Catalog: Antiques (28)

This image of the Buddha is in a naturalistic style most probably prompted by colonial influences. It has been carved in wood, lacquered and gilded and inset with glass fragments backed with coloured foil (known as hman-zi- shwei-cha) and overlaid thayo work, a process whereby thin, rolled strands of lacquer and ash putty are applied in patterns. The image is in the Mandalay style and shows the Buddha seated in vajrasana, with his right hand gesturing to the earth in the bhumisparsa mudra position. It is probably the most characteristic form of religious sculpture in Burma (Lowry, 1974). The posture, known as 'calling the earth to witness', represents the moment when the Buddha was seated in meditation under the Bodhi tree during the evening before his enlightenment. Mara asked him to name anyone who would give evidence that he had given alms, and the Buddha motioned to the earth with his right hand and said that the earth would bear witness to that - in a previous incarnation when he was known as Vessantara, he had given alms to such an extent that the earth had begun to quake. The image shows the Buddha seated on a low platform or socle and dressed in ample robes with naturalistic folds and pleating. Earlier images of the Buddha across Southeast Asia tended to show the monastic robes in a much more schematic way. The eyes have been inlaid with a white material, usually described as mother-of-pearl, with black pupils probably painted on with black lacquer. The cranial protuberance (unisha) is rounded and the head decorated with tight curls in low relief. Unusually, the curls are arrayed in a pattern on the back of the head, rather than being in a more typical, somewhat random manner. The image has been lacquered with black lacquer and then gilded. Overall, the image is very sculptural and decorative: the naturalistic flow of the robes, and the refinement of the face, are particularly pleasing.37"T x 32"W x 24"D. In good antique condition some minor losses and age cracking.

Beautiful rare antique 18th century French hallmarked 950 pure silver ladle with whale baleen handle hall marked. Silver is in excellent condition some inscect damage to handle. Overall a rare and beautiful piece of antique French silver. Overall length measures 16 inches.

Antique East Asian Bronze Standing Buddha measuring an impressive 7.0" W x 28.0" H x 9.0" D . This superb sculpture depicts the Buddha meditating with his hands in the Abhaya mudra of dispelling fear. Abhaya is translated from Sanskrit as fearlessness. It is made with the open palm of the right hand extending outwards at the chest level or slightly higher. The condition is consistent with a dating from the 19th century it would make a superb addition to any collection of Asian antiques, Buddhist objects or art related to Buddhism. The original Buddha, Sakyamuni Gautama, or Gautama Siddhartha, was born in India in the 5th-6th century B.C. He was born into a noble family, but left this life to lead the life of a wandering ascetic and thinker. Reflecting on the human condition one night while sitting under a Bodi tree, he awoke to find he had realized nirvana, the state of absolute beatitude, and would not be reborn again. He traveled the land, meditated, gained wisdom, and along the way realized impermanence was an undeniable, inescapable fact of life. The rest of his life was spent as a preacher, his teachings contained in a series of documents called the Sutras.

A original antique Chinese Stoneware with white glaze (Cizhou ware) jar let from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) Measuring approximately 2.5" high and 3" wide. In very good antique condition. This fine quality Chinese celadon jarlet was probably exported to South East Asia from mainland China to Southeast Asia from mainland China. This particular piece has a good shape and glaze. The glazed ware was made extensively in China by the fourth century AD, and it was exported to South-East Asia from the time of the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279).

Antique American running horse gold gilt copper body weathervane, a beautiful example with great lines and form in typical antique condition with some wear denting and bullet holes. Mounted on a black painted wood display stand measuring approx. overall length 29 inches. A fine piece would make a great decorative accent piece for any interior antique or modern.

Fine Early 19th Century New England area Hepplewhite style Federal sideboard. Mahogany veneer with what appears to be chestnut secondary wood. Exquisite gilt brass rosette pulls, notched cross banding inlay, reeded columns with turned legs, and a unique & quite large bin like center drawer flanked by a cabinet door to the left and a large drawer to the right, as well as 3 standard drawers. An exceptional and timeless sideboard, in traditional early American taste.

