chaozhou hand carved giltwood panels, both showing finely executed relief-carved & gilded vignettes, composed in a terraced format ...

Vintage Chinese green jade hand carved stone amulet with acanthus flowers and leaves circa 1950's. Vintage Asian Chinese Jade hand carved s...

Handsome vintage Asian Chinoiserie rosewood Guan Yu or Chinese warrior hand carved larger scale sculpture. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 20th Century. A warrior is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, children- the future of humanity. This is a magnificent vintage Chinese warrior or Guan Yu sculpture comprised of stunning rosewood with intricately hand carved details and a removeable guandao (Chinese pole weapon). In Chinese culture, General Guan Yu represents loyalty and valor. People believe that by having his image in art or sculpture in their home will protect their family from harm. And while we don’t believe he is going to break out with any actual martial arts moves; his fearless presence commands the room and demands attention! You may notice that in some of the photos our warrior friend is holding his guandao upside-down, don’t judge! Even the best of warriors tend to get exhausted from a long day of defending humanity and protecting mankind. A guy can get a little turned around! Just look at his expression… he is OVER it!! His hand is even up gesturing as if to say, “Talk to the hand!” LOL!! He is handsomely dressed from head to toe in full body armor and his long beard or Fu Manchu is flowing in the breeze. He stands proud upon a rounded square base at about 24 inches tall, so he is definitely larger scale, he will be fabulous in ANY room of your home, and he is the EPITOME of Chinoiserie excellence! Don’t let this incredible hand carved rosewood Chinese warrior sculpture...

Indian statue of dancing Apsara Elegant Indian statue of dancing Apsara in alabaster and glass, from the 18th century Dimensions: 11x8cm, height 32cm ...

A fine antique/vintage Chinese carved tigers eye stone libation cup supported by a dragon and dating from the early 20th century or possibly earlier. The hard stone cup...

On offer is a tall Taihu scholar rock in a mushroom-cloud form displayed on a custom carved wood stand. Wonderful and well-balanced, the stone is of an uncommon waxy deep yellow color with black and white mineral deposits mixed into the texture. Being exposed to the flowing water for millennium, the surface has been polished and weathered, and is now mostly smooth yet still maintains some slightly rugged edges and points at places. Many grottoes puncture and permeate the piece, interlinking and window-like, creating interesting positive and negative spaces for a meditative mind. A remarkable work of art created by mother nature. Stones such as this from Taihu lake was among the four famous stones since ancient time in China. They have been collected and prized by Chinese scholars since Tang dynasty when using them in garden came in vogue. Later on, smaller pieces like this one were displayed in the scholar's private study serving as a mini form of nature for meditation. In China, they are also known as Gongshi ("worshipped stone") and in the west, known also as Spirit Stone...

A fine vintage Chinese porcelain statue. In the form of a Luohan or Arhat with a famille verte robe and gilt body. The reverse ...

Presenting a lovely 20C Chinese soapstone foo dog carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a small green and brown ...

Beautiful Chinese fan of Canton of the 19th century in Bone, Paper and Silk. Dimensions: H: 49cm, W: 28cm, D: 2cm.  

Up for sell is a magnificent Chinese antique carved bronze incense burner. It shows very detailed hand carving works of Elephant style incense burner with lid. You can see from the p...

Beautiful pair of turquoise blue ceramic cat figurines. This is a left and right matching pair of Asian blue art pottery cats, ceramic cat statues t...

Chinese Export Hardwood Carved Plaque of Quan Yin in Landscape China, circa 1920s Expertly hand carved landscape plaque of Quan Yin the Buddhist goddess of compassion, mercy, and healing and the eternal protector of women and children. Mounted with symbolic brass hook. Overall measurements : 15-Inches high to the the top of the hook/ 14-Inches high to the top of the hand carved wood plaque...

This Vintage Chinese Ceramic roof tile is 100% hand made and hand carved of Chinese traditional dragon design. It was used on top edges of building ...

This antique carved plate is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Chinese Export style. The plate is composed of cinnabar...

This is a late 19th century pair of the iconic Chinese "Green Parrots". The pair is in good condition considering its more than 100 years of use. This pai...

This is a small rectangular hand carved and lacquered panel. It depicts a scene where a Chinese man is seated and holding a cup while a Chinese woman is observing from the top. The w...

Chinese white jade openwork plaque late Qing Dynasty depicting birds and flowers. Very fine and detailed work. Small loss on the back side of the pl...

This huge Chinese Serpentine/Jade tower was Intricately and elaborately open carved dragons with a lot of free rings and chains works and details. I...

Splendid statue made of jade in the typically Chinese 19th century. The statue is very beautiful and rests on an oval base made of very fine dark wood. The lower part of the statue ...

Pair of hand carved Chinese Jade hardstone Foo Lions or Fu Dogs. This pair of Chinese spinach jade appears to be a nephrite, covered vases having a figural foo lion design with raise...

Nicely carved red/orange Chinese hardstone seal. Bloodstone or "chicken blood" soapstone hand carved village scene with figures and trees. Signed.

