Made in Jade and other materials supplanted onto wood base, a fantastic Chinese Mother and Child, looks to have Christian Origins may well have been panel in an important  More »

Made in Jade and other materials supplanted onto wood base, a fantastic Chinese Mother and Child, looks to have Christian Origins may well have been panel in an important piece of furniture, consider mid Victorian condition is very good has some writings on right hand side, offering free delivery Worldwide reference BBB International Tel: +44 7505 165 843 We accept online payments for all our items listed: Bank transfer cash on collection personal cheques or if wishing over the phone using your debit or credit cards, also doing layby payments plan, or email giving your address details & contact number and we shall send you your items invoice to make payment with your card. Send your request to - john.strong2@gmail.com   « Less

Indian silver consider high grade believe catch is gold too, circa late 19th early 20th century, stunning work depicting a Tiger Hunt on Elephants of 18th century scenes,  More »

Indian silver consider high grade believe catch is gold too, circa late 19th early 20th century, stunning work depicting a Tiger Hunt on Elephants of 18th century scenes, condition is superb no dings or dents, length being 132 mm height 80 mm depth 12 mm, offering free delivery Worldwide reference SB. International Tel: +44 7505 165 843 We accept online payments for all our items listed: Bank transfer cash on collection personal cheques or if wishing over the phone using your debit or credit cards, also doing layby payments plan, or email giving your address details & contact number and we shall send you your items invoice to make payment with your card. Send your request to - john.strong2@gmail.com   « Less

Superb old trinkets dish in river washed jade has the good luck frog carved into the dish, sizes are length of 11 cm depth 10 cm height 15 mm, offering free delivery  More »

Superb old trinkets dish in river washed jade has the good luck frog carved into the dish, sizes are length of 11 cm depth 10 cm height 15 mm, offering free delivery Worldwide reference CC Tel: +44 7505 165 843 We accept online payments for all our items listed: Bank transfer cash on collection personal cheques or if wishing over the phone using your debit or credit cards, also doing layby payments plan, or email giving your address details & contact number and we shall send you your items invoice to make payment with your card. Send your request to - john.strong2@gmail.com   « Less

Chinese black lacquered 4 panel hinged, footed screen, depicting courtesans in a garden scene, fitted with various semi-precious stones and materials (ivory, carnelian, jade,  More »

Chinese black lacquered 4 panel hinged, footed screen, depicting courtesans in a garden scene, fitted with various semi-precious stones and materials (ivory, carnelian, jade, etc.); the back decorated with birds on prunus boughs. 12 in. W x 38.25 in. H, each panel.   « Less

China Trade hand painted peacock feather fan featuring Mandarin figures amid floral decoration, the pierced ivory spokes collected by a brass link with attached original  More »

China Trade hand painted peacock feather fan featuring Mandarin figures amid floral decoration, the pierced ivory spokes collected by a brass link with attached original tassel; custom silvered frame, behind glass, Canton c. 1850. 17.25 in H x 25.25 in W   « Less

Upon leading a victorious rebellion against the foreign Mongul rulers of the Yuan Dynasty, a peasant named Zhu Yuanzhang seized control of China and founded the Ming Dynasty  More »

Upon leading a victorious rebellion against the foreign Mongul rulers of the Yuan Dynasty, a peasant named Zhu Yuanzhang seized control of China and founded the Ming Dynasty in 1368. As emperor, he founded his capital at Nanjing and adopted the name Hongwu as his reign title. Hongwu, literally meaning “vast military,” reflects the increased prestige of the army during the Ming Dynasty. Due to the very realistic threat still posed by the Mongols, Hongwu realized that a strong military was essential to Chinese prosperity. Thus, the orthodox Confucian view that the military was an inferior class to be ruled over by an elite class of scholars was reconsidered. During the Ming Dynasty, China proper was reunited after centuries of foreign incursion and occupation. Ming troops controlled Manchuria, and the Korean Joseon Dynasty respected the authority of the Ming rulers, at least nominally.Like the founders of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.), Hongwu was extremely suspicious of the educated courtiers that advised him and, fearful that they might attempt to overthrow him, he successfully consolidated control of all aspect of government. The strict authoritarian control Hongwu wielded over the affairs of the country was due in part to the centralized system of government he inherited from the Monguls and largely kept intact. However, Hongwu replaced the Mongul bureaucrats who had ruled the country for nearly a century with native Chinese administrators. He also reinstituted the Confucian examination system that tested would-be civic officials on their knowledge of literature and philosophy. Unlike the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), which received most of its taxes from mercantile commerce, the Ming economy was based primarily on agriculture, reflecting both the peasant roots of its founder as well as the Confucian belief that trade was ignoble and parasitic.Culturally, the greatest innovation of the Ming Dynasty was the introduction of the novel. Developed from the folk tales of traditional storytellers, these works were transcribed in the everyday vernacular language of the people. Advances in printmaking and the increasing population of urban dwellers largely contributed to the success of these books. Architecturally, the most famous monument of the Ming Dynasty is surely the complex of temples and palaces known as the Forbidden City that was constructed in Beijing after the third ruler of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yongle, moved the capital there. Today, the Forbidden Palace remains one of the hallmarks of traditional Chinese architecture and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the vast nation.The historical figure, Buddha Gautama Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who, having achieved the highest evolutionary perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the northeastern province of India, the district including the holy Ganges River. The young prince was married to Yashoda when he was about 17 years old and together they had a son named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of luxury, feeling compelled to purify his body and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding himself of earthly impulses and temptations. Chinese Buddhist art is heavily influenced both by earlier Indian examples and the stylistic tendencies of the Central Asian cultures who brought the religion into China.This depiction of the Buddha does not actually represent the historical figure of the Sakyamuni, but one of his disciples known as Pu-Tai. Pu-Tai was a fat wandering Zen monk who was considered a man of good and loving character. His large belly distinguished him from the other ascetics. When Buddhism was introduced into Japan, the figure of Pu-Tai was melded with the Shinto god of luck Hotei. From then on, this type of figure commonly referred to as the Laughing Buddha became a symbol of good luck, happiness, and prosperity throughout China and Japan. Today, the tradition persists that rubbing the prominent belly of the Laughing Buddha brings good luck and longevity. - (X.0420)   « Less

