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Item Ships From: Europe
Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Shakudo Sawasa Erotic Tobacco Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A ruyi-shaped Shakudo-style erotic tobacco or snuff box, relief-decorated with silvered applied figures
Possibly Jakarta (Batavia), first half 18th century
Measures: H. 2.2 x L. 12.1 x W. 8 cm
This box is very much in the Dutch taste, for the illustration is after a print with a legend reading “L’oiseau sans cage. Prenez, belle, mon oiseau. C’est le plus doux présent que je puisse vous faire. Pour les autres oiseaux, la cage d’ordinaire est une espèce de tombeau. Mais le mien semble prendre une nouvelle vie, Lorsqu’il sera dans la cage de mon aimable Silvie.” The erotic message is as clear as can be.
In Dutch culture the verb ‘vogelen’ (catching a bird) is another word for having sex and a bird escaping from his cage indicates loss of chastity. The lady with the bare breasts, while making the sign of sealed lips to the lady behind her, who is pointing towards heaven, seems to be caressing the bird held in the sleeping man’s groin. 17th century Dutch pictures...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Splendid and Heavy Late 17th Century Dutch-Colonial Silver Filigree Salver
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A splendid and heavy Dutch-colonial silver filigree salver
Indonesia, Batavia (Jakarta) or possibly Padang, West Sumatra, 2nd half 17th century
Diam. 22.9 cm
Weight 551 grams
This filigree-work was probably done by Chinese masters...
Category
17th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Brutalist Metal Mid-Century Wall Hanging or Decorative Artwork 'No.3'
Located in London, GB
A large brutalist wall hanging or wall art.
Belgium, c1960-70s.
Good quality, this wall hanging remains remarkable contemporary in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Antique Victorian Quality Heavy Brass Jam Pale
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality heavy brass jam pale, having an iron shaped handle with a quality brass jam pale and a Salters economical spit jack.
Category
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Fantastic quality antique Victorian oak log bin with copper bands
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality antique Victorian oak log bin with copper bands having a fantastic quality antique Victorian oak log bin in the form of a barrel with copper bands, a brass swing ha...
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Copper
A Japanese patinated bronze vase depicting a cricket
Located in Milano, IT
A slender shape patinated bronze vase depicting a naturalistic scene of a cricket sitting on iris leaves.
Signed Joun in relief within an oval reserve.
Origin: Japan
Period: Meiji ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 20th Century Japanese Temple Urns
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of bronze temple urns. Called Jyôka, this set is usually placed on or next to an altar in Buddhist temples.
Category
20th Century Japanese Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Owl on a Tree Stump
Located in PARIS, FR
Bronze sculpture representing an owl on a tree stump covered with ivy. The owl, detachable from its base, has shakudo eyes. It is certainly an Ryûkyû scops ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Bell, India, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bronze bell. India, 20th century.
Bell made of bronze with a tall body and an oval base, almost rectangular in height, which has an elaborate upper part with smooth areas and figure...
Category
20th Century Indian Other Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
An Indian part-gilt silver-clad ceremonial sceptre or mace with a tiger’s head
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Northern India or Deccan, late 19th century
L. approx. 82 cm (excl. stand)
Provenance:
Private collection, United Kingdom
This remarkable gilt-silver soonta (ceremonial sceptre) also known as choba (ceremonial mace) with a tiger's head stands out as an unparalleled example. It has a wooden base, clad with thick sheet part-gilt silver and has fine details such as teeth and a curling tongue. Especially with the inlaid glass eyes, in combination with the grand sculptural design, it would have been integral to an Indian maharaja’s attire, known as lawajama in North India and biruthus in South India, as referenced by Jackson & Jaffer. They would symbolise authority, power, and sometimes an attribute of various deities, particularly those associated with strength or combat. For instance, the Hindu god Hanuman, known for his immense strength, is often depicted holding a mace (*chob* or gada in Sanskrit). Similarly, the god Vishnu and his avatar Krishna are also frequently depicted with a mace among their other attributes.
Courtiers would raise these sceptres wrapped in rich brocades, with the head visible, during processions, signalling their association with the monarch. Alongside fly-whisks and standards, they were indispensable in ceremonial parades, underscoring the ruler's prestige. Terlinden notes that a soonta berdar was tasked with carrying the sceptre. These individuals, proficient in courtly manners, played key roles during audiences, from managing entrances to introducing guests. Their esteemed position often earned them generous rewards, including land grants. See for a depiction of sceptres in use the top right of a painting in the collection of the V&A, titled Processional scene with Amar Singh, ruler of Thanjavur (Tanjore), and Sarabhoji, from circa 1797.
