Late 19th Century Scholar's Objects

A rare and refined Meiji-period walking cane clad in spiraled ray skin (shagreen), polished and finished in traditional black lacquer. The lacquered shagreen surface reveals the unde...

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...

Antique Chinese Crystal Agate Snuff Bottle. This bottle is in a a stout rounded form, with countersunk base, short thick neck, concave lip with a sharp edge and narrow mouth, in a we...

A rare Japanese Koto made from carved Paulownia wood and lavishly decorated with lacquer Maki-e circa late 19th century of Meiji Period (1868-1912). The ...

This finely carved Chinese tea caddy dates to the late Qing period and was likely produced in the Canton region, where intricately worked bamboo objects were highly prized both domes...

This exquisite Chinese snuff bottle, dating from the late Qing to early Republic period, is a remarkable example of inside-painted glass artistry in the classic Chinese water-color style. The bottle features a square form, providing four distinct canvases for the artist's work. Each side of the bottle is finely painted with a bird amidst a group of flowers, capturing the essence of traditional Chinese painting. The meticulous brushwork and attention to detail are evident, making each scene a standalone masterpiece. The bottle is complemented by a large red stopper...

This is an antique set of 8 calligraphic ink blocks. A Chinese, cased set of printing shapes, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Appeali...

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...

A Chinese Hardwood Miniature Table Form Stand, Late 19th century Dimension: Height: 11.5 cm Length: 32 cm. Depth: 12 cm. Provenance: Old Melbourne Chinese Collection.

Antique Chinese Qing Molded Infinite Huiwen Ruyi Scepter with White Jade Medallion A beautiful Chinese Qing ruyi scepter with carved white jade medallions. The scepter is decorated ...

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

Antique Eyeglasses in nicely decorated Case, China Circa 1900. The core is in wood and the case in shagreen, tinted with copper oxide. Shagreen is s...

A very tall and slender Chinese scholar rock of Taihu type in an elegant Lingzhi mushroom form well-balanced on a custom-carved wood stand circa late 19th century. Being exposed to t...

A Chinese scholar rock carved from a natural lapis stone and displayed on a brocade wrapped stand circa late 19th century Qing Dynasty. The brightly blue lapis was considered as am exotic gemstone in China and mostly imported from Persia through the silk road. While not a conventional rock types of materials for scholar stones, it is occasionally carved and polished into smaller Gongshi to be displayed and meditated upon in the scholar's study. Similar approaches were also done with jade, malachite and turquoise, even petrified wood, Chenxiang Agarwood, roots in spirited form, porcelain and even bronze in rock forms. The lapis was carved into a mountain form with stacked rocks...

A fixture of the Chinese scholars' studio, the inkstone was among the "Four Treasures of the Study" and was used in calligraphy and landscape painting along with paper, ink and brush...

A Korean writing box from the Joseon Dynasty. This is a beautiful and very decorative antique Korean writing box made during the period of the Joseon dynasty, circa 1880. This box h...

Chinese Qing Dynasty Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Hardwood Wood Scholar's Seal Stand, 19th Century An exceptional 19th-century Chinese scholar’s seal s...

A Chinese late Qing dynasty shadow agate snuff bottle, exquisitely carved to depict a scene of contemplative serenity. It features a scholar, thoughtfully seated on a rock, positione...

A scholar's object intended for the workshop—most likely used as an ink drip rather than a true teapot—recognizable by its small spout opening and tightly fitting lid. The piece is c...

An extraordinary specimen created by nature millions of years ago, this large and stunning Chinese black chrysanthemum stone features white crystalline mineral (calcite and chalcedon...

A late Qing period Chinese snuff bottle, crafted from composite amber. This bottle is adorned with meticulously carved beast and ring taotie motifs on its shoulders, and slightly rai...

A fine 19th-century Japanese Buddhist sceptre, or nyoi (如意), fashioned from naturally formed root or burl wood. The sinuous organic form follows the natural contours of the wood, cul...

A stunning upright Chinese scholar stone (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock) of significant weight and volume is gracefully balanced on the wood display stand....

