Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Extraordinary natural work, one of a kind. Custom framed, D38 This Chinese extraordinary round natural stone "painting" of churning sea waves -restless ocean waters- as far as the ...

1950s pair of Oriental puppet marionettes with original dress.

A large Jade-Inset wood Ruyi scepter, 20th century, The dark wood scepter is inset with three shaped gray and russet jade plaques the largest carved in hi...

A Chinese Hongshan style carved red jade sun god. These early jade style carvings were typical ceremonial burial pieces of the Neolithic period and Hongshan c...

This Chinese extraordinary natural stone marble "painting" of a mountain backdrop fronted by a peaceful body of water, is both unique and remarkable. Called a dream stone Shih-hua it was cut from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. Handsome custom hard wood frame This particular dream stone is special- it is considered a master work of fine natural detail. We have had it framed in a handsome hardwood tabletop arts and crafts style frame...

Extraordinary natural work, one of a kind. Custom framed, D8 This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of a seemingly white glacial expanse could remind us of a similar and unique visual experience in our lives. The powerful and colorful depiction is executed in natural white, dark green- almost black, cream and yellow (limonite mineral) colors. This is called a dream stone Shih-hua. They are cut from historic Dali marble...

A massive larger than life terracotta buddha bust of Guan Yin, China, early 20th century. Broken and restored with wear and tear from enduring exposure to the elements. Size: 75 cm high. Weight: 40 kg. Guanyin, Kwanyin, Guanshiyin or Guanyin Pusa is the Chinese interpretation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (the goddess of comfort and mercy). In addition, she is seen in Taoism as an immortal. The scripture dedicated to her is Dabeizhou. Guanyin is the goddess of compassion and the sea. She is one of the three saints of the western paradise, along with Mahasthamaprapta and Amitabha Buddha; they are worshiped to save departed loved ones from hell and grant them entrance to the western paradise. Guanyin Chinese name Traditional Chinese 觀音 Simplified Chinese 观音 Transcriptions Full Chinese name Traditional Chinese 觀世音 Simplified Chinese 观世音 Literal meaning "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World" Transcriptions Second alternative Chinese name Traditional Chinese 觀自在 Simplified Chinese 观自在 Literal meaning "Lord who Gazes down on the World" Transcriptions Burmese name Burmese ကွမ်ယင် IPA [kwàɴ jɪ̀ɴ] Tibetan name Tibetan སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས Vietnamese name Vietnamese alphabet Quan Âm (Quán Âm) Quán Thế Âm (Quan Thế Âm) Quán Tự Tại Chữ Hán 觀音 觀世音 觀自在 Thai name Thai กวนอิม, พระอวโลกิเตศวรโพธิสัตว์ RTGS Kuan Im, Phra Avalokitesuan Korean name Hangul 관음, 관세음, 관자재 Hanja 觀音, 觀世音, 觀自在 Transcriptions Mongolian name Mongolian script ᠨᠢᠳᠦ ᠪᠡᠷ ᠦᠵᠡᠭᠴᠢ Japanese name Kanji 観音, 観世音, 観自在 Hiragana かんのん, かんぜおん, かんじざい Transcriptions Indonesian name Indonesian Kwan Im, Kwan She Im, Awalokiteswara Filipino name Tagalog Guanyin (ᜄᜓᜀᜈᜌᜒᜈ) Sanskrit name Sanskrit अवलोकितेश्वर (Avalokiteśvara) Khmer name Khmer អវលោកិតេស្វរៈ (Avalokitesvarak), អវលោកេស្វរៈ (Avalokesvarak), លោកេស្វរៈ (Lokesvarak) Hmong name Hmong Kabyeeb, Niam-Txiv Kabyeeb, Dabpog, Niam-Txiv Dabpog Guanyin (traditional Chinese: 觀音; simplified Chinese: 观音; pinyin: Guānyīn) is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion.[note 1] She was first given the appellation "Goddess of Mercy" or "Mercy Goddess" by Jesuit missionaries in China.[1] Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World."[2] On the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin's attainment of Buddhahood is celebrated.[3] Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western pure land of Sukhāvatī.[4] Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity"[5] with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is mentioned in the Pumen chapter of Lotus Sutra and Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra. Several large temples in East Asia are dedicated to Guanyin, including Shaolin Monastery, Longxing Temple, Puning Temple, Nanhai Guanyin Temple, Dharma Drum Mountain, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Shitennō-ji, Sensō-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, and many others. Guanyin's abode and bodhimaṇḍa in India is recorded as being on Mount Potalaka. With the localization of the belief in Guanyin, each area adopted their own Potalaka. In Chinese Buddhism, Mount Putuo is considered the bodhimaṇḍa of Guanyin. Naksansa is considered to be the Potalaka of Guanyin in Korea. Japan's Potalaka is located at Fudarakusan-ji. Tibet's Potalaka is the Potala Palace. Vietnam's Potalaka is the Hương Temple. There are several pilgrimage centers for Guanyin in East Asia. Putuoshan is the main pilgrimage site in China. There is a 33 temple Guanyin pilgrimage in Korea which includes Naksansa. In Japan, there are several pilgrimages associated with Guanyin. The oldest one of them is the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage through 33 temples with Guanyin shrines. Guanyin is beloved by most Buddhist traditions in a nondenominational way and found in most Tibetan temples under the name Chenrézik (Wylie: Spyan ras gzigs). Guanyin is also beloved and worshipped in the temples in Nepal. The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar located in Patan is one example. Guanyin is also found in some influential Theravada temples such as Gangaramaya Temple, Kelaniya and Natha Devale nearby Temple of the Tooth...

