Ming Building and Garden Elements

Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...

China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures. Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE). Please view our video. 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...

A magnificent, rare, one of a kind, ancient Asian temple stone architectural panel, likely frieze fragment. Born in Asia, pre-18th century, most likely mu...

This tabletop altar with scrolled edges, a scalloped apron, and turned legs from China's Shanxi province is a rare find. We conservatively estimate it to be late Ming dynasty (circa ...

Over four hundred years ago, these rare stone finials once adorned the garden or courtyard of a traditional Qing-dynasty home. Hand-carved in Shanxi province, they offer a rare glimp...

This statue is made of a casted composite. It depicts a Chinese warrior. It has a nicely aged patina.

China, finely carved statue of an immortal, in the style of Ming period pieces. Ca 1900. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Condition: Han...

Hawthorn oriental art catalogue. Great research catalog. Additional information: Material: Paper Type: Statues Region of Origin: China Period: 17th century, 18th century China Dynas...

A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...

Created over 400 years ago, this low table from the late Ming/early Qing dynasty was carved by hand from a single block of limestone. The table has aprons carved with interlocking rings...

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.