18th Century Mongolian Thangka of a Guardian Deity General on a White Horse. 27 x 19.25 inches, 68.5 x 49 cm.

DESCRIPTION: An unusual and quite old (18th C.) copper box toggle in the form of a peach, the Chinese symbol of longevity. Probably used as both a toggle and tobacco container, the two halves have a tightly fitting overlapping seal, with two loops forming the hinge at the stem point. This large solid copper toggle has a rich, aged patina and is in fine condition with minor signs of wear, as to be expected. DIMENSIONS: Approximately 2 1/4” long, tip to tip (5.7 cm) x 1 ¾” diameter (4.5 cm)...

DESCRIPTION: A very old Chinese wooden incense holder, crafted in the form of a partially unrolled scroll that bends and folds to form the container. On the edges of the “scroll” is a relief carved key pattern border with traces of gilt; the worn lacquer surface still shows the original designs of a bird, flower, bamboo and Chinese characters. The top of the flat back plate has a shaped and carved design with a center hole for hanging...

DESCRIPTION: An appealing Chinese toggle (guajian), carved from Huanghuali wood (a hardwood similar to Rosewood) in the form of a Buddhist lion seated on a plinth with one paw placed on top of a ball. With raised tail, textured fur on his back, and brass studs decorating the eyes and each limb, this foo dog would have been used as a counterweight for a tobacco pouch or other object suspended from a belt...

DESCRIPTION: An antique Chinese toggle (guajian), carved from boxwood in the form of a Buddha's hand fruit (or fingered citron), a symbol of happiness, longevity and good fortune in China. The fingered citron is unusually shaped with bright yellow fruit segmented into finger-like sections, resembling a human hand. Highly fragrant, it is used predominantly in China for perfuming rooms and personal items such as clothing...

DESCRIPTION: A Chinese peach toggle (guajian) crafted from a flat piece of burl wood with large spreading leaves, representing longevity in Chinese iconography. Two holes on either side of the stem were used for threading a cord from which this toggle would have been suspended as a counterweight to some other object, such as a tobacco pouch. A nice example of Chinese folk art dating from the mid 1800’s or earlier, this toggle is in overall fine condition with aged patina...

DESCRIPTION: A nice old Chinese toggle carved from a striated wood in the form of two peaches. The peach is a symbol of longevity, and this thick toggle has a wonderful aged patina that only comes from age and handling. Strung with a cord through the holes under the stems, it would have hung from a sash and been used as a counterweight to a tobacco pouch or other utilitarian object. A wonderful example of Chinese folk art, this toggle dates from the 1700’s...

Intricately carved mask for the Nuo esoteric theater, representing the legendary character of Bao Gong, or Judge Bao, wearing a formal hat, his face in relief with a fierce expression, with bulging eyes, open mouth revealing fangs, and a stylised beard. Wood, with traces of the original polychrome colouring. China, 18th century. Height: 29.6 cm. Very good condition despite signs of old insect infestation (no danger).

DESCRIPTION: A pair of substantial, deeply carved Chinese doors originating from Zhejiang province and dating from the early 1800’s, Qing dynasty. These handsome, heavy solid elm doors still have all of their original pegs attached, which would have been set into round sockets at the top and bottom, allowing the doors to be opened and closed.

The top panels are carved with flowers and a repeating swastika pattern, the Chinese character meaning good fortune or longevity...

Very large Chinese folk art bamboo basket with a removable inner shelf. The "double happiness" symbols on the side indicate it might have been intended as a wedding basket. Dates circa 1900. 28"H x 19" diameter (23" across the handle). Very good overall condition with some loosening of the bamboo at the bottom.

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...

Chinese Group of Stoneware Puppetheads and hands on iron stands, 19th century, charming characatures of daily life in China done in earthtones and shades of blue. Round holes of attachment at lower ends of pieces. Hollow cores. Head Sizes range from 6.75"H to 8.5"H without stands, Losses to various heads and hands

Sometimes assumed by Westerners as "medical models" these are Chinese fertility dolls. As ritual items, they rarely come onto the market. Used by several Chinese ethnic minority cultures, including the Miao, Yao and Naxi, the old fertility dolls were hand carved, anatomically correct and with pegged and jointed limbs. The hair styles and head gear would vary depending on the minority group...

A long, rare and attractive horizontal Yao Mien ceremonial procession scroll "DRAGON BRIDGE", circa 1890, Southern China, painted on rice or mulberry paper. Iconographically important in Daoist art. Condition: overall good, some minor effects of aging. Size: L 365 cm x H. 17 cm. Collector's item, difficult to find complete and in this condition. For further information/history on Lantien & Mien Yao paintings please refer to "Yao Ceremonial Paintings" by Jacques Lemoine...

South China/North Vietnam Yao Shaman Ka Dong Deity Ritual Mask. This fine old mask would have been used in the same family for several generations to perform rituals such as those for a newborn baby and maturation. The wood for this important mask would have been taken from dep in the forest where spirits were believed to live. 14.5 inches, 37 cm.

This traditional Chinese spoon was used for spooning out powdered herbs and other ingredients when mixing Chinese medicines. The spoon is bone, patinated with age and use. The spoon is 4.75 inches long... It is a nice ethnographic artifact of former time and place

DESCRIPTION: A fine, large Chinese boxwood toggle in the shape of a Chinese coin with four script characters on each side surrounding the square hole. Around the edge, various plant and animal forms are carved in high relief, including a flower, bird, squirrel and bat. The suspension cord, connecting it to an object such as a tobacco pouch, would have been strung through the openings under the bat's wings. Wonderful patina, excellent condition, and dating from the 1800's or earlier. DIMENSI...

Intricately carved with a three legged toad (wealth) resting on a leaf, next to a lotus pod with movable hardwood seeds, under the leaf a spider and another insect and two frogs on the stem of the lotus pod. H. 3,5 cm, diameter 5 cm. For a similar toggle: Margaret Duda-Traditional Chinese Toggles, page 79, fig. 452. Beautiful wear and patina.