Offered here are a pair vintage Chinese gilt and carved wood Foo Dog/Guardian Lions figurines Wonderful craftsmanship with the hand carving that has gone...

Nicely carved and framed pair of high relief carved and painted panels. Subtle colors with age appropriate worn finish carved depicting cranes (birds) amongst flowers standing in wat...

A large vintage Chinese red cinnabar box with deep relief carved lid depicting peonies, trees and a landscape with a palace. The round box has...

Rare Pair -first we have seen Unusual find. One pair (2) "Longevity" calligraphy lanterns in the form of human effigies A fine and rare matching pair (2) of large 12 inch tall Chinese export hand cast lanterns with attractive longevity and mystical "human effigy...

This magnificent antique Chinese bone carved elephant was 100% hand made and hand carved from OX bone. It has very detailed carving works on it. T...

This Seal is in Soapstone, in white color. This has been made in China. The Period is the Republic Period, circa 1930. It is Hand-carved, and polished.

Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Famille-Rose Porcelain Kwan Yin Statuary. It shows very detailed hand carving works on it. It is all hand m...

An high quality bronze sculpture of Buddha hand-crafted in China in late 19th century. It has normal signs of use and age.

The detailed carving and deep mahogany patina make this large square carved Chinese window panel stand out. The wooden panel can hang on a wall, b...

This is a unique Japanese Tansu chest that presents beautifully and also offers a glimpse into history through its design. The inside of the cabinet and the back side are covered in ...

On offer is an upright tall Taihu scholar rock in a mushroom-cloud form displayed on a custom wood stand. Wonderful and well-balanced, the stone is of an uncommon waxy deep yellow color with black and white deposit marks nicely mixed into the texture. Being exposed to the flowing water for millennium, the surface has been polished and weathered, and is now mostly smooth yet still maintains some slightly rugged edges and points at places. Many grottoes puncture and permeate the piece, interlinking and window-like, creating interesting positive and negative spaces for a meditative mind. A remarkable work of art created by mother nature. Stones such as this from Taihu lake was among the four famous stones since ancient time in China. They have been collected and prized by Chinese scholars since Tang dynasty when using them in garden came in vogue. Later on, smaller pieces like this one were displayed in the scholar's private study serving as a mini form...

Tibetan bronze standing gilt bronze buddha offering protection China, 20th century A fine example, the Buddha standing on lotus base with the "no fear" abhaya mudra, the figure is ...

Beautiful set of Terracotta sculptures representing Xian Warriors. This set of figures is incredibly detailed and presents 4 warriors and a horse. Intrica...

Chinese guardian lions, or imperial guardian lions, are a traditional Chinese architectural ornament. Typically made of stone, they are also known as stone lions or shishi (石獅; shíshī). They are known in colloquial English as lion dogs or foo dogs / fu dogs. The concept, which originated and became popular in Chinese Buddhism, features a pair of highly stylized lions—often one male with a ball and one female with a cub—which were thought to protect the building from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. Used in imperial Chinese palaces and tombs, the lions subsequently spread to other parts of Asia including Japan (see komainu), Korea, Philippines, Tibet, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. There has been extensive interaction between Chinese mythology and Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Elements of pre-Han dynasty mythology such as those in Classic of Mountains and Seas were adapted into these belief systems as they developed (in the case of Taoism), or were assimilated into Chinese culture (in the case of Buddhism). Elements from the teachings and beliefs of these systems became incorporated into Chinese mythology. For example, the Taoist belief of a spiritual Paradise became incorporated into mythology as the place where immortals and deities used to dwell. Sometimes mythological and religious ideas have become widespread across China's many regions and diverse ethnic societies. In other cases, beliefs are more limited to certain social groups, for example, the veneration of white stones by the Qiang. One mythological theme that has a long history and many variations involves a shamanic world view, for example in the cases of Mongolian shamanism among the Mongols, Hmong shamanism among the Miao people, and the shamanic beliefs of the Qing dynasty from 1643 to 1912, derived from the Manchus. Politically, mythology was often used to legitimize the dynasties of China, with the founding house of a dynasty claiming a divine descent. Mythology and philosophy. Further information: Chinese philosophy True mythology is distinguished from philosophical treatises and theories. Elaborations on the Wu Xing are not really part of mythology, although belief in five elements could appear. The Hundred Schools of Thought is a phrase suggesting the diversity of philosophical thought that developed during the Warring States of China. Then, and subsequently, philosophical movements had a complicated relationship with mythology. However, as far as they influence or are influenced by mythology, divides the philosophical camps into two rough halves, a Liberal group and a Conservative group. The liberal group being associated with the idea of individuality and change, for example as seen in the mythology of divination in China, such as the mythology of the dragon horse that delivered the eight bagua diagrams to Fu Xi, and methods of individual empowerment as seen in the Yi Jing (Book of Changes). The Liberal tendency is towards individual freedom, Daoism, and Nature. The relationship of the Conservative philosophies to mythology is seen in the legendary Nine Tripod Cauldrons, mythology about the emperors and central bureaucratic governance, Confucianism, written histories, ceremonial observances, subordination of the individual to the social groups of family and state, and a fixation on stability and enduring institutions. The distinction between the Liberal and Conservative is very general, but important in Chinese thought. Contradictions can be found in the details, however these are often traditional, such as the embrace by Confucius of the philosophical aspects of the Yi Jing, and the back-and-forth about the Mandate of Heaven wherein one dynasty ends and another begins based according to accounts (some of heavily mythological) where the Way of Heaven results in change, but then a new ethical stable dynasty becomes established. Examples of this include the stories of Yi Yin, Tang of Shang and Jie of Xia or the similar fantastic stories around Duke of Zhou and King Zhou of Shang. Mythology exists in relationship with other aspects of society and culture, such as ritual. Various rituals are explained by mythology. For example, the ritual burning of mortuary banknotes (Hell Money), lighting fireworks, and so on. A good example of the relationship of Chinese mythology and ritual is the Yubu, also known as the Steps or Paces of Yu. During the course of his activities in controlling the Great Flood, Yu was supposed to have so fatigued himself that he lost all the hair from his legs and developed a serious limp. Daoist practitioners sometimes incorporate a curiously choreographed pedal locomotion into various rituals. Mythology and practice, one explains the other: in these rituals, the sacred time of Yu merges with the sacral practice of the present. Various ideas about the nature of the earth, the universe, and their relationship to each other have historically existed as either a background or a focus of mythologies. One typical view is of a square earth separated from a round sky by sky pillars (mountains, trees, or undefined). Above the sky is the realm of Heaven, often viewed of as a vast area, with many inhabitants. Often the heavenly inhabitants are thought to be of an "as above so below" nature, their lives and social arrangements being parallel to those on earth, with a hierarchical government run by a supreme emperor, many palaces and lesser dwellings, a vast bureaucracy of many functions, clerks, guards, and servants. Below was a vast under ground land, also known as Diyu, Yellow Springs, Hell, and other terms. As time progressed, the idea of an underground land in which the souls of the departed were punished for their misdeeds during life became explicit, related to developments in Daoism and Buddhism. The underground world also came to be conceived of as inhabited by a vast bureaucracy, with kings, judges, torturers, conductors of souls, minor bureaucrats, recording secretaries, similar to the structure of society in the Middle Kingdom (earthly China). Chinese temple Dogs...

