Metal Asian Art and Furniture

An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, covered enamel over brass jewelry or trinket box. The exterior of the ware is enameled with polychrome images of blossoming flowers surrounded by...

Spring and Autumn Birds & Flowers Hasegawa Gyokujun (1863-1921) Meiji period, circa 1900. Ink, color and gofun on silk. Dimensions of each screen: H. 172 cm x W. 188 cm (68’’ x 7...

Rare – 1987 Franklin Mint ‘The Raj’ Chess Set "The RAJ" hand painted India-British War 1857, Franklin Mint highest quality metal chess set game year 1...

Inspired by the Silhouette of a Classic carousel, this portable lamp is authentic in spirit, yet modern in expression. its design is highly intricate, articulated with an outer shade...

A Monumental Gilt-Lacquered Bronze Ornamental Buddha Sculpture of Vajravidarana: A Masterpiece of Sino-Tibetan Craftsmanship, Late 19th Century, Qing Dynasty This monumental gilt-lacquered bronze ornamental sculpture of Vajravidarana is an extraordinary and commanding piece of art, showcasing the pinnacle of Sino-Tibetan craftsmanship from the late 19th century. The figure of Vajravidarana, a powerful purification deity in Tibetan Buddhism, is meticulously sculpted to embody both spiritual authority and artistic excellence. Vajravidarana is primarily known for his role in removing spiritual impurities and negativities. Unlike other deities associated with wisdom or compassion, Vajravidarana’s function is centered on purification and healing. He is typically depicted holding a vajra and a bell, symbolizing the cutting away of delusions and the resonance of divine truth. In this striking sculpture, Vajravidarana is shown holding a vishva vajra (the double vajra), a unique and powerful variation of the traditional iconography, which signifies ultimate protection and the dispelling of negative karma. Vajravidarana: The Supreme Purifier and Protector Vajravidarana is revered in Tibetan Buddhism as the deity of spiritual purification, called upon to cleanse practitioners of defilements and negative influences. His vajra represents the indestructibility of truth, while his bell signifies the wisdom that resonates through purification rituals. In this sculpture, the presence of the vishva vajra, or double vajra, enhances his association with supreme protection, ensuring the destruction of all spiritual obstacles and afflictions. The figure’s powerful yet composed expression conveys a sense of unwavering resolve and divine authority. His posture, along with the carefully sculpted details of his robes and ornaments, highlights his function as a guardian against impurity. The inclusion of the vishva vajra rather than the usual single vajra reinforces his role as a supreme protector, capable of dispelling all forms of negativity and restoring balance. Symbolism of the Mantras and Aureole: Unlike deities that embody wisdom through duality, Vajravidarana’s iconography is centered on purification and exorcism. The aureole surrounding him is inscribed with sacred purification mantras rather than depictions of a consort. These mantras emphasize his function as a remover of obstacles and impurities, reinforcing his role in Buddhist healing rituals. The presence of the sacred inscriptions elevates the sculpture’s spiritual significance, making it a focal point for meditation and ritual purification. Practitioners often visualize Vajravidarana radiating purifying light, dissolving afflictions and negative karma. This theme is mirrored in the sculptural repetition of the purification symbols on the aureole, reinforcing the deity’s role as a divine cleanser. Gilt-Lacquered Bronze: The Artistry of Sino-Tibetan Metalwork: The craftsmanship of this monumental figure reflects the expertise of late 19th-century Sino-Tibetan metalwork, where traditional Tibetan themes were infused with Chinese artistic sensibilities. Cast in bronze and finished with a rich gilt lacquer, the statue has an otherworldly glow, giving it an ethereal, almost divine presence. The gilding process—applied with exceptional skill—gives the sculpture a striking luminosity that enhances the fine details of the facial features, flowing robes, jewelry, and other elements of the deity’s attire. The technique employed to create this figure speaks to the high level of craftsmanship that flourished during the late Qing Dynasty and early modern Tibetan art. The ornate details of the robes and the fine texture of the sculpture highlight the exceptional skill of the artisans who brought this work to life. The use of gold and lacquer not only reflects the preciousness of the sculpture but also its spiritual significance as an object meant to inspire reverence and meditation. An Ornamental Sculpture of Monumental Scale: Unlike smaller devotional objects, this sculpture is designed as an ornamental masterpiece, intended to make a grand visual and spiritual statement. Its monumental size allows it to dominate any space, offering a commanding presence that is both physically and symbolically impressive. In Buddhist practice, large sculptures of this nature are often placed in temples or meditation halls, where their imposing size and serene presence would encourage contemplation and devotion. The grand scale of the statue further amplifies the spiritual power it is meant to convey. As a representation of Vajravidarana, it is not only a physical object of beauty but also a conduit for meditation, purification, and enlightenment. The scale of the sculpture also emphasizes the divine stature of the deity, highlighting his importance in the Buddhist tradition as the ultimate force for spiritual cleansing and protection. Provenance: Acquired in China in circa 1900 1905 Private Buddhist Temple, Northeast, USA Private Sale Solomon Treasure...