Extraordinary Natural work, one of a kind. Framed in our own custom "arts and crafts" wood frame. This Chinese extraordinary natural stone painting is of a Minimalist depiction of what appear to be sand dunes in natural sand and light colors. This is called a dream stone Shih-hua. They are cut from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve. This thin marble stone painting is approximately 1/4" thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing incredible patterns in soft white and gray colors. Its weight is surprisingly modest- easily hung with standard hardware. On occasion, private collectors would invite an artisan to inscribe a poetic description onto their more important dream stones and in this case the artists' seal mark and calligraphy translation reads: Beautiful Land of long sides of Mountains. Dimensions: Measures: Frame 13.5 inches high and 38.5 inches wide. Site 8 inches x 33 inches Provenance: Private Chinese collection, Yunnan, China. History of dream stone paintings: Chinese painting stone that were cut from stone found on Shuang Yang mountain in Dali mountains Captivating compositions, They might remind us of a long string of rugged mountain caps from a distance. These dream stones are cut from a scarce regional stone yielding notoriously “fuzzy” detailed paintings. To find examples possessing clear, contrasting detail like this one is indeed a rare find. Fine stone paintings like this example are rare as access to and availability of resource material diminishes. After a thin coating of wax is carefully applied to its surface to protect and reveal its beautiful subtle colors, this stone painting is signed upper right position with poetic verse and seal of an artisan who describes its majestic beauty. Reference: Dreaming of Dreamstones China’s Extraordinary Natural Stone Paintings, Schneible Fine Arts. Dreaming of Dreamstones – World’s first comprehensive English text publication covers China’s extraordinary natural Stone Paintings, by author and dream stone lecturer Douglas Schneible, 35 pages, softcover, ISBN 978-0-578. See photos. We have been dealing in authentic Chinese natural stone paintings...

A lovely pair of Chinese export porcelain candle holders in the form of court ladies holding lotus blossoms, mid 20th century, circa 1960's, China. Modeled after 18th century Qianlo...

China, an authentic antique hand-carved and hand-painted limestone temple figure of the venerable lohan, Kasyapa. This beautiful Buddhist sculpture will bring serenity and timeless style to your home, office, sacred space, or garden Substantial dimensions: 35 inches high and 12 inches wide Handmade and hand-carved, solid limestone with weathered remnants of older temple paint as applied by the temple from where it originally came, Chengdu, China. Head and hands are later replacements. Stone statues like these were regularly - refreshed- by the temple monks. In our extensive travels to western china we saw many instances of old stone figures like this with varying degrees of paint refreshing, ,replacement of heads as this one, and periodic refreshment by the temple monks to maintain a seemingly new appearance. Please note the offering cavity on his back side- undoubtedly used by patrons to place offering scripts or perhaps food as a sign of respect and veneration. This enjoyable character would make a fine garden presentation or special indoor choice. Only one. Provenance: Originally from a collector in Chengdu, China, acquired by us directly from this collection around 2002 on one of our many visits to that part of historic China. About Kasyapa: Kasyapa is a revered Vedic sage of Hinduism. He was one of the seven ancient sages considered as Saptarishis in Sanskrit texts and Indian mythologies. He is the most ancient rishi listed in the colophon verse in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and called a self-made scholar in the Atharvaveda. He was based in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, and legends attribute the region of Kashmir to be derived from his name. One of the more frequently depicted lohans in Chinese sculpture is Kasyapa, a cousin to the Buddha. Throughout Six dynasties...

