Ancient Imperial China Ming Pair of Horse Riders with Archery Bow and Axe

China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures. Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE). A pair of near life size and robust head sections with fine, wavy combed manes, well defined mouths, ears, nostrils, and ornamental bridles, all carved in a medium to dark gray limestone with considerable weathering to surfaces. The smaller head with a later inscription on bottom and signed “Zhuang”. Formerly exhibited “Treasures from Asia”, Shelburne Vermont, Shelburne Art Center, 2006. Originally found in the vicinity of the village of Chuan near Luoyang City, Henan Provance, China. Each mounted on a custom iron display stand. Dimensions: A the smaller 32.5cm, 13” high and 62.5cm, 25” in length and with display stand, 60cm, 24” high; b the larger 37.5cm, 15” high and 67.5cm, 27” in length and with display stand 65cm, 26” high. Please view additional photographs from our Chinese antiquities catalog 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, page 60. History: Placing stone animals and human figures along spirit paths in front of important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. Life size “spirit path” stone horse sculptures are known and can be viewed from Ming dynasty tombs including thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty scattered over an area of forty square kilometers in Changping District to the northwest of Beijing. The first Ming tomb...

Japanese fine old handmade and hand carved wood bear parent and child "Higuma" carrying their catch of the day a "salmon" fish. Artist signed Seiho. Handcrafted from cryptomeria (c...

A Chinese hand carved and hand painted wooden effigy of an extraordinary unicorn dating to the Song dynasty before 1279 AD. Please enjoy the beautiful remnants of its aged original ...

From our recent Japanese acquisitions A rare couple. These Japanese Tachibina dolls represent the simplest essential form of the imperial couple. Their beautiful faces were crafted from crushed shell called gofun coated over carved wood and their dress feature period Edo (1840) textile kimono dress. Used as the display for the Girl’s day celebration, more specifically they are constructed of kinran brocade fabric covered paper, the heads carved of wood and covered in gofun with painted features and inset hair, the male form with outstretched arms and conical legs, the female has a cylindrical form. They come in an original kiri wood storage box. Dimensions: Large doll 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide Small doll...

Material: bronze 13,6 cm high 5,2 cm wide and 8,3 cm deep Weight: 0.337 kgs Originating from India 18th Century.

Material: bronze 16,4 cm high 6,5 cm wide and 10,8 cm deep Weight: 0.784 kgs Originating from India Late 18th / early 19th century

Material: bronze 15,4 cm high 5,6 cm wide and 12 cm deep Weight: 0.619 kgs Originating from India Late 18th / early 19th century

Antique bronze horse with rider from India Material : bronze 15,3 cm high 6 cm wide and 10 cm deep 18th century Weight: 645 grams Originating fro...