GentlemanCollector.com Japanese Mempo/Menpo Samaruai Mask - Gold LameReference No.: 1 For more information on this item, click through to GentlemanCollector.com Date:  More »

GentlemanCollector.com Japanese Mempo/Menpo Samaruai Mask - Gold LameReference No.: 1 For more information on this item, click through to GentlemanCollector.com Date: 1800Category: Arms, Armour, and MetalwareLocation of Origin: Asia / JapanPrice: 4200Medium/Materials: Iron LacquerDimensions: Mask ? 7in (w) x 10in (h) x 5in (d). Glass display case - 12 (w) x12 (d) x18 (h).Description: An iron mask with a red lacquered interior. The front face has deep wrinkles on the cheeks and a protruding chin. It also consists of a detachable nose and a four-lame throat guard which has been gilded with blue lacing. Presently displayed on a Lucite stand within a bespoke glass display case.Provenance: Private New England CollectionAdditional Information: Japanese Samaruai masks are known by many names including: mempo / menpo, hanbo / hambo, and somen. Menpo/Mempo are face masks that cover only half of the face (the present example is a Mempo), while Somen are full face masks and Hanbo/Hambo are masks that only cover the cheeks.The samurai were the warrior class in Japan that served to protect the nobility and first appeared in the 9th century. The origins of the Samurai were considered civilians and had to provide their own weapons and were the first organized army in Japan. Later feudal lords developed their own armies instilling the idea that it was shameful not to have risked one's life in the line of duty and thus the modern idea of the Samurai was created. In the 16th century Jesuit leader Saint Francis Xavier noted that "There is no nation in the world which fears death less."   « Less

Inspiring Buddha has incredible carving, hands up praying, beautiful smile, gorgeous carved necklace. Solid wood, very good, aged, cut off toe. 19" height, 8" width, 7"  More »

Inspiring Buddha has incredible carving, hands up praying, beautiful smile, gorgeous carved necklace. Solid wood, very good, aged, cut off toe. 19" height, 8" width, 7" length.   « Less

A Set of three antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Peking glass panels. Made of two layers of blue and white glass, with finely incised decoration depicting tripod censers, and a  More »

A Set of three antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Peking glass panels. Made of two layers of blue and white glass, with finely incised decoration depicting tripod censers, and a shallow bowl with fruits on a bench. The panels were possibly originally mounted on a window, or screen, and the wooden frames were added later on. CONDITION: The glass is in good condition, the wooden frames are worn-out with cracks. DIMENSIONS: Approximately: Height: 26 cm (101/4 in). Width: 23 cm (9 1/8 in). ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES, AND NOT REPRODUCTIONS. ALL OUR ARTIFACTS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. WE SHIP INTERNATIONALLY   « Less

A spectacular antique 18th century Chinese Export Cross. Made of rosewood inlaid with finely engraved mother-of-pearl, with Christian religious symbols, and floral  More »

A spectacular antique 18th century Chinese Export Cross. Made of rosewood inlaid with finely engraved mother-of-pearl, with Christian religious symbols, and floral scrolling. During the 18th century China exported to Europe luxury objects as porcelain, lacquer, silk, silver, furniture, and other artwork for European aristocrats and the upper-class. CONDITION: In good condition and shape considering its age, with signs of age and usage, absence of some tiny pieces of mother–of –pearl inlay. MEASUREMENTS: Height: 51 cm (20 1/8 in). Width: 25.4 cm (10 in). ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES, AND NOT REPRODUCTIONS. ALL OUR ARTIFACTS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. WE SHIP INTERNATIONALLY   « Less