Bi-color green hardstone carved to represent a pair of traditional Chinese foo dogs and lions. The heads of these impressive creatures come off so they can be used as incense burners.

Chinese carved teak female figure holding a Ruyi (scepter) in her hands with a dog at her feet. The figure is in solid, very sturdy condition. The head is removable. There are some a...

A Chinese vintage hand carved wooden floral and animal carving from the mid-20th century, with arched silhouette. Handcrafted in China and mounted on a custom base, this wooden sculp...

An exceptional and large Chinese carved coral figural group / statue of female Immortals. Very finely carved, very large and heav...

Antique Chinese hand carved boxwood prosperity crab basket or brush pot Fine old brush pot that can also be used a vase Dimensions 5.5" diameter a...

Dating from the mid-20th century, this well executed serpentine stone carving depicts a rearing Asian horse. The hard stone composition of this sculpture has not been tested.

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare original Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan stone carving of mountain lions on rocks I h...

Chinese marble foo dog resting on squared decorative floral plinth with egg and dart motif, 20th Century

Great pair of monumental carved marble foo dogs from China. Each statue measures 63 x 26 x 37 and have substantial weight. Salvaged from a New York est...

Fine antique Chinese sterling silver and enamel horse sculpture mounted on a lacquered wood stand. The horse is made of sterling silver...

A lovely pair of Chinese export porcelain figures of court ladies with nodding heads, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The elegant ladies dressed in gorgeous traditional robes...

Chinese hardstone grape cluster arrangement, circa 1935-1940. Realistically modeled grapes, vines and leaves in various color jades, arranged on a sto...

Dong Xue was a student of the great Master Wang Xisan and in the 1980 they painted many similar scenes after the scroll by the famous 19th century artist Re...

A beautiful, hand carved, solid white marble statue of Bodhisattva Kwan Yin Avalokiteshara, the Water Moon Goddess of Great Compassion. The sublimely carved face retains traces of th...

With custom Arts & Crafts hardwood frame Gray & White "Sea and Mountains" in one unique work of art, signed This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of a mountain range in white and gray colors is called a dream stone Shih-hua. They are cut from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve. This thin marble stone "painting" is approximately 1/4" thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing incredible patterns in soft white and gray colors. Its weight is surprisingly modest- easily hung with standard hardware. On occasion, private collectors would invite an artisan to inscribe a poetic description onto their more important dream stones and in this case the artists' seal mark and calligraphy translation reads: Dimensions: Frame: 13 inches high and 32 inches wide. Site: 9 inches high and 27 inches wide. Provenance: Private Chinese collection, Yunnan, China. History of "White and Gray" dream stone paintings...

The Chinese teak carving of a male water bearer with a boy at his feet. Due to age there are some splits, such as the one down the backside. These do not affect the strength or usab...

A hand-carved, solid agate Buddha. He is depicted sitting with his robe open, cinched with a bow under his belly, an expression for great allowance. The h...

An exceptional Chinese carved coral figural group or statue of a boat with eight immortals. The boat in a form of a carved dragon wi...

This an exquisite and spectacular piece. One of our favorites. Quite rare. We have not seen anything quite like it. Likely worn at one time by a bride in a Chinese wedding ceremon...

An early 20th century Chinese Republic period carved hardstone drinking vessel, called a rhyton, in the form of a mythical pixiu. The archaistic vessel carved in the Han Dynasty style from a single block of lavender gray nephrite and featuring a large horn-shaped cup being supported by a mythical pixiu. The pixiu carved with a nice sense of motion, head reared back, mouth open, and claws bared. The cup bearing a design of large horned taotie ogre masks on either side. The stone with areas of artificial "calcified" patination.  The pixiu is an ancient beast from...

With custom Arts & Crafts hardwood frame Gray and white "Sea and Mountains II " in one unique work of art, signed This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of a moun...

Remarkable pair of Chinese glazed ceramic celestial Buddhist Guanyin deities. Featuring two beauties depicted standing in draped robes with casc...