This magnificent Chinese antique wood carved Happy Buddha statuary has very detailed hand carving works on it. It is all hand made and hand...

Fine vintage pair of 'Blanc de Chine' porcelain Guanyin statues - each figure holding an applied flower and standing on a lotus leaf and decorative stan...

A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock) on a fitted display wood stand circa 19th century. This is likely a grey Lingbi type stone with subtle arch mimics a horizontal mountain range. The wrinkles and folds on the greyish black surface were perfectly weathered by elements for millenniums. Smooth and rugged at the same time, the mountain range shows a poetic formation that was often depicted in the ink scroll...

A Chinese scholar rock carved from a natural lapis stone and displayed on a brocade wrapped stand circa late 19th century Qing Dynasty. The brightly blue lapis was considered as am exotic gemstone in China and mostly imported from Persia through the silk road. While not a conventional rock types of materials for scholar stones, it is occasionally carved and polished into smaller Gongshi to be displayed and meditated upon in the scholar's study. Similar approaches were also done with jade, malachite and turquoise, even petrified wood, Chenxiang Agarwood, roots in spirited form, porcelain and even bronze in rock forms. The lapis was carved into a mountain form with stacked rocks...

A Chinese Gongshi (known as meditation stone or spirit stone) from Taihu (Lake Tai) balanced on display stand. This scholar rock features a relatively rar...

This is a heavy patinated bronze sculpture of a Luohan. He is standing up in a gesture of reverence and/or prayer position with his eyes closed and dressed with a gilt robe. The bord...

A fine antique Chinese wooden head rest. Carved in the form of a recumbent or resting man. Decorated in polychrome decoration. The body painted in a silver tone with his hair and eyes in black with red undertones. There is further scroll work painted in stylized clouds and sun to the red and green. There appears to be a carved ruyi in between the feet. Simply a wonderful carved Chinese head...

This magnificent Chinese wood carved Quan Yin Statuary. It shows very detailed hand carving works on it. It is all hand made and hand carved Quan Yin standing on the dragon from boxw...

Pair of Asian Bronze and Inlaid Glass Foo Dogs or Kylin Dragon, probably Chinese, circa 1950s or earlier. They retain their warm original patina. These were purchased from the Manhattan estate of a Japanese American that traveled extensively through Asia in the 1940s-1960s purchasing antiques in China...

Pair of Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs or Kylin Dragon, probably Chinese, circa 1950s or earlier. They retain their warm original patina. These were purch...

A well carved Chinese Lapis Lazuli figure of a duck with a Lotus flower probably dating from the latter 19th or early 20th century. The figure is h...

A fantastic pair of enamel, gilt and copper horses. Take a look at all our pictures to see the intricate detail and life like expressions - amazing colours too. Made in China in th...

These guardian statues were traditionally found standing sentry in front of palaces, temples, and homes of the elite across many parts of Asia. These ...

This Seal is in Soapstone. It has been made, in China circa 1880. Brown color.