Style: Bessarabian Origin: Caucasus Size: 8. ft x 11 ft 02 in (2.44 m x 3.40 m)

Style: Bessarabian Origin: Caucasus Size: 8. ft x 11 ft 02 in (2.44 m x 3.40 m)   « Less

The overextension of the labor force during the Qin Dynasty would result in a popular uprising against the empire. In 206 B.C., Liu Bang, a Qin official, led an army composed  More »

The overextension of the labor force during the Qin Dynasty would result in a popular uprising against the empire. In 206 B.C., Liu Bang, a Qin official, led an army composed of peasants and some lower nobility to victory and established his own Dynasty in place, the Han. However, unlike the Qin, the Han would unify China and rule virtually uncontested for over four hundred years. It is during this time that much of what is now considered to be Chinese culture was first actualized. The bureaucracy started under the Qin was now firmly established. The vast lands of China were now under the firm grip of a central authority. Confucianism became the state ideology although the worship of Taoist deity remained widespread, both among the peasants and the aristocracy. Ancient histories and texts were analyzed and rewritten to be more objective while new legendary myths and cultural epics were transcribed.The Han era can also be characterized as one of the greatest artistic outpourings in Chinese history, easily on par with the glories of their Western contemporaries, Greece and Rome. Wealth pouring into China from trade along the Silk Road initiated a period of unprecedented luxury. Stunning bronze vessels were created, decorated with elegant inlaid gold and silver motifs. Jade carvings reached a new level of technical brilliance. But perhaps the artistic revival of the Han Dynasty is nowhere better represented than in their sculptures and vessels that were interred with deceased nobles. Called mingqi, literally meaning “spirit articles,” these works depicted a vast array of subject, from warriors and horses to ovens and livestock, which were buried alongside the dead for use in the next world, reflecting the Chinese belief that the afterlife was an extension of our earthy existence. Thus, quite logically, the things we require to sustain and nurture our bodies in this life would be just as necessary in our next life.The extensive polychrome painting that decorates the body of this vessel, depicting swirling foliate and abstract motifs, is quite rare. Seldom do more than traces of pigments survive in tact. Here, designs rendered in red and white are easily discerned against the dull gray hue of the fired terracotta. Bands highlight the low neck, accentuating the join of the neck and body. This food storage container was found interred alongside a deceased nobility or elite member of the Han social hierarchy. During the Han Dynasty, it was believed that the afterlife was an extension of our earthly existence. Thus, logically, if we require food and drink to nourish our bodies on earth, we require the same to nourish our souls in the next world. Although these vessels remain empty today, they once held grains or other substances meant for consumption in the afterlife. A symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, for ceremonial feasting and celebrations, this container would have represented the joys to be experienced in the afterlife and the feasts and celebrations yet to come. Today, this vessel is not only a gorgeous work of art, treasured for its history and rarity; but also a stunning reminder of the richness and luxury of the Han Dynasty, both in this world and the next. - (H.625)   « Less

The Tang Dynasty was an era of unrivalled wealth and luxury. The country was successfully reunified and the borders were expanded, pushing Chinese influence into new lands.  More »

The Tang Dynasty was an era of unrivalled wealth and luxury. The country was successfully reunified and the borders were expanded, pushing Chinese influence into new lands. Confucianism became a semi-religious instrument of the state; yet Buddhism continued to flourish, spreading into Korea and Japan. The arts reached new levels of sophistication. Poetry and literature flourished under the enlightened rulers. The Silk Road brought fortunes into China. Precious treasures were imported on the backs of camels from far away lands and bartered for Chinese silk, medicinal herbs, and pungent spices. Tang China was a multicultural empire where foreign merchants from across Central Asia and the Middle East settled in the urban centers, foremost among them the thriving capital of Chang’an (modern X’ian), a bustling cosmopolitan center of over two million inhabitants. Foreign traders lived next to native artisans and both thrived. New ideas and exotic artistic forms followed alongside. The Tang Dynasty was a cultural renaissance where many of the forms and objects we now associate with China were first created. Moreover, this period represents one of the greatest cultural outpourings in human history. This large fragment of a head was once part of a much larger sculpture of a civic official. We can assume from the stature of this work that it likely stood outside as part of the spiritual road leading up to a mausoleum. Picture a procession of monumental civic officials, carved from stone, greeting the emperor as he makes his was inside. Such processional entranceways are well known in China and occur in the architecture of other cultures and civilizations such as the Ancient Egyptians. While it might seem odd to immortalize a government bureaucrat in stone, especially on such a grand scale, when we consider the importance of such civil officials in the daily life of the empire, their significance becomes clear. With over two million inhabitants in greater Chang’an, the cosmopolitan capital of the Tang, the governance of just this city alone would have demanded an extensive network of civic servants, not to mention the numerous distant provinces of that comprised the greater Empire. In order to remove power from the hands of wealthy aristocrats and warlords, the Tang created a class of scholar officials to govern their lands, enacting the will of the Imperial Court throughout China. Rigorous examinations ensured that only the most qualified individuals were able to serve this crucial position. The official wears a tall cap with a chinstrap that marks his status. Today, this monumental fragment is a stunning testament to the wealth and luxury of the Tang Dynasty, a golden age of Chinese culture made possible through the work of such officials. - (PF.5475)   « Less

