Early 1800s Sculptures and Carvings

Do you know what Daikokuten is? This god in Japan is an old god who has existed since the end of the Muromachi period (16th century) as one of the seven gods who bestow happiness. He...

From our recent Japanese acquisitions, a rare find Antique Original Japanese temple "blossoming lotus" flower bud stem including its original red lacquer display base. This finely hand carved wood and lacquered gold flower stem was made for a Buddhist 19th century temple altar. Its flower blossoms and leaves symbolize the stages of the path toward enlightenment. The individual parts of each lotus is carved separately then joined in an arrangement and inserted in altar vessels. Also called "Jyôka" , it is placed on or next to an altar in a Buddhist temple. Made with meticulous techniques. In Buddhism, the lotus is an important symbol of divine enlightenment because it blooms into beautiful flowers while growing in mud. Tsunehana means "a flower that continues to bloom forever" and "a flower that does not wither." For this reason, the flowers represented are in different stages of their life, unfolded lotus leaves, buds and full flowers, thus symbolizing the journey towards Buddhist enlightenment. This lovely Japanese antique gilt Lotus flower is an early survivor, circa 1840, and a hard to find treasure that was originally placed on or around a temple altar. This ensemble consists of a single stem, the top most flower, and the bottom leaf- all mounted in the original square red lacquer display base. A gold gilt 3.5 inch long tortoise "minogame" is affixed to the base as seen in the photo. Its attractive original old patina coupled with much of the original gilding remaining present is just the way we like to find them. Dimensions: With original red lacquer display stand Height, 17 inches height and 9 inches in width. The lotus flower stem alone measures 16 inches in height. Provenance: acquired from a Kyoto Japanse monk and collector History of the Japanese turtle "minogame" One of the most famous is the mythological giant turtle...

An unusual Japanese carved wood, lacquer, and gilt decorated portrait sculpture of a shogun, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The unidentified shogun (possibly Tokugawa Iey...

A 19th century Asian stone architectural fragment. This intriguing sculpture probably had a utilitarian function as a water deposit. As often in China prac...

Two exquisite Japanese musha ningyo dolls, crafted as courtiers, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The older man can be identified as the h...

Subirachs (Josep Maria Subirachs, Spanish, 1927-2014), "Untitled", Bronze Sculpture, numbered and stamped in cast “56/250 RKP Int. Corp c. 1982”. Provenance: From the collection of t...

On offer is an impressively large and finely cast Sino-Tibetan gilt antiquebronze statue of Vajrasattva Bodhisattva, circa 19th century maybe earlier. The deity is depicted seating i...

Antique 19th century Chinese carved gold gilt and painted wood wall panel or plaque with scholar and warrior figures scene. Signed on back as p...

This stack of two molded ceramic tsa tsa bricks depict Buddhist deities. Each was a meditation created in a monastery by a Buddhist monk in training. They were...

A beautiful bronze sculpture of The Tibetan Amitayus, the Bodhissatva/Buddha of infinite life, a tantric for of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. Adorned with necklaces, crown...

This gorgeous Japanese red lacquer traveling shrine (zushi) protects a miniature statue of Bishamonten, the Buddhist God of Warfare here depicted as an armor-clad warrior. A fearsome protector, he is thought to defend sacred places, punish evil-doers, expel demons and bestow wealth. In this example, Bishamonten stands atop a crouching demon, dressed in finely painted armor...

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