South Coast - Asian Art and Furniture

17th century lost wax cast bronze Radha, lover of Krishna, India Radha was a one of the gopis (milkmaids or cowherds) who Krishna played and danc...

19th century Chinese lacquer box from the Qing dynasty. Used as box for nails made of lacquered wood. Oriental scenes in golden. In ve...

A very rare statue of the Tibetan/Hindu Buddha Indra. Indra is the King of Gods who possesses mighty power to destroy evil and deception. He is the most i...

A 19th century antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular two tiered tables with rouge marble top insert, the inset marble top over carved rosewood apron with dogwood design an...

Chinese ink rubbing printing depicting Panthaka Arhat, no.4 of the 16 arhat images immortalized in stone at the former stupa at Shengyin Temple. Depicted here sitting on a rock with a book in his left hand and snapping his fingers in his right hand, symbolic of the speed at which he obtained enlightenment, accompanied by a beggar’s bowl and an incense burner, complete with colophons and silk scroll mounting. The Emperor Qianlong ordered the stone stele to be carved in 1764 after the arhat designs painted by the famed artist Guanxiu (832-912). Even though the temple was destroyed in the Taiping rebellion, the steles remain and have been reinstalled at the Hangzhou Stele Forest. Condition: Creases from rolling, otherwise fine condition. Mounting: 58” x 22”. 19th Century. Ex Collection: Frank “Till” & Peggy Durdin, San Diego. For other rubbings of this stele see: Penn Museum, object number 2010-26-4 The Metropolitan Museum of Art AN#: 59.195.15 Fine Arts Library of Harvard University, record id: W280021_urn-3:FHCL:478850 For another example of this image rendered in jade and lacquer see: “Screen Paintings of Guanxiu’s Sixteen Arhats in the Collection of the Palace Museum” Luo Wehhua translated by Bruce Doar, Orientations, September 2010, p. 104. In this article the image is identified as the sixteenth arhat Abheda, It is explained in this article that Qianlong re-identified the arhats, thus the 16th Arhat attribution for this image. Also in this article the identical colophon by Qianlong above the image is translated as: “These accurate portraits of the Sixteen Arhats were created by the Tang Dynasty painter Guanxiu, as recorded in Xuanhe Huapu (Record of paintings in the Xuanhe Reign), and during the millennium from the Guangming reign period to the present day, the original works were to be found in Zhejiang, where they were housed in the collection of Shengyin Temple in Qiantang (Huangzhou). In spring of the dingchou year (1757) of his reign, the Qianlong emperor undertook a southern tour of inspection and stayed at an imperial lodge on the West Lake. He went to the temple to pay his respects and there he saw the arhats on display and wrote a description of these marvels. The sequence of the arhats and their names had been passed down since ancient times, but they did not correspond to their Sanskrit titles; the sequence of the arhat names conformed instead to the interpretation of the Sanskrit classics by the Zhangjia State Preceptor. The emperor penned the original names and positions in the sequence below each of the figures in accordance with the readings supplied in Tongwen Yuntong (Unified Rhymes), and below each he penned an encomium, which he signed. Then the images were returned to the collection, to be passed down as a perpetual treasure. Now, the fourth great arhat had long gone missing and we did not know where his painting was. But it was merely a trifling matter of matching the images with the names, and now surely we have found him! This I, the emperor, believe.” All 16 of these rubbings can be found in the Rubel Chinese Rubbings Collection at the Fine Arts Library of Harvard University with the following descriptive historical note: “Rubbing from stele depicting No. 4 of 16 arhats (Lohans, Buddhist saints) -- Nan ti mi duo luo qing you, Panthaka Arhat. Original painting attributed to Guanxiu, 832-912. Inscriptions written by Hongli, Emperor Qianlong (Gaozong, 1711-1799) of Qing Dynasty. 7 seals of Qianlong follow the inscriptions. Script style: in xing shu. Shi liu zun zhe -- "The 16 noble ones" are 16 lohans. Lohans are also called "a-lo-han" based on the transliteration of the Sanskrit term "arhat." (Japanese: Rakan; Chinese: Lohan; Tibetan: Gnas-brtan). Arhats or Arahants are saints or sages said to have renounced nirvana (freedom from the cycle of suffering and rebirth), vowed to remain in the world to protect the Dharma and propagate the Law of the Buddha in order to devote themselves more effectively to the relief of human misery, like the Bodhisattvas. These 16 Arhats, personal disciples distinguished by the Buddha, formed part of the 500 claimed by tradition to have attended the First Council in Rajagrha. The names and abodes of these 16 arhats are given in a work entitled "Record on the Duration of the Law, spoken by the Great arhat Nadimitra," which was translated into Chinese by the famous pilgrim Xuanzang (596-664) in 654. 16 lohans are quite often represented, especially in China and Japan, in sculpture and painting, in poses and with attributes. Every lohan can be easily with special icongraphic characteristics. Guanxiu (Jiang Deyin or Deyuan, a Buddhist monk also named Master Chan Yue, 832-912) -- painter during late Tang to Five Dynasties, specialized in painting lohan figures. Legend has it that the first portraits of the 18 Lohans...