For a very comparable piece, but with an elephant’s head, see the collection of the Indian Museum, Kolkata. For other less similar examples, see the V&A Museum London.
Sources:
A. Jackson & A. Jaffer, Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts, London, V&A Publishing, 1999
Christiane Terlinden Serra, Mughal Silver...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
20th century French Old Cutler Signboard Metal and Wood Knife, 1940s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very rare and original 20th century large metal and wood knife maybe an old cutler signboard.
The blade is made with metal and the handle is made with wood. Brass nails.
Good con...
Category
1940s French Vintage Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere with Dragons and Figures
By Tuck Chang & Co.
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere circa 1890, of rectangular form and variously pierced to all four sides. The side with the vacant cartouche has two opposing dragons separated by a...
Category
1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Fragment of Bronze Head of Buddha, Thailand
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Fragment of Bronze Head of Buddha
Thailand
16th Century
Category
16th Century Thai Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A Japanese bronze okimono depicting the study of a tiger
Located in Milano, IT
Bronze okimono depicting the study of a powerful tiger in a furtive position.
The animal is represented with its legs bent, its tail curled upwards and its body in a lowered positio...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Bowl Adorned with Cloisonné Enamel and Arabic Inscriptions
Located in London, GB
Chinese bowl adorned with cloisonné enamel and Arabic inscriptions
Chinese, early 20th century
Measures: Height 20cm, diameter 23cm
This beauti...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Chinese Export Silver Goblet With Dragon Stem
By Leeching
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Goblet with dragon stem, engraved foliage to the bowl, and a gilded interior. The maker is FengzhaoJi (冯朝记), and it was retailed by the firm of Leeching, circ...
Category
1870s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Set of Three Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Set of three Japanese bronze vases
Measures: high 27 cm diameter 9 cm
high 27 cm diameter 7 cm
high 21 cm diameter 7 cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Europe - Metalwork
Pair of Japanese Bronze Grasshopper Vases
Located in PARIS, FR
Insects (mushi) occupy an important place in Japanese culture. Hunting for insects is a popular pastime, especially among children. Using plastic nets and cages, they catch cicadas and beetles to observe them.
Between 1830 and 1832, Hokusai composed an untitled series of ten large horizontal prints...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Abumi Stirrups
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of stamped brass stirrups decorated with Hashizuka, Ito and Manabe Mons.
Japan - Edo (1615-1868), 18th century.
Height: 10.24 in. (26 cm), length: 12.6 in. (32 cm), width 4.72 in. (12 cm)
As in Western culture, the culture Japanese stirrups were part of traditional accessories...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Turkmenistan Antique Tea Copper Caraf Named "Aftabeh"
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare antique copper caraf for water or tea, named "aftabeh" from Bokara, in Turkmenistan -
Very old, but I perfectly cleaned. Interesting item with a good price.
O/5306 -
Category
Late 18th Century Turkmen Other Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Copper
A Mid 20th Century Chinese Cast Bronze Statue of Guan Yu with Guandao on Stand
Located in Tonbridge, Kent
20th Century Chinese Cast Bronze Statue of Guan Yu with Guandao on Bespoke Wooden Stand
Description:
Presenting a captivating 20th-century Chinese cast bronze statue of Guan Yu, the...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Meiji Period Bronze Vase with Two Frogs
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze vase with two frogs against a rough textured ground, signed ‘Hyakusei’, Japanese, circa 1880.
Category
1880s Japanese Meiji Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Export Silver Mug with Dragon Handle
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with dragon handle, decorated with five birds among bamboo against a matte background. There is a round vacant cartouche to t...
Category
1860s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
By Wang Hing & Co.
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, round with a collet foot and profusely decorated with applied prunus. against a smooth plain background. The box has...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
A pair of bronze vases with Onagadori roosters
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of bronze vases adorned with inlays, decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tail. The roosters are represented perched on a plum branch.
Signe...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Export Silver Mug with Bamboo Decoration
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with a bamboo handle, and decorated with a bird and moth amongst profuse bamboo decoration on a matte background. T...
