Mid-19th Century Figurines and Sculptures

This splendid carving of a recumbent mythical beast is a jade masterwork. The mythical beast raises its head, gazing upward and forward. The beast is poised as though ready for action, its powerful muscular legs supporting its weight. The large, round eyes widen, its eyebrow curving downward. The nose, straight and elongated, features round nostrils for breathing. The mouth opens, revealing well-aligned teeth and an outstretched tongue. The creature’s face exhibits a layered cheek structure, with three tiers of carp gills. A finely incised beard adorns its jaw; under the chin, a meticulously crafted goatee adds to its mystique. Behind the head, three branches of deer horns curve downward, their decorative patterns enhancing the beast’s regal appearance, with elongated tear-shaped ears on each side of the horns. The tail of this mythical creature resembles that of a carp, gracefully curving toward its body. Each foot bears four claws, firmly planted on the ground. In Chinese, deer is pronounce lu, which is also the sound of a word that mean good fortune. Therefore, deer represent success and abundance. Deer also embody grace and gentleness. In folk culture, carp is associated with abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. Taoism regards the carp as a symbol of free-flowing life and constant change, representing the cosmic Tao. The stone is a greyish white color with warm russet veins. Dimensions Length 18 x Width 9.5 x Height 11.5 cm Weight: 4.2 lbs During the Qing Dynasty, specifically the Qianlong period, Emperor QianLong’s passion for jade and antiques led artists to create archaic jade art that revived the artistic heights achieved during the Han Dynasty. One similar example of an archaic Han mythical beast made during the Qianlong period was sold at Sotheby’s. More examples can be seen in the slideshow below (photos G and H). Photo G is from the collection of the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Provenance — purchased from a Florida antique...

A pale, greyish-white jade three-legged toad is depicted in a crouching position on leaves and fruits. The toad has bulging eyes, finely-detailed eyebrow hair, a small nose, and a wi...

This large disc has two finely carved dragons with flowing, cloud-like bodies. The two chilong heads rest on the central aperture. The underside is carved with rows of bosses. Hetian jade has a texture that resembles the effect of pouring water on snow. Xingjiang Hetian white jade with color of white ‘mutton...

A beautiful Pushkin-era silver icon depicting the Tikvin Mother of God, covered with a silver-gilt oklad, with repoussé garments, veil and applied haloes of sunburst design. The Chri...

A stunning ceremonial Hindu marriage ornament, also called ‘thali’ or ‘kazhutthuru’ from Tamil Nadu, mid 19th Century. This impressive gold pendant shows th...

This sculpture is a work by **Demetre Chiparus**, a renowned Romanian sculptor from the Art Deco period. Chiparus is famous for his detailed bronze and ivory sculptures of dancers, o...

This wonderful large grape brooch was made out of corallium rubrum, meditaranean coral, in an Italian workshop between 1850-1860. The grape is made out of different size boutons, vine leaves and 14 karart golden twines, with the help of golden wires...

This splendid carving of a recumbent mythical beast is a jade masterwork. The mythical beast raises its head, gazing upward and forward. The beast is poised as though ready for action, its powerful muscular legs supporting its weight. The large, round eyes widen, its eyebrow curving downward. The nose, straight and elongated, features round nostrils for breathing. The mouth opens, revealing well-aligned teeth and an outstretched tongue. The creature’s face exhibits a layered cheek structure, with three tiers of carp gills. A finely incised beard adorns its jaw; under the chin, a meticulously crafted goatee adds to its mystique. Behind the head, three branches of deer horns curve downward, their decorative patterns enhancing the beast’s regal appearance, with elongated tear-shaped ears on each side of the horns. The tail of this mythical creature resembles that of a carp, gracefully curving toward its body. Each foot bears four claws, firmly planted on the ground. In Chinese, deer is pronounce lu, which is also the sound of a word that mean good fortune. Therefore, deer represent success and abundance. Deer also embody grace and gentleness. In folk culture, carp is associated with abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. Taoism regards the carp as a symbol of free-flowing life and constant change, representing the cosmic Tao. The stone is a greyish white color with warm russet veins. Dimensions Length 18 x Width 9.5 x Height 11.5 cm Weight: 4.2 lbs During the Qing Dynasty, specifically the Qianlong period, Emperor QianLong’s passion for jade and antiques led artists to create archaic jade art that revived the artistic heights achieved during the Han Dynasty. One similar example of an archaic Han mythical beast made during the Qianlong period was sold at Sotheby’s. More examples can be seen in the slideshow below (photos G and H). Photo G is from the collection of the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Provenance — purchased from a Florida antique...

This 13" tall statue depicts Guanyin and was carved in China from boxwood and bone in the 19th century; most likely between 1850-1890. Guanyin is the goddess of mercy in Chinese Budd...

A pale, greyish-white jade three-legged toad is depicted in a crouching position on leaves and fruits. The toad has bulging eyes, finely-detailed eyebrow hair, a small nose, and a wi...

This detail-oriented cast of the French late 19th century equestrian statue represents a horse in nature with a natural wooden fence entitled “Djinn, Etalon Barbe by the well-known F...

Dimensions & Weight 4.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 cm 31.6 grams This archaic jade pendant features a mythical tortoise with a serpent in the center, encircled by a...

