This is a rare example of a Puddingstone, not only because of its form, but also, because of the color, shape, and texture of the particles that make up the stone.

A bottle of similar form may be found in Steven's 'The Collector's book of Snuff Bottles" #618, minus the mask handles, which he dates to late 18th, early 19th centuries.

According to Stevens, puddingstones are 'conglomerates of sedimentary rocks, composed of a cementing matrix holding numerous rounded pebbles, which ...

This is a finely made Red-underglazed Porcelain Snuff Bottle, of tubular form with straight neck and rolled rim, wide mouth and perfectly circular underglazed foot rim, characteristic of 19th century period bottles. It depicts a dragon that is chasing a tama, amid flickering flames. It has a four-character Iron red Qianlong mark on on its base. It comes with a coral stopper.

This excellent looking bottle has a couple of hairlines on its neck, but it is solid, and otherwise, ...

19th Century Japanese Boxwood Netsuke: Professional Sneezer

19th Century, finely hand-carved Wood Netsuke depicting a Professional Sneezer, sitting cross-legged, and holding a bone nose-ticking stick or poker.

According to Dr. Karl Schwarz, in his book "Netsuke Subjects', "in old Japan, a curious type of beggar who sat by the wayside, for a small sum of money he inserted a feather or a small pointed stick inside his nose causing him to sneeze violently and often, wishing his cli...

19th Century Peking Glass Black Overlay Snuff Bottle: "Nine Bronze Vessels"

This is an flat, rectangular shaped with rounded shoulders, transparent, with Black Overlay, Peking Glass Snuff Bottle, depicting in high relief with finely engraved details "Nine Bronze Vessels", after the famous Chinese abbreviated saying "jiu ding", which means "The World weighs as heavy as Nine Bronze Vessels.

The Nine Bronze Vessels refer to the bronze vessels that were casted by order of Kin...

Qianlong Period, Sage-Green Jade Snuff Bottle

This is a well-hollowed, Flattened, Spade/Vase form translucent Sage-Green Jade Snuff Bottle with a straight round neck, flat lip, wide mouth, and an oval flat footing. It is simply decorated on one side with a incised engraving, gilt-painted, stylized rendering of a Peony flower plant. The neck is likewise decorated with a geometric patterned ribbon. It comes with a like material stopper. Most likely made during the Qianlong Period o...

18th Century, Japanese Boxwood Netsuke: Recumbent Dog

18th Century, nicely hand-carved Boxwood Netsuke depicting a recumbent Dog that appears to be pleasantly resting. Very nice stylized touches characterizes this netsuke made during the EDO Period of Japan. Unsigned. A bit larger than most netsuke of this type, with large himotoshi, common of carvings made during the 18th century, and beginning of the 19th century..

This type of netsuke were referenced in an article written b...

18th Century Japanese Wood Tall Netsuke: Gama Sennin

18th Century, excellently hand-carved Boxwood Netsuke depicting a standing Gama, wearing the typical mugwort cape with wide sleeves, and a rope tied at his waist, holding a staff with his right hand, and carrying a three-legged toad (that possesses magical powers) on top of his left shoulder. Very interesting himotoshi that starts in the back of the Sennin and exits on the left side of his body (see photo #8). Very rich, dark, lustrou...

Asian buffalo Horn with Silver over copper mounts with turquoise stones... This type of drinking horn was a common household item used throughout Mongolia...each family member had his (or her) own drinking horn and they were kept on a wooden rack which was made for that purpose... Condition 2 beads missing...silver is worn through in several area,exposing copper base...which is commensurate with normal use and aging

Korean pojagi (bojagi) made of fragments of choma (ramie). All hand-sewn. In excellent condition. the first half of the 20th century. 106cm x 120cm Belt:3.7cm x 41.5cm

Not to save the best for last, but this piece by Nagae Shigekazu is simply breathtaking. The pattern of light and dark squares which drives direct lines across the distended quadrilateral form hails images of the Ichimatsu-moyo pattern at the Katsura Rikyu imperial palace. The lyrical curves of the vessel itself are in sharp contrast to the extreme precision of the patterns, creating a unique dialog between viewer and viewed. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chokutai...

Antique Japanese framed scroll painting by the artist Mori Sosen (1747-1821), Japanese painter of the Shijō school during the Edo period. Although he did paint other animals and birds, Sosen is most famous for his paintings monkeys. In this painting, a mother monkey grooms her young one. Her expression is one of intent concentration while her little monkey protests. Sosen was a master at painting monkeys, delineating every hair and creating a soft effect. Painted in sumi ink and light col...

An antique Japanese large rare Ema (votive prayer board) hand painted in Makie gold over a black lacquer background. A hand forged iron pin mounted to the top center of the frame was used to securely hang this dedication sacred object at a Japanese shrine.

Back in the day, live horses were donated and dedicated to a shrine. As the times changed, prayer boards were donated instead with painted horses replacing the live ones. More recently, all forms of subject matter are shown on the J...

Antique Japanese iron tsuba (sword hand guard) decorated with mixed metal gold and silver inlay. One side show a scene of a small dog playing with a grass hopper amidst grasses and flowers. In the distance are mountains topped with gold. The reverse side is signed by the maker and shows a scene of a small sleeping dog curled up in the bamboo by a stream.

Age: Late Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 3" long x 2 7/8" wide

Antique Tibetan small bronze votive cup for use on a Buddhist altar to make offerings to various deities. There are 8 auspicious items traditionally offered: water to drink, water to wash, flowers, incense, light (an oil lamp or candle), perfume, celestial food, and music (usually a conch shell). This bronze cup stands on a small round foot and has a deep, rich patina. The underside of the cup is decorated with a raised four-petaled floral motif.

Age: 18th century

Dimen...

An antique Thai Manuscript Storage Cabinet made of Teak that was used to store and preserve Buddhist scriptures that were written on manuscripts made of palm-leaf as well as text on Buddhism written on Khoi paper. Often donated by wealthy patrons to monasteries, they housed these venerable writings. It was decorated using a technique called Lai Rod Nam that is gold on a black lacquer ground. The front depicts from bottom to top, the underworld to the protectors of Buddhism to the enlightened...

In China for centuries various civil officials showed their rank by the finial worn on their hat. The color of the central stone at the top of the metal finial indicated the rank of the wearer... Brass/gold was the lowest rank... The hats were further decorated with a long ring of red silk tassels attached between the finial and the hat... This antique court hat finial along with the circle of tassels is from the Qing dynasty the finial and the ring of tassels are displayed on top of ...

This late Qing Dynasty hat is in excellent condition. Made with silk fabric with silk thread satin stitch embroidery on both front and back, it has long tassels on each side.

Small cast bronze tripod incense burner. Beautiful finish. The two handles are in the shape of Buddhist lions heads. Qing Chinese. The bottom of the feet slightly flared would rather suggest a Japanese Edo creation but without certainty. Dirty. Width 65mm