One of a kind Japanese folding screen, or byōbu, with six panels depicting a delicate and graceful scene of wild horses in a natural setting. Masterfully painted with ink and waterco...

Flowers & Birds of Spring and Autumn Unknown artist. Japan. Meiji period, circa 1900. A pair of six-fold screens. Ink, color, gofun and gold leaf on paper. Signed: Gaga S...

Medicine Chest in original black lacquer. Shanxi province, China. Dating back from the late 18th Century.

18th century painting of European hound and her pup. Mineral pigments on gold leaf with black lacquer trim.

NIPPON - MORIMURA BROTHERS (Manufacturer) - Antique hand painted ceramic center bowl - rare design featuring flowers and arabesque scrolls in the P...

Charming Japanese four-panel Showa period byobu screen depicting colorful floral arrangements in various vases and baskets. The hand-painted screen features vibrant natural color pig...

19th century Middle Eastern traditional Arabian tinned copper and brass Dallah coffee pot. Coffee pot hand-hammered and chased copper with riveted brass...

A Japanese 19th century keyaki wood Sendai clothing tansu with four drawers and elaborate hand-cut iron hardware. Born during the 19th century in the Sendai prefecture, this exquisit...

An Exceptionally Fine Pair of Chinese Cantonese Hand Decorated Porcelain Vases of traditional baluster outline, of unusually quite good size proportions, (see last image in situ) mid...

A scarce, high-quality antique Burmese jewel inlaid solid bronze chinthe sculpture. Dating to the late 19th century, likely originating in the Mandalay region of central Burma, the fearsome looking beast depicted in traditional Burmese iconography and important architecture, especially as a pair, the protective temple guardians placed flanking the entrances of Buddhist religious pagodas and monasteries. Burma; circa 1880 PROVENANCE: The estate of Mr. Wesley and Mrs. Suzanne LaFever, Beverly Hills, California. ACQUISITION: We acquired this outstanding example from the reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas. Fine Estates and Antiques catalog, December 2021 DESCRIPTION: Exquisitely sculpted and cast of heavy, patinated solid bronze, finely detailed and decorated throughout, intricately engraved with scrolling ornamentation and fine detailing work, old nicely aged polished finish developing a warm, mellow patina with highly desirable scattered verdigris, minor inlay losses add to the charming antique character. Stoic in stance, posed at attention proudly squatting back on its haunches, front legs straight, possibly roaring with head up and straight ahead, mouth ajar with teeth and long tongue exposed, ornate armor plating and horned mane, fanciful stylized tail, inset with Myanmar style brilliant colored mirrored glass jewels. BRIEF HISTORY / BACKGROUND: Predating the use of coins for money, brass weights cast in the shape of iconic animals like the Chinthe were commonly used to measure standard quantities of staple items. Chinthe, the Burmese word for lion, while leograph of Chinthe is an artistic highly stylized lion; the rare Southeast Asian Burmese equivalent to Foo Dogs, Japanese Komainu, Tibetan Snow Lion...

Vintage Gilt Bronze Asian Sculpture of a Thai Deity Prince Playing Music 1950's. Gilt cast bronze sculpture of a religious Thai deity sitting with o...

Solid cast brass door handle with polished finish. An assortment of early 20th-century metalwork fixtures are cast from Gaudí's hand. Metalwork fixtures were created by Antoni Gaudí...

Japanese Large 22" Tall Patinated Bronze Temple Bell With A Resonating Sound Guaranteed to Please You The pleasing natural green patina makes this bell special. For your meditation , or special garden display comes this handsome 22 inch tall bronze bell. Its original old and natural dark green patination belies its importance and rarity. Hard to find with its attractive patina- this is an authentic indication that this bell had actually hung for quite some time and had been used functionally. At the top, the handle (ryûzu) is crafted in the form of two mirrored dragon heads. Around the upper portion of the bell, the pronounced bosses Fu (chi) are arranged in five rows of five. Lower sections are surrounded by embossed cartouches with a flower-shaped striking panel (tsuki'za). Dimensions: 22 inches tall and 12" inches diameter Date: early to mid 20th century Provenance: private Kyoto/Shiga area collection We will include a striker for your convenience. ●History of the Tsurigane Hanging Bell The tsurigane is a type of bell that developed in East Asia, particularly in Japan, China, and Korea, with the bonshō (Buddhist temple bell...

Round ceramic and brass container with a brass bottom and removable lid with ceramic top. Top features a blue and white ceramic or porcelain lid with floral hand-painted and glazed d...

