A complete set of one hundred and forty-four of Chinese Mahjong made by bone and bamboo. It is an excellent condition, apart of two pieces probably blended from the other old set.
Designed to store and serve dumplings, this unusual Qing reed and wood basket originated in China’s western Shaanxi Province, which has a long-standing reputation for producing excellent dumplings. Both the top and bottom are edged with wide strips of bent willow hand painted with flowers. The wood is secured to the basketry with metal studs. A hand forged metal hasp is used as the front closure. Acting as a hinge in the back is a large metal ring loosely fastened to loops, an arrangement that ... Click for details
Unusual Chinese late Qing dynasty to possibly early Republic (late 19th to early 20th century) hardwood stand used to hold opium pipe dampers. A single drawer with brass pull is used for the storage of smoking accessories. The back is nicely carved with a bamboo motif. 13"L x 2"D x 3"H. Very good overall condition with some minor stains to the wood consistent with its age and use. This piece is from the private collection of American expatriates who lived in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s... Click for details
Fine and rare complete set of 38 black and white plates on hard paper, loose leafed box set of Chinese Baskets, published by the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago by Berthold Laufer- Curator of Anthropology, 1925. There is a two page text preface. All the prints are in mint condition and there is one minor scuff on the box edge. Each print may be individually framed. 31cm/12in x 23cm/9in.
DESCRIPTION: A Chinese tortoise shell travel utensil kit (or trousse) with silver mounts and fittings. The set includes a pair of ox bone chopsticks and a pierced, wooden handled knife with iron blade. Good condition with only minor usage wear, 19th C. From the property of the Salgo Trust for Education, NY, an art history research center founded by the late Hungarian-American financier and diplomat, Ambassador Nicolas M. Salgo. DIMENSIONS: 13 ¼” long (33.6 cm).
DESCRIPTION: A double-lobed water (or wine) gourd decorated with braided silk cord and two jadeite rings, one white for fastening to the wearer’s sash, and the green one to prevent loss of the bamboo stopper. Excellent condition with a lovely patina, and dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, Qing Dynasty. DIMENSIONS: 7” high (17.8 cm) x 4 ¼” diameter (10.8 cm).
Among the many varieties of red lacquered containers used during China's Qing and early Republic years, none has a more striking form than the humble lunch pail. An elegantly designed everyday item, it is constructed of shaped wood staves, a tall bent willow handle and a notched lid that snaps securely in place around the handle. Pails in this design also are referred to as berry pails. The recessed bottom on this one is decorated with two drawings of flowers, perhaps done by the maker of the pa... Click for details
This early to mid-19th century Chinese pewter teapot is sized to brew two small cups of tea. The outsized handle, made to resemble a Western cup handle, and the long curved spout are said to be a favorite design of that era, probably because it was so functional. Pewter was used for brewing strong teas; ceramics for brewing lighter teas. This pot has a few small dents on one side of the shoulder; otherwise it is in good condition. Dimensions: height 7" (18 cm), width from handle to spout tip 6-1... Click for details
Chinese skill at basketry is on display in this late Qing woven bamboo lantern basket. Colored a rich, dark red, the ovoid form, set on a gold-colored bent bamboo base and topped with a tall bent handle, is a striking piece of utilitarian folk art. Six different weaving techniques are incorporated to add to the tactile quality. The basket maker, or perhaps the basket's owner, added calligraphy, four characters on the lid and four on the base, to the container which was used to carry lantern ligh... Click for details
Six vintage Chinese handmade ceramic tiles fit together to form dragons playing with a round flaming object that represents in traditional Chinese art a flaming pearl or the sun. The Chinese dragon is a beneficent creature. When shown with a horn, as the dragon on the left, it lives in the sky; hornless, as the dragon on right, it lives in the sea. (A third category, the dragon of the mountains, is identified by a body covered with scales.) There is a long history in China of making tiles that a... Click for details
