Vermont - Sculptures and Carvings

A Chinese hand carved and hand painted wooden effigy of a fantastic Bixie dating to before Song dynasty 1279 AD. Please enjoy the beautiful remnants of its aged original swirling painted surfaces. It has been traditionally carved and assembled in three sections. The tail may be a later replacement. Period: Song dynasty Dimensions: 6 inches high and 15 inches wide About Bixie The “bixie” is a mythological creature commonly thought to be able to ward off evil forces with its magical powers. In fact, its name means “to ward off evil” in Chinese. In the Han dynasty, “bixie” were commonly represented as winged, four-legged beasts, a form that was probably transmitted from Western Asia. Provenance: This is from a private collection and were acquired by us along with a larger wooden horse...

Chinese extraordinary natural stone painting "Restless Sea and Waves" #6 unique painting This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of sea and waves in action in white and gray colors is called a dream stone Shih-hua. They are cut from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve. This thin marble stone "painting" is approximately 1/4" thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing incredible patterns in soft white and gray colors. Its weight is surprisingly modest- easily hung with standard hardware. On occasion, private collectors would invite an artisan to inscribe a poetic description onto their more important dream stones and in this case the artists' seal mark and calligraphy translation reads: Beautiful Action of sea and waves Framed under glass Dimensions: Frame: 13 inches high and 17.5 inches wide. Site: 6.5 inches high and 11 inches wide. Provenance: Private Chinese collection, Yunnan, China. History of "White and Gray" dream stone paintings: “White and Gray” dream stone paintings known in China as Shui Mo or Chinese painting stone, were cut from stone found on Shuang Yang mountain in Dali mountains Captivating compositions, they might remind us of a long string of rugged mountain caps from a distance. These dream stones are cut from a scarce regional stone yielding notoriously “fuzzy” detailed paintings. To find examples possessing clear, contrasting detail like this one is indeed a rare find. Fine stone paintings like this example are rare as access to and availability of resource material diminishes. After a thin coating of wax is carefully applied to its surface to protect and reveal its beautiful subtle colors, this stone painting is signed upper right position with poetic verse and seal of an artisan who describes its majestic beauty. Reference: Dreaming of Dreamstones China’s Extraordinary Natural Stone Paintings, Schneible Fine Arts. Dreaming of Dreamstones – World’s first comprehensive English text publication covers China’s extraordinary natural Stone Paintings, by author and dream stone lecturer Douglas Schneible, 35 pages, softcover, ISBN 978-0-578. See photos. We have have been dealing in authentic Chinese natural stone paintings...

Originally collected in the Solomon Islands in 1938, this one of a kind treasure from the south pacific comes from a private oceanic collection. This is a Solomon Islands Santa Cruz hand carved figure called a Duka, circa 1930s. It was carved in an extremely hard native wood and features a finely carved, unusual extended conical head, a handwoven loin cloth and turmeric encrustation. For your convenience, many of our photographs were taken in natural day light which accurately illuminate surface areas depicting original dark patina that you would expect from an important early carving such as this one. We will include a complimentary custom wood display base that you see photographed. Dimensions: 21.25 inches high Provenance: collected in l938 and originally acquired by a visiting French collecting tourist in the Solomon Islands then to dealer and Texas collector and to our private collection in year 2000 so could have been a specially crafted fine 1930s tourist sculpture piece for the visiting French tourist. History: Duka sculpture from Nendo Island, politically part of the Solomon Islands, is distinctive, and only a limited number of works have been documented. The conical extension at the back of the head represents a man's hairstyle. Called abe, its construction and shape was a symbol of wealth and high social status, and for older men, it also served the practical purpose of covering bald spots. All Nendo figure refer to deities or supernatural beings (Ellis: 2009, pp. 78-85) Auction sale: Bonhams Auctions April 28, 2015 sale. Exceptional Lime Container...

Japan a lovely, sensitive cast bronze sculpture of a woman proudly showing her Newport Hat. Designed and cast by by noted Japanese mid century sculptor Tabath Isao. This is a class...

Two (2) Fine Old Woodblock Lanterns Garden Prints : Stone Pagoda, Gardens, Stepping Stones & Lush Landscapes Japan two (2) antique Old Kyoto Garden Woodblock prints from an original...

An opportunity to acquire a handsomely cased duo (2) of monumental hand carved stone swords or sabers from China. These are no ordinary swords. These unusual swords were probably int...

Extraordinary mid century design Bench #2 one of a pair currently available This is a handsome Japanese mid century heavy hardwood bench han...

Rare Find From our recent Japanese Acquisition Travels- comes this unusual large garden stone vessel in the form of a delightful sculpture- totally repurposed as an elegant water b...

