Australia

An exceptional French, floral spray 'en tremblant' brooch pin. This 18 karat gold piece comprises of several components which screw together to form one large brooch. The piece can b...

Late 19th Century Original Lithograph Poster 'Théophile Alexandre Steinlen' 1894 “Steinlen was one of the four or five great poster artists of his time; all his lithographic work is...

'Cannas' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

A Patinated Bronze Figure of Mercury, Late 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: Modelled after Giambologna’s most celebrated work, the figure of Me...

'Spotted Dead Nettle' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor o...

'Exacum and Ixoras' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

'Winter Heath' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor of Freeh...

Description: A fine depiction of Guanyin, possessing the regal tranquillity that the Chinese Bodhisattva of compassion has come to be visually associated with. Marked by an urna signifying her spiritual enlightenment and crowned with a diadem depicting the Buddha Amitabha, the figure is immediately recognisable as Guanyin. Her androgynous figure is gracefully poised in the Lalit asana or “royal ease”, the pose classical in representations of the deity. The figure is asymmetric, with the weight of her supple form falling upon her left hand placed against the base, her right knee raised and left pendant. Her right hand rests upon her raised knee, delicately pinching at her draped attire. At first unassuming, this gesture may be suggestive of the Apana Mudra, the seal of purification. This Mudra is associated with physical wellbeing, fecundity and the cleansing of the body. Though she is adorned in the princely garb of dhoti, she bears features of idealised feminine beauty as prescribed in Asian art. With plump cheeks and near pouted lips, her full face gazes down upon the viewer with an empathetic and half-lidded gaze, upholding her title as ‘One who hears the cries of the world.’ Notes on the item: Guanyin is the Chinese interpretation of Avalokiteshvara, the Indian Bodhisattva of compassion. The term “Bodhisattva” is derived from the Sanskrit “Bodhi”, meaning ‘awakening’ or ‘enlightenment’, combined with “Sattva”, meaning ‘spirit’ or ‘being’, referring to one on the path to achieving enlightenment. Bodhisattvas in Mayahana Buddhism are recognised as figures who have effectively achieved enlightenment yet relinquish their accension to nirvana in order to remain amongst mankind in the ultimate act of compassion to aid as spiritual guides. As such, the Bodhisattva inhabit a liminal space between samsara and nirvana; enlightened beings that maintain a relationship with humanity that buddhas cannot, as attaining Buddhahood necessitates the abandonment of all worldly attachments, including mankind. Guanyin’s very name, ‘One who hears the cries of the world’ highlights this role as a compassionate figure who acknowledges the suffering and strife of man. Along with Mahāsthāmaprāpta, a fellow bodhisattva, Guanyin serves as an attendant to Buddha Amitabha, with these three deities recognised as the Three Sages of Western Pure Land Buddhism, a sect of Mayahana Buddhism popular in East Asia. Avalokiteshvara is commonly posited to have been adopted from Indian Buddhism into China as Guanyin around 200-400 CE, however it was the Tang dynasty (618-907) which saw the popularisation of the deity. By the Ming (1358–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, Guanyin held the position as the most popular female deity in China. The unique state of religion in China held no monolithic canon regarding Buddhism and saw the assimilation of several belief systems, primarily Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Consequently, Guanyin became a deity to be revered beyond Buddhism alone, appointed as both an official imperial deity and Daoist deity in the 12th century. Guanyin may also be seen to fulfil the role of idealised femininity as prescribed by Confucianism, with the scarcity of female Chinese deities perhaps accounting for the gradual gender shift Guanyin underwent. The Indian Avalokiteshvara is unequivocally recognised as male, whilst the supposed gender of Guanyin remains contentious. Although there is a clear shift from the masculine Avalokiteshvara towards a more feminine representation, it is unclear if Guanyin is understood to be entirely feminine, to inhabit qualities of both genders or to be elevated beyond gender entirely, embodying neither. Depictions of Guanyin are highly androgynous, which some believe lends credence towards Guanyin symbolising the unity of dualistic forces as recognised in Daoism, displaying the anthropomorphism of yin and yang. Comparative Analysis: Market comparisons of similar Qing Dynasty polychrome figures of Guanyin include lot 767 (no.2) From Christies ‘Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art,’ New York, 25 March 2022, with the price realised USD 52,920 (Estimate USD 20,000 – USD 30,000). Christies also auctioned a comparable polychrome Guanyin...

