Now an elegant mirror, this 19th century fretwork panel was once an interior window frame, part of the architectural detailing in a traditional Chinese house. The simple, richly colored elm wood fretwork at the top and bottom of the shaped wood oval is encased in a slightly darker double frame. A brass hanger at the top can be removed for further simplification. The mirror slips out of a slot at the top edge of the frame for easy cleaning. The panel is in excellent condition. Dimensions: height ... Click for details
As a nation of tea drinkers, the Chinese have lavished care on the artistry of implements associated with tea. This handsome wood box originated in Shaoxing, near Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and was used for storing small, handle-less teacups. Wood boxes for this purpose were made throughout China in a variety of shapes, some with large, fold-down handles such as this one, some with fixed handles, some with no handles. The type and amount of carving and other decoration also varied but almost w... Click for details
Five paintings, two of them spirited scenes from Chinese opera, cover the sides and top of this 19th century octagonal shoe trunk. Painted in tawny tones of cream, orange/red and brown, the scenes float in strong contrast to the very dark green muted background color. The two opera vignettes, one of them showing the Taoist immortal Le T'ieh-kuai, patron of travelers, as a beggar with his identifying iron staff, are painted on raised panels. This trunk, or lidded box, is one of the many types of ... Click for details
A small fish is carved into the handle of this 19th century Chinese water pail. Its two-piece lid and festive red color indicate it most likely was used in the house to store drinking water rather than to carry water from a well or stream. A character written on the bottom of the base may indicate the identity of the artisan. The body of the wood pail is constructed of staves fitted into an oval shape in barrel fashion and held together with twisted brass wire. Remove one or both sides of the li... Click for details
Dark elm wood fretwork is surrounded with a frame of lighter elm and backed with a mirror to bring this 19th century Chinese architectural panel new decorative purpose. The framed panel has been fitted with a removable metal hanger and constructed with a slot to allow the mirror to slide out for cleaning. The piece is in excellent condition. Dimensions: height 22 1/2" (57 cm), width 15" (38 cm), depth 1 3/4" (4 cm)
Made of wood covered with glossy red lacquer, this shallow lidded box with its tall carved handle is a Qing Dynasty example of form following function. It was designed specifically for the purpose of holding and serving Chinese pancakes, and probably was used at 19th century banquets where Peking duck (now Beijing duck) was served. The lid is centered with a carving of a fish, symbol of plenty. The unusual shape and warm color make this a wonderful decorative object. It is in excellent condition... Click for details
Made of elm wood finished in a rich reddish brown, this late 19th century Chinese stool comes from Shandong Province. Eight spandrels with pierced carvings of ruyi, a mushroom-shaped symbol for long life, decorate the areas between the stretcher and the half-round legs. Stools were much-used pieces of furniture in Chinese households and were quite solidly constructed. This one, in excellent condition, is a good size for use as a small side table. We have a pair of these stools available. Dimensi... Click for details
Two wood rectangles floating inside a larger rectangular frame are held in place by carvings in this 19th century Chinese architectural panel. The mirror has been added. When used in China during the Qing Dynasty as interior windows or as decorative elements in the alcoves of large canopied beds, panels such as this often were fitted with sliding solid pieces of wood that could be moved over the openings for privacy. The seven separate carvings on this panel are pegged into the rectangular piece... Click for details
A circle made of four curved pieces of wood floats inside finely carved and fitted fretwork in this 19th century Chinese interior window panel. The abstract winged shape of the fretwork is emphasized by the addition of a mirror. Many thousands of different fretwork patterns such as this were created in China for use as architectural or decorative elements. The hand carved wood pieces on this panel and all Chinese antique fretwork are closely fitted and held together without glue. To add the mirr... Click for details
This 19th century Chinese carved wood architectural panel, once part of a large, richly decorated canopied marriage bed, has been fitted with a mirror. The gilded carvings of a bat and two fish on the lower part of the panel are examples of the use in China during the Qing Dynasty of symbols derived from homonyms to convey important wishes for the future. The similar sounds of the characters for "bat" and "happiness," both pronounced "fu," resulted in a fondness for bat carvings that were hoped ... Click for details
