Chinese Mythical Dragon Stone Mortar, c. 1850

Passing through these impressive posts, a visitor to a Qing-dynasty estate would know he was entering someplace special. Used in a traditional courtyard entry to secure the doors as they swung open, these hand-carved posts are nonetheless ripe with symbolism. Double dragon medallions...

Essentially a utilitarian vessel, this mortar is textured with etched line work to facilitate the task of removing the outer husks from grains of rice. Yet it seems as if the Qing-dy...

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynasty society, the practice provided an opportunity to display one's refined aesthetic through collectible snuff bottles. This petite snuff bottle is carved from a conglomerate stone embedded with small fossils...

Unlike many objects of its kind, this limestone hitching stone was carved into a simple rounded shape without any figural references. Used to secure a horse by rope or reins, the sto...

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...

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...

400 - 600 Year old charming and artistic sandstone relief. Dragon "mythical beast" which is a symbol of wisdom. From Buddha temple in Arakan, Burma....

Early 20th Century intricately carved celadon vase with lid. The moon flask shape with dragon handles with rings. Incised on both sides with archaistic v...

Japan, an exceptionally tall 29" antique monumental monochrome amber yellow crackle glazed dragon vase with a dramatic and impressive "curling dragon" wrapped around its stem. It was crafted by the master artisans of the Japanese southern Awaji Kiln, from the late Meiji to Taisho period (1910-1920). The impressive porcelain vase crafted in a tubular modernist form with an original amber yellow glazed finish and with an applied curling dragon sculpture. It is unsigned as many normally were from that period and is in original condition with normal kiln origination surface creation imperfections. Dimensions: 29 inches tall and 9 inches diameter top and with an 8 inch diameter base Provenance: private New England collection. Undoubtedly influenced by the modernist movement and more likely by the visit to the Awaji kilns by the noted English designer Christopher Dresser of Linthorpe Art Pottery...

A large and impressive Chinese caved jade vase, Republic Period, circa 1930. Carved from one massive piece of jade. The vase carved with the He He Er Xian...

A large and graceful carved nephrite jade conjoined double vase in the form of a pair of Buddha's hands fruit (finger citron), late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The large and heavy vase carved from a single piece of celadon nephrite jade, with areas of lighter brown "sugar" skin. The vase ingeniously carved as a pair of Buddha's hand fruit, also known as finger citron, rising from a gnarled, leafy branch. The smaller Buddha's hand with a pair of bats. The Buddha's hands fruit with elegant and naturalistic curved "fingers". The "fingers wonderfully shaped and reticulated. The body of the fruit with simple stippling, in imitation of the textured surface of the real fruit. The interior of each fruit well hollowed and able to hold water. Buddha's hands fruit are auspicious in Chinese culture. Their name in Chinese "Fo Shou" is a homophone for "Happiness and Longevity. They are often placed as offerings on Buddhist altars...

A finely carved soap stone sculpture of a wise ancient with a dragon on his shoulder standing on a braun soap stone base. In fine original conditi...