Scholar's Objects

An interesting and stunning amethyst cluster with a striking mineral and colour mix. In this aesthetic piece the edges have been polished to reveal layers of a vibrant green celadonite, blue-grey agate and white quartz, which frame the intense purple colour of the amethyst. The interior of the mineral sculpture is endowed with a gorgeous very deep purple amethyst...

Rare, early 19th Century Antique Chinese Scholars Table Mirror/Screen from the Qing Dynasty. This collectors item is signed by the craftsman who ...

Calligraphy Box, XXth century. Calligraphy box with 2 brushes, dry ink, ink plate and small porcelain container with spoon in the original box. Dimensions : H: 4 cm, W: 17 cm, D: 1...

A small ceramic stemmed dish with high cylindrical foot in white glaze with a cobalt blue underglaze inscription in the center from Korea, circa 18-19th cent...

Designer's Note: This exquisite, petite inkstone box is a perfect harmony of practical literati utility and profound aesthetic elegance. Its compact size and dense, smooth texture ma...

A ceramic bowl by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1891 of late Meiji period. A very fine example of the artist's work that belongs to the middle period of his...

Japan, a dramatic and stunning larger antique Daruma hand-carved in the round with finely detailed hair, nose, brows and feet - a precious talisman of protection, perseverance and ...

An antique Chinese inside painted mini glass snuff bottle ( IPSB ), both sides delicately hand painted with shanshui scene circa: 1900, Late Qing to ROC period, late 19-20c

An elegantly woven bamboo basket with handle as an ikenana container by Suzuki Gengensai (1891-1950) circa 1923-50. Suzuki Gengensai was from Kansai region and active in Osaka. He studied bamboo art under Yamashita Kochikusai (1876-1947) and became an independent artist in 1913. He received his artist name Gengensai in 1914 and in 1923 he changed the characters to Gen, a slight written variation of the character. This basket was signed in this later variation, which helps to date the piece to post 1923. The basket is woven entirely in a free style irregular plating on the body and with a twisted bundled handle. The surface is lacquered in a deep reddish color. The seemingly less rigid technique renders the piece a more rustic and natural aesthetic that is more suitable for certain occasions. It is singed on the base with artist's signature in the variation post 1923. A very similar basket of the irregular weaving but without the handle is illustrated in plate 72 in "Baskets Masterpieces of Japanese Bamboo Art...

Impressive suzuribako writing box decorated in gold and tin maki-e lacquer on a nashiji ground. The lid is adorned with a composition depicting a pine and a plum tree whose trunks in...

19th century or earlier, Sri Lankan rice paper prayer book tied with wooden binding. Beautiful Objet d'Art with prayers written in beautiful Sinhalese script. Can be separated and...

A natural malachite rock specimen with striking green and black colors fitted on a wood stand for viewing and meditating. The front of the gemstone features tight and small polished botryoidal form, revealing a beautiful, mottled pattern with intense colors of contrasting green and black. The back is natural with exposed malachite fibers fused in the bedrock. The slab form rock is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen...

This Japanese suzuribako (ink box) of late Meiji Period (circa end of 19th century) is uncommon with its surface covered with woven basketry in che...

Sharing with you this lovely stemcup with wrapping. Dating: Jiajing, 16th century. Condition: Size: DiameterxHeight Condition Rimfritting, 3 hairlines. Size 13 x 10.5cm Period 16t...

A ceramic stem bowl with high cylindrical pedestal foot in white glaze from Korea, circa 18 centuries of late Joseon Dynasty. By shape, this piece appears to be a ceremonial vessel t...

A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand. The gemstone in the botryoidal form was polished in all sides except one side with a fissure to reveal the beautiful swirling patterns and colors. It is displayed as a viewing stone on a fitted wood base by an American collector of Chinese scholar rocks. Known as "Peacock Rock" in Chinese, there was a more recent tradition in China (from Qing Dynasty and on) to collect the exotic gemstones such as malachite and turquoise specimen...