Japan an attractive large scale bronze sculpture of a caretaking mother with two children and signed a by midcentury sculptor. Classic mother midcentury pose with artist's signature and date on base. Handsome original old verdigris patina from appropriate age. Mother's back gently protects and shelters her new born and her right hand lovingly clutches the hand of her second child in this charming and iconic design. Excellent garden candidate. Photographs were taken indoors and out of doors in natural light for your viewing pleasure. Dimensions: 32 inches high and 11 inches wide Signed on base. Artist name: Kiku (Chrysanthemum) and likely bronze sculptor Kikuchi Kazuo (1908-1985) and dated 1978 Provenance: private Japanese garden collection Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese...

Magnificent Mountain Peaks - Chinese extraordinary natural marble stone painting of a mythical sky and mountains landscape called a dream stone Shih-hua. It is a large monumental masterwork of nature. Totally natural. Dimensions: Hardwood frame: 19 inches tall and 33 inches length Site: 13.75 inches tall and 27.5 inches length This thin marble stone painting is approximately 3/8 inch thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing a unique, incredible pattern in white, cream and dark colors and includes hanger and hardware on reverse. This unique work of art was from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve. History of Green Flower dream stone paintings...

Africa, Bongo Peoples, stone female commemorative figure from Southern Sudan. A fine specimen in naturally weathered condition; hand carved from a porous orange-black stone, 20th century. Similar funerary stone sculptures in various sizes were likely crafted over many centuries. Original patina from appropriate age. A nice custom base included. Dimensions: 30 inches high and 9.5 inches wide and 8 inches deep mounted on a custom iron base. Provenance: Old Brussels, Belgium collection acquired in 1998. History: The Bongo are an ethnic group living in South Sudan, mostly in the Tonj District. They speak the Bongo language, one of the Bongo-Baka languages. Unlike the Dinka and other Nilotic groups, the Bongo are not a cattle herding people and do not use cows for bride price. Subsistence farming is the primary source of food, though money is obtained by working in forestry, building, selling honey, and other various means. For similar examples see Barakat Gallery...

Large work of garden art, 18th/19th century, 200 years old Japanese stone rectangular plaque Jizo Bosatsu in unusual "double Jizo" Desojin panel form. It stands tall in a fine m...

China, a carved antique stone Penjing or painting form garden table, late ming to middle Qing dynasty (1500-1900), limestone, three pieces Dimensions: 34 inches high and 55 inches l...

A monumental Australian aboriginal throwing club, crafted from a very hard wood and it dates to the early 20th century. Incised longitudinal fluted design with a pitch coated handle. Condition: Very good condition. Display base not included. Dimensions: 26.5 inches in length. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee. Red base not included. History: The throwing stick...

Japan a lovely, sensitive tall hand cast bronze sculpture of a woman displaying her summer hat on a summer day stroll. Designed and cast by by noted Japanese mid century sculptor T...

Two Fine Old Woodblock Garden Prints : Stone Pagoda, Gardens, Stepping Stones & Lush Landscapes Japan two (2) antique Old Kyoto Garden Woodblock prints from an original book 18th-19th century Immediately frameable Printed on handmade washi rice paper. Dating to the 18th-19th century and originally found in Tokyo, Japan. These rare woodblock printed leaves illustrate awesome panoramic Japanese gardens as artistically drawn from some 200 years ago. Replete with old pavillions, a tall stone pagoda, stepping stone pathways, lanterns, trees, and tea gardens, they have been rescued from a rare original Edo period book of that day and printed in chuban size format. Our prints measure 10.25 inches by 13.75 inches or a double chuban size. These original prints from an original book are scarce as we have only seen a handful of these rare artifact...

Mid Century Signed Discovery Japan a charming sweet little girl bundled in a thick coat with a ribboned coat tie that almost hides her happy face, hand mufflers, and top of face her...

Japan a lovely, sensitive cast bronze sculpture of a woman gently holding a dove in her hands. The naive female nude by a midcentury sculptor. This is a Classic midcentury nude f...

An attractive example of a burl wood natural organic wood flower or display table crafted from golden camphor wood root and burl. This stunning single roo...

From our recent Japanese Acquisitions Travels. A remarkable artistic Noh Play survivor. One of a kind Japanese Complete "Noh Play" Production as written in 22 Woodblock books from the Utai Bon Houshou school, complete with original signed wooden storage box tomobako and dated Kaei 6 (1853). This antique Japanese book...

Mint Kyo ware bowl From Japan, a beautiful hand-built, painted and glazed, Kyo ware large bowl or large tea bowl with a proud rooster and birds motif created in the 1930s.- over se...

China, a carving of a canine “Pug”, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 CE Dimensions: 38 cm, 15” High Photographs taken indoors and out of doors for your viewing pleasure. The hand carved limestone beast shown on its haunches with naturalistic joyful expression and a well defined compact head, ears, noes, eyes, feet, and tail parted to one side on reverse with distinctive collar ornament seated four square on a thick base all-over showing a weathered surface from significant age. Formerly exhibited “Asia Week” New York City, Fuller Building, Hutton Gallery 2006. Provenance: ex collection luoyang, Henan Province, China. Includes custom display base as shown Catalog reference: 35 years collecting 35 treasures, Number 35, p.76 (photo) In ancient China, it is a well-known fact that several types of small dogs were bred and were favored pet gifts between emperors and kings including Lion Dogs, Pekingese and Lo-sze breeds. Some Lo-sze are pictured wearing collars with bells a frequent combination fancied by European royalty of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Lo-sze or pugs were prized for their compact body, good bones, flat face, square jaw, short coat, curled tail, side set back ears, and temperate disposition. History: Placing stone animals in important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. The first Ming tomb...

