The stone has a lustrous patina and has a very dramatic ‘splash’ of red on both sides. It has never been carved with a designation and the base has now a shallow flake as a result of an impact on the edge, with a little powdery material showing. Further along there is a tiny bruise to the edge. These could be taken out by reducing the length by 0.4cm. Personally the chip does not worry me...

A Chinese porcelain water dropper in the shape of a fish, made of Macang clay (麻倉土）and finished with light blue glaze. Ming Dynasty, circa late 16th century. Condition: kiln cracks on the bottom and under the fish's mouth, please see photos for detail. Length: 5-1/4".

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.

Special Offer- free shipping! Lovely Japanese presentation or tea tray, made from a naturally hollowed out section of the bottom of a tree trunk “cat face”. This should be mid 20th century. I think it would make a stunning planter (see enlargement #9). D: 28cm/11in and H: 17cm/6.8in.

DESCRIPTION: A red and gilt ink cake in the form of a turtle with a curled snake on its back. In ancient China, the tortoise and the snake were thought to be spiritual creatures symbolizing longevity. Both the front and back have been finely pressed in raised relief with gilt accents. One of the treasures of the Chinese scholar’s studio, this ink cake is in excellent condition, in its original box, and dates from the first quarter of the 20th C. or earlier. DIMENSIONS: 3” long (7.7 cm).

Beautiful small Qing Dynasty Ding censer with glaze emulating bronze, ideal for the scholar’s desk Perfect original condition, there are couple of small areas on a side handle where the glaze did not take- just minor firing imperfection. H: 5cm/2in and D: 5.7cm.

DESCRIPTION: One of the necessary calligraphy tools on the Chinese scholar’s table was a small container to hold water and drip it onto the inkstone for the purpose of mixing the ground ink. These small but important objects were crafted so that one measured drop at a time could be poured to ensure the proper ratio of ink to water while mixing...

Porcelain vase with splashed decoration in green, yellow and aubergine enamels.This small size reminds me of an desk object like a small vase to decorate the table of a scholar. One crack. H:78mm

Pair of Tiele (Chinese Ironwood) Weiqi boxes, carved from solid wood. Weiqi was the forerunner of the Japanese board game of Go, and one of the Four Arts, that someone from the "gentleman class" were supposed to know. These boxes are used to put the stone pieces in. There is cyclical date which probably doesn’t go further back than 1972 therefore they could be 1984, 1996, 2008, 2000, 2012...

A charming blue and white peach shaped Chinese water dropper in excellent condition without hairlines or restoration. It features the charming feature of the scholar in garden scene. Circa 1900-10, it measures 3 inches high.

Small screen of rectangular shape, with an engraved decor of foliage and flowers. Slightly mottled jade. The screen is resting on an elaborated wood stand. China, 19th century. Height of the screen: 8 cm. Total height including the stand: 12.5 cm. Very good condition.

A rare carved bone abacus with integral reverse glass painting depicting four boys, in a garden setting, peering into a large fish bowl. There is an added inscritpion carved into one side recording that this item was given as a gift in Hong Kong in 1953. Condition; very good - no damages or losses. 11.5cm (4.5 inches) long; 5.5cm (2.2 inches) wide; 1.5cm deep.

骨质婴戏图算盘 1953年或更早

算盘主框架和算盘珠为骨质，背面为玻璃内画4个男�...

A nice old miniature Scholar's screen with one panel depicting a poem written in beautiful calligraphy signed by the writer. The other side has faint remains of some scene. Size:H. 23.5cm. W. 13.3cm. Condition: No repairs.

This antique ivory bookmark is shaped and colored on one side to appear as a woman wearing a kimono. There is a long cord with small pierced ivory ojimi and tassel attached...

Chinese late Qing dynasty monochrome blue glazed water dropper in the form of a boat. Unglazed base. 3 1/4" long x 1 1/4" wide x 2 3/8” high. Late 19th century. Very good overall condition. From the collection of a former expatriate to China from 1983-1987.

He is charming...well detailed leaning on a pillows ...a few nicks and bruises to the finish as to be expected at this age...roughly 4 inches tall and 6 inches wide...

This tiny antique knife from the late Qing Dynasty has a wooden handle and fits into its shagreen covered scabbard...Clearly it was originally hung on a chain ...A scant 4 inches in total.

Old wooden stand acquired from a US expat estate in 1987, this was made between 1950 and 1980. The legs are inserted. Minor natural “check” in the top, and this piece is sort of shaped like Australia (no extra charge). 14cm/5.5in x 10cm/4cm and 4cm/1.6in.