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A ceramic covered flat top circular box with lid decoration in under glaze cobalt blue of a landscape scene co...

Vintage Indonesian Kain Batik Tulis Supit Urang, Solo (Surakarta), Java, 1950. A traditional meticulously hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton, of an aquatic theme Sup...

Vintage Indonesian Kain Batik Tulis, Solo (Surakarta), Java, 1960. A traditional meticulously hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton of a Udan Liris pattern of diagonal ...

Khmer Lime Pot. A small squat globular stoneware jarlet in the form of a bird covered in a brown glaze stopping short of the elevated foot displaying the sandy beige biscuit, an owl...

This a very large Southeast Asian patinated cast bronze rain drum or frog drum. The intended use of the rain drum was ceremonial and was used to invoke rain and serve as an instrum...

Antique Japanese Medicine "Kanban" (Shop Sign) with mirror, Meiji Period. The Medicine being advertised is a soothing cream used to relieve itchin...

Vintage Indonesian Kemben Batik Tulis (Breast cloth), Jogja (Yogyakarta), Java 1970. This kemben batik has a hand-drawn design on cotton by wax resist canting. The traditional ceremo...

Beautiful ceramic hand painted Chinese ginger jar with wood lid from the Republic period, circa 1920s. The jar is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measure 9.5"D x 1...

Thomas Grey Sofa is upholstered in a Kvadrat green velvet, base in solid oak, back panels in oak frame and Green Forest marble, cushions are in polyurethane foam, additional lumbar p...

Large Antique Thai Bencharong Stem Plate. A stoneware tazza having a domed pedestal base under a foliate rim dish. Traditionally enameled in a green an...

Vintage Burmese Betel Box “Kun-It”, a cylindrical woven container with a deep lid and shallow interior tray, all covered in layers of red black and...

Japanese ink on paper wood block shunga artist’s color and pattern illustration with instructions for the woodblock carver and printer, depicting...

Vintage Pernakan Kain Panjang Batik Tulis, Cirebon, Java 1950. A fine hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton of a traditional Java north coast Pernakan zig-zag pattern w...

Khmer Ceramic Lime Pot. A squat globular stoneware jarlet with a high shoulder in the form of a bird covered in a brown glaze stopping short of the elevated foot displaying the beig...

This is an extremely heavy, substantial, over scale trunk from Shan Xi province, China's ancient frontier. The completely solid wood trunk has a thick top that displays beautiful pat...

A pair of beautiful bronze warrior motif knockers. The mythical warrior has large bulging eyes above wide open mouth. Curly hair surrounding the face, repeated in the eye brows which flanks the prominent forehead. Heavy cheekbones echoes the forehead, highlighting his masculine feature. Antiqued finish with mellow gold patina. Fantastic as door knockers or hand towel rings...

This is a pair of Sancai pottery classic garden seats featuring high relief tigers and pine trees as their primary decoration. The two-color Sancai glazing is uncommon in garden seat...

Antique Sawakhalok Celadon Bowl, Thailand 14th/15th century. A sturdily potted wheel thrown stoneware bowl with everted rim and flattened lip. The deep cavetto has an upper decorativ...

Antique Gilt-Carved Red and Black Lacquer Javanese Ceremonial Circumcision Chair. A low teak chair carved having cabriole legs, claw feet, skirt detail in a tendril floral relief, so...

Teak wood arm chair by Benny Linden. Beautiful chair with original upholstery in parchment color with a cross hatch textured design in fabric. This piece is chic and timeless. Mid...

This exquisite hand-held charm, crafted from solid agate gemstone, captures the essence of ancient Chinese symbolism. A lively foo dog lion perches atop an oval rock, mouth open hold...

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A circular form with flat top, decorated in a stylized floral spray on center, framed by a band of water plant...

Antique Thai Silver Buddha, rendered in incised and hammered sheet silver over wood & clay core. The Lord Buddha seated in padmasana with the soles of the...

Antique Thai Fish Bowl, Sukhothai Kilns. A deep stoneware bowl with black slip painting of a fish with his tail extending beyond the concentric band on center, further band decoratio...

