19th Century Sculptures and Carvings

A Chinese scholar stone of Lingbi type presented on a carved wood base. This stone takes a singular vertical form with one convex side that is largely flat, and the other side slight...

A stunning Taihu scholar stone in an unusual horizonal balanced form perched on a custom wood stand. The stone, in a nearly pure greyish white color, display a weathered smooth surfa...

An Indian antique carved wooden hand noodle press from the 19th century, with ram motif. Created in India during the 19th century, this wooden piece was originally used to hand make noodles. Showcasing a vice press, the body is adorned with a carved ram whose head and behind expand from a central square. This container is where the dough was placed and the vice part would press it into noodles. The ram head is carved with nice motifs, particularly visible on his curling antlers. The sides are adorned with medallions adorned with rosettes on all sides. Boasting a nicely weathered appearance revealing its nice age and use, this antique Indian carved wooden...

Late 19th-early 20th century Tribal mask, West Nepal A mask from West Nepal with a sharp straight nose, squinting eyes and a square mouth showing upper and lower teeth. There are re...

Very rare Asian snuffbox in carved amethyst. Great workmanship, beautiful stone color! In good condition . Late 19th century Length 7.5 cm, height 2.6 cm

Description: A singular example of Guanyin. Deviating from the Bodhisattva’s conventional pose of ‘royal ease’, the figure is instead seated in the meditative padmasana, or ‘lotus position’, rendering this Guanyin something of a rarity. An Apana more typically associated with depictions of Buddhas, Guanyin assuming this pose immediately signifies this figure as one of particular spiritual reverence. Both feet are revealed crossed upon one another from beneath fabric which spills before her, her left palm turned upward with her hand resting upon her left knee and her right raised in a relaxed gesture. Adorned with a diadem housing a depiction of Amitabha Buddha, her own spiritual guide, she exudes an air of tranquil regality, further characterised by her numerous strings of beads and elaborately fastened dhoti, attire traditionally reserved for Indian princes. Though the figure’s dress is Indian her face is undoubtedly exemplifying artistic Chinese beauty standards. Her face is soft and rounded, full in both the lips and cheeks, with eyes that restfully peer down, as though she is watching over the worries of mankind with compassion. Notes on the item: Guanyin is the Chinese interpretation of Avalokiteshvara, the Indian Bodhisattva of compassion. The term “Bodhisattva” is derived from the Sanskrit “Bodhi”, meaning ‘awakening’ or ‘enlightenment’, combined with “Sattva”, meaning ‘spirit’ or ‘being’, referring to one on the path to achieving enlightenment. Bodhisattvas in Mayahana Buddhism are recognised as figures who have effectively achieved enlightenment yet relinquish their accension to nirvana in order to remain amongst mankind in the ultimate act of compassion to aid as spiritual guides. As such, the Bodhisattva inhabit a liminal space between samsara and nirvana; enlightened beings that maintain a relationship with humanity that buddhas cannot, as attaining Buddhahood necessitates the abandonment of all worldly attachments, including mankind. Guanyin’s very name, ‘One who hears the cries of the world’ highlights this role as a compassionate figure who acknowledges the suffering and strife of man. Along with Mahāsthāmaprāpta, a fellow bodhisattva, Guanyin serves as an attendant to Buddha Amitabha, with these three deities recognised as the Three Sages of Western Pure Land Buddhism, a sect of Mayahana Buddhism popular in East Asia. Avalokiteshvara is commonly posited to have been adopted from Indian Buddhism into China as Guanyin around 200-400 CE, however it was the Tang dynasty (618-907) which saw the popularisation of the deity. By the Ming (1358–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, Guanyin held the position as the most popular female deity in China. The unique state of religion in China held no monolithic canon regarding Buddhism and saw the assimilation of several belief systems, primarily Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Consequently, Guanyin became a deity to be revered beyond Buddhism alone, appointed as both an official imperial deity and Daoist deity in the 12th century. Guanyin may also be seen to fulfil the role of idealised femininity as prescribed by Confucianism, with the scarcity of female Chinese deities perhaps accounting for the gradual gender shift Guanyin underwent. The Indian Avalokiteshvara is unequivocally recognised as male, whilst the supposed gender of Guanyin remains contentious. Although there is a clear shift from the masculine Avalokiteshvara towards a more feminine representation, it is unclear if Guanyin is understood to be entirely feminine, to inhabit qualities of both genders or to be elevated beyond gender entirely, embodying neither. Depictions of Guanyin are highly androgynous, which some believe lends credence towards Guanyin symbolising the unity of dualistic forces as recognised in Daoism, displaying the anthropomorphism of yin and yang. Comparative Analysis: Market comparisons of similar Qing Dynasty polychrome figures of Guanyin include lot 767 (no.2) From Christies ‘Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art,’ New York, 25 March 2022, with the price realised USD 52,920 (Estimate USD 20,000 – USD 30,000). Christies also auctioned a comparable polychrome Guanyin...