This magnificent Meissen clock rests on a rock pillar supported by five robust, gold-accented rocaille feet, richly adorned with intricately sculpted flowers, foliage, and elaborate rocaille motifs encircling the dial. At the pinnacle of the clock sits a youthful figure of Jupiter, the Roman god of gods and ruler of the heavens, seated on a throne of clouds. A crown adorns his head, a scepter rests on his right shoulder, and in his left hand, he holds a flaming bolt of lightning...

This extremely well executed pair of Antique Asian Caricatures in traditional garb are unique in our experience. It is evident from the manner and dress of these small jewels, that t...

A round Carnelian cameo depicts a laureate after an antique model. The three colour cameo shows a profile bust of a bearded man. This cameo has a diameter of 2 cm. The small oval two...

Dimensions & Weight 4.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 cm 31.6 grams This archaic jade pendant features a mythical tortoise with a serpent in the center, encircled by a...

This archaic jade pendant features a symmetrical pattern with two chilong whose serpentine bodies form a heart. On the top are two chilong heads, smiling and looking in opposite directions. The bodies of the chilong are detailed with intricate scales and cross-cross patterns. During the Qing Dynasty, specifically the Qianlong period, Emperor QianLong’s passion for jade and antiques led artists to create archaic jade art that revived the artistic heights achieved during the Han Dynasty. Among the accessories favored by nobility during the Han period were jade plaques. These flat, thin jade pieces often featured intricate carvings, including dragon and phoenix motifs. The term “鸡心佩” (jī xīn pèi) refers to a specific type of jade plaque with a shape resembling a chicken heart (hence the name). These plaques were considered auspicious and symbolized harmony and protection. An example of a Han jade...

This cicada, carved from russet Hetian jade is archaic, reminiscent of the style of Han Dynasty jade cicadas. This piece features the face of a mythical beast, with round, bulky eyeballs, curved eyebrows, a wide nose, and clean, neat lips. It has layered wings and two arms that are held out in front, with space between the arms and chin allowing a silk string to pass through. On its back, there are layered details near its tail. During the Han dynasty, jade cicadas were used as ‘玉含.’ It was believed that cicadas could help deceased people re-enter the next life cycle. Emperor Qianlong’s passion for antiques and jade led to the revival of Han Dynasty jade art. This jade cicada does not attempt to reproduce the shape of Han cicadas; rather, it invents a new shape that is closer to the natural look of a cicada, with a twist of archaic Han Dynasty jade art. The last image reference is the Ming Dynasty Jade...

One of history's most important American Indian leaders, Seminole Indian chief Billy Bowlegs (also known as Holata Micco, or "Alligator Chief"), is repre...

This large disc has two finely carved dragons with flowing, cloud-like bodies. The two chilong heads rest on the central aperture. The underside is carved with rows of bosses. Hetian jade has a texture that resembles the effect of pouring water on snow. Xingjiang Hetian white jade with color of white ‘mutton...

Rare and outstanding sculpture of an expressive dolphin designed as a paperclip and a paperweight made out of cast iron. Its eyes are made out of glass and it can open its mouth and ...

This head of a dragon or a dog was hand carved out of lava in one of the workshops in the Naples region that specialised in carvings of grand tour souvenirs. The dogs eyes are made out of red glas

This is a fine example of a layered cameo, a technique popular in the first half of the 19th century. A pensive young woman, carved out of white sardonyx, is resting her head on her ...

This cicada, carved from russet Hetian jade is archaic, reminiscent of the style of Han Dynasty jade cicadas. This piece features the face of a mythical beast, with round, bulky eyeballs, curved eyebrows, a wide nose, and clean, neat lips. It has layered wings and two arms that are held out in front, with space between the arms and chin allowing a silk string to pass through. On its back, there are layered details near its tail. During the Han dynasty, jade cicadas were used as ‘玉含.’ It was believed that cicadas could help deceased people re-enter the next life cycle. Emperor Qianlong’s passion for antiques and jade led to the revival of Han Dynasty jade art. This jade cicada does not attempt to reproduce the shape of Han cicadas; rather, it invents a new shape that is closer to the natural look of a cicada, with a twist of archaic Han Dynasty jade art. The last image reference is the Ming Dynasty Jade...

This archaic jade pendant features a symmetrical pattern with two chilong whose serpentine bodies form a heart. On the top are two chilong heads, smiling and looking in opposite directions. The bodies of the chilong are detailed with intricate scales and cross-cross patterns. During the Qing Dynasty, specifically the Qianlong period, Emperor QianLong’s passion for jade and antiques led artists to create archaic jade art that revived the artistic heights achieved during the Han Dynasty. Among the accessories favored by nobility during the Han period were jade plaques. These flat, thin jade pieces often featured intricate carvings, including dragon and phoenix motifs. The term “鸡心佩” (jī xīn pèi) refers to a specific type of jade plaque with a shape resembling a chicken heart (hence the name). These plaques were considered auspicious and symbolized harmony and protection. An example of a Han jade...

This is a very RARE pair of antique shakers hand-wrought in sterling silver by the craftsmen of Edward Charles Brown of London England in 1867. These lifelike little monkeys are remi...