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 very rare bronze Brush Washer or possibly a Bitian ("brush lick") cast in the form of a double gourd with scrolling vine decoration. This was made in China, for the Scholar's table in the Ming dynasty during the 16th or early 17th Century...

A small finely carved amber and translucent white coloured soapstone figure group depicting the Daoist Immortal Liu Hai 劉海 and, unusually, a Pixiu.

This item was probably made for the Scholar's table as a tactile handling object in the 17th or early 18th Century, possibly during the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1662 - 1722).

Condition: the tip of the plantain leaf base is broken off but the figure group is fully intact...

A small carved bamboo wood Boy on Buffalo...

Antique Chinese ruyi scepter made of hardwood and three carved sections of white jade. The upper section is carved with a scene of two boys and an elephant. The middle section of jade is carved with two boys holding a large vase with flowers. The bottom piece of jade is carved with three recumbent goats, one of which holds in his mouth a curved and swirling ruyi mushroom. The scepter sits on a custom silk covered base which then sits on a carved rectangular hardwood stand...

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.

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...

DESCRIPTION: A fine and very sculptural Chinese Duan ink stone in the form of a bell with a deeply carved water well on one end, and a flaring flat surface on the other for mixing ink. The stone is raised on two elongated prong feet, between which is a five character inscription...

DESCRIPTION: A large and masterfully carved Chinese shou shan stone (soapstone) seal in tall rectangular form, the knob carved with a crouching dragon having both wings tucked back covering its sides, and whose mouth is poised to grasp the sacred pearl. On each flat surface of the base are engraved inscriptions and characters among idyllic scenes of rivers with boats, hills, houses and pavilions. The bottom seal characters leave a positive (red) impression...

Lavishly inlaid with engraved mother of pearl. Dimensions: 30,5 x 18 x 11 cm. Exceptional good condition with almost all the inlay still intact, only some minor pieces missing. The wood has some age cracks and one of the long sides is a bit crooked. The brass corner pieces are all original.

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�...

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 lacquered scholar's screen with a Kylin and rider on the front. The back panel has a still life which has faded. Size: H. 61cm. W. 45cm. Condition: Fading and some peeling on both sides from age. Can be restored.

Stunning Chinese carved double Dragon Mother of Pearl Shell table display Plaque, Ca. 18th century, 8" high, 8 1/2" wide, 1 1/2" high/deep, with beautifully detailed 3 dimensional carving, double Dragon chasing "Happiness" Chinese Character in the center, the face, eye balls, claws and scales are delicately detailed and painstakingly carved...

An old soapstone seal was in very good mood of scholar taste.

Two lions were vibrantly rendered on the top of the seal as a knob.

While well maneuvered inscriptions were on four side of the stamp.

For Chinese literati, the scholar taste was most treasured, by the meaning of the inscriptions and by the craftsmanship of the carving on the inscription.The seal obtained all these characteristics.

And the tint of this stone was in great mood too...

An overlay leather table chest with all original hardware. Age.Qing dynasty mid 19th century. Size: L.38cm. W.22.5cm. H.22cm. Condition: No repairs. Natural aging.

19th century
Qing Dynasty
Clear rock crystal and copper/nickel alloy
Seal: 4 cm height, 2.6 cm diameter
Paste box: 4.6 x 3.3 x 2 cm
From a Philadelphia collection

A nice 19th c scholar's seal and paste box set, along with a silk-lined vintage presentation stand. The seal, carved from clear rock crystal, features a well-rendered foo lion finial...

RARE pair of miniature red lacquered elm wood Chinese scholar's cabinets. Designed as a “mirror image” pair, each cabinet has one side panel which is plain while the opposing side panel is decorated with floral carvings. These decorative cabinets also served a utilitarian purpose for the scholar who would use them to store items such as seals, wrist and brush rests, water droppers, scroll weights, etc. The doors feature subtle gold highlights...