From our Chinese Monochrome Collection, a large carved ivory elephant bridge, late 19th century, depicting a procession of eight individual elephants of graduating size, nicely carved from a single tusk. The elephants are well-rendered and the ivory has a good buttery patina somewhat better than the photos reflect.

Interestingly, the artist's decision to carve eight elephants here is no accident: Those familiar with Chinese mythologies and cultural superstitions will immediately recognize...

From our Chinese Polychrome Collection, a very rare and seldom seen Peranakan Chai Hup or ceremonial vegetable box, 19th century, used for food offerings to Tiangong, the God of Heaven, during traditional Baba Weddings.

The terms "Peranakan" or "Baba Nyonya" or "Straits Chinese" are often used interchangeably to describe the descendants of Ming Dynasty Chinese immigrants who settled along the Malay Peninsula, which encompasses parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. But the ethnograp...

Japanese Satsuma foliate form bowl decorated in overglaze pigments and gilt highlights with a large bird in a cherry tree at the foreground set against a landscape scene with beauties in a pavilion at the right and a waterfall at the left. The exterior features three flying female mythological figures. The base bears a gold on black square “Satsuma Hotoda” mark and circular Satsuma family crest. 4 1/4” diameter x 1 3/4” high. Meiji period (late 19th century). Very good overall condi...

Japanese sagemono (hanging object) tobacco pipe set consisting of a wood kiserutsuzu (pipe holder), kiseru (pipe), and wood tonkotsu (tobacco box) in the form of a humorous yawning Daruma with arms overhead grasping the two cords with his fists. The cords hold an ojime (sliding bead), which is attached to the pipe holder. Daruma’s body is kiri (pawlonia) wood and his eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl. His face lifts and functions as a cover for the tobacco box. A badger (tanuki) standin...

Large and heavy mirror pair of Chinese bronze Mandarin duck-form censers, or incense burners, with lotus stems trailing from open beaks and bodies decorated with molded lotus flowers and etched feathers. A removable pierced cover in the form of lotus flowers and stems is integrated into the feathers of the back. Each duck rests on a custom wood stand carved with water ripples. The incense smoke can exit through the opened beaks, a vent in the tail, and the pierced cover. A pair of Mandarin d...

From our Indian Subcontinent Collection, an exceptional Kashmiri kashkul or beggar's bowl, 19th century, modeled after the boat-shaped beggar's bowls used by Persian Sufi mystics. This fantastic vessel is composed of a metallic body, most likely copper alloy, that has been lacquered and then exquisitely painted with floral motifs in rich but subtle shades of blue, red, yellow, taupe, black, and with gilt highlights. It sits upon a slightly splayed foot and terminates in two dragon-head finials...

Japanese keyaki bar tansu with original finish, kiri leaf shaped lock on top drawer, bar opens with one key. Dimensions: 24.25" High x 29.5" Long x 20.75" Deep

From our Southeast Asia Collection, a large and absolutely stunning masterpiece of Annamese mother of pearl inlay work, 19th Century, Nguyen Dynasty Vietnam, depicting exquisitely rendered butterflies, flowers, crustaceans, scrolls, and geometric designs in superb quality mother of pearl inlaid against a dark brown rosewood base.

This fantastic tray truly represents the pinnacle of this art form. We have been fortunate to see the pieces held in the National Museum of Vietnamese History in...

Beautiful and unusual Japanese antique kuruma tansu (storage chest on wheels), made all of heavy keyaki (elm) wood with iron hardware, front has sliding panels with horizontal slats, sides and back all have wooden bracing, interior left side has 4 drawers of different sizes with iron hardware, right side interior has hidden compartment that opens to reveal 2 secret boxes.

Late Edo Period

Size: 36 1/4" high x 38" wide x 23" deep.

Rare and beautiful Japanese antique kura tansu (storage chest), all keyaki (elm) wood front and framing, iron hardware, top portion has 3 drawers and lower portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats, bottom right interior has two small drawers also made of keyaki wood, deep brown translucent lacquer finish with wonderful patina, Edo Period. Size: 41 3/4" high x 38 3/4" wide x 21 1/4"deep.

Beautiful Japanese antique storage tansu with locking bar, made with all keyaki (elm) wood front and frame, iron hardware, top portion has three drawers covered by a vertical locking bar, bottom portion has sliding panels with horizontal slats, bottom right side opens to reveal two small interior drawers, deep red translucent lacquer finish, Edo Period. Size: 41" high x 38" wide x 19 1/2" deep.

Perhaps the best dragon carving we have ever owned, here is a solid Keyaki carving taken from the interior of a temple with glass eyes glaring fiercely out at anyone who threatens the sanctity of Buddhism. Flames leap from the body blown by fierce winds as it rises from the Churning ocean. The carving practically roils out from the wood panel, fully in three dimensions. It is 78 x 26 x 10 cm (31 x 10 x 4 inches). Please notice the yellow arrows in the last photos, as the whisker of the creat...

Pair of 19th century Chinese paper fans very finely and densely painted in extensive detail with figural scenes. One fan painting features beauties at a temple surrounded by clouds holding celestial maidens and a deer. A monkey is paying homage to a female who is seated on a lotus throne. The second fan painting depicts a scene with beauties engaged in various scholarly leisure activities. The fans date from the 19th century. They have been recently custom framed with archival materials against ...

Unusual Japanese antique gyosho bako (peddler's box), made of sugi (cryptomeria) wood, iron hardware including loops for rope so that peddler could carry box on his back, 4 drawers and a safe box, three interior drawers, Meiji Period. Size: 35 1/4" high x 11" wide x 16 1/4" deep.

From our Japanese Collection, a truly superb satsuma vase, Meiji period (1868-1912), of robust globular form, depicting seven separate circular reserves of figures set against a most unusual and very appealing variegated ground that morphs from emerald green, to celadon, to cream, and finally to brown, all heavily overlaid with a rich brocade of chrysanthemum heads and other floral and geometric motifs executed in gilt. The neck has a heavily gilded deep red ground which sets it off very nicely...

Japanese antique isho tansu (clothing chest) from the Sendai area, made with all keyaki (elm) wood front with dramatic grain and translucent lacquer finish, elaborate thick iron hardware including moko shaped drawer pulls and ornate raised scrolling vine lock plates with unusual mon of a pair of sumo fans, large drawer on top, three drawers of the same width but that get gradually deeper as they go down, two smaller drawers and a safebox on the right side, safebox also has ornate iron work ...

Beautiful large flat keyaki root wood stand with over 6 natural holes of root on surface, beautiful graining and sculptural presence, top edge carved at perimeter with incised line and raised surface on edging. Size: 40"L 25"W 5/8" H

Japanese four prong Vajra or diamond thunderbolt form Chisakuin Temple, bronze with worn gilt, Edo age (over 200 years old). Very powerful ritual tool representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power. Worn gilt on one side, all over relief, double sided with lotus flower in center, trident prongs emerging from the four cardinal directions. Size: 6 1/8" long