Material: bronze 72,3 cm high 16,8 cm wide and 16,5 cm deep Weight: 6.760 kgs Gilded with 24 krt. gold Abhaya mudra Originating from Thailand 19th century - Rattanakosin peri...

A large Chinese carved Hetian White Celedon jade buckle, a beast head with two monkeys on the lower part and two peaches in the middle, depicting the meani...

A rustic Thai 19th century ox cart wooden wheel mounted on a custom made black wooden stand. Born in Thailand during the 19th century, this handmade wheel is pierced in its center with a circular hole reserved for the axle tree. The wheel showcases a nicely weathered patina witnessing its long use since the 19th century. This item is mounted on a custom made black painted stepped base. With its rustic appearance and large proportions, this 19th century Thai mounted wooden ox cart wheel...

A spectacular Japanese cast, carved, and parcel gilt bronze sculpture, okimono, of a kneeling samurai archer, signed Kiyotsugu (died 1894), Meiji ...

Chinese carved red coral lady with flowers and flowing robes. Very fine work from Qing Dynasty. Weight 236 g. Last two images taken under natu...

Hand-carved wooden sculpture representing a traditional guardian or deity figure, often referred to as the "Lady of Popa," originating from Vietnam or Southeast Asia. This striking p...

This 19th-century Japanese bronze Daruma statue is a striking and contemplative representation of Bodhidharma, the revered founder of Zen Buddhism. Cast in bronze with exceptional de...

Rare and Hard To Find 19th Century From China's Qing dynasty (1644-1912) a hard to find solid limestone finely carved square footed pedestal - perfect for displaying your indoor or ...

A wonderful piece. This beautifully sculpted and adorned bronze and gilt, Buddha is from the Thai Rattanakosin Kingdom period (1782-1932) and has a nice patina and coloring acquired ...

Featuring Seven Japanese Macaques Form our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Bronze Monkey Group by Shosai. The Japanese Bronze Group displaying a male father monkey and his infants playing around and being mischievous with Persimmon fruit. The monkeys modelled as Japanese macaque monkeys (snow monkey). The bronze okimono is beautifully patinated with a highly lifelike and naturalistic casting signed to the underside Shosai 正齊鋳. The Bronze group dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1885. Japanese macaque (snow monkey) is a terrestrial Old World monkey species that is native to Japan. They are known as snow monkeys because some live in areas where snow covers the ground for long periods each year hence their nickname. No other non-human primate lives further north or in a colder climate than the snow monkey. Individuals have brownish grey fur, pinkish-red faces, and short tails. Two subspecies are known and their conservation Status is of least concern. In Japan, the species is known as Nihonzaru ニホンザル, 日本 (Japan/Nihon) and saru 猿 (monkey) to distinguish it from other primates, but the Japanese macaque is the only species of monkey in Japan. The Japanese macaque features heavily in the religion, folklore, and art of Japan, as well as in proverbs and idiomatic expressions in the Japanese language. They are often seen in paintings, block prints and represented in all manner of carvings from Okimono to netsuke. Many of these art forms reside in the world’s most famous museums and collections, some of the most prominent pieces by artists such as Mori Sosen and Kawanabe Kyosai. In Shinto belief (Japan’s indigenous religion/nature religion) legendary mythical beasts known as raiju sometimes appeared as monkeys and kept Raijin (the god of lightning/storms) company. In another well known tale the three wise monkeys who warn people to “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil” can be seen depicted in relief over the door of the famous Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko. Meiji Period was an era of Japanese history that spanned from 1868 to 1912. It was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people began to build a paradigm of a modern, industrialised nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western countries and aesthetics. As a result of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound and it affected the social structure, politics, economy, military, and foreign relations across the board. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji and was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era. Cultural Art during the Meiji Period was of particular interest to the government and they overhauled the art export market which in turn promoted Japanese arts via various world’s fairs, beginning in Vienna at the world fair in 1873. The government heavily funded the fairs and took an active role organising how Japan’s culture was presented to the world including creating a semi-public company named Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha (First Industrial Manufacturing Company). The Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha was used to promote and commercialise exports of Japanese art and established the Hakurankai Jimukyoku (Exhibition Bureau) to maintain quality standards. For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Japanese government created a Centennial Office and sent a special envoy to secure space for the 30,000 items that would be displayed. The Imperial Household also took an active interest in arts and crafts, commissioning works by select artists to be given as gifts for foreign dignitaries further emphasising the high quality and importance of Japanese art. Just before the end of the 19th century in 1890, the Teishitsu Gigeiin (Artist to the Imperial Household) system was created to recognise distinguished artists. These artists were selected for their exceptionally high quality wares and talent in their own industry. Over a period of 54 years Seventy artists were appointed, amongst these were ceramicist Makuzu Kozan and cloisonné enamel artist...

