Stone Antiquities

The small dots apparent on the surface of this stone stele are indicative of an oolitic silica structure or oolites formed in what is known as "Oolitic chert." The same phenomenon can also be observed in the Tang Dynasty Limestone Stele at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. This formation occurs gradually over the course of thousands to several hundred thousand years within the soil or sea. Similar structures are commonly found in ancient fossils or arrowheads. Ancient peoples chose certain types of stones for tool-making, preferring materials that were easier to work with and could be sharpened effectively. This predilection is believed to be the reason why oolitic silica structures are frequently found in ancient arrowheads. The development of these oolitic silica structures is a very slow process involving the accumulation of siliceous layers around particulates. This phenomenon, where silica reacts with water to form layers around a nucleus, occurs under specific chemical and physical conditions. Typically, it takes thousands to hundreds of thousands of years for silica to gradually accumulate in layers through contact with moisture, a process that requires a precise harmony of many variables, including chemical conditions, temperature, pressure, pH, and biological activity. It is known that no other stele with such a silica structure has been identified to date, serving not only as evidence of its authenticity but also significantly enhancing the rarity of this piece. This stele appears to be a stone sculpture of an apsara, a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Despite its fragmentary state, the sculpture conveys grace and movement. The apsara is captured in a dynamic pose, perhaps once part of a larger tableau, playing a flute-like instrument. The black stand was made in Hong Kong at the time of the acquisition. Date : Northern Wei/Eastern Wei Dynasty(386~550) Size : 22cm (Height) x 16cm(diameter) Condition : Good (oolites dots on surface) Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Sotheby's New York 20 March 2018 - Jingyatang Treasures Of Chinese Buddhist...

Chinese Spinach Green Jade Figure of a Beauty The lady in elegant attire with a flowing robe, her left-hand holds a floral blossom, in her right a fan, on a wood stand. . Height 11 ...

Chinese Unusual Multi-Colored Jade Covered Bowl/Censor. The circular body with two projecting dragon mask handles with loose rings and with ten additional projecting stylized masks...

Qing Dynasty an antique Chinese twin handled crystal censer and cover, lion sit on the lid, two rings two lions handle, see more pictures, 14cm x 14cm.

Larger than life 15thC Thai lacquered and gilded stone head. Previous owner purchased in New York in the 1960s from a Manhattan antique dealer, thou...

The face with downcast eyes and a smile, the hair swept up behind the pendulous ears into a high topknot. Faint traces of pigmentation hinting at the sculpture's original polychromy. The black stand was made in Hong Kong at the time of the acquisition. Date : Northern Wei-Tang Dynasty(5-8th century) Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Sotheby's London 13 May 2015 - The Soul Of Japanese Aesthetics – The Tsuneichi Inoue Collection - Lot 18 (Price realised : 17,500 GBP / Type : Closely related) 2) Sotheby's New York 26 September 2023 - CHINA / 5000 YEARS - Lot 1156 (Price realised : 8,890 USD / Type : Closely related) * Stone Head of Bodhisattva...

17thC or earlier Northern Thai quartz crystal reliquary from the Hot District south of Chiang Mai- a large and fine example excavated from a temple site before the building of a reservoir several decades ago. Few authentic pieces of this size and type seem to exist. There an extremely similar smaller deer (not as fine) with a gold cap excavated from the same site in the Chiang Mai Museum (1960's-locals were permitted to dig before the valley was flooded.) I've seen a few other related examples. Very clear piece of quartz-especially for carved objects from Thailand...

Rare Maison Jansen Chinoiserie Commode with two drawers, ornate gilt detailing and marble top.

This statue appears to be a stone sculpture of an apsara, a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Despite its fragmentary state, the sculpture conveys grace and movement. The apsara is captured in a dynamic pose, perhaps once part of a larger tableau, playing a flute-like instrument. The facial features are serene yet expressive, with faint traces of pigmentation hinting at the sculpture's original polychromy. The black stand was made in Hong Kong at the time of the acquisition. Date : Northern Wei...

Beautiful and impressive early Tang white marble sculpture of headless Buddha, dressed in an elegant pleated toga. China. 618-907 AD. A true collectors piece. This magnificent piece...

A large Chinese carved lavender Jadeite figure of a "Phoenix" (damages) The body carved with a high relief bird perched on rockwork with an elongated ...

A Soapstone Figure of Songzi Guanyin seated in lalitasana with both hands cradling a boy on the knee, dressed in robes incised with cloud scrolls, open at the chest and falling in t...

Mini Antique Chinese Carved Carnelian Vase Mini antique Chinese carved carnelian vase. This delicate piece features an intricate design, with floral motifs carved into the surface of...

Chinese Carved Lapis Lazuli Dragon The vertically pierced and carved wreathing dragon in pursuit of the flaming pearl, on an elaborately carved wood stand. Height 14.5 in., Overall ...

Flying two heavenly beings depicted in the stone. They are celestial beings called an Apsara. While having the same fragment and shape, another work I uploaded exhibits small dots on...

Fine Chinese Pale Green and Russet Jadeite Small Vase and Cover The tapered white mottled pale green vessel with spinach green inclusions worked with open leafy flowers with russet e...

A small Chinese carved Lapis-Lazuli figure of a water buffalo Naturalistically carved as a muscular buffalo sturdily standing on four cloven feet, the raised head turned to the righ...

Chinese Pale Green Jade Covered Box Rectangular, with emerald green hues, the lid pierced with stylized foliage. 1 by 2 by 1.75 in. Condition Report G...

provided measurements are the item's overall measurements including its stopper

Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Foliate Study. Qing Dynasty. Asymmetrical and consistent in its color. Height 1.5 in., Width 2.25 in. Condition Report Good condition.

Chinese Painted Marble Figure of Guanyin Early 20th Century. The lady draped in elegant robes, a child atop a deer at her side, painted red and yell...

Large Asian Large Green and White Stone Tiger The tiger atop a rock with extended claws and a wide-open mouth. Heigh 25 in., Width 21 in., Depth 10.5 in. Condition Report Good condit...

Antique 18-19th Century Chinese carved limestone sculpture, depicting a horse drawn carriage going over a bridge, being accompanies by serva...

A Fine Chinese Jade Snuff bottle Qing Dynasty finely carved in low relief with a Buddhist lion frolicking, the stone of even greyish color,...

Changthang plateau, Tibet, early 19th century Provenance: - Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s or 1990s)

A Chinese carved jade figure of a phoenix Third quarter 20th century Perching atop rockwork with the finely incised wings Measures: height 5 in. ...

A Chinese carved Lapis-Lazuli vase and cover, 19th / 20th century, flanked with elephant head handles supporting loose rings, side carved with a low relief carved dragon the other u...

Chinese Black Marble Double Snuff Bottle The white veined slightly tapered and graduated rectangular black marble body, with mask and ring carved handles at the sides, quartz caps, ...

This marble head of Buddha is of Gandhara culture, Pakistan, 6th century. This piece is part of designer John Brevard's personal collection and has been...