A Cartier Vintage 1998 Moonstone Tank Ring Band, made of 18ct White Gold. Set with a Square Buff Top Moonstone, to a wide polished squared off shank. Metal: 18ct White Gold Carat: N...

Trophy plates were a particularly Victorian development at Wedgwood, taking the use of classical ornament to its absolute limit. Over 2,000 individual sprigs were made, applied, and ...

Colour lithograph, 1890. 210mm by 285mm (sheet). From W Peck's 'A Handbook and Atlas of Astronomy', 1890. Sir William Peck FRSE FRAS (1862 – 1925) was a Scottish astronomer and scien...

'La Brebis' Copper-line engraving, circa 1765 From Buffon's "Histoire Naturelle, Generale et Particuliere Avec la Description du Cabinet du Roi" which was published in Paris. 24c...

Antique bird egg colour woodblock , 1880, from Francis Orpen Morris’, 'A Natural History of the Nests & Eggs of British Birds', 1875. The woodblocks ...

'Swallow-wort Gentian' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor ...

'Large-Leaved Saxifrage' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professo...

Queen Victoria golden jubilee coin pendant. Featuring a 1877 two pound coin with attached hand-made scrolled wire work pendant frame crafted in 9k yello...

'Coral Bank in the Red Sea' Antique English late 19th century chromolithograph. Sheet 18cm by 26cm, image 12cm by 20cm.

The Clan Lamond Chromolithograph. 1886. From 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', by James Grant, 1886. 365mm by 265mm (sheet). Accompanied by a sheet of descriptive text.

'Oxlip' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor of Freehand and...

The Clan of Macauley (Tartan) Chromolithograph. 1886. From 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', by James Grant, 1886. 365mm by 265mm (sheet). Accompanied by a sheet of descri...

An Antique Sterling Silver Spoon Set, comprising of 6 tea spoons end handle finely designed in twisted motif with end featuring an Apostle ...

'Indian-Persian - Indo-Persian - Indisch-Persisch' Late 19th century interior design chromolithograph, from Racinet’s ‘L’Ornement Polychrome’, 1887. Published in Paris. Albert Raci...

Very Rare c1892 South African 22K Gold "One Shaft" Pond, Extra Fine The obverse features portrait of Paul Kruger – the former President of the ...

'Agaricus Vaginatus' (grisette or the grisette amanita) Antique Swiss mushroom / fungi chromolithograph, lithographed by H Furrer after Fritz Leuba. The print is titled with the sci...

'Middle Ages - Moyen-Age - Mittel Alter' Late 19th century interior design chromolithograph, from Racinet’s ‘L’Ornement Polychrome’, 1887. Published in Paris. Albert Racinet's 'L' ...

German chromolithograph of native American artefacts. Circa 1895.

Bakshaish carpets are considered by most dealers and connoisseurs to be in a special category of their own, rare and uniquely beautiful. In recent years they have risen steeply in v...

Unique Imperial Russia 3-Piece Tea Set “Seasons” by renowned firm of Morozov, by workmaster Kvetkovsky Sergei Fiodorovich, Moscow, circa 1895 This fascinating set is culturally ...

Colour-printed lithograph by Ernst Wasmuth. Published in Berlin in 1883. From "Griechische Keramik", Genick's superb work on Greek ceramics.

Although Mourning Jewelry has a long & fascinating history, going back to as far as Middle Ages, its popularity reached its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901). ...

'Torch Lily' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor of Freehan...

'Carnations and Picotees' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

'Apteryx Owenii Juv.' (Young Grey Kiwi) From G.D. Rowley's, 'Ornithological Miscellany', 1875 - 78. Johannes Gerardus Keulemans (1842 - 1912) was a Dutch bird...

This Magnificent Antique XIXc 1890 Russian Silver Icon is hallmarked 84 zolotnik, Moscow, bearing an assay mark of Anatoly Apollonovich Artsybashev & maker's mark in Cyrillic “B.C...

'Pulmonaria' Process print from Frederick William Hulme’s ‘Familiar Wild Flowers’, circa 1890. Hulme was known as a teacher and an amateur botanist. He was the Professor of Freehan...

'The Speaker' Chromolithograph, 1887. Vanity Fair portrait of The Rt. Hon. Arthur Wellesley Peel PC (1829 - 1912), who was a British Liberal politician who sat in the House of Com...

