Chinese Carved Cinnabar Planter

Outstanding late 19th century Italian Baroque style painted and parcel gilt carved wood and gesso planter. The elongated planter is beautifully ha...

Unique 19th century Italian Venetian hand painted and parcel-gilt planter. The front of the planter begins with a large scroll over gilt rocaille carving enclosing hand-painted foli...

Large painted porcelain jardiniere; gilt painted banded rope design with flowers, birds and landscapes; 24" x 34" (approx.) Condition: previous resto...

Impressive hand-carved and hand-polished rock crystal vase. Measures: H. 19" x W. 11" x D. 7".

Unique modern hand-carved and hand polished rock crystal vase.

Beautiful pair of Chinese Famille rose porcelain beaker vases. Early 20th century and possibly earlier. The flared rim is over an enamel decorated cylindr...

Post Qing Dynasty Cinnabar ginger jar & stand Exquisite high relief carved continuous landscape motif, complete with hardwood stand. Unmarked. T...

This intriguing Chinese zhadou is intricately carved of fine cinnabar lacquer. A work of exceptional artistry, this covered bowl is adorned with an intricately carved floral motif on all surfaces, including the cover and the wide rim. Also known as a cuspidor or spittoon, this rare container would have been used by members of the imperial family and scholar- officials at the court. Carved during the Kangxi period (1662-1722), this charming piece exhibits the high detail and charm associated with items from that period, making it a true treasure, Early 18th century (Kangxi dynasty) Measures: 6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard. The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar...

Classic Vintage Chinese Carved Cinnabar lacquer and enameled bowl with deer and chrysanthemum motif from a Palm Beach estate.

A pair of Japanese Taisho period gold and red lacquer hexagonal planters from the early 20th century, with recessed reeded cartouches. Hailing from the Taisho period in Japan (1912-1...

An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...

Late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911/12) – Late 19th/Early 20th C. - Ca. 1910 18” high x 8.5" D Fine Condition (Exquisite work of art made during the Qing Dynasty which was known for its ...