A pair of fine porcelain rooster statues, lively modeled, beautiful colors and lines,

China fine pair (2) of handcrafted gilt silver fragrance incense holders Flowers and fragrances were important to Chinese nobility. These handsomely crafted, highly detailed vessel...

A beautiful solid wood Buddha statue. The Buddha is seated on a lotus throne. His face is serene and peaceful. The statue is of the Tang dynasty st...

This nicely carved bird figure is done in an 18th-century style but is from the very late 19th century to early republic period. The stone is a soft mellow celadon green with dark br...

A beautiful hand carved, solid natural stone Buddha bust. The Tang dynasty style sculpture features the Buddha with round, full face with a serene expression. He has almond-shaped do...

A Chinese huge antique bronze "4-clawed" dragon- fine quality, late Qing dynasty, 1900 Quality: finely cast details head, flame, eyes, tail, scales, and four (4) claws, and scales....

Grand, crème glazed terracotta, Han-style, braying stallion sculpture.

A Chinese carved stone temple sculpture of a woman circa 1900s. This Chinese sculpture features a woman wearing an elaborate headdress and flowing robes and holding a bouquet of flow...

A lovely pair of Chinese Blanc de Chine figures of Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) seated upon animals, Republic Period, circa 1930s. Guanyin, the Bo...

An exceptional Chinese carved coral figure of a Guanyin with deer. Very finely carved. With original wooden base. Measures: Coral: 12" high x...

An attractive example of a burl wood natural organic wood flower or display table crafted from golden camphor wood root and burl. This stunning single roo...

A large, all natural, celadon green nephrite jade sculpture, featuring an chubby baby perched on a citron and lin zhi. The statue has auspiciou...

This fine jade urn of a lovely spinach color running to a deep yellow is carved to resemble a pair of Buddhist lions or mythical beasts conjoined back to back...

A wonderfully Chinese carved coral branch in the form of Shou Lao, also called Shouxing, the Chinese god of longevity, Republic period, early ...

Ornate decorative element, blackboard set in gold. With animal figures from Chinese mythology. (V-146).

The finely carved full length figure of 'The Goddess of Compassion, Kindness & Mercy' shown attired in flowing robes, her hair in high chignon with her face effecting a serene and me...

Happening upon an intersection, a traveler in Qing-dynasty China would have been grateful for the guidance of this limestone path marker. Still bearing traces of its original pigmentation, each side of this marker is inscribed with directions. One side directs towards the Zhen De Teng household, another towards the Liang family, and a third towards the North East Road. The fourth inscription announces the year of its construction, the 33rd year of Emperor Guangxu (1908). This second-to-the-last emperor...

Chinese Soapstone carved box.

This early 20th century foot rest from China's Shanxi province is simply designed with a rounded body and four square feet. Hand carved of limestone, the footstool is patterned with rhythmic etchings and adorned on the ends with an eight-sided star, a symbolic depiction of the universe. It was believed that the Sky Emperor T'ai-Yi, a deification of primordial unity, resided at the top point of this star and ruled over all eight divisions of Heaven. Unlike wooden footstools that would have been placed before chairs or daybeds as a signal of status, this limestone foot rest was likely used in a garden before a drum seat...

Chinese yellow glass moon flask shaped vase with high relief motif of bats and peaches on a cracquelure design background. The piece dates from th...

Pair of oversized Chinese cylindrical vases. Beautifully detailed ceramic jars with blue and white dragons. Textured surface. Over scaled for vis...

A Chinese carved wood standing figure of Guanyin in the Ming dynasty style, with polychrome application, the hair tied back into an elaborate high chignon, with her left hand raised,...

A finely carved Chinese zitan wood figure of an unidentified bodhisattva, possibly Guanyin, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The androgynous figure has a plump, almost matronly face, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile. The hair in long tresses, gathered and tied in a high chignon. The enlightened being is portrayed seated in dhyanasana, bare feet resting on crossed legs, both soles pointing up. Thick robes billow and drape around the full figured body. The hands display...

This red coral specimen, with flowing lines and organic form, is a beautiful example of how the work of nature can be, and has been, celebrated as a...

A lovely and vibrant pair of brass bookends with Foo Dog repousse in brilliant enamel colors - well suited for any room and lovely for the Childs room

Early 20th century carved rosewood box.