Chinese Floral Apothecary Mortar, circa 1900

This vintage cast iron mortar from China's Shanxi province is patterned in low relief with a simple floral design. Originally used in a traditional ap...

Cast in iron with a raised floral design, this vintage mortar was once used in a traditional apothecary to create herbal medicines. Beautifully aged with a rich patina, the footed mo...

A small and interesting cast bronze archaistic scholar vase with loose ring handles and taotie mask design, late Ming or early Qing Dynasty, mid 17th century, China. The small vase of archaistic hu form, and cast with archaistic designs. Sitting on a tall splayed ring foot, the round body is cast with a large band featuring a ferocious taotie (ogre) mask. The taotie mask in this case id decidedly feline, with a ruyi shaped snout above a whiskered mouth. Two flanges stick out to either side of the mask, reminiscent of ears. A wide, tall neck rises from the body, terminating in a slightly everted mouth. The archaistic cast design on the neck is not as clear, but most likely represents Fusang, a mythical island in the Eastern Sea where the legendary Fusang tree grows. The Fusang tree, home to the mythical Sun Bird...

A rare antique iron vase with champlevé enamel decoration, dating to the Qing dynasty, 19th century (possibly earlier). The vase is of baluster form with a short cylindrical neck and...