A beautiful antique standing gilt bronze Buddha, Thailand. Mid 19th Century. Standing in the fearless gesture (abhaya mudra) with arms bent & palms forward. In good antique condition losses to the gold gilt wear commensurate of age. A fine example would be a nice addition to any collection or decor. Measuring 8ʺW × 5ʺD × 20ʺH The Rattanakosin kingdom is one of the most powerful kingdoms in the history of Siam. Unlike Sukothai and Lanna styles, which vanished, Rattanakosin style was the continuation of Ayutthaya style and quite different from other styles. The material of choice was bronze

This attractively proportioned games table is a form famously produced in the Salem, Massachusetts area at the beginning of the 19th Century. The serpentine form with ovolo corners, coupled with richly carved foliate and reeded legs, is a motif used by those cabinetmakers and carvers associated with the successful workshop of Samuel Field McIntire (1757-1811). The hinged serpentine top has a serpentine front and sides with outset ovolo corners. The top rests above a conforming apron with a vibrantly grained mahogany panel. Richly carved and turned legs flank each corner of the apron and the proper right rear leg, swings out to support the flyleaf top. The legs terminating in ornate gilt brass casters.

An ancient Chinese Han Dynasty earthenware cocoon jar circa 206 BC-220 AD, with traces of original hand painted design motif. Cocoon jars a name derived for its the resemblance with the shape of a silk worm cocoon. They were originally used as wine storage vessels. This is a beautiful example in good ancient condition but for normal wear to surfaces. DIMENSIONS 12ʺW × 8ʺD × 10ʺH

A fine antique Chinese carved zitan wood Buddha or Bodhisattva Monk figure. Exquisite artistic finely carved details from one solid piece of Zitan wood the hardest of all woods very rare. Carved features as in the image of a carved bamboo stock Chinese date mark on reverse. Measuring 18.5 inches tall or 47 cm. A museum quality piece.

An exquisite sterling overlay cranberry glass pitcher awarded as a trophy for the Motor Boat Club of America. Measuring 13.5 inches tall in excellent condition.

A beautiful antique oak jewelry box with silver on copper mounted art nouveau decorative panels with cherubs having a bacchanal with wine and music and other design motifs and trims circa 1900. The box opens two a plush lined interior with two tiers one with divider and ring or pocket watch holder. Measuring 9.0" W x 5.0" H x 6.25" D in good antique condition minor age imperfections.

A original antique Chinese Celadon pottery jar let from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) with Chinoiserie designs under glaze. Measuring approximately 2 3/4" high and 3 3/4" wide. In very good antique condition. This fine quality Chinese celadon jarlet was probably exported to South East Asia from mainland China to Southeast Asia from mainland China. This particular piece has a good olive green glaze with two handles near the rim. Having this Chinese green-glaze ware in this collection may signify Chinese influence on Southeast Asian ceramics. For example, typical Sawankhalok green-glazed ware was largely influenced by Chinese green-glazed ware. The green glazed ware was made extensively in China by the fourth century AD, and it was exported to South-East Asia from the time of the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279).

English 19th century burl walnut highboy in 18th C Georgian style. Elegant queen Anne carved legs on the base. Cross banded drawers and pullout lined folding shelf or press. Hand made brass pulls dove tail construction some 20th century refurbishing to drawer runners.

A fine American federal period carved shield back side chair circa 1830 of the finest quality in excellent condition.

Exquisite pair French gilt bronze 5 light candelabra with cherubs and garland leaf and flower motif supported by a white marble base. Measuring 28" x 13" x 8".

Original antique 19th century Japanese Woodblock Print by KUNISADA (AKA TOYOKUNI III, 1786-1864). Presented matted and framed. In good antique condition some surface soiling commensurate of age. Kunisada Utagawa was born in 1786 in Honjo, in the outskirts of Tokyo, the capital of Japan, then called Edo. His father died when he was about one year old. But he had left his son a hereditary ferry-boat license which provided a safe income. In contrast to so many other ukiyo-e artists like for instance Kuniyoshi Utagawa or his student Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, Kunisada never had to experience any financial hardships during his lifetime. The idea of a hereditary ferry-boat license seems strange to us today. You must know that the Japanese society of the Edo period (1603-1868) was extremely rigid. Your place in life was defined by your birth. If you were born as the son of a farmer, your destiny was to be a farmer for your whole life. Another example was the samurai warrior class. You could not become a samurai. You were born as a samurai.

An exquisite Queen Anne period elaborately carved side chair in excellent condition all original a fine example of early furniture making.