A natural malachite boulder on a fitted wood stand displayed as a Chinese scholar stone (Gong Shi), also known as meditation stone. The natural gem specimen displays a wonderful moun...

A very fine Taisho Period bronze censer of bellied oval form, richly decorated overall with hand enamelled and 'shibuichi' & 'shakudo' motifs, depicting geometric designs, pine t...

A rare Japanese lacquered wood fubako decorated in Kodaiji maki-e style circa early 17th century the beginning of the Edo period, possibly early toward the end of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The rectangular, long and slim box features a deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box with two bronze medallion rings with tasseled...

A well-chosen stone is a resting place for the mind, inspiring calm and contemplation. Marked by currents of jadeite, moss agate, and serpentine, this petite greenery stone evokes th...

A collection of four carved wood print blocks from Japan circa late 19th century (Meiji Period). Constructed and hand-chiseled from hardwood, the printing blocks were finely carved o...

This remarkable Japanese portable writing set contains the instruments of sublime artistic expression. Also known as a yatate, this Meiji-period set i...

A ceramic dish with high cylindrical foot in white glaze with a cobalt blue underglaze inscription from Korea, circa 18-19th century Joseon Dynasty. This is a classic ceremonial vess...

This is a vintage scholar's drawing set. A French, brass case of draughtsman's tools, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Useful set of instruments with appealing vintage fi...

A small and elegant Chinese cloisonné vase for incense tools, Qing Dynasty, 18th/19th century, China. Made for the scholar's studio, this small refined vase, was used to hold incense tools, including a small pair of tongs or chopsticks and spoon. The tools no longer present. Of miniature baluster vase form, the vase beautify proportioned and decorated in the cloisonné enamel technique, with gilt wires forming the cloisons, or partitions. Within the cloisons, colorful enamels have been expertly laid. The small incense tool vase...

Displayed on a black custom carved wood stand, this solid malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors functions as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone showcases the...

This beautiful pair of unusual Chinese scholar shelves is finely crafted with Chinese Northern Elmwood and finished with a black lacquer. The w...

A rare hanging ikebana basket by Japanese bamboo artist Suzuki Gengensai (1891-1950) circa 1923-50. This elegant hanakago was made entirly from white bamboo. It consists of a square footed platform with bent bamboo rods on four corners converging onto the top into an open birdcage-like form, which is to be hung from a hooked bamboo rod. The platform features a square plating base and finely woven edges and feet and a single strand of rope fence. A separate ikebana container...

Antique Late Qing to Republic period ruby red glass overlay snuff bottle on snow storm ground, depicting a landscape scene with a wood gatherer figure to one side, and a fisherman fi...

Elegant and finely crafted rosewood and ivory inlay traveller's writing desk from the late Mughal period of British India (circa 1825), on low bun feet. In excellent condition, with ...

A Chinese Ming Dynasty style elmwood scholar's lamp-hanger armchair from the late 19th century, with carved splat, dark patina, curving arms and side stretchers. Born during the Qing...

gold floral motif on copper red ground

This is a most unusually made antique Hirado porcelain netsuke form model of a mischievous monkey dressed as a Sanbosa dancer. The figure is crisply modelled with cobalt blue and iro...

Pair of Chinese brush pots carved from richly patinated bamboo, dating from the Qing Dynasty, circa 1840–1850. Both pieces are finely decorated with carved scholar figures in relief ...

A beautiful Chinese hand painted soapstone scholar's rock sculpture. This large hand carved soapstone sculpture is hand painted with white flowers pa...

A Japanese four-section inro made from ceramic with glazed painting with original ensuite Ojime and Netsuke circa 18th century of Edo period signed by Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743). The r...

A Chinese Two-Tiered Bamboo and Rattan Lidded Dessert Basket with Handle, Mid 20th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Dimension: Height: 18cm Width: 15.5cm Depth: 1...