A fine example of a hand carved solid wood Oriental Buddha head, in overall good condition, hand painted and the top ornament made of bronze. Mounted on decorative genuine coral...

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING LEGENDARY JAPANESE MINOGAME From our Japanese collection, we’re pleased to offer this Meiji period silvered bronze minogame Okimono by Ryūbundō. Cast in si...

This exquisite pair of Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain saucer plates exemplifies the elegance and intricate artistry of Qing Dynasty decorative ceramics, likely dating from the mid ...

Fascinating Japanese Showa period four-panel byobu screen depicting women shell gathering or clamming after the painting by Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese 1760-1849). The women are gat...

An antique Indian hand-painted folk art painting depicting musicians and archers in a brass custom frame. Step into a vibrant world of rhythm and archery with this antique Indian han...

Japan, a sweet large bronze hand hammered temple bell rin, complete set four pieces with bronze bell, red lacquered display base, cushion, and striker as photographed. Perfect medit...

By the 18th century, opium use had become as central to Chinese social life as taking tea or smoking tobacco, fostering a subculture rich with its own customs, traditions, and exquis...

Japan, a rare dated large bronze hand hammered temple bell rin, Edo period , incised and dated Tenpo era 13th (1842) around rim. Perfect meditation instrument. When struck emits a pleasing bold reverberating sound guaranteed to please you. Bell is in very good condition... Includes red lacquered display base as shown and a complimentary striker This hand-hammered and wrought bronze percussion instrument created by specialized Samurai craftsmen with dimpled construction and incised signature of maker along rim sets atop a round red lacquered footed wood display base with wooden striker and when struck creates a serene reverberating sound. Perfect for meditation gardens or interior spaces. Total Height of bronze bell with red lacquered stand...

An Indonesia antique wooden blanket chest from the 19th century, with detailed brass hardware. Created in Indonesia during the 19th centur...

A Japanese Taisho period kiri wood clothing Mizuya Dansu kitchen cabinet from the early 20th century, with sliding doors and 10 drawers. Created in Japan during the early years of th...

A pair of six-fold Japanese screens from the 17th century depicting a flock of cranes arriving at their wintering grounds. The expansive scene is heavily atmospheric. The cranes are...

Description Nicely made artifact of very high quality. The vase is shaped nicely and the addition of a bird of prey, Eagle, on a branch is amazing. The mark reads: ?? Seiya. T...

Japanese Koto Wakizashi Sword Japan Ca. 1400-1600s Length: 24.25” Blade Total Length: 27.25 Nagasa: 18.5” Koto wakizashi, with wild midare (Soshu?) hamon, including wild boshi. Hada indeterminate, with Shakudo & gold dragon menuki, beehive design fuchi kashira...

This petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mirror's round form, double ring edge and un...

The lid of this petite trinket box is a shard of glazed porcelain, a remnant of the antique pottery destroyed during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960-70s. Likely dating to the lat...

Antique Chinese cloisonné enamel round box with lid depicting floral patterns. A white base tone and colorful floral all around, from the 19th century.

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden cabinet from the 19th century with light lacquer, brass hardware, two doors and four drawers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19t...

A fine and unusual Japanese lacquer box for incense accessories, kobako, featuring a tagasode (whose sleeves?) design, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The exquisite box of simple rectangular shape worked in maki-e lacquer, taka-maki-e, and raden, all against a lush ground of gold nashiji. Fitted with silver rims. The main decorative element of the box depicts a six panel folding screen, byobu, showing an interior scene with kimono strewn over a rack, a motif known as tagasode (whose sleeves), all in raised taka-maki-e lacquer and inlaid raden. The screen depicts an intimate room with tatami mats on the floor and sliding shoji doors in the background. The foreground depicts a large clothing...

A large Japanese Meiji period cloisonne enameled vase with a scene of birds, butterflies, and flowers on the pink background and borders with colorful decoration. Collectible Orienta...

Charming Chinese export four panel coromandel screen featuring carved soapstone decoration. The panels are crafted from lacquered wood expertly fitted into frames with mortise and te...

Mori Tetsuzan (1775-1841) Pheasants and Cherry Blossoms Two-fold Japanese screen. Ink, color, gofun, gold and silver on paper. A two-fold Japanese bir...

An antique Indian window grate from the 19th century, made into a coffee table with baluster legs. Created in India during the 19th century, thi...

Large Asian decorative wooden jewelry box with brass overlay. Large ethnic Indian hand painted decorative jewelry wood box with brass metal hammere...

Fantastic quality brass antique Victorian Dutch coal bucket, having a quality embossed brass circular coal bucket raised on three brass shaped paw feet. D. 1860

Turkish tin copper tray table on wooden folding stand Turkish Persian Mameluke style tinned copper tray table. Very nice unusual Asian dark bron...

