Pair of Chinese Gilt Relief Fragments with Taoist Immortals

This pair of decorative red lacquer signs dates to the late 19th century and is carved in relief with a poetic couplet. Carved to resemble ink calligraphy, the couplet reads: "Do good deeds without questioning your happiness, pursue knowledge without forgetting your principles." The long, vertical signs...

Popularized during the Qing dynasty, reverse glass painting requires an artist to essentially work backwards, starting with details and shading before adding color and form. Lending the finished work a subtle three-dimensional effect, this exacting technique doesn't allow for any corrections, and is only revealed to its full effect when the glass pane is turned around. This example dates to the late 19th century and depicts the Taoist immortals He Xiangu and Cao Guojiu. Said to have attained immortality through their studies of the natural world, the Eight Immortals each represent a different condition in life and impart blessings of prosperity and longevity. The charming scene is likely one of a set of...

A Chinese vintage camphor wood low-relief wall plaque from Zhejiang depicting a celestial guardian on a mythical animal. Created in Eastern China during the midcentury period, this w...

A 19th century Chinese wall plaque hand-carved in lacquered rosewood. This rectangular wall plaque was made from rosewood, a red wood greatly...