Chinese Crystal Sphere with Occlusions

Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush is one of the Four Treasures of the scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the artist...

Made of Chinese northern elmwood, this smooth block of wood was once used by an upper-class woman as a headrest. The soft curve and height of the block not only supported her head an...

Made of Chinese northern elmwood, this smooth block of wood was once used by an upper-class woman as a headrest. The soft curve and height of the block not only supported her head an...

This small ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to protect their elaborate hairstyles by elevating the head during slumber. This example dates to the late 20th century and is glazed in the blue-and-white style with a stencil-transfer design. Each side of the headrest has a quadrilobe cartouche framing two mythical fu lions playing with a brocade ball, a motif that evokes the idiom "may you and your descendant achieve high rank." A powerful and benevolent guardian, the fu lion (shizi) is the perfect force to protect against nightmares and bad energy. The playful scene is surrounded by a cracked ice pattern dotted with plum blossoms, symbols of winter and longevity. A geometric meander trims the corners and small bats frame coin...

Hunkered down on his drum perch, a fu dog jealousy guards the pool where a calligrapher once prepared his ink. A symbol of protection, the lion-like beast bears the features of a shih-tzu, a dog originally bred to resemble this mythical canine. Scholarly implements, such as this carved limestone ink...

Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only f...

Rare rock crystal sphere, light brown rutile. Rutile is a mineral from which it is extracted the titanium, in the form of Fine needles similar to hair. Diameter cm 9.5 - inches 3.74....

Rare rock crystal sphere, light brown rutile. Rutile is a mineral from which it is extracted the titanium, in the form of Fine needles similar to hair. Diameter cm 9 - inches 3.54. ...

Very nice modern resin cube by the very well known designer Enzo Mari, Measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7.

A Wunderkammer Grand Tour's souvenir. A fossil coral stone sphere, resting on a base, made of brass. Italy circa 1870.

A Wunderkammer Grand Tour's souvenir> A pair of breccia marble spheres, resting on a base, made of brass. Italy circa 1870.

A Wunderkammer Grand Tour's souvenir. A pair of fossil coral stone spheres, resting on a base, made of brass. Italy circa 1870.