Chinese late Qing to Republic period guanpixiang table-top chest with a mansard-style hinged top that lifts to expose a single shallow tray above a pair of doors opening to five drawers with metal pulls all upon an attached base. A circular lockplate with ruyi-form clasp is on the front. Two side carrying handles. These chests were typically utilized by men to hold seals and related accessories while women were known to use them for cosmetics storage. Early 20th century...

Large wood display stand carved to imitate a natural root with a flat upper surface. Root furniture was much favored by the Chinese literati. Believed to date from the late Qing Dynasty to early Republic Period. Measures about 17"L x 10 1/2"D x 3 1/8"H. Very good overall condition with some minor scratches and wear to the top...

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...

A very rare piece, this foldable paktong scroll weight, which, when folded out, can be used as a frame for calligraphy. Finely engraved with a crane in a landscape. Dimensions: closed 20x2,3 cm, opened 15,5x7 cm. Age: 19th century. Condition: excellent.

Small Guangxu ink well, circa 1880's, dense, heavy and beautiful. It could also have been used as a small brush washer and doubled as a document or paper weight when not in use. In good condition it has a few nicks around the outer edge expected with a well used piece. Measures 3.25 wide x 1.25 high.

With very fine engraving. The lid decorated with email cloisonné. H. 6,5 cm, W. 6 cm, D. 3 cm (2.7 x 2.5 x 1.25 inch) Minor chips to the enamel on the lid. China, 2nd half 19th century.

A scholar taste Chinese Jade ink stone. The stone is a nephrite jade in the form of a flat craggily gonshi stone. The use of the stone, which has inclusions would be used to hold colored ink or water. The reverse side is to grind ink stick. Often scholar objects reflect details from nature and would incorporate them in their study.

Provenance Laurence Friedman Collection purchased from Ex Fu Ming Fair Co...

Circa 1850, an extremely rare water/medicine dropper figurine of one of the eight immortals, he is Lu Dongbin, usually identified wearing a sword on his back. Lu Dongbin is highly venerated throughout China, and many local shrines have been built in his honor. At first you would think this to be a ewer, but there is no lid, only a protruded side hole where the thumb is placed over it, to control the water flow...

This is the rarest cricket cage of its kind to be found, as it is made of tortoise shell, the cap is possible horn and is capped with mother-of-pearl shell on which is a carved four toed dragon that covers a solid gold wire mesh to prevent the naughty cricket from escaping. This cricket cage is in very good antique condition and measures 4" (10.2 cm).

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...

Large and heavy Chinese late Qing dynasty scholar's hardwood box (guanpixiang) suitable for holding documents, seals, ink sticks, and other desktop items. This form of furniture was originally constructed as a jewelry box for ladies, but was also used later as a scholar's box. A removable panel on the front lifts to reveal two narrow document trays at the top, five drawers in the mid-section, and one narrow document tray at the bottom...

The marble painted with scenes of Chinese saints in a garden. Size: 34 x 34 cm. Very good condition with expected age wear.

DESCRIPTION: A fine 19th C. Chinese ink stone, crisply carved in the form of a bamboo node with leaves at the top and root knobs at the bottom. A deep water well has been carved into the upper section. Natural inclusions, called "eyes," are highlighted within the duan stone's design, with one eye at the top carved to simulate the moon, and the other incorporated into the stone's grinding surface...

RARE pair of miniature red lacquered elm wood Chinese scholar's cabinets. Designed as a “mirror image” pair, each cabinet has one side panel which is plain while the opposing side panel is decorated with floral carvings. These decorative cabinets also served a utilitarian purpose for the scholar who would use them to store items such as seals, wrist and brush rests, water droppers, scroll weights, etc. The doors feature subtle gold highlights...

19th century
Qing Dynasty
Clear rock crystal and copper/nickel alloy
Seal: 4 cm height, 2.6 cm diameter
Paste box: 4.6 x 3.3 x 2 cm
From a Philadelphia collection

A nice 19th c scholar's seal and paste box set, along with a silk-lined vintage presentation stand. The seal, carved from clear rock crystal, features a well-rendered foo lion finial...

An overlay leather table chest with all original hardware. Age.Qing dynasty mid 19th century. Size: L.38cm. W.22.5cm. H.22cm. Condition: No repairs. Natural aging.

A rare lacquered scholar's screen with a Kylin and rider on the front. The back panel has a still life which has faded. Size: H. 61cm. W. 45cm. Condition: Fading and some peeling on both sides from age. Can be restored.

Lavishly inlaid with engraved mother of pearl. Dimensions: 30,5 x 18 x 11 cm. Exceptional good condition with almost all the inlay still intact, only some minor pieces missing. The wood has some age cracks and one of the long sides is a bit crooked. The brass corner pieces are all original.