Category
1860s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Japanese Bronze Hawk Ikebana
Located in PARIS, FR
Bronze intended for hanging (? dô kakenanaike, « hanging bronze ») depicting a hawk, placed on a branch. The inside is hollow so a bouquet a flowers can be put inside and thus, serve...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Bronze Group of Mice, Pumpkin and Pomegranate
Located in PARIS, FR
Polychrome bronze of a group of mice around a pumpkin and a pomegranate. The five mice have a dark brown patina, while the hollowed-out gourd is dark brown and the split pomegranate ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra
By Wang Hing & Co.
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra, circa 1890. Each finely detailed dragon is coiled on an original wood stand, carved with cloud pat...
Category
1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Set of 2 Bronze Recipients
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional set of 3 Bronze Recipients with decorations and beautiful green patina, called Thap
Dong Song period, 2000-1000 BC
South East Asia, Vietnam.
Measures: Height 22 cm, di...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy of shaped oval form, with applied prunus and chrysanthemum decoration and a plain, pull-off lid. The retailer is sho...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Japan chrysanthemum tsuba
Located in PARIS, FR
Iron tsuba in the shape of a chrysanthemum (kikugata), openworked in negative with foliage and geometric patterns.
Chrysanthemum shaped tsuba were quite popular in the Edo period as...
Category
Mid-18th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Gold, Iron
Two Chinese Export Silver Vases
By Wang Hing & Co.
Located in London, GB
Two Chinese silver vases of cornucopia form, both decorated with applied bamboo and chrysanthemum and on a circular base. The vases are similar yet were made by different silversmith...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese silver vases with all-over bamboo decoration and each with a wavy-edge flared rim. They were made by 涂茂兴, TuMaoXing, a retailer in JiuJiang (九江), next to the Yangtze ...
Category
1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese export silver bowl on plain round pedestal base. The decoration is of two applied opposing dragons against a plain background. The bow...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Large Bronze Tibetan Vase with Handles
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Large Tibet bronze and copper vase with handles: exceptional and perfect.
Sizes: diameter at the top cm. 52, with handles cm. 61. Base 35 cm.
High cm. 43....
Category
Late 19th Century Tibetan Other Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Group of Fourteen Japanese Meiji Period Gilt Metal Plaques
Located in London, GB
Group of fourteen Japanese Meiji period gilt metal plaques
Japanese, Late 19th Century
Height 2cm, width 2cm
These beautiful Japanese Meiji period plaque...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Very Exceptional Almost Identical Pair of Bronze Buddhas
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Two bronze Buddhas, Ayutthaya, 16th century, Thailand
with great patina
dimensions
26 cm X 13 cm X 8 cm
24 cm X 14 cm X 8 cm.
Category
16th Century Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Bronze Burns Incense Character with Dragon
Located in Marseille, FR
Japanese bronze burns incense with important characters a dragon vase decorated with Greek frieze of white flowers.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Shang Dynasty Bronze Liquor Jug Fengding He Type
Located in LEGNY, FR
Exceptional reproduction of a he type liquor Jug in bronze of the Shang Dynasty (17th-11th century BC). This bronze jug trypod represent a owl's head.
We...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A small fine quality Meiji period cloisonné enamel vase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A small fine quality Meiji period cloisonne enamel vase, with silver wires and gilt rims decorated with lappets of dragons of ho-ho birds on a brown ground, with textile designs arou...
Category
1880s Japanese Meiji Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 25cm
Crafted in China...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
A pair of Meiji period blue cloisonne vases
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Meiji period blue cloisonne vases, each with a peacock on a rocky outcrop surrounded by flowering peony plants on a dark blue ground, the peacocks facing each other, with s...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Japan medallions tsuba Tanaka school Edo period
Located in PARIS, FR
Ovoid-shaped (nagamarugata) iron tsuba hammered and chased with medallions. On one side, medallions of a dragon with gold highlights and a komainu (or shishi – lion dog guarding the ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Gold, Iron
Collection of Ten Chinese Ceremonial Poles
Located in London, by appointment only
A fine set of ten polished brass ceremonial spears each with different and unusually elaborate symbolic spear heads representing good fortune, power and strength, long life, accomplishment. One of the few conventional spears is a rare Chinese spear with the double crescent moons either side of a elongated spear head. A Guan Dao...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Europe - Metalwork
Large Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Koro
Located in London, GB
Large Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Koro
Japanese, late 19th Century
Height 88cm, width 76cm, depth 53cm
This superb cloisonne enamel koro was made during...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Very Decorative Late 20th Century Large Metal Hand Painted Model of a Fish
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very decorative large coloured painted metal fish with candleholder. This beautiful fish made by a Jodhpur ironworker is painted and patinated by hand. Wonderful decorative object,...