Exceptional 20th century Chinese export six panel coromandel screen featuring a busy idyllic courtyard scene with a dramatic gilt background. The screen has six panels lacquered and ...

This stunning Koro was crafted in Takaoka, Japan where craftsmen use intricate tooling and expert kills to create the delicate details found in this piece. Crafted of bronze, this Ko...

Fantastic diminutive Japanese Edo period table top screen depicting a lively water landscape with flora and fauna. The screen is beautifully painted o...

Quality work, Antique Japanese Lidded Cloisonné Canister, Meiji Period, with the theme of dragons. Dimensions; 2.125" Dia x 2.625" H

This charming rectangular porcelain soap box with lid is a fine example of Chinese Famille Verte ware from the Qing Dynasty, dating to the 19th century. The hand-painted decoration f...

Chinese Qing Dynasty wedding cabinet in black lacquer with red accents featuring large circular brass medallion hardware on two 45 inch high doors above two drawers. The interior is...

Cloud by Ango in copper finish is a sculptural, organic modern pendant light celebrated for its warm rose-gold ambience, artisanal craftsmanship, and distinctive luminous presence. H...

From the Ramakien a Thai Ramayana. A scene from Ramakian or Ramayan, the Indian epic Lakshman riding in a chariot along with Rama and Sita sitting in the back. After his victory over Ravana, Sri Rama prepares to leave for Ayodhya, Rama now told Vibheeshan that there was just one more day...

Extraordinary Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring a pagoda pavilion landscape with a dramatic gold leaf background. The black lacquered panels are incised with vibr...

Design inspired on an artwork by Salvador Dali´: Interpretation project for a stable-library, 1942 Stuffed lamb, elaborated with a technique by a taxidermist. Drawer and table top i...

Middle Eastern Islamic brass repoussé vase, finely hand-etched, engraved, hammered and chased with elaborate Moorish Syrian designs decorated with medall...

An interesting bronze sculpture or okimono with a brown patina depicting a snail in a very original pose. Its angular form indeed suggests that it can be displayed in a way that give...

A large Japanese Meiji period two-piece futon tansu cabinet from the late 19th century, with original iron hardware. Created in Japan during the second hal...

Armchair model "Leda" Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Salvador Dali Taken from “Femme à tête de roses" (1935)” 1935 (Woman with a head of roses). It was sufficient for this sculpture to be made as a three dimensional piece, remaining faithful to every detail in Dalí’s painting. Dalí affirmed: “A chair can be used even to sit on, but only on one condition: That we sit uncomfortably.” We can sit on the Leda, but due to the fact that it only has three legs and that the chair is heavy, it being made of solid brass, is more a work of art than a functional piece of furniture. © Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, Figueres, 2022 Artworks by Salvador Dalí: © Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, VEGAP, Barcelona, 2022 Salvador Dalí is the most versatile and prolific artists of the 20th century and the most famous Surrealist. Though chiefly remembered for his painterly output, in the course of his long career he successfully turned to sculpture, printmaking, fashion, advertising, writing, filmmaking and design. Born in Figueres, Catalonia, Dalí received his formal education in fine arts in Madrid. Influenced by Impressionism and the Renaissance masters from a young age, he became increasingly attracted to Cubism and avant-garde movements. He moved closer to Surrealism in the late 1920s and joined the Surrealist group in 1929, soon becoming one of its leading exponents. In the Paris of the 1930s, Dalí surrounded himself with a circle of friends working in the application of art to a number of varied disciplines, beyond the study of purely pictorial art. One of these, Jean-Michel Frank, an acclaimed furniture designer and decorator in Paris at that time, got on extremely well with Dalí, and together they developed a number of ideas. One example of this is the Bracelli lamp, a classic design in Jean-Michel’s manner of designing and working that Dalí adopted for his home in Portlligat. Among Dalí’s projects, which add to his CV as a designer, are the garden furniture for his home in Portlligat, the complete architecture of the Night Club (in the shape of a hedgehog) for the Hotel Presidente in Acapulco (1957) and a project for a bar in California in the 1940s. His creations were not limited to traditional furniture elements, but included taps, handles, knobs, prints and objects of indeterminate use. In 1933, Dalí even registered the patent for the design of a bench as an outdoor seat. In the 1990s, a team of experts led by Oscar Tusquets set out to bring to life the furniture that Dalí had sketched for Jean-Michel Frank, including the Leda chair and low table taken from the 1935 painting “Femme...

Antique brass baby rattle whistle bell dangles, India. Handcrafted baby rattle in openwork designs with whistle handle and three decorative bell dangles. ...

This seven drawer Chinese console cabinet dates from the 1920s. We believe this is made of elm wood. The original black painted finish has significant honest wear / patina and has b...