This large antique Burmese Buddha altar stands at an impressive height of 187 cm, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Burma (Myanmar). Crafted in the...

Late 19th century Qingtian stone (soapstone) carved scholar's brush rest, Chinese. A landscape carving depicting tea houses among pine trees by a lake with mountains behind. Contrast...

These are a very good PAIR of antique Chinese foo or lion dog sculptures, sometimes called temple lions, made of a brass-bronze metal alloy, with excellent detail, dating to the early 19th century, Qing period or possibly earlier back to the 18th century. They are a male and female pair, the male with the slightly larger head. These pieces are very well cast with good detail and wear, showing a very good depth of colour. Both dogs have a small hole on the top of the head for incense to be placed. Each piece weighs about 700gm unpacked Overall a lovely pair of antique Chinese Foo Dogs...

Discover the timeless charm of these antique wooden Indian temple doors, crafted from solid wood and dating back to the 19th century. Measuring 121.5 cm in height, 61.5 cm in width, ...

Antique Thai Hardwood Betelnut Box. A turned wood globular chedi form having a narrower pedestal base, fitted wood conical top shaped with circular tiers...

Antique 3 Architectural Panels of Chinese carved gilt statue group with relief carved images from 19th century, framed. measured 19 in x 8.75 in ...

This is an old Japanese "Kobo Daishi" wooden figure. "Kobo Daishi" means "Kukai". "Kukai" was a monk from the early Heian period. His posthumous name was "Kobo Daishi". He is the fou...

A impressive bronze Buddha head fragment displayed on wood stand circa late 19th century. The Buddha was cast in the early "U Thong" style that flourished between the 12-13rd century A.D in Central Thailand. The Buddha iconography of that period is exemplified by the influence from Mon and Khmer kingdom, featuring a more square face and a characteristic small band between the hairline and the forehead. This large Buddha head...

A crisply carved antique Chinese red cinnabar lacquer lidded round box with blue enamel interior and brass fittings. The "dragon's blood" trinket box has a fine peony, foliate and fl...

Rare and Hard To Find 19th Century From China's Qing dynasty (1644-1912) a hard to find solid limestone finely carved round top pedestal - perfect for displaying your indoor or outd...

Antique Chinese Carved Pebble Hetian White Jade with Landscaping Scenery. The "Density is 2.89 g/cm³. -Dimensions and Density- Width: 1 3/4" Depth: 7/8" Height: 3 1/4" Weight: ...

Here's one of the most beautiful Chinese antiques we have ever found in our travels in China over the past three decades. This is a one-of-a-kind antique sandstone lintel which when installed and displayed could be a handsome addition to your decor. It dates to the 18th century of the Qing dynasty. It still retains remnants of its original poly chrome surfaces. The carving and detail is deep and very fine. Depicted are a pair of writhing dragons competing for the fabled -wish granting jewel- and possibly water waves beneath- all auspicious signs. Dimensions: 13 inches high and 71 inches wide and 14 inches deep Photographs taken in natural light in our garden. Rare work of art. Provenance: originally found in Chengdu Province and has been part of family collection since its acquisition in 2004. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden...

A wonderfully formed Chinese scholar stone of Lingbi type presented on a carved wood base with curvy conforming contour. Impressive in size and substantial in weight, this grey Lingb...

Large Japanese naturalistically modeled bronze okimono in the form of a crab. One of 5 designated by the (B) in the title.

Graceful bronze sculpture representing the standing Buddha, hands gently crossed in front of the body in a gesture of meditation (samādhi mudrā). The serene face, crowned with an elo...

African Toma Tribal Initiation Ceremonial Mask From Liberia (Guinea) From the Tribal people of Liberia (Guinea, Africa) Initiation masks were used by secret male socity know as Poro

Antique Chinese Carved Hetain Light Celadon White Jade depicting dragonfly and ruyi on a lotus leaf. Good use of russet skin coloring, 19th-century. -Dimensions and Density- Jade: ...