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal, Iron
19th Century Indian Bidri Metal Hookah Base
Located in London, GB
This fascinating piece dates from the 19th century in India, where it was used as a water base for a hookah, or shisha pipe. In traditional hookah smoking, the base of the pipe is no...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Cup-and-Saucer, Early 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Chinese made tonkin ware gilt- and lacquer cup and saucer
China or Japan, Chinese artisans, early 18th century
The black-lacquered cup with gilt handles in the shape of sculptured chrysanthemums and a lobbed edge decorated with gilt engraved border, with a gilt foot-ring that fits into the saucer ring, with two cartouches showing partly undercut gilt relief trees and birds on a gilt granulated background, black lacquered bracket-lobed edge, depicting gilt engraved peony scrolls and three cartouches decorated with high relief gilt trees and birds on a gilt granulated background, the centre with engraved chrysanthemum, enclosed by a raised ring upon which the cup fits, around which a circular panel decorated with high gilt relief trees, flowers, birds and a butterfly on a gilt granulated background.
Measures: Cup: H. 5.7 x W. 8.5 cm
Saucer: Diameter 13 cm
Provenance:
Collection Felix Schäfer
Note:
The decoration of the cup and saucer is identical to the slightly smaller cup and saucer...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Other
Japanese Bronze Kappa
Located in PARIS, FR
Dark brown patina bronze figure of a standing kappa with its right leg leaning on a cucumber. The figure is put on four-legged rattan-like bronze stand.
The kappa (??) is a aquatic creature taken from Japanese folklore having the appearance of an anthropomorphic turtle.
His skull is either slightly hollowed out to accommodate water, from which it derives its power, or hidden with a water lily leaf hiding this sag. Naturally polite, it is advisable to bow to him in order that it should do so in return, thus losing all the water he has gathered and leaving it harmless.
Kappa has the reputation of attempting to lure both humans and animals into the water. In some areas, it ravages fields, stealing eggplants and cucumbers. Some people prefer to worship it and give it offerings rather than be its victims.
Signed Shokaken (???). His real name is Ôshima Yasutarô. He was born in 1849 and is the third generation of a metalworkers family. Together with his brother Ôshima Joun...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Tsuba Old Guard Of Japanese Katana
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Century Tsuba former Japanese Katana guard in bronze and gilding, diameter approximately 8 cm.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Wrought Iron
Old Tibetan Bronze Bell or Cymbal
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique Bronze bell or Cymbal, hand hammered - Tibet - half XIX century - can be hung from the ceiling, hanging and hitting it.
CYMBAL is a percussion instrument. Now it is used in m...
Category
1850s Tibetan Tibetan Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Brass Aesthetic Antique Fire Dogs
Located in London, GB
A pair of good quality brass fire dogs in the aesthetic movement taste.
England, c1890s.
Small in size but very well crafted, remaining very contempo...
Category
19th Century British Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Brass
A large Islamic bronze urn
Located in Southall, GB
A wonderful Cyrian bronze urn, handmade in the Middle East with engravings around the whole of the urn. With beautiful circular solid bronze handles. Some age related dents .
Possib...
Category
1880s Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
1900′ Art Nouveau Patinated Bronze Fruit Basket, Japanese Crane And Water Lilies
Located in Paris, FR
Fruit basket in polychrome patinated bronze.
Wading bird in the middle of a decoration of water lilies
Length: 58 cm
Width:47 cm
Height:54 cm
condition of use
Work 1900
Category
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Brass Perfume Burner, Persia 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Brass incense burner with openwork decoration of interlacing, scrolls and foliage.
Four registers on the body depict zoomorphic and anthropomorphic patterns.
The base has been re-ass...
Category
19th Century Antique Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Japanese Bronze Vases, 1960
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Set of three Japanese bronze vases.
Measures:
high 27 cm diameter 9 cm
high 27 cm diameter 7 cm
high 21 cm diameter 7 cm.
Category
20th Century Japanese Europe - Metalwork
Chinese Floral Islamic Style Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Vase
Located in London, GB
Chinese floral Islamic style cloisonné enamel and ormolu vase
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 13cm, diameter 13cm
This beautiful bowl...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Europe - Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
