19th Century Buddhist Manuscript Trunk

19th century Buddhist prayer box. A Thai Buddhist manuscript box of the 19th century or earlier. This type of box was used to to store Buddhist texts, known...

18th century Buddhist Chinese Scroll Painting. This is a temple piece and has been re-backed numerous times over its life span. The practice...

19th century Carved Chinese Table Screen Blessing, Story Board. Extraordinary double sided Chinese carved wooden table screen story board. The ...

18th century spectacular Chinese raised lacquer cabinet. This cabinet has a wonderful patina that only comes from time and old style craftsmanship lacquer application. A paper or clo...

A phenomenal hand carved and painted wooden antique wedding dowry stacked drawer carriage chest from China. Commissioned in the 19th century to commemora...

The chest is constructed of teak covered in lacquer and gold leaf with a hinged lid and detailed decoration on four sides. The high relief thayo lacquer depicts narrative scenes, bordered by a tendril vine frame with reserve cartouches of birds, beasts or men within.  The scenes may be from the Mahajanaka Jataka, one of the last Jataka tales of a life preceding the life of becoming the Buddha. This tale of endurance starts by depicting the rivalry between two brothers fighting for the throne. The lid depicts this great conflict having two battling elephants at center. Half of the surrounding characters are sending the opponents into retreat. The brother that is King is killed. The sides of the chest dynamically continue the story. On the right side of the front scene, the pregnant Queen at the front of the palace is informed of the King’s death  by her kneeling subjects.  On the left side of the front panel, the Queen is shown in retreat with her riches sacked upon her head. On the left side of the chest the story continues with Saka the Lord of the Dewas offering the Queen a lift upon an ox drawn cart. The right side of the chest depicts the pregnant Queen at her destination of refuge discussing her predicament with her long lost brother who offers protection in the birth of her child, Prince Mahajanaka. The elaborate high relief thayo lacquer is molded and modeled of a putty of lacquer sap mixed with clay, saw-dust, or ash. The interior and back are lacquered red. Provenance: From a residence designed by Kalef Alaton. East & Orient Company, Dallas. Private collection, Texas. Lark Mason...

Antique Asian Chinese Dowry Trunk, 1900s Miscellaneous Object - Asian Chinese Dowry Trunk - yin yang Measures: 81cmx50cm H:101cm Wear Consistent with age and use

A large and intricate Asian carved and gilt panel that may be utilized as an architectural element, wall decoration or screen. In one piece with six panels with four recessed section...