'Badminton' Chromolithograph. 1897. Vanity Fair portrait of Alfred Edward Thomas Watson (1849-1922) who was a Music and Drama Critic. He wrote for the Saturday Review and occasion...

'Petits Hotels. Boulevard Berthier 45 et 47, a Paris. Elevations, Coupe et Plans, par Mr Boland, Archte.' French architectural chromolithograph. From 'La Brique Ordinaire', by J Lac...

Wedgwood made a series of twelve hand-painted creamware dishes, featuring characters from Skaespeare's plays. We're not sure how many sets were made,...

After the antique “Piping Faun” now in the Louvre Museum; the result of it being bought by Napoleon from the Borghese collection. The "Piping Faun" is...

The Rob Roy Tartan Chromolithograph. 1886. From 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', by James Grant, 1886. 365mm by 265mm (sheet). Accompanied by a sheet of descriptive text.

'Clematis' Flowers are numbered with a key to the varieties below the image. Antique English flower botanical chromolithograph.

The Clan Colquhoun (Tartan) Chromolithograph. 1886. From 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', by James Grant, 1886. 365mm by 265mm (sheet). Accompanied by a sheet of descript...

This Antique circa 1899 Russian Icon depicts Saint Sergei, featuring a finely detailed cloisonné enamel colourful halo (in violet & purple, sky & indigo blue, ruby red, turquoise, wh...

American Wild Turkey and Curassows Wood-engraving with original colouring. 1879. 160mm by 245mm (sheet). Key below the image. From Oliver Goldsmith's 'A History of the Earth and...

MacIntosh - Chief (Tartan) Chromolithograph. 1886. From 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', by James Grant, 1886. 365mm by 265mm (sheet). Accompanied by a sheet of descripti...

'A Canine Aesculapius' From the Picture by JC Dollman, Exhibited in the Dudley Gallery. English 19th century fold-out wood-engraving, 1878, from 'The Graphic'. John Charles Dollma...

'Agaricus Casareus' Antique Swiss mushroom / fungi chromolithograph, lithographed by H Furrer after Fritz Leuba. The print is titled with the scientific name...

Antique bird egg colour woodblock , 1880, from Francis Orpen Morris’, 'A Natural History of the Nests & Eggs of British Birds', 1875. The woodblocks ...

'Forstinsekten II Kafer' (Forest Insects - Beetles) German chromolithograph, circa 1895. 245mm by 155mm (sheet)

An Antique (Victorian) Double Snake Shaped Spinel Ring featuring 2 natural oval shaped Spinels of fine deep vibrant purple colour of 0.80ct in total (0.40ct each) bearing English ...

'1-4 Morchella Lutescens 5-7 Morchella Abietina' Antique Swiss mushroom / fungi chromolithograph, lithographed by H Furrer after Fritz Leuba. The print is titled with the scientific...

'Brontops Robustus, Marsh 1/4' Lithograph by Emil Crisand after the drawing by Frederick Berger, under the supervision of Othniel Charles Marsh. Depicts dinosaur fossil...

This incredible pine armoire was found in Venezia, Italy, and has been dated at approximately C. 1880. Delicate, Hand painted foliage on the armoire doors trail down to a depiction o...

A Canton Famillie Rose Punch Bowl, Late 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection Dimensions: Height: 13cm. Diameter: 33.5cm.

'Middle Ages - Moyen-Age - Mittel Alter' Late 19th century interior design chromolithograph, from Racinet’s ‘L’Ornement Polychrome’, 1887. Published in Paris. Albert Racinet's 'L' ...

'Roman-Byzantine - Romano-Byzantin - Romisch-Byzantinisch' Late 19th century interior design chromolithograph, from Racinet’s ‘L’Ornement Polychrome’, 1887. Published in Paris. Alb...

'Brontops Robustus, Marsh 1/4' Lithograph by Emil Crisand after the drawing by Frederick Berger, under the supervision of Othniel Charles Marsh. Depicts dinosaur fossil...

Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860–1939) Lily from The flowers  Les Lys : Les fleurs Original Poster,  1898  Image size: 102.2×41.6 cm Sheet size: 105.7×45.7 cm Framed Condition: laid down...

'Middle Ages - Moyen-Age - Mittel Alter' Late 19th century interior design chromolithograph, from Racinet’s ‘L’Ornement Polychrome’, 1887. Published in Paris. Albert Racinet's 'L' ...