Antique Silk Lawon Ceremonial Shawl, Palembang, Sumatra. A narrow rectangular silk textile dyed in 2 colors by the tritik (stitched and gathered resist) process having a crisp delineation of a magenta diamond...

Antique Thai Buddhist Temple Gable Panel. The teak triangular shape featuring a carving of a seated Buddha on a lotus plinth, depicted with legs crossed in the virasana position wit...

A wonderful set of four 19th century wood carvings each featuring two scholars in a garden pavilion. A combination of relief carving and pierced carving techniques are used in these ...

Intricately carved wood sculpture Chinese Immortal Longevity Buddha Deity Measures: 28.5 T x 7.5 D x 10 W inches Original Preowned Vintage Unrestored...

A magnificent, extra-large rock crystal sculpture of the beloved Chinese Happy Buddha. Carved from a single, luminous boulder of natural crystal-clear quartz, adorned with delicate g...

Antique Burmese Buddhist Decorative Backboard Mandorla Panel. A style of surround for a seated Buddha image reminiscent of a Burmese transom in shape. The peaked triangular panel in...

Vintage Indonesian Kain Panjang Batik Tulis Pagi-sore Buket, Demak, Java 1950. A fine hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton of a tradit...

The architect and designer Marcel Breuer was one the 20th century’s most influential and innovative adherents of modernism. A member of the Bauhaus faculty, Breuer — like such collea...

Burmese Karen Frog Drum, a small bronze tribute drum (Heger Type III), Pazi  (Burmese), pam klo’ (Karen) also known as “The Magical Bronze Pond” (Cooler - ...

An 18th century Chinese Nanking cargo blue and white and cafe -au-lait porcelain bowl, decorated to the interior with sprays of flowers and leaves, with ...

Antique Palembang Man's Songket and Ikat Ceremonial Head Cloth (iket kepala). A woven silk textile with natural dyes, weft ikat pattern, gold thread supplementary weft weave. Textile...

Vintage Hand Dyed Cotton Batik Slendang (Selendang), Java. A length of cotton fabric used as a shoulder cloth, hand dyed in three colors of rust brown, indigo and a dark blue painted...

A beautiful gilt bronze Tibetan Vajrasattva statue. The serene face with large downcast eyes under arched eyebrows above pursed lips, flanked by long earlobes, under hair tied in dou...

Beautiful hand made large calligraphy brush with stunning green marble beads, bone ferrule and horse hair. This is a substantial 15" piece that weighs a whopping 1.2 lb with beads me...

A pair of beautiful solid brass bookends with finely carved porcelain florals. Large porcelain insets in oval form, finely carved in relief with flowers representing four seasons, sp...

A finely painted Tibetan Thangka featuring the five wealth gods Jambhala. In the center the most powerful Yellow Jambhala sits on a lotus throne in the vajra position with his right ...

Vintage Indonesian Kain Panjang and Matching Selendang Batik Tulis, Cirebon, Java 1960. A fine hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton of a traditional flora and fauna pa...

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Dish, Bird Design, Hoi An Hoard, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. The sturdily potted form has a raised rim decorated in unde...

A rare, natural gemstone Sodalite reclining Buddha statue. Of the highest grade Sodalite, with saturated deep royal blue. Carved lying on his ...

Japanese silk thread wood winder complete with spool and functioning gears. The spool still has the silk thread and an extra spool with different color thread comes with it. The thre...

In ancient Japan fires are a constant occurrence and the Japanese built their furniture and houses with this in mind. Firemen were essential and revered, and their equipment was care...

Wooden Mask, Karnataka, India, Mid-20th Century Carved wood with fur and pigment decoration.  

Chinese lacquer bowl of deep flared form with pewter from the 18th century. Over a body of black lacquered the exterior decorated with gilt scenes o...

Large Antique Thai Bencharong Stem Plate. A stoneware tazza having a domed pedestal base under a foliate rim dish. Traditionally enameled in a green an...

Showing talent from an early age, Polish-born artist Zamy Steynovitz used rich, vibrant color in his works after a trip to South America in the 80s increased his interest in bright, ...

Add timeless elegance to your vanity or collection with this exquisite pair of antique Bohemian perfume bottles. Crafted from opaline milk glass, each bottle features a sleek square ...

Korean ceramic storage jar, thickly potted with slanted shoulder decorated in under glaze cobalt blue of blossoming sprays, simple rolled lip and footed base, glazed overall in a tra...

Chinese red lacquered painting table, soft wood construction with unusual detailed relief skirt carving depicting figures and flowers, three deep drawers with inset brass hardware, i...

A pair of magnificent stone foo dogs, meticulously hand-carved from solid stone. Their muscular forms, wide eyes, and open mouths while adorable convey ...