These charming bronze shells were cast in Japan in the 19th century. They lived for many years in the collection of the Paris artist Pierre Le-Tan. One of...

Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only f...

This is an antique textile printing block. An English, carved copper on hardwood printer's stamp in Art Nouveau taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Delightfully...

Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This beautif...

A Tiger's eye tripod incense burner and cover Chinese, 20th century of compressed globular form raised on three cabriole legs issuing from lion masks, flanked by two horned mythica...

Sculptural Letter Opener Crafted From Silver-Plated Brass, Featuring An Organic, Flowing Silhouette That Marries Functionality With Artistry. This Exquisite Piece Is Adorned With A P...

Sculptural Vase Crafted From Silver-Plated Brass, Showcasing A Unique, Tapered Silhouette With A Distinctive Tiered Texture. This Exquisite Piece Is Adorned With Recycled White Stone...

A very nice Chinese rosewood calligraphy duan inkstone with brush and dragon motif, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chip...

China, In commemoration of the year of the rabbit- we are proud to offer these rare carvings. A finely carved pair (2) of antique celadon jade crouching rabbits. These handsome ja...

A vintage Chinese cloisonne snuff bottle on royal sapphire blue ground, decorated with a colourful blossoming tree scene and a multi-coloured b...

Antique Chinese Tea Caddy. Late 19th century early 20th century Elm Wood carved gilt red lacquered tea caddy. In very good condition a beauti...

Sotheby's; Scholarly Works of Art from the Mary and George Bloch Collection, Hong Kong, October 2005. First edition Hardcover, 202 pp., 149 lots,...

This mid 20c, 5/6/7 period carved rose quartz snuff bottle is a delicate and exquisite artifact, reflecting the refined aesthetic and skilled ...

Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Tray/Stand with Dragon Design, Guangxu Period (1875-1908). A dark vermillion red carved cinnabar lacquered Scholar’s tray on raised and footed supports. The top and sides of the tray carved in tight geometric diminishing square hatch ground with blossom centers. The aprons carved in deep relief on each side with two opposing auspicious five-clawed dragons chasing the flaming pearl amongst the clouds. The four corners with square curved feet supports. The underside lacquered black and unmarked. 4.75 in. high x 15 in. wide x 12.75 in. deep (12 x 38 x 32.5 cm). 4 lbs. 6 oz. (1983g.) Guangxu Period (1875-1908) Provenance: Property removed from a residence at the Pierre Hotel, New York, 2021. U.S.A. art market. For similar cinnabar dragon...

A large and impressive Chinese carved and stained hardwood display stand in the form of a stylized chrysanthemum, mid 20th century or earlier, China. The large display stand...

Rootwood furniture occupied a special place within the Chinese scholar's studio, where naturally formed timbers were transformed into elegant stands for the display of treasured obje...

Antique Chinese Molded Gourd Snuff Bottle. The rounded hexagonal melon form gourd with six concave sides each formed by growing a gourd in a wood mold. The base is a perfect concave...

For centuries, woodblock printing played a vital role in the preservation and dissemination of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Monastic printing houses throughout the Himalayan region em...

Antique Chinese hand carved lapis lazuli snuff bottle, relief carved with a boy figure to one side, and a flying bat to the other side, havin...

This is a large antique calligraphic ink block. A Chinese, boxed soot ink printing stone, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb ...

This original woodblock-printed volume is an authentic Eonhae (諺解) edition of The Works of Mencius (Mengja), produced during Korea's Late Joseon Dynasty. The volume contains the Iru ...

Chinese brush washer in the form of a peach, which represents wisdom. The peach is hand carved from rose quartz, a semi precious stone, and the st...

A testament to traditional craftsmanship, this large Chinese calligraphy brush is skillfully handcrafted with beautiful large serpentine barrel beads. The carefully chosen gemstone s...