Chinese "Ishi Sashi" Martial Arts Weight, c. 1850

Hand carved of stone, this object would have been used in a shoemaker’s shop to press down large pieces of leather. Doubling as a handle, the central figure depicts the curious figure of a man with pig-like facial features holding a rake. The figure is Zhu Bajie, a character from the Ming-dynasty novel “Journey to the West...

Hand carved and vibrantly painted, this 19th century figure of a mythical spirit was once placed upon a traditional altar table to pay tribute to ancestors past. The figure is carved...

Carved in wood, this 19th-century figure of a spirit paid tribute to ancestors past on a traditional altar table. Allowing the base to reflect the wood’s natural state, the artist ca...

Hand-carved and lavishly pigmented, these gilt fragments originated as decorative elements of ornate Qing-dynasty furniture or architecture. Elevated by ...

This carved stone stele depicts the historical Buddha, known also as Shaka, Shakyamuni, or Siddhartha Gautama. Seated in perpetual meditation, the Buddha embodies virtues of wisdom and composure. Hand-carved of limestone in the style of Northern Wei (386-535) statuary, the Buddha is depicted upon a lotus plinth with legs crossed in lotus position. His hands are held downwards in bhumisparsha mudra, a gesture representing the moment that the Buddha claimed the earth as witness to his awakening. The Buddha has a peaceful, benevolent expression and is framed by a halo of concentric circles. His figure is surrounded by attendant bodhisattvas, carved in relief on the curved stele behind and platform below. Leafy tree branches add a naturalistic touch to the background, wrapping around to the back of the stele to form a canopy above a second, smaller Buddha...

Carved from a solid piece of stone, this weight was originally used by a Shoemaker to press down large pieces of leather. Surrounded by intricate scrollwork and peony blossoms, a gua...

A Chinese early Qing Dynasty carved and lacquered wood figure of Guanyin, Southern China, 17th/18th century. Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Mercy, is portrayed seated in dhyanasana, one hand raised in viktara mudra, the gesture of teaching and discourse. The great bodhisattva is dressed in heavy, loose robes tied at the chest, with a mantle draped over his shoulders. He looks serenely outwards from heavily lidded eyes. Guanyin's face carved beautifully with somewhat feminine features. A large five pointed crown sits upon his head. The larger leaves of the crown carved with indistinct images of the Buddha. The statue was originally fully lacquered in the deep red gilt lacquer typical of Southern Chinese Buddhist sculpture...

A charming near pair of Chinese green glazed foo lion joss stick holders, late 19th century, China. The delightful foo lions, also referred to as foo dogs, crafted as joss (incens...

A fantastic Chinese cast bronze censer in the form of two Buddhistic lions play fighting, late Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. The censer formed as a pair of Buddhistic li...

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...

This limestone carving depicts a Fu Dog Guardian figure and was carved from a solid block. Sculptures such as these were used to protect ones home from bad spirits or bad luck. They ...

A very fine and attractive Chinese Qing Dynasty turquoise glazed figure of Guanyin dating from the 19th Century or possibly earlier. The hollow biscuit porcelain figurine...