Japan Antique Big Ryukyu Lion Guardian Beast Dog koma-inu, 1850

A Chinese hand carved and hand painted wooden effigy of a fantastic Bixie dating to before Song dynasty 1279 AD. Please enjoy the beautiful remnants of its aged original swirling painted surfaces. It has been traditionally carved and assembled in three sections. The tail may be a later replacement. Period: Song dynasty Dimensions: 6 inches high and 15 inches wide About Bixie The “bixie” is a mythological creature commonly thought to be able to ward off evil forces with its magical powers. In fact, its name means “to ward off evil” in Chinese. In the Han dynasty, “bixie” were commonly represented as winged, four-legged beasts, a form that was probably transmitted from Western Asia. Provenance: This is from a private collection and were acquired by us along with a larger wooden horse...

The first we have seen A spectacular and hard to find Inlaid mother of pearly - using the raden technique- and lacquered three-drawer Tansu complete with all original bronze accoutrement including a fine engraved antique long pipe and two removable covered bronze cylinders all executed by expert mid-19th century Edo samurai...

This is a guaranteed authentic old Chinese jade bi cache of ninety four (94) discs from the Qijia culture, Northwestern China. Including our “Certificate of Authenticity” To worship heaven with a bi explains their importance and use in ancient Chinese culture. This group would make an instant collection for reference study, trading, making into your own pendant jewelry, or new year gifts. Dimensions will vary: 1.5-2.8 inches diameters. Quality will vary from good to fair- please refer to the photographs. Shapes will include round, nearly round, and irregular styles. Serious parties may request more photographs. A brief history follows. Note the stunning green and brown calcification and hues combination. We acquired these 20 years ago on one of our dozens of trips to China, northwestern China, Lanzhou area. Provenance: 1 Our private collection and accompanied by our Guarantee of Authenticity. History: Flat jade discs with a round central hole bi are among the earliest surviving artifacts of China and must be considered among great ancient art forms- masterpieces of the Neolithic period. Nephrite jade from which discs were fashioned is a prime hard and strong stone, arduous to work by hand using stone...

China, a carving of a canine “Pug”, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 CE Dimensions: 38 cm, 15” High Photographs taken indoors and out of doors for your viewing pleasure. The hand carved limestone beast shown on its haunches with naturalistic joyful expression and a well defined compact head, ears, noes, eyes, feet, and tail parted to one side on reverse with distinctive collar ornament seated four square on a thick base all-over showing a weathered surface from significant age. Formerly exhibited “Asia Week” New York City, Fuller Building, Hutton Gallery 2006. Provenance: ex collection luoyang, Henan Province, China. Includes custom display base as shown Catalog reference: 35 years collecting 35 treasures, Number 35, p.76 (photo) In ancient China, it is a well-known fact that several types of small dogs were bred and were favored pet gifts between emperors and kings including Lion Dogs, Pekingese and Lo-sze breeds. Some Lo-sze are pictured wearing collars with bells a frequent combination fancied by European royalty of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Lo-sze or pugs were prized for their compact body, good bones, flat face, square jaw, short coat, curled tail, side set back ears, and temperate disposition. History: Placing stone animals in 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. The first Ming tomb...

Japan a tall early antique stone temple mythical Shi Shi Temple Foo Dog Lion also known as Komainu hand-carved in sandstone. Dimensions: 23 inches high and 10 inches wide and 16 inches deep Age: great age dating to the middle Edo period (1800-1840). Old and original patina with aged and substantial traces of encrustation still visible. Ancient repair. These Older Buddhist mythological Komainu like this example are infrequently found in not only this impressive size, but in this early age. Today these are often seen guarding entrances to Japanese Buddhist temples and shrines. About Shishi Komainu Ah and Un: Temple Shishi are traditionally depicted, one with mouth open (Ah) and one with mouth closed (Un). Ah is the first sound in the Japanese alphabet...

From our recent Japanese Acquisition Travels- a big and lovely big 13 inch diameter hand painted bowl from Japan. Japan hard to find early hand painted ceramic lush "garden scene" serving bowl, circa 1910. Inside painting depicts elite individual with his attendants seated amidst a three some of cranes, plush patterns, foliage and seas. The exterior a dragon style...

This is a very old Japanese "KOMAINU". It is an item from the early Edo period (1600s-1700s). It is carved from cedar wood. A-Un," or "A-Un," is the Japanese word for "guardian dog....

Chinese pottery dog. Age: China, Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.- A.D.220 Size: Length 22.3 C.M. / width 10 C.M. / height 7.6 C.M. (size excluding stand) Condi...

A pair of Chinese pottery brick tile with tomb guardian. Age: China, Song Dynasty, 10th - 12th Century Size: Height 19.8 C.M. / Width 16.9 - 17.7 C....

This pair of monumental Fu-Lions, also known as shizi, once would have flanked the entrance to a Qing-dynasty home in China’s Shanxi province. One has a pearl under its foot, and the...

A Japanese high quality wooden dagger. The carving is made of the highest quality as often Japanese items are. There is a signature and a poem engraved on side. Comes from an old Swedish collection...

A Japanese statue of a Shinto god from the Momoyama period. Hand carved from wood with a layer of gesso and hand painted flowing robes with delicately wroug...