Qing Decorative Objects

This antique Chinese ewer dates to the early 19th century and is cloaked in a deep, emerald green glaze with an allover crackle. The small pitcher was originally used for dispensing ...

A large and powerfully cast Chinese bronze censer in the form of two Buddhistic lions, Qing dynasty, late 19th century. The censer is well cast with a strong sense of movement, featuring a pair of fierce Buddhistic lions playfully antagonizing each other. Locked in a mock battle, the smaller lion...

This colorful porcelain bowl dates to the mid-19th century and was originally used as a serving dish for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar and piled high with fruit, baked goods, and other foods. The dish has a shallow cartouche-shaped body and a short footed base decorated with crashing waves. The dish is painted with overglaze enamels in the famille rose style, with a scene of three mythical figures on a floating, heavenly island. The central figure depicts the 3rd-century warrior Guan Yu, also known as the God of War...

The Chinese scholar rock on offer here is a wonderful example of Ying (also known as Yingde stone), a less common type than Lingbi or Taihu. Gray in color, it has an extraordinary up...

Delicately carved of dense hardwood, these 19th-century scroll cases were an essential accessory for the esteemed Qing-dynasty scholar. The perfect size for a rolled-up scroll, the cases were once used to store and protect works of traditional calligraphy and landscape painting. The matching cases are hand-carved in low relief with all-over scrollwork and borders of geometric meanders. Each case is carved with repeated Shou characters, symbols of longevity and a blessing for a long and complete life. Amid the scrollwork flourishes are ribbon-clad objects known as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, including the eternal knot...

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

PAIR of Chinese Qing Dynasty Kangxi Period-style (early 20th Century) sleeve vases depicting a garden setting on a celadon background, with designs at the top and base in Jingdezhen ...

PAIR of Chinese Qing Dynasty Yongzheng Period-style (Mid-20th Century) light gray porcelain vases with globular forms wrapped in alum red glaze dragon motifs (mark on bottoms) (PRICE...

PAIR of Chinese Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period-style (early 20th Century) red porcelain sleeve vases decorated with plum blossoms and magpie birds,...

The gu vase form dates back as far as 1600 BC, when it was originally cast in bronze. This set of early 20th century pewter gu vases would have been used in traditional Southern Chin...

No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...

This hand-carved wooden fragment was originally a decorative element of ornate Qing-dynasty furniture or architecture. Colored by gilt pigments over an underlayer of red lacquer, the fragment depicts a silk brocade ball, commonly depicted alongside fu dog lions to symbolize high rank or power. The embroidered ball is flanked by chrysanthemum blossoms and tied with a long flowing ribbon, a sign of longevity. Elevated by a custom steel display mount, the storied fragment adds bright color and iridescence to a bookcase or table arrangement...

This intricate limestone stele of a standing buddha likely depicts Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future. The only Buddhist divinity revered as both a bodhisattva and a Buddha, Maitreya is prophesied to return to Earth some time in the distant future and continue the historic Buddha's teachings of the Dharma. Like the historic Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya is a compassionate being devoted to showing the path to enlightenment. Carved in the style of sixth century Chinese statuary...

This petite glazed jar from China's Shanxi province exemplifies the timeless appeal of handcrafted pottery. Once used in an apothecary to hold ground herbs and oils for traditional m...

This simple lacquered container was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the r...

This petite traveling mirror dates to the early 20th century and is crafted with a metal frame embellished with allover repoussé decoration. Designed after Qing-dynasty vanity boxes,...

A charming and elegant Chinese brush washer in the form of a recumbent spotted deer, Qing dynasty, circa 1850. The graceful animal modeled with ...

A dark brown glaze clings to the tapered form of this 19th-century jar, once used daily in a Qing-dynasty kitchen as evidenced by the glazed interior. The wide-mouth jar is shaped wi...

These unusually sinuous lengths of bamboo are known as "Buddha belly bamboo" for each segment's resemblance to the ample gut of the Chinese monk Budai, o...

A treasure of a chest, this charming miniature cabinet is named for the narrow, rounded molding that surrounds the frame and resembles noodles. Lacquered rich red, the small cabinet exhibits the same high level of craftsmanship found in larger such cabinets made in the Qing dynasty with exquisitely painted floral decorations and handcrafted hardware. The cabinet opens to a single shelf, making it just the place to stow jewelry...

Crafted of painted, lacquered hide, this extraordinary headrest was created in China's Jiangxi province over 150 years ago. Its pliable design enabled contour comfort - quite luxurio...

White cartouches open on this vibrant vase’s persimmon orange field like parting clouds, revealing scenes of young boys practicing martial arts. Perhaps c...

Painted with yellow, brown and green glazes against the straw-glazed ground, the cavettos with a broad brown-glazed band, the exteriors green-glazed. Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzhen...

An unusual and spectacular Chinese monochrome blue flambé-glazed hu form porcelain vase, Qing Dynasty, 19th century, China. The hu vase is heavily potted with elegant proportions...

Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This beautif...

A gorgeous green glazed large Chinese pottery censer of Archaistic shape called a fanghu, set on a separate stand, Qing dynasty, second year of Tongzhi, 1863. The censer or incense burner crafted in two parts and covered in a thick, runny and unctuous glaze, ranging from dark green to turquoise green, to pale celadon. The neck with shou (longevity) medallions. The body decorated in relief with fruit, pomegranate and finger citron (Buddha's hand). The sides fitted with lion mask handles. The stand with a key fret design, and a pierced Chinese...

Early 19th century pair of Chinese silver vases decorated with four-clawed dragons. Derived from the period of the Qing dynasty with Chinese marks on the bottom. Weight: 200 grams.

Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the cold hands of a wealthy woman on a winter night in northern China. The brazier is hand-wrough...

China was the earliest known civilization create works with cast iron, first appearing thousands of years ago during the illustrious Zhou dynasty. This early 18th century iron vessel was once used for collecting rain water...

No idol in China is more widely worshiped than Caishen, the God of Wealth. His shrine can be found in nearly every home, his image set beside ancestors a...

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...

These late 19th century miniature tapered cabinets would have been kept in a woman's quarters, likely used as a jewelry box or cosmetics case. The carved door fronts are decorated wi...

Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and heat, the art of drinking tea (chayi) calls for a variety of teaware and utensils - both practical and decorative. This charming teapot dates to the late Qing dynasty and is hand-carved from a hollow length of bamboo to appear as though parceled by a cloth strung with tassels. The teapot has a squat, rounded form and a dark brown finish, reminiscent of Yixing red clay teapots...

As evidenced by the interior glaze, this wide-mouth jar was once used in a provincial Qing-dynasty kitchen for storing food and condiments. The large vessel has a gently tapered form...

A lustrous brown glaze coats the slender tapered form of this late 19th-century kitchen jar. As evidenced by the glazed interior, the jar was once used daily in a Qing-dynasty kitche...

Brilliantly colored with bold enamels, this porcelain hat stand was once used by a Qing-dynasty gentleman to display his caps while they weren't in use. This stand is decorated in th...

This hand-forged metal sculpture, with its delicate appearance and whimsical shape, was once an integral tool to a 19th century Chinese cobbler’s trade. Made of iron, these scissors ...

Brilliantly colored with bold enamels, this porcelain hat stand was once used by a Qing-dynasty gentleman to display his caps while they weren't in use. This stand is decorated in th...

Translated as “After the New Year, spring will begin in Suzhou (China’s garden city),” the beautifully scripted phrase painted at the top of this elegant vase is accompanied by the s...

A small and charming turquoise blue carved Peking glass vase, Republic Period, early 20th century, China. The Peking glass vase of elegant bottle shape featuring two shades of overlay blue. The outer layer of glass slightly darker than the inner layer. The outer layer of glass carved with a design of flowering branches, including plum blossoms and possibly peony. The underside with an etched China mark.

This finely woven circa 1800 trunk is a work of art in itself and was possibly used to store prized painted scrolls. A skilled artisan painstakingly wove thin-as-hair reeds to cover ...

Coated inside and out with a rich drip glaze, this early 20th century jar was originally used for storing foods and condiments in a Provincial Chinese kitchen. The wide-mouth jar has...

Prized mounts once took refreshment from this stone trough, carved from a solid block of limestone more than hundred years ago. Once purely functional, the trough is celebrated today...

With a flaring lip and striking profile, connoisseurs often refer to these exquisite vases as “turnip-shaped”. Each was crafted out of bronze over two centuries ago, and is decorated...

This sculptural bronze object is a charming example of 19th-century metalwork. The bronze figure is formed as a Buddhist wrathful deity, weari...

This petite 19th century tray reflects the Qing-dynasty literati's taste for fine materials and balanced proportions. Once used to serve tea or hold scholarly implements, the tray is...

The form of this 19th century porcelain vase is called "phoenix tail" because of the way its flared mouth and slender waist mimic the shape of the bird. The vibrant landscape leaps o...

This 19th-century kitchen vessel is coated inside and out with a dark brown glaze that clings to its ribbed sides with subtle color variation. Designed for serving water or tea, the squat jar features a narrow neck, small strap handles, and a short spout for pouring. The rounded shoulders are brushed with simple linework in a contrasting light brown glaze. Textured with pitted wear and other imperfections, the rustic vessel is wonderful as an unusual vase...

This vintage mortar and pestle from Shanxi, China was cast in iron with a floral relief. It was originally used in a traditional apothecary t...

This elegant, delicately crafted lantern was made in northern China over a century ago. The simple frame is crafted of a fine hardwood and inset with panes of frosted glass. Lanterns in China have a history that goes back over 1,800 years to the Han dynasty: during the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15 day of the first lunar month) people hang lanterns...

Used across the shoulders to tote pails of water and grain, this 19th-century burden bar transcends its functional origins as a striking sculptural object. Also known as a carrying p...

On a cold winter’s night in China’s Northern provinces, the well-to-do held their hands over this coal-filled brazier to ward off the chill. Handmade of brass, the exquisitely crafte...

Tea set decorated with beautiful floral(Saucer) and oriental pattern(Tea Bowl) Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period Production Date : C 1725 Made in : Jingdezhen Destination : Ne...

Three Chinese stoneware storage jars with olive brown glazes, Southeast China, late 19th century. Each of ovoid form with large mouth openings. The tallest (13") subtly decorated...

Tracing its roots back into the Han dynasty, this early 20th-century vessel emulates the full-bodied shapes and unusual glazing found in ancient ceramics...

One of the primary functions of the Chinese garden was to provide a setting for literary gatherings, places where poets and scholars convened with nature and commemorated the affair ...

The phoenix tail vase form dates back as far as the bronze age and has remained a popular shape for its clean lines and graceful curves. Created in the early 20th century, this parti...

This unusual squat vessel would have been kept near a kang platform to warm one's blankets before bed. Much like a hot water bottle, the ceramic vessel was filled with hot water thro...

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 19th century weight originally used its heft domestically to protect a child. A simple yet ingenious concept, the stone anchored the baby’s swaddling cloth to the bed so the chi...