Chinese Ishi Sashi Ingot Weight, c. 1900

This curious stone object is a late 19th-century exercise weight, once used as part of the intensive training for martial arts and theater performers. Hand-carved from solid limeston...

This lovely Qing-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter...

Look closely and you can just make out the hand-carved details that once made this small stone stool resemble a drum. A ring of circles along the top and bottom imitates bosshead nai...

Unlike many objects of its kind, this limestone hitching stone was carved into a simple rounded shape without any figural references. Used to secure a horse by rope or reins, the sto...

A sculptural artifact with commanding presence, this 19th-century Chinese martial arts stone weight embodies strength, discipline, and timeless craftsmanship. Originally used for phy...

This is an old stone stand in Japan. I don't know the details if it was used as a stand for beating straw, but it seems to be before the end of the Edo period. The round silhouette...

A Chinese unglazed ceramic headrest with lovely patina and naieve carvings on both sides. ONe geometrical and one of a fantasy beast (griffion?). These headrests are found in difform...

The tri-lobed shape and combed ridges of this cooking pot increased heating efficiency by maximizing the vessel’s surface area. The shape of a bronze vessel li, with the body rising out of three hollow pointed legs to a wide moiuth with splayed-out rim. The exterior is covered with cord impressed pattern. The surface shows signs of oxidation from being buried in the soil for a long time. Period: Zhou or Shang dynasty circa 1000 B.C.E. Medium : Grey earthenware with impressed decoration Type : Tripod vessel Size : 29cm (Height) x 35cm(Diameter) Condition : Good Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) V&A Museum - ACCESSION NUMBER C.87-1954 2) Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art - ACCESSION NUMBER F1984.13 3) The University of Chicago - OBJECT NUMBER 1989.1 4) The MET - Accession Number: 1972.275.5 5) Kyoto National Museum - Three-footed Earthenware Vessel * Shang Dynasty Pottery (1600-1046 BCE) The Shang dynasty, known for its significant advancements in bronze casting, also produced notable pottery. Shang pottery is characterized by its practical use and simple designs, reflecting the utilitarian needs of the society. The pottery from this period includes both coarse wares used for everyday purposes and fine, high-quality ceramics used in ritualistic contexts. Common forms include jars, bowls, and cups, often with a dark, burnished surface. One distinctive feature of Shang pottery is the use of gray clay, and many pieces display clear signs of oxidation, giving them a unique, mottled appearance. The decorations were typically incised or stamped, featuring geometric patterns, zoomorphic designs, and motifs that are also seen in Shang bronze...