Origin: China Circa: 368 AD to 534 AD Dimensions: 12.5" (31.8cm) high x 6.25 " (15.9cm) wide Collection: Chinese Art Style: Northern Wei Dynasty Medium: Clay

Origin: China Circa: 368 AD to 534 AD Dimensions: 12.5" (31.8cm) high x 6.25 " (15.9cm) wide Collection: Chinese Art Style: Northern Wei Dynasty Medium: Clay   « Less

A very large hand carved polychrome painted wooden wall bracket (37t x 33w) Continental Ca 1780 Status: For Sale  More »

A very large hand carved polychrome painted wooden wall bracket (37t x 33w) Continental Ca 1780 Status: For Sale Reference#: 105J1984_927x974BKCE Condition: Excellent Year: Ca 1780 Height: 37 in. (93.98 cm) Width: 33 in. (83.82 cm)   « Less

American Mahogany Hepplewhite Game Table With Contoured Frame And Flame Birch Inlay On Center Panel And Front Tapering Legs. Circa 1780.

American Mahogany Hepplewhite Game Table With Contoured Frame And Flame Birch Inlay On Center Panel And Front Tapering Legs. Circa 1780.   « Less

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - AMD.254, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 7.6" (19.3cm) wide,  More »

Sphero-Conical Vessel with Stamped & Incised Decoration - AMD.254, Origin: Central Asia, Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD, Dimensions: 7.6" (19.3cm) wide, Collection: Islamic Art, Style: Islamic, Medium: Earthenware.   « Less

Lot of 9 coins.

Lot of 9 coins.   « Less

A cloisonné belt ornament from Southern China with flora and bird design. The cloisonné is identical on both sides with very high quality workmanship. Age: Late Qing,  More »

A cloisonné belt ornament from Southern China with flora and bird design. The cloisonné is identical on both sides with very high quality workmanship. Age: Late Qing, 19th century. Size: L.30cm. W. 7cm. Condition: No repairs. Normal wear. Please refer to our stock # CLOI-001 when inquiring.   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 30 BC Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x .3" (0.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Late Dynastic/Ptolemaic Period Medium:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 664 BC to 30 BC Dimensions: 1" (2.5cm) high x .3" (0.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Late Dynastic/Ptolemaic Period Medium: Faience The first examples of amulets appeared in Ancient Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Believed to possess magical powers that protected the wearer or bestowed upon the properties they symbolized, amulets were worn both by the living as well as the dead. Throughout their evolution, talismans were crafted from a variety of materials including precious metals such as gold and silver, semiprecious stone like jasper and carnelian, as well as other more affordable glazed compositions such as faience. The particular powers of an individual amulet were based upon its specific shape, although the material and even the color of the charm could affect its magical abilities. While many of the amulets created to be worn by the living could also be worn after death, there also existed a specific group of charms that were made specifically to be placed upon the mummified remains of the deceased. All together, amulets represent an important class of Ancient Egyptian art that furthers our understanding of their complex religious beliefs. The ibis was a sacred bird in Ancient Egyptian mythology, most closely identified with the moon god Thoth, the messanger of the sun god Ra, who is often represented as an ibis-headed man or as a baboon. The name “Thoth” is actually the Greek term used to refer to this deity, whom the Greeks closely identified with Hermes, their messenger to the gods. Thoth, like Hermes, was credited as the inventor of astronomy, writing, and mathmatics. He presided over scribes and knowledge, as has been described in ancient text as a conciliator among the gods whose words were able to bring order to the warring factions of Egypt. In this charming amulet, Thoth is represented as an ibis-headed man standing with one leg forward upon a low rectangular base with his arms clutched against his sides. It is possible that this amulet was once worn by a scribe who hoped to invoke the favor of this powerful deity. - (CK.0219)   « Less