An exceptional scholar's rock lingbi (灵璧石), traditionally intended for Chinese scholars, on a very elaborate Qing period wooden base. It is presented with the larger end above the sm...

An antique Chinese snuff bottle from the late Qing period, crafted from amber glass, showcases the mysterious and intricate art of inside ...

An elegant bronze suiteki, or water dropper, in the shape of a gourd. The suiteki is one of the essential objects of the literati, used to hold the water needed for grinding ink. Far...

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...

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...

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

gold floral motif on copper red ground

Pair of Antique Chinese Jade and Hardstone Inlaid Plaques of Boys, 1880s This exceptional pair of antique Chinese jade and hardstone inlaid plaques, dating to the 1880s, depicts ani...

This is set of 8 antique calligraphic ink blocks. A Chinese, boxed set of printing shapes, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Fascinatin...

Burmese Kammavaca manuscript with two lacquer cover pieces and inscribed leaves for Buddhist ordination texts, circa 1880. Long rectangular panels elaborately decorated in shwe za...

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...

Antique Middle Eastern Brass Inkwell Qalamdan. A 19th century brass decorated Middle Eastern Islamic Qalamdan. The Qalamdan is in solid brass, etched on all sides with engraved geom...

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

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...

Vietnamese wood seal, made of wood, and metal. It dates from the end of the 19th century around 1880 and is in good condition.

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 exceptional celadon jade brush wash epitomizes the pinnacle of Chinese craftsmanship. Carved in the form of a hollowed peach, the piece showcases intri...

A Chinese Hardwood Gnarled Root Brush Pot, Late 19th Century This decorative container is used to hold writing brushes and popular during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It was revere...

For sale is a small inkwell from the Japanese Meiji era. It was hand-made around the turn of the 19th/20th century out of Satsuma clay. Satsuma ware (???, Satsuma-yaki) is a type of ...

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...

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...

Antique Chinese Honey Quartz Dragon Snuff Bottle, a flat rectangular form with rounded shoulders and footed base of a golden coloured translucent material with horizontal striations ...

A Chinese Hardwood Gnarled Root Brush Pot, Late 19th Century This decorative container is used to hold writing brushes and popular during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It was revere...

Qing dynasty (1644-1911) burl scroll pot (Scholars Pot), China.

An antique Burmese set of sixteen double-sided Kammavaca or Buddhist manuscripts, written in Bali in red and black lacquer on a gold leaf ground. This set is accompanied by the original pair of gold leaf and red lacquer pictorial cover boards. Kammavaca are volumes consisting of extracts from the Theravadin Vinaya, that relates to the traditional ceremonies of monks. Together with a manuscript chest...

Hand carved intricate Chinese scholar's bamboo brush pots with brass rings and script. Original warm patina and some cracks as photographed present, c...

A Chinese Hardwood Gnarled Root Brush Pot, Late 19th Century This decorative container is used to hold writing brushes and popular during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It was revere...

This curious object is a late 19th-century Chinese water dropper, a calligraphy accessory that would have been found upon a scholar's painting ta...

Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk. This small wooden bru...

An antique Mongolian horn snuff bottle, finely crafted with a swivel stopper circa: 1900, Late 19th Century

This is a beautiful 19th century Chinese brush pot made from a hardwood root. The root brush pot has natural gnarled surface with many knots and indents, the top edge is softly rou...

A furo tearoom brazier by Raku Kichizaemon XI Keinyu (1817-1902) decorated in bold style over a brick red glaze. The classical scene depicts men in ‘mino’ straw raincoats pulling a barge up river under the overhanging branches of an ancient willow tree. With makers mark to base and sold with its original paulownia wood storage box. Overall the piece is in excellent condition but has sustained several stress cracks in one corner due to heat encountered during continual use. This is typical of Japanese raku ceramics...

A Korean ceramic water dropper in the shape of a mountain from late Joseon Dynasty circa 1850-1900s. The lovely piece takes a shape of a rugged mountain peak with crags and furrows, ...

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...

Tri-pod ceramic bowl likely used as an incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji period. The signature indicates that it was produce...

foo lion decorated with a pleasant facial expression