A pair of rare 19th C Chinese hand carved hardwood, possibly Hong Mu wood, Scholars desk trays in a large lily pad leaf design with flower heads. Each being slightly different, one has a bird’s head and the other a nice protruding stem between the flower heads, they were made to be displayed together. These were finished with a mix of beeswax and a few other natural concoctions the Chinese used to seal the finish and give it a great mellow sheen...

A beautiful and well made scholar's screen made of blackwood and having the original marble insert. Most of the marble in early pieces have been replaced. The frame for the marble has a key fret design. The base has carvings of two peaches, representing longevity, and the peony for prosperity. Age: Early 19th century. Size: H. 64cm. W. 43.5cm. Condition: No repairs, all original, age crack on the marble, common for it's age.

A rare bronze (copper tin alloy) incense tool holder, very finely cast in archaised Song Dynasty style. The square form neck is decorated alternately with Lingzhi fungus and stylized Acanthus leaves. Both are traditionally associated with resilience, good health and long life.

This item was made for the Chinese Scholar's Table in the 17th Century in the "Transitional Period" during the late Ming or early Qing Dynasties.

Condition: minor bumps and excellent old patination...

19th century Chinese carved green fluorite scholar's table libation cup/brush washer with nice purple highlights on the superbly done top rim. It is carved in high relief with birds, flowers and rockery with the bottom part having a twisting stem type riser. In excellent condition, it measures without stand 3" high x 3" long (at the very top rim) x 2.25" wide as the top rim flairs out more across the length.

Bamboo pot carved with several characters from Chinese mythology evolving in a raised garden. One can easily recognize Shoulao, god of longevity, accompanied by his deer and holding the peach of immortality in his right hand and his stick in the left. The deer holds in its mouth a Lingzhi mushroom of immortality. The work is important, the sculptures do not have the perfect but cutesy aesthetic of the 18th century and would suggest that this pot is a late popular clumsy creation...

Chinese Scholar’s two-tier solid rosewood stand with carved boxwood edges. Produced in the 1950s, this is actually a copy of a 17th - early 18th century style that was made of zitan and edged in boxwood. A strong stand that will hold your heaviest object, the pieces were machine made with rough carvings, hand assembled (pegged and glued), and then hand finished and polished. In excellent condition, the stand measures 12” long x 7.25" wide x 4” high.

Antique Chinese bronze figure of a seated immortal. He sits with robes flowing out around him. He holds a ruyi scepter in his right hand and another round object in his left. Kindly expression and elongated earlobes.

17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Dimensions: 3" high

Antique Chinese bronze incense holder for joss (stick or agarabathi) incense in the form of Laozi riding a water buffalo. Laozi is widely celebrated as the founder of Taoism and the author of Tao Te Ching, a significant treaty on Chinese cosmology. According to legend, Laozi left China for the west riding a water buffalo. In this small bronze incense holder, Laozi sits on the back of the animal, his robes flowing around him...

Very rare dropper in lost wax cast bronze representing an adorable little owl. The cast and chisel are perfect and the scraper finish is very neat. Slight cast iron defect below. The object plunges into the water and fills up through the beak and ears. The output of the drops is perfect. One by one as needed. Well thought out object is perfectly executed. Work from the 18th century or before, there is a good antique and beautifful patina...

Chinese hardwood ruyi scepter carved in the shape of a stylized lingzhi. Decorated with writing and designs of fruit, bats, fish, lingzhi mushrooms and other symbols of good fortune. Ruyi scepters were used by the noble class to hold or display as a symbols of power and good fortune and they were used by Buddhist monks in teaching...

A Chinese bronze censer with stylized fish handles. The recessed base with a cast apocryphal Ming Xuande reign mark. 18th century.

An almost identical censer was auctioned at Christie’s “Interiors”, London, South Kensington, lot 795. 9th November, 2011. Results available on the Christie’s website.

Approximately 9.5 cm mouth diameter, 8 cm high.The censer weighs 414 grams...

Length: 6.3 cm (2.5 in)
Height: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Depth: 3.4 cm (1.3 in)
Weight: 150 gm

Fine Ming Period bronze scroll weight of a mythical lion; excellent patina and casting with some wear points exposing the bronze; good condition

DESCRIPTION: A handsome Chinese scholar's brush pot crafted from burl root and hollowed well to hold a number of brushes (pictured here with three quality brushes we also have listed). Its undulating form, texture and patina are striking to view, and its natural shape would have had great appeal to the Chinese scholar in his studio. Dating from the Qing dynasty, mid 19th C., this pot is in very good condition with a few inconsequential rim cracks; very solid and sturdy...

Two very rare foo dogs that served as joss stick holders, done in the famille jaune palette. These date to the pre-1891. They are in very good antique condition, save some minimal lost of enamel glaze and a short hairline on the backside of the holder of one of the foo dogs which is clearly pictured, this can be easily restored...

Censer in form of Tripod vase (Ding shape) in Chinese porcelain...

DESCRIPTION: A large and masterfully carved Chinese shou shan stone (soapstone) seal in tall rectangular form, the knob carved with a crouching dragon having both wings tucked back covering its sides, and whose mouth is poised to grasp the sacred pearl. On each flat surface of the base are engraved inscriptions and characters among idyllic scenes of rivers with boats, hills, houses and pavilions. The bottom seal characters leave a positive (red) impression. An outstanding seal in very good co...

Natural fan shaped lingzhi fungus scholars viewing object. Naturally hand worn patina with natural tone and shine. Relaxed open fan rippling shape sitting comfortable on stable flat base.

Mid to Late 19th Century

Dimensions: 17" wide X 10" high X 6" deep

It is a small container which is carved in a black stone which is not very hard. I think it is a soapstone. It was covered with a layer of solid red lacquer which has partially worn away with use and time. The central receptacle is flanked by 2 dragon heads which have their mouths open. The mouths are pierced with holes as for a teapot. It appears to be a 2-light oil lamp. Underneath an old collector's label stuck on it bears the words in French: "Lampe" (lighting lamp).I have never seen such an...