Laos wooden Buddha sitting in Mara Vijaya (calling the earth to witness) posture on a base. Age: Laos, 19th century Size: Height 49.6 C.M. / Width 13 C.M. Size including stand: ...

A fine old or antique Chinese jade carving. In the form of a yak (or possibly a dzo) with with a large wrapped package on its back (likely a ger/yurt) There is old glue residue to ...

Antique Chinese Carved Hetain Light Celadon Jade " Archer's Ring", 19th Century. Good use of russet skin coloring, 19th-century. -Dimensions and Density- Jade: Width: 1.125" Depth:...

An antique Indian temple multicolor carving from the 19th century depicting Ganesha with consort Riddhi or Siddhi on his knee. Created in India d...

In this listing you will find a pair of exuisite Antique Foo Dogs hand-carved in dark green jade. Known as Shishi or Pinyin, these are Chinese Imperia...

Discover this antique Burmese Kammavaca manuscript, an extraordinary 19th-century artifact showcasing Burma’s rich Buddhist heritage. Crafted from la...

Small antique Southeast Asian cast bronze buddha head sculpture with verdigris patina mounted on a black base wood stand. Bronze Sukhothai style Buddha bronze head with green patina,...

Late 19th-early 20th century Tribal mask, West Nepal A mask from West Nepal with a rather heart shaped facial plane. There are three large iron staples, two of which may have secure...

Rustic Thai ox cart wooden wheel with stand. Age: Thailand, 19th Century Size: Diameter 58 C.M. / Thickness 4.7 C.M. Size including stand: Height...

A rare Xuan type Chinese scholar stone on a carved wood stand circa 19th century Qing dynasty. Xuan stone was traditionally collected in Xuan Zhou, Anhui Province in China. The stone...

Scultura Bronzo Raffigurazione Arciere periodo Meiji Firmata Descrizione: Scultura giapponese antica raffigurazione di arciere in bronzo realizzata...

Pair large antique 19th century Chinese Lacquer and carved wood figures.

Antique Thai Naga Temple Finial on Stand Southeast Asia, Naga is known as the king snake, the ruler of the underworld waterways (the Chinese equivalent is D...

A Japanese Antique carved netsuke "The Beast" dated around the late 19th to early 20th century.

A spectacular pair of framed solid burl wood panels, originally part of a traditional Japanese tsuitate (single-panel standing screen), now presented as sculptural wall art. Each pan...

An antique Indonesian river wood fragment that could be used as a sculpture or decorative bench. This charismatic tree carving was found close to a river and presents a tall and narrow, rustic Silhouette. Perfect to be placed in a modern decor where it will bring a grand contrast with its lovely weathered appearance, this Indonesian wood carving...

Standing Buddha – Mandalay Period Burma (Myanmar), 19th Century Material: Gilt wood Dimensions: 105 × 50 cm This refined standing Buddha figure originates from the Mandalay period o...

The simple exterior of black lacquer encasing this 19th-century Japanese traveling shrine (zushi) belies the splendor within. The hinged doors open to reveal a lustrous gold interior...

Pair of Chinese Carved Hardstone Large Chop Seals, the reticulated bases with stag vignette reliefs, the upper portions depicting an ox mother and child. 8.25" H x 3" W x 3" D. Pro...

A Japanese high quality wooden dagger. The carving is made of the highest quality as often Japanese items are. There is a signature and a poem engraved on side. Comes from an old Swedish collection...

Antique Chinese Hand Carved Wood Gilt Dragon in Shadow Box. Chinese shadow box features a hand carved wood and gilded Dragon from the Qing Dynasty. It is mounted in a massive and de...

Burmese wood carving panel. Age: Burma, Mandalay Period, 19th Century Size: Length 57 cm / width 44.7 cm / thickness 3 cm. Condition: nice condition over...

Unusual Casting of a Pheasant in Flight From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese bronze okimono of a Pheasant upon a naturalistic root wood base. The Ph...

A very large antique Asian wood carving of the iconic Laughing Buddha. The sculpture has great form, the Buddha with his right hand resting ...

Realistically modeled Japanese okimono of a crab raised on its toes. I of 5 designated by the (C) in the title.

An incredible Edo Period Japanese gilt and lacquered carved wood shrine depicting a Bodhisattva with piercing glass eyes, a contemplative expression, and h...

Antique Japanese miniature model of a suit of armor made for the Boy’s day display. Constructed of a lacquered paper cuirass, upper arm guar...