Our 34 inch tall Chinese Caishen's name is often invoked during Chinese New Year celebrations! This is a large and unusual antique hand carved limestone Wealth God Caishen- coming from an old New England collection Hand Made and Hand Carved Measurements: 34 inches high and 15 inches wide, Period: late Qing dynasty, late 19th-early 20th century. This god grasps a silver sycee (an ancient form of silver wealth). Provenance: Coming from an old New England collection and originally acquired from a Shanghai private collection decades ago. History of China's Wealth God Caishen: Caishen's name is often invoked during the Chinese New Year celebrations! Caishen (simplified Chinese: 财神; traditional Chinese: 財神; literally: "God of Wealth") is the Chinese god...

Charming sculpture in miniature and with gilding An antique fun loving handmade and hand caste gilt bronze seated Buddha, 18th-19th century. These are handcrafted in quality ha...

Extraordinary natural stone work of art, one of a kind. This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" suggestive of a wavy mountain landscape features light and dark colors...

From a New England collection and a unique find Russian antique Kustar painted and incised tobacco box 1930 An all original work of art signed on ...

This is a beautiful 12 inch high handmade, hand-carved old wooden Folk Art birds house handmade in great detail with two pairs of carved and painte...

With custom Arts & Crafts hardwood frame Gray & White "Sea and Mountains" in one unique work of art, signed This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of a mountain range in white and gray colors is called a dream stone Shih-hua. They are cut from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone. This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve. This thin marble stone "painting" is approximately 1/4" thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing incredible patterns in soft white and gray colors. Its weight is surprisingly modest- easily hung with standard hardware. On occasion, private collectors would invite an artisan to inscribe a poetic description onto their more important dream stones and in this case the artists' seal mark and calligraphy translation reads: Dimensions: Frame: 13 inches high and 32 inches wide. Site: 9 inches high and 27 inches wide. Provenance: Private Chinese collection, Yunnan, China. History of "White and Gray" dream stone paintings...

Unique one-of-a-kind meditaton buddha From Italy and Murano comes this charming large scale, solid hand blown glass seated Meditating Buddha It is a rare one-of-a-kind sculpture executed in amber color with gold flecking and high lights by maestro Giancarlo Signoretto. Signature: signed on the front base Giancarlo Signoretto, about 1985 Dimensions: 15 inches high Provenance: Veneto, Italy forty year old family collection. Photographs taken both inside our gallery and outside in natural light for your viewing pleasure. This is a one-of-a-kind treasure and would make a spectacular acquisition for the discerning connoisseur of artistic delights or a very special meditation room...

China, a rare hand carved stone male figure from the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). Dimensions: 16 inches tall on its custom stand and and 6 inches wide Condition: old patina wi...

Rare find Impressive wall display of two (2) Chinese dream stone "Landscape Paintings" with original period frames these wonderful round natura...

Extraordinary natural work, one of a kind. Custom framed This Chinese extraordinary round natural stone "painting" of a vibrantly colored swirling cloud formation could remind us ...

China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures. Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE). A pair of near life size and robust head sections with fine, wavy combed manes, well defined mouths, ears, nostrils, and ornamental bridles, all carved in a medium to dark gray limestone with considerable weathering to surfaces. The smaller head with a later inscription on bottom and signed “Zhuang”. Formerly exhibited “Treasures from Asia”, Shelburne Vermont, Shelburne Art Center, 2006. Originally found in the vicinity of the village of Chuan near Luoyang City, Henan Provance, China. Each mounted on a custom iron display stand. Dimensions: A the smaller 32.5cm, 13” high and 62.5cm, 25” in length and with display stand, 60cm, 24” high; b the larger 37.5cm, 15” high and 67.5cm, 27” in length and with display stand 65cm, 26” high. Please view additional photographs from our Chinese antiquities catalog 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, page 60. History: Placing stone animals and human figures along spirit paths in front of important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. Life size “spirit path” stone horse sculptures are known and can be viewed from Ming dynasty tombs including thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty scattered over an area of forty square kilometers in Changping District to the northwest of Beijing. The first Ming tomb...

With custom Arts & Crafts hardwood frame Gray and white "Sea and Mountains II " in one unique work of art, signed This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of a moun...

Japan, a large 49" tall antique early 20th century elegant cast bronze seated Kanon Maitreya, Guan Yin in a pensive pose. This example is the oldest and largest version of this bro...