Sweden - Asian Art and Furniture

Faux bamboo Chinese vases were a type of decorative art that emerged during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) in China. These porcelain vases were designed to mimic the appearance of bamboo, a plant highly regarded in Chinese culture for its resilience, elegance, and symbolism. Bamboo is associated with attributes such as flexibility, strength, and modesty, making it a popular motif in Chinese art. In the Qing Dynasty the color yellow held significant symbolism and represented imperial authority, power, and the emperor himself. Yellow was considered the most sacred and prestigious color in Chinese culture, and it had strong associations with the emperor's position as the Son of Heaven and the ruler of all under heaven. The marks at the bottom of the vases indicate that these were crafted more specifically during the Tongzhi period – an emperor who reigned from 1861 to 1875, which effectively lasted nthrough his adolescence and was largly overshadowed by the rule of his mother, Empress Dowager Cixi. Although he had little influence over state affairs, the events of his reign gave rise to what historians call the “Tongzhi Restoration”, an unsuccessful modernization program. The polychrome enamels representing on one vase a traditional Chinese kite...

Chinese, 19th century. Chinese lacquer and gilt decorated melon form tea caddy chest or box. The piece is heavily decorated with chinoiserie windows and supported by three giltwood ...

Pair of 19th century Chinese Export famille rose medallion porcelain vases. Colors include pink, blue and green on white background with gold trim. Striking pair of vases with bright...

A scarce, high-quality antique Burmese jewel inlaid solid bronze chinthe sculpture. Dating to the late 19th century, likely originating in the Mandalay region of central Burma, the fearsome looking beast depicted in traditional Burmese iconography and important architecture, especially as a pair, the protective temple guardians placed flanking the entrances of Buddhist religious pagodas and monasteries. Burma; circa 1880 PROVENANCE: The estate of Mr. Wesley and Mrs. Suzanne LaFever, Beverly Hills, California. ACQUISITION: We acquired this outstanding example from the reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas. Fine Estates and Antiques catalog, December 2021 DESCRIPTION: Exquisitely sculpted and cast of heavy, patinated solid bronze, finely detailed and decorated throughout, intricately engraved with scrolling ornamentation and fine detailing work, old nicely aged polished finish developing a warm, mellow patina with highly desirable scattered verdigris, minor inlay losses add to the charming antique character. Stoic in stance, posed at attention proudly squatting back on its haunches, front legs straight, possibly roaring with head up and straight ahead, mouth ajar with teeth and long tongue exposed, ornate armor plating and horned mane, fanciful stylized tail, inset with Myanmar style brilliant colored mirrored glass jewels. BRIEF HISTORY / BACKGROUND: Predating the use of coins for money, brass weights cast in the shape of iconic animals like the Chinthe were commonly used to measure standard quantities of staple items. Chinthe, the Burmese word for lion, while leograph of Chinthe is an artistic highly stylized lion; the rare Southeast Asian Burmese equivalent to Foo Dogs, Japanese Komainu, Tibetan Snow Lion...

A charming near pair of Chinese green glazed foo lion joss stick holders, late 19th century, China. The delightful foo lions, also referred to as foo dogs, crafted as joss (incens...

A pair of early 20th Century (Republic Period) Chinese urn vases created in the traditional cloisonne method. The miniature vases features brass metal forms with a classic baluster shape. The surface has been exquisitely hand decorated in colored enamel with cherry blossoms and flower patterns growing out of a turquoise rock formation. Both come with their original wooden display stands...

Low fired ceramic Chinese "Ming" style pair matching Foo Dogs with beautiful cracked and dripped glazed four color finish. This beautiful couple Foo Dogs is visibly handmade because the prints of the fingers the artist are visible in the earthenware. These Foo Dogs makes displayed in your place a great...

This Gorgeous Antique Chinese carved Rosewood Pedestal Table/Plant Stand was hand made from solid Rosewood with traditional carving works design of dragon symbols on the shoulder of ...

The sauce dish finely painted with Mandarin figures in the central well and flowers and butterflies on the border.  

20th century, Chinese porcelain plates

This pair of Small Lacquered Offering Vessels are know in Myanmar as "Hsun Ok". These vessels were once used to carry food and offerings to and from the monast...

This Shiwan ceramic pillow of earthenware features a green glaze with hints of blue. Pillows in this shape were not only used by opium smokers but most typ...